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An Idea for Gensai

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
jedi123
Aug 02, 2009 18:04:05 I've been thinking of picking up the players guide to faerun mostly for the Swordmage class (it fits so well into a number of cultures in Eberron). Also in here is the bonus of stats for the Drow and Gensai. In the EPG they include a conversion of the Gensai, one that is pretty generic. I wanted something more specific. So here's my idea:

The Gensai are a product of the Mourning. While the majority have appeared in the Mourland, a handful have also shown up all across Khorvaire. None of them have any memory of where they were, what they were doing, or anything from before their mysterious appearance. Some have set off to find their pasts, others are trying to adapt to life in a new world. A few traveled with the Cyran refugees and have taken up residence outside of New Cyre. Another group has joined with the Magebred in the Mournland. Many have broken off into small groups scattered around Khorvaire, although they are weary of Zilargo and Aundaire, feeling more like specimens than people in those lands.

Using this they become similar to the Feyspires becoming permanent, they are a sign of the Mourning being felt beyond the borders of the Mournland. I was wondering if anyone had comments on this. Good idea? Bad idea? I'd also like to hear other peoples ideas for the Gensai placement (if you use them at all).
#2
phoeris
Aug 02, 2009 19:17:28 It sounds like a good idea, hell, I'm tying dragonmarks on non-starndard races to the Mourning so this isn't too far fetched. Just one thing I think you should consider:

How do their elemental natures tie into the Mourning? At least, how do they relate to each other? You don't have to tell your players and they may not really tie in that much at all but at least consider why they have their elemental natures and not some other mutation.

When I'm DM'ing Genasi are more or less ret-conned in. I assume they've always existed in small numbers as humanoid descendants of ancient elemental creatures. It's not that interesting I know, but nobody's wanted to play a Genasi yet so I haven't thought too much about it.
#3
jedi123
Aug 02, 2009 19:29:47
It sounds like a good idea, hell, I'm tying dragonmarks on non-starndard races to the Mourning so this isn't too far fetched. Just one thing I think you should consider:

How do their elemental natures tie into the Mourning? At least, how do they relate to each other? You don't have to tell your players and they may not really tie in that much at all but at least consider why they have their elemental natures and not some other mutation.

When I'm DM'ing Genasi are more or less ret-conned in. I assume they've always existed in small numbers as humanoid descendants of ancient elemental creatures. It's not that interesting I know, but nobody's wanted to play a Genasi yet so I haven't thought too much about it.

I meant to include it but guess I forgot in my haste. The basic idea is that they are actually members of the other races, infused with energies of the Elemental Chaos. The ones created outside of the Mournland would have been in places with strong ties to various elements(A number of Windsoul would have been created in Sharn, and a group of adventurers at the Fist of Onatar become Firesoul, so on and so forth). The other idea is they are the same energies given life by whatever massive event triggered the Mourning. Similarly they would have appeared at spots tied to their element, except in the Mournland where the massive release of energy created Gensai of all types.
#4
phoeris
Aug 02, 2009 19:33:00 Ah so you're basic assumption with the Mourning is that it was (whether or not the root cause) essentially a burst of chaotic elemental energy?
#5
jedi123
Aug 02, 2009 19:54:02
Ah so you're basic assumption with the Mourning is that it was (whether or not the root cause) essentially a burst of chaotic elemental energy?

Yes. It was not the root cause, something else is responsible. I always thought that explosion of energies was a possibility, and given some of the other influences the Mourning this doesn't seem to be too much of a stretch.
#6
phoeris
Aug 02, 2009 20:00:33 Indeed. That sounds like a solid idea. :D
#7
soyim
Aug 02, 2009 20:24:02 The Current Idea for Gensai im running with is that they are the offspring of individuals who were closely linked to Elemental Binding rituals: often those Engineers and Artificers who performed multiple bindings within their life times.

They also come about from extended exposure to Elemental Vessels; Fire and Wind Gensai from Airships, Storm and Thunder from the Water Vessels, and Earth from the horseless cargo carriages.

Essentially the constant influence of a bound elemental has worked its way into the soul of the child- marking them and ultimatly transforming them at birth into a creature separate from their original race. Obviously they are present in Zilargo and Breland predominantly, but due to the use of Elemental Vehicles they can be found anywhere and in all walks of life.
#8
mikeloop86
Aug 02, 2009 21:06:22
I've been thinking of picking up the players guide to faerun mostly for the Swordmage class (it fits so well into a number of cultures in Eberron). Also in here is the bonus of stats for the Drow and Gensai. In the EPG they include a conversion of the Gensai, one that is pretty generic. I wanted something more specific. So here's my idea:

The Gensai are a product of the Mourning. While the majority have appeared in the Mourland, a handful have also shown up all across Khorvaire. None of them have any memory of where they were, what they were doing, or anything from before their mysterious appearance. Some have set off to find their pasts, others are trying to adapt to life in a new world. A few traveled with the Cyran refugees and have taken up residence outside of New Cyre. Another group has joined with the Magebred in the Mournland. Many have broken off into small groups scattered around Khorvaire, although they are weary of Zilargo and Aundaire, feeling more like specimens than people in those lands.

Using this they become similar to the Feyspires becoming permanent, they are a sign of the Mourning being felt beyond the borders of the Mournland. I was wondering if anyone had comments on this. Good idea? Bad idea? I'd also like to hear other peoples ideas for the Gensai placement (if you use them at all).

Shamelessly gonna steal this idea for my own campaigns.
#9
angelus_obscura
Aug 02, 2009 21:26:20 For me, the genasi would be the elemental manifestation of the various dragonmarks OR even the Siberys marks themselves made manifest. Instead of the racial tattoo-like lines around their body, I'd put the dragonmark.

I.e. Lyrandar's Mark of Storm: the genasi of this 'mark would be stormsoul, watersoul, and/or windsoul with the dragonmark tattoo being their energy lines (aka szuldar).

A stormsoul would work well with the mark of passage as well.

Earthsoul = marks of handling, hospitality, making, sentinel, warding

Firesoul = marks of hospitality, making, scribing [and finally aberrant]

Watersoul = mark of detection, finding, healing, shadow, storm

The above is just a basic/general list according to similar attributes and shared themes.
#10
jedi123
Aug 02, 2009 22:34:11
Shamelessly gonna steal this idea for my own campaigns.

No need to do it shamelessly. I like that my idea is well received.
#11
Ventus_Frago
Aug 03, 2009 12:03:16 I'm thinking of using Genasi as a recent creation from a rogue Cannith creation forge, perhaps one controlled by the lord of blades; he's having problems making real warforged, why not have him stealing people and running them through a forge?
#12
misterfido_dup
Aug 03, 2009 12:22:37 I simply imagine genasi as having multiple origins.

Human who took his study of elemental wizardry too far? Check.
Test subject in a lab (if I am ever an Eberron PLAYER for once, definitely breaking out of Morgrave or Arcanix as a former human =P)? Check
Result of chaotic arcane energy, such as the morning? Check
Normal race born on elemental plane? Check
Elemental version of a deva, more or less? Check

One story I ALMOST went with when making a character was "A human assassin, struck by lightning, was captured; while they spent weeks healing his paralyzed body (for the purpose of torturing information out of him--can't torture a vegetable!). During that time, he felt a hitherto nonexistent energy in his being growing. When he was able to move again, and was being moved out of the hospital for interrogation, he went on the offensive, bursting forth with lightning, becoming a genasi sorcerer (storm)."

I ALMOST went with that story, but the temptation to play as my favorite race, a changeling, was too strong; I ended up being changeling storm sorcerer with a Mark of Storm (normally, I'm very opposed to out-of-race marks, but this wasn't even an Eberron game, so screw it =P)
#13
Sarlax
Aug 03, 2009 16:15:24
The Current Idea for Gensai im running with is that they are the offspring of individuals who were closely linked to Elemental Binding rituals: often those Engineers and Artificers who performed multiple bindings within their life times.

I like this idea. I'd also add in manifest zones to Fernia or Risia, since the EPG fluff suggests that genasi have been around for a while, if in small numbers.

Keeping in mind some of informal mission statement for 4E Eberron to always keep the Last War in mind, I'd also allow make modern genasi to be the product of special weapon experiments, perhaps as a collaboration between Cannith and Vadalis.
#14
Chigaru
Aug 04, 2009 13:40:58 I described them as being the remnants of Daelkyr experiments.

"Hey, let's put this shard of elemental chaos into this mortal, see what happens." "Oooh, good idea. I was just going to toss another mouth on."

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 jedi123 Aug 02, 2009 18:04:05	I've been thinking of picking up the players guide to faerun mostly for the Swordmage class (it fits so well into a number of cultures in Eberron). Also in here is the bonus of stats for the Drow and Gensai. In the EPG they include a conversion of the Gensai, one that is pretty generic. I wanted something more specific. So here's my idea: The Gensai are a product of the Mourning. While the majority have appeared in the Mourland, a handful have also shown up all across Khorvaire. None of them have any memory of where they were, what they were doing, or anything from before their mysterious appearance. Some have set off to find their pasts, others are trying to adapt to life in a new world. A few traveled with the Cyran refugees and have taken up residence outside of New Cyre. Another group has joined with the Magebred in the Mournland. Many have broken off into small groups scattered around Khorvaire, although they are weary of Zilargo and Aundaire, feeling more like specimens than people in those lands. Using this they become similar to the Feyspires becoming permanent, they are a sign of the Mourning being felt beyond the borders of the Mournland. I was wondering if anyone had comments on this. Good idea? Bad idea? I'd also like to hear other peoples ideas for the Gensai placement (if you use them at all).
#2 phoeris Aug 02, 2009 19:17:28	It sounds like a good idea, hell, I'm tying dragonmarks on non-starndard races to the Mourning so this isn't too far fetched. Just one thing I think you should consider: How do their elemental natures tie into the Mourning? At least, how do they relate to each other? You don't have to tell your players and they may not really tie in that much at all but at least consider why they have their elemental natures and not some other mutation. When I'm DM'ing Genasi are more or less ret-conned in. I assume they've always existed in small numbers as humanoid descendants of ancient elemental creatures. It's not that interesting I know, but nobody's wanted to play a Genasi yet so I haven't thought too much about it.
#3 jedi123 Aug 02, 2009 19:29:47	It sounds like a good idea, hell, I'm tying dragonmarks on non-starndard races to the Mourning so this isn't too far fetched. Just one thing I think you should consider: How do their elemental natures tie into the Mourning? At least, how do they relate to each other? You don't have to tell your players and they may not really tie in that much at all but at least consider why they have their elemental natures and not some other mutation. When I'm DM'ing Genasi are more or less ret-conned in. I assume they've always existed in small numbers as humanoid descendants of ancient elemental creatures. It's not that interesting I know, but nobody's wanted to play a Genasi yet so I haven't thought too much about it. I meant to include it but guess I forgot in my haste. The basic idea is that they are actually members of the other races, infused with energies of the Elemental Chaos. The ones created outside of the Mournland would have been in places with strong ties to various elements(A number of Windsoul would have been created in Sharn, and a group of adventurers at the Fist of Onatar become Firesoul, so on and so forth). The other idea is they are the same energies given life by whatever massive event triggered the Mourning. Similarly they would have appeared at spots tied to their element, except in the Mournland where the massive release of energy created Gensai of all types.
#4 phoeris Aug 02, 2009 19:33:00	Ah so you're basic assumption with the Mourning is that it was (whether or not the root cause) essentially a burst of chaotic elemental energy?
#5 jedi123 Aug 02, 2009 19:54:02	Ah so you're basic assumption with the Mourning is that it was (whether or not the root cause) essentially a burst of chaotic elemental energy? Yes. It was not the root cause, something else is responsible. I always thought that explosion of energies was a possibility, and given some of the other influences the Mourning this doesn't seem to be too much of a stretch.
#6 phoeris Aug 02, 2009 20:00:33	Indeed. That sounds like a solid idea. :D
#7 soyim Aug 02, 2009 20:24:02	The Current Idea for Gensai im running with is that they are the offspring of individuals who were closely linked to Elemental Binding rituals: often those Engineers and Artificers who performed multiple bindings within their life times. They also come about from extended exposure to Elemental Vessels; Fire and Wind Gensai from Airships, Storm and Thunder from the Water Vessels, and Earth from the horseless cargo carriages. Essentially the constant influence of a bound elemental has worked its way into the soul of the child- marking them and ultimatly transforming them at birth into a creature separate from their original race. Obviously they are present in Zilargo and Breland predominantly, but due to the use of Elemental Vehicles they can be found anywhere and in all walks of life.
#8 mikeloop86 Aug 02, 2009 21:06:22	I've been thinking of picking up the players guide to faerun mostly for the Swordmage class (it fits so well into a number of cultures in Eberron). Also in here is the bonus of stats for the Drow and Gensai. In the EPG they include a conversion of the Gensai, one that is pretty generic. I wanted something more specific. So here's my idea: The Gensai are a product of the Mourning. While the majority have appeared in the Mourland, a handful have also shown up all across Khorvaire. None of them have any memory of where they were, what they were doing, or anything from before their mysterious appearance. Some have set off to find their pasts, others are trying to adapt to life in a new world. A few traveled with the Cyran refugees and have taken up residence outside of New Cyre. Another group has joined with the Magebred in the Mournland. Many have broken off into small groups scattered around Khorvaire, although they are weary of Zilargo and Aundaire, feeling more like specimens than people in those lands. Using this they become similar to the Feyspires becoming permanent, they are a sign of the Mourning being felt beyond the borders of the Mournland. I was wondering if anyone had comments on this. Good idea? Bad idea? I'd also like to hear other peoples ideas for the Gensai placement (if you use them at all). Shamelessly gonna steal this idea for my own campaigns.
#9 angelus_obscura Aug 02, 2009 21:26:20	For me, the genasi would be the elemental manifestation of the various dragonmarks OR even the Siberys marks themselves made manifest. Instead of the racial tattoo-like lines around their body, I'd put the dragonmark. I.e. Lyrandar's Mark of Storm: the genasi of this 'mark would be stormsoul, watersoul, and/or windsoul with the dragonmark tattoo being their energy lines (aka szuldar). A stormsoul would work well with the mark of passage as well. Earthsoul = marks of handling, hospitality, making, sentinel, warding Firesoul = marks of hospitality, making, scribing [and finally aberrant] Watersoul = mark of detection, finding, healing, shadow, storm The above is just a basic/general list according to similar attributes and shared themes.
#10 jedi123 Aug 02, 2009 22:34:11	Shamelessly gonna steal this idea for my own campaigns. No need to do it shamelessly. I like that my idea is well received.
#11 Ventus_Frago Aug 03, 2009 12:03:16	I'm thinking of using Genasi as a recent creation from a rogue Cannith creation forge, perhaps one controlled by the lord of blades; he's having problems making real warforged, why not have him stealing people and running them through a forge?
#12 misterfido_dup Aug 03, 2009 12:22:37	I simply imagine genasi as having multiple origins. Human who took his study of elemental wizardry too far? Check. Test subject in a lab (if I am ever an Eberron PLAYER for once, definitely breaking out of Morgrave or Arcanix as a former human =P)? Check Result of chaotic arcane energy, such as the morning? Check Normal race born on elemental plane? Check Elemental version of a deva, more or less? Check One story I ALMOST went with when making a character was "A human assassin, struck by lightning, was captured; while they spent weeks healing his paralyzed body (for the purpose of torturing information out of him--can't torture a vegetable!). During that time, he felt a hitherto nonexistent energy in his being growing. When he was able to move again, and was being moved out of the hospital for interrogation, he went on the offensive, bursting forth with lightning, becoming a genasi sorcerer (storm)." I ALMOST went with that story, but the temptation to play as my favorite race, a changeling, was too strong; I ended up being changeling storm sorcerer with a Mark of Storm (normally, I'm very opposed to out-of-race marks, but this wasn't even an Eberron game, so screw it =P)
#13 Sarlax Aug 03, 2009 16:15:24	The Current Idea for Gensai im running with is that they are the offspring of individuals who were closely linked to Elemental Binding rituals: often those Engineers and Artificers who performed multiple bindings within their life times. I like this idea. I'd also add in manifest zones to Fernia or Risia, since the EPG fluff suggests that genasi have been around for a while, if in small numbers. Keeping in mind some of informal mission statement for 4E Eberron to always keep the Last War in mind, I'd also allow make modern genasi to be the product of special weapon experiments, perhaps as a collaboration between Cannith and Vadalis.
#14 Chigaru Aug 04, 2009 13:40:58	I described them as being the remnants of Daelkyr experiments. "Hey, let's put this shard of elemental chaos into this mortal, see what happens." "Oooh, good idea. I was just going to toss another mouth on."