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The earth genasi adventurer winds over a ledge, face still with concentration as they disappear into the wall, their form merging with the clean side of a cliff. The Earth genasi is one of the four types of genasi inDungeons & Dragons: humanoids descended from the affairs between humans and genies, or humanoids born to families living close to extraordinary amounts of elemental magic.
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Earth genasi in particular are descended from the Dao, an earth-based elemental known for their industrious natures and pride, though widely considered to be wicked and subject to cruel whims. Earth genasi inherited the Dao’s control over the earth and their powerful builds, often leading them into lives of adventure, making them great choices for your next character.
The History Of The Earth Genasi
The earth genasi’s heritage is from theElemental Plane of Earth, a plane ofendless, constantly shifting ground. Every type of rock, ore, sand, and soil can be found on this plane, and the Earth Genasi’s appearance reflects this.
Earth genasi often have skin that resemblescrystalline gemstones,earth, orstone, with glimmering lines of gold or a gem-like glow running over their body in intricate patterns. These lines are calledszuldar, aesthetic energy lines that run across the form of the genasi. They can be changed via scarring or modification, but do not change throughout their lives, distinguishing the Genasi from other elemental species.
Due to the genasi’s tendency to beborn in families outside their species, earth genasi’s culture tends to be that of their upbringing, though many earth genasioften feel isolateddue to theiruniqueandrare appearance.This could potentially make for a lonely childhood, ushering your character into leaving a family home or making their way into the world.
Though it’s rare that genasi is born to other genasi, due to the species' rarity, such a thing is possible and not unheard of.
Earth genasi are often said to bestubborn, strong, and unchangeable, like the element they hail from, though some species might describe them as naive. Though this is said about the earth genasi, this is not entirely the case.
It’s possible that your earth genasi may be as changeable as their location can be, perhaps being very worldly due to uncomfortable interactions with people unaccustomed to their appearance or very flexible due to their adaptability to the surrounding earth.
Earth genasi can also have skin tones thatmirror human skin tones, though they may have a faint shimmer to them to distinguish them from their human counterparts. Earth genasi are highly varied, and it’sentirely possible that no two will look the same.Earth genasi can also come fromany species, so feel free to get creative with your appearance.
Earth Walk
One of the unique features of the Earth Genasi to its elemental counterparts is itsmobility. The earth genasi uses their understanding of the natural world to better keep themselves moving, navigating difficult terrain as if it were moving regularly.
This works especially well formartial classeswho don’t have access tospellcastingwhich could potentially alleviate this issue and works well forspellcastersin that they don’t have to expend the spell slot tonavigate a difficult map.
Darkvision
Darkvisionis a common trait among the fantastic species withinDungeons and Dragons, and is always of benefit to a character, letting them traverse the darker areas of their campaign.
Merge With Stone
Merge With Stoneis a feature that encouragesstealthanddefense, setting the earth genasi up for a sturdier build.Pass Without A Tracecannot be overstated in its ability to assist a party,as every party member within 30 feet of you can add +10 to their existing Stealth checks, and they will thank you for it in modules such asOut of the AbyssandCurse of Strahd, which actively encourage lower level characters to flee from high-powered encounters.
Blade Wardworks well formartial classes, though note thatbarbariangives you these resistances anyway, so using the cantrip in tandem with the class may be redundant.
Best Classes For Earth Genasi Characters
You can playany classas an earth genasi, and the spread of traits makes it easy for the species to be effective in multiple classes and scenarios. Still, some classesmay get more benefitsout of the earth genasi’s traits, and put their innate spellcasting to good use.
Rogue
Pass Without A Traceis notInvisibility. It enables you to hide, but you do not become unseen.
