Air genasi

Windsoul genasi, also known as air genasi, are one of the five main "manifestations" or subraces of the genasi race. The name "windsoul genasi" usually refers to genasi for whom the manifestation is their primary one, though like all of the genasi manifestations it is possible for genasi of another subrace to learn how to manifest it.

Physical Characteristics
Most genasi are descended from djinn genies, though other origins exist, and the touch of the elemental power of wind and air shapes the genasi physique. Like all genasi, the exact appearance of a windsoul genasi varies from individual to individual but all windsoul genasi have szuldar, typically light blue in color. Many also have blue or gray ice crystal spikes crowning their head as well as silvery-hued skin.

However, just as the wind may vary in strength and temperature, so do windsoul genasi vary in appearance and a few have other distinguishing features. Some have light blue or pale white skin instead while others manifest actual hair, often similarly colored. Other strange features may include unusually cool flesh, a voice that carries over the wind, a whistling sound that follows quick movement, or even a slight breeze that seems to follow the genasi.

Because the traits that identify an air genasi are subtile, many go unrecognized for what they are for many years and are sometimes mistaken for sorcerers, although their inherent arrogance and disregard for their appearance fools people into believing they are charlatans at natural magic. Those that are overtly different learn quickly to disguise their nature from common folk, at least until they are able to protect themselves and strike out on their own.

Most windsoul genasi have a lifespan identical to that of humans.

Psychology


Windsoul genasi are fast and free-willed, even for other genasi, and in some ways represent many of the stereotypes about genasi in general. For instance, while most genasi see one another as parts of a larger family this is particularly true for windsoul genasi and the bloodlines of many windsoul genasi are so old and so untraceable that windsoul genasi, as a whole, tend to view one another as cousins - even windsoul genasi they've never met before. Likewise, though this bond of kinship is strong, it is also highly competitive, another trait which is typical of all genasi, but particularly true for windsouls.

Like all genasi, windsoul genasi are proud of their heritage and are more than happy to indulge in spectacular shows to awe those unfamiliar with their race. Windsoul genasi see themselves as the inheritors of the sky, the wind, the very air of the world. Before the Spellplague and the subsequent conquest of Calimshan by genasi, most windsoul genasi who dwelled within the southern land's borders were not so fortunate and instead were subjected to fear and prejudice.

Culture
Windsoul genasi, regardless of whether or not they're actually related, tend to view all other members of their subrace as part of a larger extended family. However, in spite of this, windsoul genasi are still fiercely independent and view one another through a competitive lens. Unlike the members of some races, who might feel inclined to help others of their race, windsoul genasi feel no such compunction and see the weakness of other genasi as a reaffirmation of their own worth.

The powerful drive and strong willed nature of windsoul genasi makes them in some few cases, excellent leaders. These charismatic individuals band together form mercenary companies, arcane cabals, or mercantile roups. Some of these groups, made up entirely of windsoul genasi, even take windsoul genasi from human parents to raise them amongst their own kind. Since many such groups fall apart within a year these children often end up living with just one or two of the band and develop a sense of community that, prior to the transplantation of Akanûl during the Spellplague, was fairly unusual amongst genasi.

Magic and Religion
The vast majority of windsoul genasi feel a strong pull to the elemental energies of the world, moreso than even most genasi and particularly favor spells that involve the air dominion. Those genasi who become wizards usually specialize as evokers or conjurers.