How common are genasi?

Answered by Tom Adger

Genasi, beings with elemental ancestry, were incredibly rare across the planes. Their existence could be attributed to the convergence of elemental forces during their conception. However, on the world of Toril, genasi were slightly more prevalent due to the abundance of portals connecting to other planes.

Before the cataclysmic event known as the Spellplague, genasi were considered a rarity even on Toril. It was a stroke of luck for them to encounter another of their kind during their lifetime. This scarcity added to their mystique and made them objects of fascination and curiosity for those who crossed their path.

As an expert on genasi, I have come across many individuals who have shared their personal experiences of being one of the rare few. One such genasi recounted how they spent years searching for others like them, hoping to find a sense of belonging and understanding. Their journey took them to various corners of Toril, encountering different cultures and societies, yet their encounters with fellow genasi remained exceedingly rare.

The rarity of genasi can be attributed to the intricate process of their creation. It involves the union of an elemental being from one of the elemental planes with a mortal being. This union is often fleeting and transient, making it difficult for genasi to be born and survive in significant numbers. Additionally, the unpredictable nature of elemental forces further diminishes the likelihood of their existence.

However, the abundance of portals on Toril allowed for more opportunities for genasi to come into being. These portals acted as gateways to other planes, increasing the chances of a mortal encountering an elemental being and creating a genasi offspring. This, in turn, contributed to a slightly higher population of genasi on Toril compared to other worlds.

The aftermath of the Spellplague, a devastating event that reshaped the world and its connection to the planes, brought about significant changes to the prevalence of genasi. The barriers between the planes weakened, leading to an influx of elemental energy into Toril. This surge in elemental power resulted in an increase in the number of genasi being born and surviving.

In the post-Spellplague era, genasi became slightly more common on Toril. However, even with this increase, they remained a minority among the population. The unique nature of their heritage and the challenges they faced in finding others like themselves continued to shape their experiences.

Genasi were exceptionally rare beings across the planes, including Toril. Their occurrence was a result of fortuitous circumstances and the convergence of elemental forces during their conception. The abundance of portals on Toril increased the chances of genasi being born, making them slightly more common compared to other worlds. However, even with this slight increase, genasi remained a rarity among the population, and their encounters with fellow genasi were infrequent and cherished.