ON GENIE MAGICKS
Written by Ijamar the Stupendous, Scholar of Upper Air.
Of the four provinces of true majicks, those pertaining to the Domain of Air are of the highest order. Air in and of itself is the most plentiful element we observe; it can topple towers and trees; we cannot live without it. Does not drawing breath constitute “air” as literal life giving?
Certainly, the other three provinces of true majicks, those of earth, water, and fire can make similar claims, but these claims are spurious. “Bones” are of the earth as the scholar Ulyna claims (who also argues that mud magics are one of the highest arts of Primordialist spellcrafting - a claim surely absurd on its face). Tell me, where can one find bone in the earth, not placed there by a dying creature? “Fire” is the heartbeat, the living spirit is another common claim. This holds merit though a human in the presence of too much fire is destroyed. Lastly, those of the aquatic inclination lay claim to water in the blood. This holds merit as well, though I would regret drinking red waters -- save for wine of course.
Vaphiar the Scolded, in his Treatise of Clouds Vol III. makes clear the preeminence of the winds: “Other Primordial schools are composed of no pure things. Earth is the worst offender in this regard, being of both dirt and stone. Fire is both fuel and flame, leaving behind ash and soot. Water in its ideal form is pure, but is easily contaminated. Thus, air is alone in its ideal purity.” Therefore, the Domain of Air is the highest order of majicks workable in mortal hands (other schools of teaching such as astrology & demonology I reject out of hand).
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So too are the elemental creatures pertaining to the Domain of Air. Genies (sometimes Djinn in southern places) are the highest form of elemental being, save for the four Elemental Kings (Side note: as asexual beings, elementals only adopt gendered customs from mortals. Some scholars (typically females) assign the title of Elemental Queen or “Lord” to these entities. This is both confusing to novices and disregards the long tradition of naming. I reject this naming scheme for both its illogical presumption- elementals are naturally genderless not feminine - and contempt for scholarly tradition. This text will use the term “Elemental King”.)
Genies typically take the appearance of a mortal with blue skin, fashioning themselves with wind-drawn silks. Their faces are handsome and refined, and they keep themselves in perfect condition. Their society is arranged in royal courts, all subservient to the Elemental King of Airs, though the strata of these courts is near impossible for a mortal to fully comprehend. I refer curious readers to a secondary work, “On Genie Culture & Customs” scribed by yours truly under the tutelage of Vaphiar the Scolded. For the discussion in this book, it is suffice to say that genie society is deeply hierarchical with an emphasis on grandeur and luxury. They are more capricious than fiery and cruel Efferti and more commanding than the watery and relaxed Undines.
Genies enjoy their splendor through the usage of wind majicks. For one trained in the discipline of the Domain of Air, there is no greater teacher. (As you are no doubt aware dear reader, there is a contentious argument in the scholarly tradition on the origin of Wind majicks. This scholar, for his merit, believes Genies are the first to teach the Domain of Air to mortals, though other sides have convincing arguments as well). Genies can call and manipulate the upper airs at a whim, something I, a mortal, envy deeply. The skilled among them can also manipulate their appearance using wind-drawn scarfs & fabrics to blend in with their form.
Part of their art is being able to talk to the winds and ask them for their help. Speaking to a wind is a novice task - though dominating their whims takes a lifetime of mastery. Face the wind, so your hair is blown back and blow out from your lungs in a steady stream. When the wind pauses, speak and it may hear you. Genies do this naturally, able to naturally manipulate the air currents around themselves at will. They are naturally gaseous, while we mortals must rely on crystals cylinders of white smoke to achieve a similar effect. Of course, conventional majicks is not why so many wonder about Genie Magicks.
Indeed, the true majick of the Genie is their power to grant Wishes. A “wish” can be anything within the Genie’s power to give, which of course is almost anything as they are a being of the highest order of majick. Supposedly, other elemental savants, such as Effreti or Undine, possess similar powers, though scholars in this area are notoriously tight-lipped. Nor can I imagine an unruly Effrit or whimsical Undine ever deigning to grant a wish. Wish granting is a privilege of the Genie alone, a result of their nobility and royalty.
In most folklore, Genies can grant 3 wishes after being freed from a lamp. This folkloric tradition is sadly filled with misconceptions. Genies are naturally capricious, and thus only grant a number of wishes pertaining to their station, a form of “noblesse oblige.” Soldier or servant Genies typically grant a singular wish before departing; these are the most common Genies found by mortals, as higher ranking nobles do not travel into mortal realms often, whereas soldier and servant Genies frequently have tasks (fetch quests, conquering of lands, petty revenge, etc) that collide them with mortals. If an upper ranking noble Genie is captured, their status requires them to grant multiple wishes.
It is also said friendly Genies can grant as many wishes as they are willing to, though this requires a deep friendship between a mortal and an immortal creature, which has a forbidden allure. I know of one such case.
Genie can grant anything in their majicks can provide for. Being of the utmost highest magical being, this can be near anything your heart desires, though some things are more expedient than others. Traveling great distances is easily done through wind-walking. The gathering of a fortune of coins can be done in a moderate fashion by sweeping up all lost coinage in great gusts. Moving mountains can be accomplished, though only after a good deal of time and strength from the Genie.
The Genie’s disposition matters a great deal during this transaction. A friendly Genie will do their deepest to grant the soul of your wish, while an angered Genie will twist your words into the cruelest interpretation of your request, as a scorned lover may. Captured Genies are typically angry, though their haste-filled need to escape may lessen their inflicted torment. They are most enraged at their capturer, though they demand of everyone else “Why have you not freed me sooner?” Once free and having satisfied their wish obligation, Genies will flee back to their courts and cloud pillows. Particularly vengeful Genies may plot against their masters, especially if they were harsh task-givers.
I have heard some sorcerers have devised ways to permanently entrap a Genie, though even if such an outlandish heresy were true I would not pen it down.
Most folklore depicts Genies are trapped in lamps, and this is commonly the case, though not any lamp will suffice. Genies have a refined eye and a sophisticated taste; thus, finely polished bronze is the most common material to attract a Genie's attention. (Wind commonly whirls around bronze statues and artifacts to gather information and observations for a nearby genie. This is why certain sections of bronze statues are worn down.) For a bronze lamp, inscribe within the runic symbol for “Air,” the runic symbol for “Chain,” and the runic symbol for “Desire,” before submerging the lamp in an urn of oil. Light the oil aflame and let it burn down. Now, the lamp can capture and hold a Genie, if it is encountered. Leaving the lamp where the wind bows most often is most likely to attract a Genie; the winds may tell a Genie an interesting bronze artifact is nearby.
In short, us mere mortals have developed our own understanding of Genies and their magicks, though this understanding will always be merely superficial. If you are fortunate to find yourself in the presence of a Genie, offer riches and velvet silks and spiced wines - perhaps you will find a mentor and maybe something even more. For further reading, I recommend the works of the aforementioned Vaphiar the Scolded, as well as Bernghast whose treatise on the geography of the Plane of Air was of considerable help.
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My players were recently tasked with kidnapping the Genie from Fabien's Atelier [1] and were debating what to do. They did some research for what to expect from a Genie's wishes, so I wrote up this document as an in-world document.
[1] Quick review: Excellent puzzle dungeon.
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