Post by Stix on Nov 6, 2005 18:06:08 GMT -5
No other race in the multiverse has triumphed over hardship as the githyanki and the githzerai. In many ways, the two are inextricably linked, yet none can deny that they are the bitterest of foes, entangled in a war of annihilation since time immemorial. The githyanki race has been shaped by its hardship, its hatred, and its environment.
The illithids, known as mind flayers, once kept an empire that spanned countless prime worlds, keeping the indigenous peoples as beasts of burden and livestock. Slavery and other unspeakable influences of the illithids twisted these wretches in form as well as spirit, but many nonetheless clung to the ever-present need for freedom. From among their number arose a champion, greater in mental strength and resolve (and most likely, hatred) than her peers. Her name was Gith.
In the revolt, the ties of the empire were shattered, and the slaves were freed. Gith ordered her people to continue the war, annihilating the illithids and establishing an empire of conquest of their own -- however, some among the people warned that this path would lead them to darkness and tyranny. The loyalists to Gith's vision became the githyanki, and those who would rebel twice came to be known as the githzerai.
Githyanki are strongly humanoid in appearance; they are so gaunt as to be almost skeletal, and slightly taller and longer of limb than humans. They have rough, yellow skin and gleaming black eyes that betray their inhumanness. Their ears taper to sharp points and are serrated at the back. Dress for the githyanki is an elaborate affair; their baroque armor and weapons of war are decorated with feathers, beads, and precious metals and stones.
The githyanki do not war amongst themselves. Their violent tendencies are brought upon other races, but githyanki never battles githyanki. It is the unwritten rule of githyanki society, and is never broken.
Like their githzerai cousins, githyanki train primarily in martial arts, becoming consummate fighters who specialize in the use of heavy weapons and armor (fighter-mages, called "gish", are particularly valued). Elite githyanki knights become paladins of their lich-queen. Those without the fortitude or discipline to follow these paths become rangers, pugilists, scouts, or rogues; these will never rise to prominent stations in githyanki society, but will instead remain in a middle-class lifestyle. More artful githyanki become bards or swashbucklers, and are often prized for their ability to entertain; mages and specialists are also popular for their unique talents on the battlefield. Religion is a trapping of lesser races, and githyanki will not stoop to venerating gods.
Strength: 9 to 18
Dexterity: 11 to 20
Constitution: 9 to 18
Intelligence: 11 to 20
Wisdom: 7 to 16
Charisma: 7 to 16
Size: Medium
Base Speed: 30
Darkvision, 60'
Bonus Feat: Astral Running
+2 Racial bonus to Control
-2 Racial penalty to Diplomacy
Favored Class: Fighter
Male height range: 5'4" - 6'10"
Female height range: 5'0" - 6'6"
Male weight range: 120 - 180 lbs
Female weight range: 90 - 150 lbs
Starting age range: 32 - 78
Lifespan: 250 years