The warlike githyanki and the contemplative githzerai
are a sundered people- two cultures that utterly despise
one another. Before there were githyanki or githzerai,
these creatures were a single race enslaved by the mind
flayers. Although they attempted to overthrow their
masters many times, their rebellions were repeatedly
crushed until a great leader named Gith arose.
After much bloodshed, Gith and her followers threw
off the yoke of their illithid masters, but another leader
named Zerthimon emerged in the aftermath of battle.
Zerthimon challenged Gith's motives, claiming that
her strict martial leadership and desire for vengeance
amounted to little more than another form of slavery
for her people. A rift erupted between followers of each
leader, and they eventually became the two races whose
enmity endures to this day.
Whether these tall, gaunt creatures were peaceful or
savage, cultured or primitive before the mind flayers
enslaved and changed them, none can say. Not even
the original name of their race remains from that
distant time.GITHYANKI
The githyanki plunder countless worlds from the decks
of their astral vessels and the backs of red dragons.
Feathers, beads, gems, and precious metals decorate
their armor and weapons-the legendary s ilver swords
with which they cut through their foes. Since winning
their freedom from the mind flayers, the githyanki have
become ruthless conquerors under the rulership of their
dread lich-queen, Vlaakith.
Astral Raiders. The githyanki despise all other races,
undertaking devastating raids that take them from their
strongholds in the Astral Plane to the farflung corners
of the multiverse. War is the ultimate expression of
githyanki culture, and their pitiless black eyes know
no mercy. After a raid, they leave shattered survivors
enough food and resources to weakly endure. Later, the
githyanki return to their conquered foes, plundering
them again and again.
Followers ofGith. In their own language, githyanki
·means "followers of Gith." Under the guidance of Gith,
the githyanki stratified into a militaristic society, with
a strict caste system, dedicated to the ongoing fight
against the victims and sworn enemies of their race.
When their leader Gith perished, she was replaced by
her undead adviser, Vlaakith. The lich-queen forbade
worship of all beings except herself.
Of all their enemies, the githyanki most hate their
former masters, the mind flayers. Their close kin,
the githzerai, are second in their enmity. All other
creatures are treated with simple contempt by the
githyanki, whose xenophobic pride defines their view of
inferior races.
Silver Swords. In ancient times, gith knights created
special weapons to combat their mind Hayer masters.
These silver swords channel the force of the wielder's
will, dealing psychic as well as physical damage. A
githyanki can't become a knight until it masters the
singular discipline needed to will such a blade into