Githzerai [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

Githzerai [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Tahjn2007
10-14-07, 02:48 PM I just was wondering where exactly the Gith races (Githyanki and Githzerai) fit in in the Realms?

Also I was wondering about what a good explanation for why a Githzerai Monk would adventure in the realms( which monastic group would he come from and what deity would he worship?)

I am interested in this information to tell to a DM for an upcoming campaign focused around the Moonsea.
Kilamar
10-14-07, 03:09 PM Nowhere, as they do not originate from this world.

They are either planar travelers or descendendants of a hidden enclave of their people in the FR. The last option is more likely for the Githzerai, as the Githyanki do not stay away from the Astral Plane for a long time.

Or your FR experienced a Githyanki invasion some time ago and your Gith was left behind.

Kilamar
Tahjn2007
10-14-07, 03:40 PM So, would it make sense that my githzerai monk was abandoned at a monastery as a child because his mother(or father) was being hounded by a group of Githyanki or Illithids?

Also if a Githzerai was never really raised by any other Githzerai would he(or she) still develop the psionic powers(and the inertial barrier) that the race normally exhibits or would he(or she) be more likely to not develop them naturally?
Vladhslavh
10-14-07, 04:01 PM In my opinion you should consider taking a look at this site http://www.planewalker.com/entry.php?intEntryID=7767
it will be of great help for you, this in particular sounds useful:

Adventurers: Githzerai adventurers have left the company of their own kind to venture beyond Limbo and dwell with other races. There is always a good reason for this. Some githzerai adventurers are the sole survivors or apprentices of rrakma (illithid–hunter) bands. Others might be outcasts from the floating cities of Limbo, perhaps due to some injust accusation of treachery by the Anarchs Guild, or wanderers who live in self-imposed exile in order to further their own self–understanding. Very rarely, a githzerai may have spoken the Pronouncement of Two Deaths As One, swearing such loyalty to a companion that the githzerai will willingly perish before he will consider abandoning that companion.
Gray Richardson
10-14-07, 04:14 PM Githzerai do exist in the Realms, per the Players Guide to Faerūn, they mostly live in the plane of Warrior's Rest.

There may also have a presence (maybe a monastery or two) in the plane of the Supreme Throne.

While not much has been done with them in FR, there are certainly plot points you could develop for them. You might find some in the Astral opposing the interests of the Githyanki. There is a Githyanki settlement in the Underdark, so you might find Githzerai near there also, either spying on the Githyanki or mounting a force to drive them back to the Astral.

You could probably see the odd Githzerai anywhere in the Realms, as individual Githzerai could be out performing missions, undergoing visionquests, on diplomatic delegations to terrestrial monasteries or visiting the courts of various governments, or have other strange business anywhere in the Realms or any other plane. :)
Suin Bahhar
10-14-07, 06:37 PM Zaerith Menyar-Ag-Gith and Zerthimon are revered by the Githzerai as gods. Both were heroes in a distant past that led their people towards greater freedom. (My guess they are epic NPC's or of demigod status)

Zaerith Menyar-Ag-Gith, is a powerful wizard God-King and resides in the Limbo, but is unreachable directly from Torils crystal sphere. Githzerai near the Supreme Throne are most likely descendants from followers of Zaerith, and could be still worshipping him.
Those on Warriors Rest seem more likely candidates for Zerthimon worshippers and are called zerths. Zerthimon & Gith led their people to freedom from the illithid empire but Zerthimon believed he knew better than to continue conquest and building of a new empire upon the scattered illithid one. He advocated freedom was the ultimate goal of their struggle: not the eradication of the illthids. After that the yanki's and the zerai's have been at war. The zerths from Warriors Rest are in a constant state of (cold) war with githyankis that travel to the Realms or could be constantly seeking and spying upon all githyanki settlements in the realms (which are located mostly in the Underdark). Eytan Bernstien did an article on the githyankis in the realms (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/frcc/20070627). The 'yankis are looking for something near Middle Old Shanatar as of late, so this could be a good reason for a zerth to stealthily go and investigate.

I'd make Zaerith a lawful good quasi-diety with a selfish bent (a bit like Vlaakith), controlling as much Anarch judge circles and monasteries as possible for him by claiming he thwarts illithids and protects all zerai freedom.
Zerthimon would be a lawful good hero-diety with a more neutral and pro-active bent.
You can also make up a new hero of 'zerai lore for worship as they use these herofigures alot in their metaphore rich language.
Old Sage
10-14-07, 08:29 PM Githyanki do exist in the Realms, thanks to a number of specific references.

The Ol' Grey Box referenced a githyanki corpse turn up in the Dalelands, indicative perhaps of a githyanki presence nearby. A more solid reference however, and one that's been mentioned, can be found in Drizzt Do'Urden's Guide to the Underdark, which notes a githyanki enclave in the old dwarven sub-realm of Torglor - once part of Deep Shanatar.

Another reference... githyanki appear in the final "Marco Volo" adventure, serving the intelligent artifact The Dragonking's Eye.

Githyanki are especially noted as not being welcome in the Bazaar of Menzoberranzan, which could suggest they've appeared there to some degree.

Githyanki are noted also in Underdark, pg. 135, in 1250 DR during a githyanki attack on Ch'Chitl.

And lastly, this isn't as "official" as the references offered above, but githyanki were brought into "The North" during an old DUNGEON adventure ["Into the Silver Realm", DUNGEON #43], which detailed the discovery of a silver sword and the consequences that eventuated.
Old Sage
10-14-07, 08:33 PM There's not a whole lot of established Realmslore about the Githzerai themselves. In fact, the only githzerai mentioned in a Realms product I can remember, aside from Gray's reference to the PGtF, is Skullport [home to a githerzai exile -- named Grimmbold the Gith].
Andyr
10-15-07, 01:52 PM I remember reading somewhere that illithids (and perhaps their slave races) arrived in the Realms from Glyth, one of the other planets in Realmspace.
meto30
10-15-07, 04:10 PM I don't think this is official, but NWN2 features Githyanki and Githzerai.

Zaerith Menyar-Ag-Gith, is a powerful wizard God-King and resides in the Limbo, but is unreachable directly from Torils crystal sphere. Githzerai near the Supreme Throne are most likely descendants from followers of Zaerith, and could be still worshipping him.
Those on Warriors Rest seem more likely candidates for Zerthimon worshippers and are called zerths. Zerthimon & Gith led their people to freedom from the illithid empire but Zerthimon believed he knew better than to continue conquest and building of a new empire upon the scattered illithid one. He advocated freedom was the ultimate goal of their struggle: not the eradication of the illthids. After that the yanki's and the zerai's have been at war. The zerths from Warriors Rest are in a constant state of (cold) war with githyankis that travel to the Realms or could be constantly seeking and spying upon all githyanki settlements in the realms (which are located mostly in the Underdark). Eytan Bernstien did an article on the githyankis in the realms. The 'yankis are looking for something near Middle Old Shanatar as of late, so this could be a good reason for a zerth to stealthily go and investigate.

This is all true if NWN2 is to be believed. Also, NWN2 says that Gith burrowed help from the Nine Hells in his battle against the Ilithids, and thus was dragged down by devils when the war was over, although her imprisonment was temporary.

NWN2 plot revolves around the Silver Sword that was carried by Gith herself. Refered to as the Silver Sword of Gith, this sword is no longer in Gith's hands. Several notable persons seems to have held the blade. NWN2: MotB, which is an expansion pack, features Akachi the betrayer, a priest of Myrkul who betrayed his god and lead a rebellion of clerics into the fugue plane using powers that Myrkul had granted him. It is mentioned that Akachi held the blade at the time of the Betrayor's Crusade.

If anyone wants me to, I can create a link a video of an NPC's explanation of Githyanki history.
Suin Bahhar
10-15-07, 08:20 PM Yeah I'd like that link, Meto30.

Was it Vlaakith or Gith that made the pact with Red Dragons? I cant seem to remember. I remember something about a deal that went wrong before the one with the dragons, so this story of Gith traveling to the Nine Hells seems very possible.

Myrkul could be or seek to be a possible ally of the 'zerai in the realms as his priest Akachi is hunted by 'yankis.
Nice little storyline with lore NWN2 has. Nothing like that in the original campaign of NWN that I actually own.
Old Sage
10-15-07, 08:57 PM I remember reading somewhere that illithids (and perhaps their slave races) arrived in the Realms from Glyth, one of the other planets in Realmspace.You're likely thinking of Drizzt Do'Urden's Guide to the Underdark. If you read the write-up of "Oryndoll," you'll see Eric Boyd suggests pretty strongly that the illithids arrived in the Realms circa -11,000 DR from the planet of Glyth via spelljammers.
Old Sage
10-15-07, 09:01 PM Was it Vlaakith or Gith that made the pact with Red Dragons? I cant seem to remember. I remember something about a deal that went wrong before the one with the dragons, so this story of Gith traveling to the Nine Hells seems very possible.The githyanki made the pact with a group of red dragons.
meto30
10-16-07, 12:45 AM http://dory.mncast.com/mncHMovie.swf?movieID=100340257200710161 30528

The man in tatoos is the warlock Ammon Jherro, a prominent companion in NWN2. His tattoos are evidence of his past ties to Thay...

The githzerai cleric is Zheehave, a zerth of considerable power.

I captured the video myself, but since the server that hosts the file is in Korea, you may experience delays.
Suin Bahhar
10-16-07, 11:22 AM Very good! Zheehave seems a very knowledgable zerth. The Limbo realy is a very fun plane to adventure in, but building citadels seems impossible. That the githzerai are able to hold together those floating fortresses is a considerable feat of discipline, expelling doubt from the community by training and understanding i.e. knowing... I love githzerai because of this ascetic attitude and their shaping of a perfect mind amidst a perfect chaos.

Sage, I know the githyanki made the pact with Tiamat and her Red Dragon progeny but was it Vlaaktih or Gith who made the deal? Maybe this pact was made before Zerthimon disagreed with Gith's methods and formed the last straw for Zerthimon. Or did the dragons actively help with the mind flayer rebellion?
Old Sage
10-16-07, 09:09 PM Sage, I know the githyanki made the pact with Tiamat and her Red Dragon progeny but was it Vlaaktih or Gith who made the deal? Maybe this pact was made before Zerthimon disagreed with Gith's methods and formed the last straw for Zerthimon. Or did the dragons actively help with the mind flayer rebellion?What we know, is that Vlaakith began counselling Gith with regard to becoming allies with Tiamat in Baator. Gith then descends into Baator to meet with Tiamat. She never returns, but Ephelomon, the red dragon consort of Tiamat, visits the githyanki and claims Gith has placed Vlaakith in command, sealing the pact between the Children of Gith and red dragonkind.

See A Guide to the Astral Plane for a more detailed coverage of these events.
Suin Bahhar
10-17-07, 09:59 AM This pact must have been made after the schism of Zerthimon then. I could imagine Gith and the githyankis felt immensly betrayed and needed allies to make war on the betrayers and enemies alike. I like to believe Gith was betrayed by Tiamat too, with Vlaakith as one of her puppets, but the opportune moment for her to betray the 'yankis has not come yet.

A strange thing is the githzerai are very introspective, xenophobic and seldom seek allies despite being Lawful and Good. Their homes make assaults difficult but their enemies are powerful. I think the cleric made an interesting point in not allowing doubt into your homes on Limbo. Foreign influences might increase doubt, failing the defences of their intelectual citadels with desastrous consequences. This whole aspect of morphability is in the realms most aptly mimmicked on Warrior's Rest where the battlefield changes in chaotic patterns... zerths are training in Warriors Rest to *know* their surroundings and shape it to their will. They could creat stable traininggrounds and temples with their *knowing*. They are perhaps actively defending their grounds agaisnt the onslought of Torillian warmonger petitioners who battle every day. This should create enough hostility between Githzerai and Fearunians to make them dour or hostile.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Tahjn2007 10-14-07, 02:48 PM	I just was wondering where exactly the Gith races (Githyanki and Githzerai) fit in in the Realms? Also I was wondering about what a good explanation for why a Githzerai Monk would adventure in the realms( which monastic group would he come from and what deity would he worship?) I am interested in this information to tell to a DM for an upcoming campaign focused around the Moonsea.
Kilamar 10-14-07, 03:09 PM	Nowhere, as they do not originate from this world. They are either planar travelers or descendendants of a hidden enclave of their people in the FR. The last option is more likely for the Githzerai, as the Githyanki do not stay away from the Astral Plane for a long time. Or your FR experienced a Githyanki invasion some time ago and your Gith was left behind. Kilamar
Tahjn2007 10-14-07, 03:40 PM	So, would it make sense that my githzerai monk was abandoned at a monastery as a child because his mother(or father) was being hounded by a group of Githyanki or Illithids? Also if a Githzerai was never really raised by any other Githzerai would he(or she) still develop the psionic powers(and the inertial barrier) that the race normally exhibits or would he(or she) be more likely to not develop them naturally?
Vladhslavh 10-14-07, 04:01 PM	In my opinion you should consider taking a look at this site http://www.planewalker.com/entry.php?intEntryID=7767 it will be of great help for you, this in particular sounds useful: Adventurers: Githzerai adventurers have left the company of their own kind to venture beyond Limbo and dwell with other races. There is always a good reason for this. Some githzerai adventurers are the sole survivors or apprentices of rrakma (illithid–hunter) bands. Others might be outcasts from the floating cities of Limbo, perhaps due to some injust accusation of treachery by the Anarchs Guild, or wanderers who live in self-imposed exile in order to further their own self–understanding. Very rarely, a githzerai may have spoken the Pronouncement of Two Deaths As One, swearing such loyalty to a companion that the githzerai will willingly perish before he will consider abandoning that companion.
Gray Richardson 10-14-07, 04:14 PM	Githzerai do exist in the Realms, per the Players Guide to Faerūn, they mostly live in the plane of Warrior's Rest. There may also have a presence (maybe a monastery or two) in the plane of the Supreme Throne. While not much has been done with them in FR, there are certainly plot points you could develop for them. You might find some in the Astral opposing the interests of the Githyanki. There is a Githyanki settlement in the Underdark, so you might find Githzerai near there also, either spying on the Githyanki or mounting a force to drive them back to the Astral. You could probably see the odd Githzerai anywhere in the Realms, as individual Githzerai could be out performing missions, undergoing visionquests, on diplomatic delegations to terrestrial monasteries or visiting the courts of various governments, or have other strange business anywhere in the Realms or any other plane. :)
Suin Bahhar 10-14-07, 06:37 PM	Zaerith Menyar-Ag-Gith and Zerthimon are revered by the Githzerai as gods. Both were heroes in a distant past that led their people towards greater freedom. (My guess they are epic NPC's or of demigod status) Zaerith Menyar-Ag-Gith, is a powerful wizard God-King and resides in the Limbo, but is unreachable directly from Torils crystal sphere. Githzerai near the Supreme Throne are most likely descendants from followers of Zaerith, and could be still worshipping him. Those on Warriors Rest seem more likely candidates for Zerthimon worshippers and are called zerths. Zerthimon & Gith led their people to freedom from the illithid empire but Zerthimon believed he knew better than to continue conquest and building of a new empire upon the scattered illithid one. He advocated freedom was the ultimate goal of their struggle: not the eradication of the illthids. After that the yanki's and the zerai's have been at war. The zerths from Warriors Rest are in a constant state of (cold) war with githyankis that travel to the Realms or could be constantly seeking and spying upon all githyanki settlements in the realms (which are located mostly in the Underdark). Eytan Bernstien did an article on the githyankis in the realms (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/frcc/20070627). The 'yankis are looking for something near Middle Old Shanatar as of late, so this could be a good reason for a zerth to stealthily go and investigate. I'd make Zaerith a lawful good quasi-diety with a selfish bent (a bit like Vlaakith), controlling as much Anarch judge circles and monasteries as possible for him by claiming he thwarts illithids and protects all zerai freedom. Zerthimon would be a lawful good hero-diety with a more neutral and pro-active bent. You can also make up a new hero of 'zerai lore for worship as they use these herofigures alot in their metaphore rich language.
Old Sage 10-14-07, 08:29 PM	Githyanki do exist in the Realms, thanks to a number of specific references. The Ol' Grey Box referenced a githyanki corpse turn up in the Dalelands, indicative perhaps of a githyanki presence nearby. A more solid reference however, and one that's been mentioned, can be found in Drizzt Do'Urden's Guide to the Underdark, which notes a githyanki enclave in the old dwarven sub-realm of Torglor - once part of Deep Shanatar. Another reference... githyanki appear in the final "Marco Volo" adventure, serving the intelligent artifact The Dragonking's Eye. Githyanki are especially noted as not being welcome in the Bazaar of Menzoberranzan, which could suggest they've appeared there to some degree. Githyanki are noted also in Underdark, pg. 135, in 1250 DR during a githyanki attack on Ch'Chitl. And lastly, this isn't as "official" as the references offered above, but githyanki were brought into "The North" during an old DUNGEON adventure ["Into the Silver Realm", DUNGEON #43], which detailed the discovery of a silver sword and the consequences that eventuated.
Old Sage 10-14-07, 08:33 PM	There's not a whole lot of established Realmslore about the Githzerai themselves. In fact, the only githzerai mentioned in a Realms product I can remember, aside from Gray's reference to the PGtF, is Skullport [home to a githerzai exile -- named Grimmbold the Gith].
Andyr 10-15-07, 01:52 PM	I remember reading somewhere that illithids (and perhaps their slave races) arrived in the Realms from Glyth, one of the other planets in Realmspace.
meto30 10-15-07, 04:10 PM	I don't think this is official, but NWN2 features Githyanki and Githzerai. Zaerith Menyar-Ag-Gith, is a powerful wizard God-King and resides in the Limbo, but is unreachable directly from Torils crystal sphere. Githzerai near the Supreme Throne are most likely descendants from followers of Zaerith, and could be still worshipping him. Those on Warriors Rest seem more likely candidates for Zerthimon worshippers and are called zerths. Zerthimon & Gith led their people to freedom from the illithid empire but Zerthimon believed he knew better than to continue conquest and building of a new empire upon the scattered illithid one. He advocated freedom was the ultimate goal of their struggle: not the eradication of the illthids. After that the yanki's and the zerai's have been at war. The zerths from Warriors Rest are in a constant state of (cold) war with githyankis that travel to the Realms or could be constantly seeking and spying upon all githyanki settlements in the realms (which are located mostly in the Underdark). Eytan Bernstien did an article on the githyankis in the realms. The 'yankis are looking for something near Middle Old Shanatar as of late, so this could be a good reason for a zerth to stealthily go and investigate. This is all true if NWN2 is to be believed. Also, NWN2 says that Gith burrowed help from the Nine Hells in his battle against the Ilithids, and thus was dragged down by devils when the war was over, although her imprisonment was temporary. NWN2 plot revolves around the Silver Sword that was carried by Gith herself. Refered to as the Silver Sword of Gith, this sword is no longer in Gith's hands. Several notable persons seems to have held the blade. NWN2: MotB, which is an expansion pack, features Akachi the betrayer, a priest of Myrkul who betrayed his god and lead a rebellion of clerics into the fugue plane using powers that Myrkul had granted him. It is mentioned that Akachi held the blade at the time of the Betrayor's Crusade. If anyone wants me to, I can create a link a video of an NPC's explanation of Githyanki history.
Suin Bahhar 10-15-07, 08:20 PM	Yeah I'd like that link, Meto30. Was it Vlaakith or Gith that made the pact with Red Dragons? I cant seem to remember. I remember something about a deal that went wrong before the one with the dragons, so this story of Gith traveling to the Nine Hells seems very possible. Myrkul could be or seek to be a possible ally of the 'zerai in the realms as his priest Akachi is hunted by 'yankis. Nice little storyline with lore NWN2 has. Nothing like that in the original campaign of NWN that I actually own.
Old Sage 10-15-07, 08:57 PM	I remember reading somewhere that illithids (and perhaps their slave races) arrived in the Realms from Glyth, one of the other planets in Realmspace.You're likely thinking of Drizzt Do'Urden's Guide to the Underdark. If you read the write-up of "Oryndoll," you'll see Eric Boyd suggests pretty strongly that the illithids arrived in the Realms circa -11,000 DR from the planet of Glyth via spelljammers.
Old Sage 10-15-07, 09:01 PM	Was it Vlaakith or Gith that made the pact with Red Dragons? I cant seem to remember. I remember something about a deal that went wrong before the one with the dragons, so this story of Gith traveling to the Nine Hells seems very possible.The githyanki made the pact with a group of red dragons.
meto30 10-16-07, 12:45 AM	http://dory.mncast.com/mncHMovie.swf?movieID=100340257200710161 30528 The man in tatoos is the warlock Ammon Jherro, a prominent companion in NWN2. His tattoos are evidence of his past ties to Thay... The githzerai cleric is Zheehave, a zerth of considerable power. I captured the video myself, but since the server that hosts the file is in Korea, you may experience delays.
Suin Bahhar 10-16-07, 11:22 AM	Very good! Zheehave seems a very knowledgable zerth. The Limbo realy is a very fun plane to adventure in, but building citadels seems impossible. That the githzerai are able to hold together those floating fortresses is a considerable feat of discipline, expelling doubt from the community by training and understanding i.e. knowing... I love githzerai because of this ascetic attitude and their shaping of a perfect mind amidst a perfect chaos. Sage, I know the githyanki made the pact with Tiamat and her Red Dragon progeny but was it Vlaaktih or Gith who made the deal? Maybe this pact was made before Zerthimon disagreed with Gith's methods and formed the last straw for Zerthimon. Or did the dragons actively help with the mind flayer rebellion?
Old Sage 10-16-07, 09:09 PM	Sage, I know the githyanki made the pact with Tiamat and her Red Dragon progeny but was it Vlaaktih or Gith who made the deal? Maybe this pact was made before Zerthimon disagreed with Gith's methods and formed the last straw for Zerthimon. Or did the dragons actively help with the mind flayer rebellion?What we know, is that Vlaakith began counselling Gith with regard to becoming allies with Tiamat in Baator. Gith then descends into Baator to meet with Tiamat. She never returns, but Ephelomon, the red dragon consort of Tiamat, visits the githyanki and claims Gith has placed Vlaakith in command, sealing the pact between the Children of Gith and red dragonkind. See A Guide to the Astral Plane for a more detailed coverage of these events.
Suin Bahhar 10-17-07, 09:59 AM	This pact must have been made after the schism of Zerthimon then. I could imagine Gith and the githyankis felt immensly betrayed and needed allies to make war on the betrayers and enemies alike. I like to believe Gith was betrayed by Tiamat too, with Vlaakith as one of her puppets, but the opportune moment for her to betray the 'yankis has not come yet. A strange thing is the githzerai are very introspective, xenophobic and seldom seek allies despite being Lawful and Good. Their homes make assaults difficult but their enemies are powerful. I think the cleric made an interesting point in not allowing doubt into your homes on Limbo. Foreign influences might increase doubt, failing the defences of their intelectual citadels with desastrous consequences. This whole aspect of morphability is in the realms most aptly mimmicked on Warrior's Rest where the battlefield changes in chaotic patterns... zerths are training in Warriors Rest to know their surroundings and shape it to their will. They could creat stable traininggrounds and temples with their knowing. They are perhaps actively defending their grounds agaisnt the onslought of Torillian warmonger petitioners who battle every day. This should create enough hostility between Githzerai and Fearunians to make them dour or hostile.