Githzerai

The githzerai are a humanoid race that dwell primarily in the space between the Prime Material Plane and the Astral Plane, known to some as Limbo. They are descended from a splinter group of gith, a race that had been enslaved by mind flayers for centuries until they rebelled for their freedom. Philosophical differences between the githzerai and their githyanki kin have led to a long and bloody civil war among the gith.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Like all gith, githzerai are tall and emaciated-looking humanoids, but, thanks to their rigid training, have muscular bodies. They have pale yellow skin, somtimes with greenish or brownish tones, and symmetrical brown or black splotches. Their skulls are long and angular, with deep-set eyes, flattened noses, and long pointed ears. Typical hair colours include black, russet, and sometimes grey, which male githzerai either shave or wear in braids. Their facial hair is also carefully groomed. Female githzerai usually wear their hair in buns or braids.
As a result of their long period of enslavement and manipulation by the illithids, all githzerai possess psionic abilities. They are all capable of minor telekinesis, and can also hone their abilities to become capable of innately creating magical barriers, or even detecting the thoughts of another sentient being.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Githzerai names are often guttural sounding as consonants dominate their names. There are some melodic tones as well though, and female names are especially softer sounding than their male counterparts. Female names also tend to be longer overall, though both names can be quite long at times.

History

The githzerai descended from the same race as the githyanki, a race which some referred to as "the forerunners" and whose exact origin, even its name, was lost to time and a matter of some speculation. Some sources claimed that they were originally humans from another world which had been conquered by the illithid empire, and who had been slowly altered by the mind flayers' genetic experiments, while others claimed that they might have been created by the illithids themselves through imbuing humanoid hosts with different powers. Regardless of the origin of their ancestors, the githzerai's origin is known.
After centuries of servitude, the forerunners revolted against their illithid masters, under the guidance of their leader Gith, who possessed a unique ability to shield her people from their captors' abilities. After gaining their freedom, Gith's followers continued on a crusade against the illithids, destroying the empire and forcing any remaining mind flayers to flee. However, Gith's conquest did not stop there, as she ordered the continuation of the war effort to hunt down every last mind flayer to the point of extinction, and to establish an empire of their own, based on conquest.
However, there was a faction that did not agree to Gith's demands, seeking instead to rebuild their civilisation and their traditions. This faction, led by Zerthimon, challenged Gith's leadership and motives, arguing that she would end up leading their people to become the same tyrants that they had escaped from. The disagreement led to a violent civil war. Zerthimon was killed and his followers, who dubbed themselves "githzerai" (meaning "those who oppose Gith" in their language), retreated to Limbo in defeat.

Scientific Name

Homo Sinenesus Inimicus

Lifespan

100 years

Average Height

6'4"-7'

Average Weight

45-80kg