Gith

Basic Information

Anatomy

Gith possess a humanoid anatomy

Biological Traits

By and large, Gith possess similar abilities to humans, however unlike humans the Gith have two divergent paths that lead to different abilities. These two paths are the Path of the Githyanki (or Path of the Reaver) and the Githzerai (or Path of the Keeper). The Githyanki are the more warlike members of their society, which leads to them being stronger warriors and the more ruthless. The Githzerai, while slightly less warlike, are no less cutthroat and violent, however they follow a path of life that is based around strengthening their minds and honing their psionic abilities to be able to obliterate their enemies with ease. However, all Gith have at the very least basic psionic abilities, and this leads to many to fear them and seek them out.

Genetics and Reproduction

Gith reproduce sexually, though they lay eggs instead of live birth, with gestation being about 8 months.

Growth Rate & Stages

Gith reach adulthood at about their late teens.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

Long, angular skulls, typically sporting deep-set eyes and flattened noses. They also sport pointed, almost serrated like ears.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Hailing from a obscure island home out in the Leanan Sea, the Gith at this point have spread across the world to sell their services as crooks, mercenaries, and street thugs.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Gith all possess perception abilities similar to humans. However, all Gith possess at the very least a low level psionic ability, which is a dangerous but powerful alternate form of magic that predates all known scholarly records.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Gith 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.
Githyanki names are longer and melodic than their githzerai counterparts. While still full of harsher tones, apostrophes and more vowels often make the names more melodic overall. Like githzerai names, female names are longer overall and more melodic than male names, but the differences can be more subtle among githyanki names.

Gender Ideals

The Gith are an egalitarian people

Major Language Groups and Dialects

The Gith speak a language simply known as Gith

Culture and Cultural Heritage

As stated before, Gith possess two lifepaths based on their gods: The Reaver and the Keeper. The Reaver demands blood, war, and spoils in war, and demands those that follow his path to collect trophies form their raids and kills. The Keeper on the other hand believes that the mind is the key to power, and demands meditation, and a harnessed and focused brutality. The Keeper is also highly pragmatic, leading the Githzerai to be slightly off-putting and cold.
The psionic abilties they possess are a unique style of magic, but is highly dangerous. While magic has been known to also drive people insane the older they get using these powers, with psionic abilities the risk of madness is amplified, leading many Gith to have violent or psychopathic tendencies. However, they rarely turn into drooling vegetables, and their violent tendencies can help them immensely in the criminal world.

History

Not much of their history is known in terms of the Gith, but some evidence and hints do exist. Strangely, they come from an island that does not show on any map, and the description of some of the ruins on the island have a vague match to those from the long dead Ishtar Empire. It is theorized that the people of the Ishtar Empire had some means of "creating life" if such playing of god can even be imagined, regardless, the Gith are quite possibly a result of this strange flesh-crafting. It is said in their scriptures that the first Gith to emerge from the ruins of their island were rabid and insane, but overtime learned to calm their mind that swam with the maddening psionic powers. This eventually led to the two paths of the Gith being formed, which they then used to unite their society. However, they curiously then made a massive species wide diaspora, in where they scattered across the world. Some formed pirate fleets, while others integrated themselves in the nations of the world to sell their services for whoever would require them.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

The Gith have a reputation, and not completely unearned. They sport a reputation as cutthroat and ruthless killers and crooks, and due to this can be most commonly found in the criminal sphere of the world. Many crime lords or other sorts of illicit activity leaders seek out the powers of Gith, and the Gith have learned to capitalize on these deals. While some Gith prefer to form their own pirate fleets or crime gangs, many have learned that the gold the other races provide is fairly good, and so due to this Gith are often viewed with suspicion as they are seen as trouble makers and criminals.

Lifespan

About 100 years

Average Height

Around 6ft

Average Physique

Typically slender-like, described commonly as looing like emaciated humanids.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Typically pale yellow, though can also sometimes be brownish or greenish tones.