Githyanki

The infamous githyanki are an alien race of raiders and warriors who hail from the astral plane and who have a close affinity with red dragons.

Monster

• Advanced D&D
• 2e
• 3e
• 4e
• 5e

Githyanki
Frequency: Very Rare Number Appearing: 1d4 Armor Class: by armor Movement Rate: 12" (96" astrally) Hit Dice: By Level % In Lair: 40 Treasure Type: N (individual) or A,Z(x2)(lair) Number of Attacks: By class and level Damage/Attack: By weapon Special Attacks: Nil Special Defenses: Nil Magic Resistance: Standard Intelligence: Exceptional or Genius Alignment: Any Evil Size: M Level/XP Value: IV and up / depends on level Psionic Ability: 150-250 Attack/Defense Modes: All/All except J
LORE Githyanki were once humans, but aeons of enslavement to mind flayers transformed them. They developed psionic strength, and rose up under their supreme leader Gith to overthrow their masters. The race now dwells in the Astral Plane in huge castles, devoted to a powerful lich-queen who is said to be a magic-user of at least 24th level. They set up encampments on the material plane to raid human and mind flayer settlements (directing most of their hatred at the latter). They are never encountered at a very high level of experience - it is presumed that the lich-queen destroys those who become powerful enough to risk challenging her.
GEAR Armor: Most githyanki fighters on expeditions wear +4 splint mail, without a shield. Weapons: Githyanki prefer two-handed swords. Fighters of 5th level and above have a 50% chance of that being a +1 two-handed sword. Fighters of 7th level and above have a 60% chance to have a longsword with a bonus of 1d2+1. Knights and astral knights have silver swords, which are +3 two-handed swords that have a 20% chance per round of use of cutting the silver cord of an astral traveler that is not mind barred. Supreme leaders and astral leaders use special silver swords that are +5 two-handed vorpal silver swords that can affected mind barred travelers.
UNITS Trainee: Fighter, Magic-User, or Fighter/Magic-User of level 1d3. Gish: Fighter/Magic-User of level 4/4 Fighter: Fighter of level 1d3+3. Illusionist: Illusionist of 6th level. Warlock: Magic-User of level 1d4+3 Sergeant: Fighter of level 1d4+3. Leader: Fighter/Magic-User of level 1d2+6 Knight: Anti-Paladin of 8th level. Astral Knight: Anti-Paladin of 9th level. Captain: 8th level fighter or 7th/6th level fighter/magic-user Supreme Leader: 11th level fighter or 7th/8th level fighter/magic-user. Astral Leader: Fighter/Magic-User of level 1d2+9/1d2+7.
ENCOUNTER GROUPS Typical Party: two trainees, one fighter, one leader. 75% chance of 1 magic item. Mission Party: one trainee, one fighter, one knight. 1d10 magic items. Great Mission Party: one supreme leader, one captain, one knight, and 1d6+1 trainees. 5% chance of an illusionist. 1d10 magic items. Lair: 1d10+9 trainees, 2 gish, 3 sergeants, 2 warlocks, 1 knight, 2 captains, 1 supreme leader. 5% chance of an illusionist. 1d6+4 magic items. Astral Castle: Up to 1,000 trainees, gishes, sergeants, and warlocks; 40 astral knights, and an astral leader.
Allies Gityanki are friendly with red dragons. In return for shelter, food, and treasure, a red dragon will assist a githyanki party on the material plane. The dragons assist by transporting the githyanki - any dragon above sub-adult in age will transport a githyanki party, and dragon can transport a number of githyanki based on their size (4, 5, or 6), plus an additional githyanki per age category (an additional 1-5).

Githyanki
Climate/Terrain: Astral or Prime Frequency: Very Rare Organization: Dictatorship/monarchy Activity Cycle: Any Diet: Omnivore Intelligence: Exceptional to Genius (15-18) Treasure: Individual R; Lair H Alignment: Any Evil
Number Appearing: 2d4 Armor Class: by armor Movement Rate: 12 (96 on the Astral Plane) Hit Dice: By class and level THAC0: By class and level Number of Attacks: By class and level Damage/Attack: By weapon Special Attacks: Possible spell use, possible magic weapon Special Defenses: Nil Special Abilities: Plane Shift at will Magic Resistance: Nil Size: M (6' tall) Morale: Average to Elite (8-14) Level/XP Value: By class and level Psionic Level: =HD Disciplines/Sciences/Devotions: By level Attack/Defense Modes: All/All Power Score: =INT PSPs: 1d100+150
LORE Githyanki were once humans, but aeons of enslavement to mind flayers transformed them. They developed psionic strength, and rose up under their supreme leader Gith to overthrow their masters. The race now dwells in the Astral Plane in huge, ornate castles, devoted to a powerful lich-queen. They set up encampments on the material plane to raid human and mind flayer settlements (directing most of their hatred at the latter). They are never encountered at a very high level of experience - at 9th level, the lich-queen tests the githyanki, and many die. At 12th level, the githyanki is called into the presence of the Lich-Queen and their life force is devoured. In addition to their hatred of the mind flayers, the githyanki have a deep split with their cousins, the githzerai. This, however, is the closest thing the race has to a civil war - the githyanki are peaceful to other githyanki, and it is an unwritten rule that a githyanki never fights another githyanki. Githyanki equipment is elaborate and baroque, with their clothing, arms, and armor decorated with feathers, beads, and precious metals and gems. Githyanki honor their equipment, often more highly than fellow githyanki. They are especially concerned with their silver swords, which are only permitted to knights and leaders. These weapons are highly prized, and every effort is made to retrieve those that fall from githyanki hands. Githyanki have a rigid training that allows their commanders to utter short, clipped commands that carry great meaning, allowing them to set up ambushes and plan attacks with brief, efficient communication.
GEAR Armor: Githyanki mages don't wear armor. Fighters and fighter/mages may have armor that provides from AC 5 to AC 0 (6 - 1d6). Knights have armor that provides AC 0. Weapons: Githyanki prefer two-handed swords. Fighters of 5th level and above have a 50% chance of that being a +1 two-handed sword. Fighters of 7th level and above have a 60% chance to have a +2 longsword. Knights of 7th level and above have silver swords, which are +3 two-handed swords that have a 5% chance per round of use of cutting the silver cord of an astral traveler that is not mind barred. Supreme leaders and astral leaders use special silver swords that are +5 two-handed vorpal silver swords that can affected mind barred travelers.
UNITS Distributions: Class: 40% Fighter, 25% Fighter/Mage, 15% Mage, 15% Knight, 5% Illusionist. Levels: 20% each Level 3, 6, and 7; 10% each Level 4, 5 and 8, 5% level 9, 3% level 10, 2% level 11. Trainee: Fighter, Magic-User, or Fighter/Magic-User of level 1d3. Gish: Fighter/Magic-User of level 4/4 Warlock: Magic-User of level 1d4+3 Sergeant: Fighter of level 1d4+3. Knight: Paladin with reversed powers of 8th level. Astral Knight: Paladin with reversed powers of 9th level. Captain: 8th level fighter or 7th/6th level fighter/magic-user Supreme Leader: 11th level fighter or 7th/8th level fighter/magic-user. Astral Leader: Fighter/Magic-User of level 1d2+9/1d2+7. In addition to normal gear, astral leaders have 2d4 other random magic items.
ENCOUNTER GROUPS Typical Party: 5 trainees, two red dragons, one warlock, one captain. Red dragons can carry 1d3+3 githyanki each. The dragons flee if the battle turns against them. Lair: 1d4+1*10 trainees, 2 gish, 3 sergeants, 2 warlocks, 1 knight, 2 captains, 1 supreme leader. Astral Castle: Up to 1,000 trainees, gishes, sergeants, and warlocks; 2d4*10 astral knights, and an astral leader.
NONCOMBAT GITHYANKI G"lathk: Githyanki farmers who grow food in artificial chambers using plants acclimated to the astral plane, including fungi and aquatic plants. Mlar:Magic-using architects who build structures for the githyanki Hr'a'cknir:Collectors and observers of astral energies who power githyanki civilization

Githyanki
Githyanki, 1st-level warrior Medium Humanoid (Extraplanar) Hit Dice: 1d8+2 (6 hp) Initiative: +1 Speed: 20 ft. in breastplate (4 squares); base speed 30 ft. Armor Class: 16 (+1 Dex, +5 breastplate), touch 11, flat-footed 15 Base Attack/Grapple: +1/+2 Attack: Masterwork greatsword +4 melee (2d6+1/19–20) or composite longbow (+1 Str bonus) +2 ranged (1d8+1/×3) Full Attack: Masterwork greatsword +4 melee (2d6+1/19–20) or composite longbow (+1 Str bonus) +2 ranged (1d8+1/×3) Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. Special Attacks: Psionics Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., psionics, spell resistance 6 Saves: Fort +4, Ref +1, Will –2 Abilities: Str 13, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 7, Cha 8 Skills: Craft (armorsmithing or weaponsmithing) +2, Intimidate +1, Spot +1 Feats: Weapon Focus (greatsword) Environment: Astral Plane Organization: Company (2–4 3rd-level fighters), squad (11–20 3rd-level fighters, plus 2 7th-level sergeants, 1 9thlevel captain, and 1 young red dragon), or regiment (30–100 3rd-level fighters, plus 1 7th-level sergeant per 10 members, 5 7th-level lieutenants, 3 9th-level captains, 1 16th-level supreme leader, and 1 adult red dragon per 30 members) Challenge Rating: Githyanki with levels in NPC classes have a CR equal to their character level. Githyanki with levels in PC classes have a CR equal to their character level +1. Treasure: Standard Alignment: Usually evil (any) Advancement: By character class Level Adjustment: +2
This tall, gaunt humanoid has rough, yellow skin and russet hair pulled into a pair of topknots. Its eyes have a sinister gleam, and its ears are pointed and serrated in back.
Githyanki are humanlike beings from the Astral Plane that arm themselves for raids, skirmishes, and war. They are gaunt beings, often clad in elaborate dress and armor, because githyanki adore their equipment some would say more than their own mates. Githyanki equipment is distinctive, and the race is protective of their work, exacting painful retribution on other races that dare to think themselves worthy of wielding githyanki gear. Many githyanki name their favored weapons, which are typically greatswords, bastard swords, or other heavy, bladed melee weapons.
ABILITIES Psionics (Sp): 3/day—daze (DC 9), mage hand. In addition, githyanki of 3rd level or higher can use blur three times per day, githyanki of 6th level or higher can use dimension door three times per day, and githyanki of 9th level or higher can use telekinesis (DC 14) three times per day and plane shift (DC 16) once per day. Effective caster level equals the githyanki’s class levels. The save DCs are Charisma-based. Spell Resistance (Ex): A githyanki has spell resistance equal to its class levels + 5. Ability Scores: Githyanki have +2 Dexterity, +2 Constitution, and -2 Wisdom. Darkvision: Out to 60 feet.
SILVER SWORDS A silver sword is a +1 silvered greatsword that, when unsheathed, resembles a blade of fluid quicksilver. Silver swords disrupt psionic powers - those hit by them must succeed on a DC 17 Fortitude save or lose any psionic abilities for 1d4 rounds. A githyanki with the Improved Sunder feat can sever the silver cords of astral travelers. The normally insubstantial cord is treated as a tangible object with the owner’s AC, hardness 10, and 20 hit points. Some silver swords are further enchanted - the sword's antipsionic ability is considered equivalent to a +1, making most silver swords effectively +2 weapons. It is rumored that any githyanki is allowed but one silver sword, and, if it is lost, they must recover the blade at all costs or be killed by their superiors.
SOCIETY Githyanki were once humans, but aeons of enslavement to mind flayers transformed them. They developed psionic strength, and rose up under their supreme leader Gith to overthrow their masters. The race now dwells in the Astral Plane in huge, ornate castles, devoted to a powerful lich-queen (the lair has noncombatants equal to an additional 20% of the fighting population). It is said that the lich-queen devours the life essence of any githyanki who rises above 16th level. In addition to their hatred of the mind flayers, the githyanki have a deep split with their cousins, the githzerai, and the two races only break off hostilities in the face of a mind flayer. Githyanki also have a pact with red dragons. As a group, they often negotiate to use the dragons as mounts. Individually, a githyanki has a +4 bonus to Diplomacy checks when dealing with red dragons.
PSIONIC GITHYANKI The Expanded Psionics Handbook altered githyanki slightly for campaigns using its rules. Naturally Psionic: Psionic githyanki gain 3 bonus power points at 1st level. Psionics (Sp): (replaces standard psionics) 3/day—psionic daze (DC 10), far hand. In addition, githyanki of 3rd level or higher can use concealing amorpha three times per day, githyanki of 6th level or higher can use psionic dimension door three times per day, and githyanki of 9th level or higher can use telekinetic thrust (DC 14) three times per day and plane shift (DC 16) once per day. Effective manifester level equals the githyanki’s class levels. The save DCs are Charisma-based. Power Resistance (Ex): (replaces spell resistance) A githyanki has power resistance equal to its Hit Dice + 5.

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Race

• 2e
• 3e
• 4e

The DM may allow traitorous githyanki as player characters using rules presented in A Guide to the Astral Plane. Such githyanki have turned from the Lich Queen and struck out on their own.

Class: Fighter (called "Githwarrior"), Wizard (called "Warlock"), or Fighter/Wizard (called "Gish"). All are limited to 11th level, unless they want to attract the attention of the Lich Queen.
Ability Score Adjustments: +1 Dexterity, +1 Intelligence, -1 Wisdom, -1 Charismas.
Astral Speed: You travel at a movement rate of 96 on the astral plane.
Psionic Potential: You have double the normal chance of being psionic.
Reputation for Hostility: Githzerai will have bad reactions even to githyanki traitors (they have a -8 reaction adjustment). The reputation for evil and violence imposes a -2 reaction penalty on good NPCs, and a -1 reaction penalty on neutral NPC's.

Githyanki are given racial traits in the Monster Manual

-- +2 Dexterity, +2 Constitution, -2 Wisdom.
-- Medium size.
-- Land Speed: 30 ft.
-- Darkvision 60 ft.
-- Psionics: 3/day: daze, mage hand. At third level, you gain blur 3/day. At 6th level, you gain dimension door 3/day. At 9th level, you gain telekinesis 3/day and plane shift 1/day. The DC's for these are Charisma-based.
-- Spell Resistance: Equal to class level +5.
-- Automatic Languages: Githyanki. Bonus Languages: Common, Infernal, Draconic, Undercommon
-- Favored Class: Fighter
-- Level Adjustment: +2

A variant psionic githyanki, with a few minor differences, appeared in the Expanded Psionics Handbook
-- +2 Dexterity, +2 Constitution, -2 Wisdom.
-- Medium size.
-- Base Speed: 30 ft.
-- Darkvision 60 ft.
-- Naturally Psionic: Gain 3 bonus power points at 1st level -- Psionics: 3/day: psionic daze, far hand. At third level, you gain concealing amorpha 3/day. At 6th level, you gain psionic dimension door 3/day. At 9th level, you gain telekinetic thrust 3/day and plane shift 1/day. The DC's for these are Charisma-based.
-- Power Resistance: Equal to class level +5.
-- Automatic Languages: Common, Gith. Bonus Languages: Abyssal, Celestial, Infernal, Draconic, Undercommon
-- Favored Class: Fighter
-- Level Adjustment: +2

Githyanki

RACIAL TRAITS Average Height: 6'0" - 6'5" Average Weight: 160 - 190 Ability Scores: +2 Constitution and +2 Intelligence Size: Medium Speed: 6 squares Vision: Normal Languages: Common, Deep Speech Skill Bonuses: +2 History. Danger Sense: You have a +2 racial bonus to initiative checks. Githyanki Willpower: You gain a +1 bonus to your Will defense, and a +2 bonus to saving throws against charm effects. Telekinetic Leap: You can use telekinetic leap as an encounter power. Githyanki Names: (male) Dhenirigan, Gerzenit, Izzussan, Nezethet, Ovyrgunget, Therigan, Vallo, Yahayta, Zunyalta (female) Ahayzo, Ezethyr, Ishather, Kesskogan, Verilesh, Zeryaltiss