Githzerai

The Githzerai (/gɪθ:zɜɹ:aɪ/, gith-zer-eye), like many races, no longer live on their original plane, and have lived on the material plane long enough for it to be their new home.

## History

### Astral Plane

Eons ago, both Gith races, the Githzerai and the Githyanki, lived harmoniously on the Astral Plane. They shared life in the great city of Tu'narath with little internal conflict, collecting artifacts and exploring both the Astral plane and other nearby planes. However, after repeated adventures into the Underdark exposed the Gith's mind to that of the Ilithids, one of the few beings whose psionic abilities eclipsed those of the Gith. The Ilithids conducted a centuries-long scheme to pit the Gith subraces against one another, which, unfortunately, succeeded. The Gith ruined their own Astral city fighting wars against one another. When they were weak in resources, number, and will, the Ilithids attacked and easily conquered both races. The Ilithids rebuilt Tu'narath into a twisted, eldritch abomination of its former glory, and used the Gith as a servitor race to expand their own domain.

### Rebellion

The Gith didn't simply comply with the Ilithids. Two separate breeding programs were hatched that would eventually give rise to one Githyanki and one Githzerai whose mental capacities could bring them freedom from the Ilithids. After centuries of servitude to the Mindflayers, these chosen Gith lead rebellions in the Astral plane, and, after another century of battle, successfully drove the Ilithids back to the Underdark. However, the chosen Gith's longevity and power came at a price, and they ended up sucking the Astral plane dry of its own fabric, sending Tu'narath back into chaos. The Githzerai leader sacrificed himself in the evacuation process, allowing the Githzerai to escape to the material plane.

### Imzadi

The Githzerai exited a portal on a large, deserted island on the Material plane. They were the only ones to make it out of that portal, as no Githyanki joined them on this island. The Githzerai began fishing for food and gathering resources for a small settlement, which they named Imzadi, after their rebellion leader. As the continents drifted together and the city grew, the Githzerai wandered across a river to the now-connected landmass of Mithja, where they befriended the other early races.
When The Conglomerate was formed, the Githzerai happily agreed to be a founding race, as their pacifist nature led them to prefer a diplomatic solution to potential continental conflict.

## Culture

Githzerai's innate psionic abilities and history under mindflayer rule have rendered them great empaths. Even those who don't specifically know mind-reading spells are much more keen at telling a creature's emotional state than the average humanoid. Githzerai are the most welcoming race on the material plane, and they wear their emotions on their sleeve. However, they are quick to notice a creature's hostility, and will first resort to mind games in order to wear down an enemy. Githzerai almost never engage in true physical violence, though they do enjoy watching theatrical reenactments of the wars against the Mindflayers. Githzerai as a race are pacifist.