Medium humanoid (gith), lawful evil
Armor Class 18 (plate)
Hit Points 91 (14d8 + 28)
Speed 30 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +3
Proficiency Bonus +6 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 (+3) | 14 (+2) | 15 (+2) | 14 (+2) | 14 (+2) | 15 (+2) |
Saving Throws Con +5, Int +5, Wis +5
Senses passive Perception 12
Languages Gith
Challenge 8 (3900 XP)
Innate Spellcasting (Psionics). The githyanki’s innate spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 13, +5 to hit with spell attacks). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no components:
- At will: mage hand (the hand is invisible)
- 3/day each: jump, misty step, nondetection (self only), tongues
- 1/day each: plane shift, telekinesis
ACTIONS
- Multiattack. The githyanki makes two silver greatsword attacks.
- Silver Greatsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d6 + 6) slashing damage plus 10 (3d6) psychic damage. This is a magic weapon attack. On a critical hit against a target in an astral body (as with the astral projection spell), the githyanki can cut the silvery cord that tethers the target to its material body, instead of dealing damage.
5th Edition Advanced Mode
Limiting the power of a character and making the overall difficulty of the game harder, does not reduce the creativity, indeed it does quite the opposite.
The Game Master has the option to use any and all of the instances proposed in this guide, or just some of them according to their preference.
It is the lack of something that move and motivate characters, not the abundance of it
DESCRIPTION
The githyanki are a race of humanoid warriors who dwell in the Astral Plane. They are the descendants of a people who were enslaved by the mind flayers for millennia, until they rebelled and won their freedom. The githyanki are ruthless conquerors who raid other worlds for resources and slaves, and despise all other races, especially their kin, the githzerai.
The githyanki knights are the elite warriors of their society, who have mastered the art of creating and wielding silver swords. These weapons are forged from the essence of the Astral Plane, and can cut through any material, as well as the silvery cords that tether astral travelers to their bodies. The githyanki knights are loyal to their lich-queen, Vlaakith, who grants them psionic powers and commands them to hunt down their enemies.
The githyanki knights are tall and lean, with yellowish skin and black hair. They wear plate armor decorated with feathers, beads, gems, and precious metals. They have pitiless black eyes that reflect their xenophobic pride and contempt for other races.
COMBAT
The githyanki knights are formidable foes in combat, using their silver swords to slash through their enemies with ease. They also have innate psionic abilities that allow them to cast spells such as jump, misty step, nondetection, tongues, plane shift, and telekinesis. They can also create an invisible mage hand to manipulate objects at a distance.
The githyanki knights often fight in groups, coordinating their attacks and supporting each other with their psionics. They are fearless and aggressive, and will not hesitate to pursue their enemies across planes of existence. They are especially adept at fighting in the Astral Plane, where they can use their silver swords to sever the astral cords of their foes, killing them instantly.
The githyanki knights have few weaknesses, but they are vulnerable to psychic damage and effects that target their minds. They also have a deep hatred for the mind flayers and the githzerai, and will often focus their attacks on them, even at the expense of other threats.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
The githyanki live in massive fortresses called astral citadels, which float in the Astral Plane. These citadels are built from the remains of dead gods and other colossal entities that drift in the astral sea. The githyanki use these citadels as bases for their raids on other worlds, as well as places to train and worship.
The githyanki society is based on a strict caste system, with the lich-queen Vlaakith at the top. Below her are the knights, who serve as her generals and enforcers. The knights are followed by the warriors, who make up the bulk of the githyanki army. The lowest caste is composed of the workers, who perform menial tasks such as farming and crafting.
The githyanki follow a code of honor that values strength, discipline, loyalty, and obedience. They have little regard for individuality or freedom, and see themselves as superior to all other races. They worship Vlaakith as a goddess, and believe that she will one day lead them to conquer the multiverse.
ECOLOGY
The githyanki are not native to the Astral Plane, but rather adapted to it after escaping from the mind flayers. They have a symbiotic relationship with red dragons, who serve as their mounts and allies. The githyanki provide the dragons with treasure and food, while the dragons provide them with fire and flight.
The githyanki have few natural enemies in the Astral Plane, but they face constant threats from other planeswalkers who seek to challenge or plunder them. The githyanki also wage an eternal war against the mind flayers, whom they blame for their enslavement and suffering. The githyanki seek to exterminate the mind flayers wherever they find them, and often raid their colonies in the Underdark or other worlds.
The githyanki also have a bitter rivalry with the githzerai, who are their cousins who chose a different path after escaping from the mind flayers. The githzerai settled in the chaotic plane of Limbo, where they embraced a philosophy of harmony and enlightenment. The githyanki view the githzerai as traitors and weaklings, and often clash with them over resources or ideology.