Githyanki Warrior

(from Planescape: A Guide to the Astral - 1996):

GITHWARRIORS

Githyanki fighters're called githwarriors. While not as respected as knights, they can raise themselves to positions of real authority. Most aspire to become supreme leaders of a fortress ar cily. The supreme leader’s will is unchallenged

and he or she has complere control over all aspects of life of those under him or her.

As a githwarrior rises in the ranks, [they gain] the title sarth, or “sergeant.” From there, a warrior can raise to the rank of Kith'rak, or “captain.” Kith'rak are answerable only to the supreme leader they serve (and as always, the queen).

Once again, it’s important to remember that knights function outside this ranking system.

Githwarriors use a variety of weapons. Although long swords and uvo-handed swords are the most common, githwarriors also wield bardiches, halberds, large spiked flail scythes, and barbed whips. A recent innovation is the triple

crossbow, a haroque-looking affair that can fire three bolts separately or simultancously as a light crossbow. Half of the githwarriors of 5th level or over are given two-handed swords +1, while those of 7th level or higher have a 60%

chance of having a long sword +2.

Those with one-handed weapons use shields or a second weapon in their other hand. All githwarriors wear chain mail, banded mail, place mail, or plate armor.

(From 5th Edition Monster Manual - 2014):

The githyanki plunder countless worlds from the decks of their astral vessels and the backs of red dragons. Feathers, beads, gems, and precious metals decorate their armor and weapons—the legendary silver swords with which they cut through their foes. Since winning their freedom from the mind flayers, the githyanki have become ruthless conquerors under the rulership of their dread lich-queen, Vlaakith.

Astral Raiders. The githyanki despise all other races, undertaking devastating raids that take them from their strongholds in the Astral Plane to the far-flung corners of the multiverse. War is the ultimate expression of githyanki culture, and their pitiless black eyes know no mercy. After a raid, they leave shattered survivors enough food and resources to weakly endure. Later, the githyanki return to their conquered foes, plundering them again and again.

Followers of Gith. In their own language, githyanki means “followers of Gith.” Under the guidance of Gith, the githyanki stratified into a militaristic society, with a strict caste system, dedicated to the ongoing fight against the victims and sworn enemies of their race. When their leader Gith perished, she was replaced by her undead adviser, Vlaakith. The lich-queen forbade worship of all beings except herself.

Of all their enemies, the githyanki most hate their former masters, the mind flayers. Their close kin, the githzerai, are second in their enmity. All other creatures are treated with simple contempt by the githyanki, whose xenophobic pride defines their view of inferior races.

Silver Swords. In ancient times, gith knights created special weapons to combat their mind flayer masters. These silver swords channel the force of the wielder’s will, dealing psychic as well as physical damage. A githyanki can’t become a knight until it masters the singular discipline needed to will such a blade into existence. A silver sword is equivalent to a greatsword, and takes on the properties of a +3 greatsword in the hands of its creator.

In the eyes of the githyanki, each silver sword is a priceless relic and a work of art. Githyanki knights will hunt down and destroy any non-githyanki that dares to carry or wield a silver sword, reclaiming it for their people.

Red Dragon Riders. In the uprising against the illithids, Gith sought allies. Her adviser Vlaakith appealed to Tiamat, the goddess of evil dragonkind, and Gith ventured into the Nine Hells to meet with her. Only Tiamat now knows what passed between them, but Vlaakith returned to the Astral Plane with the Dragon Queen’s red dragon consort Ephelomon, who proclaimed that his kind would forever act as allies to the githyanki. Not all red dragons honor the alliance kindled so long ago, but most at least don’t consider the githyanki their enemies.

Outposts in the Mortal Realm. Since creatures that dwell on the Astral Plane don’t age, the githyanki establish creches in remote areas of the Material Plane to raise their young. Doubling as military academies, these creches train young githyanki to harness their psychic and combat abilities. When a githyanki grows to adulthood and slays a mind flayer as part of a sacred rite of passage, it is permitted to rejoin its people on the Astral Plane.