Thousands of years ago, the githyanki and githzerai comprised a single humanoid race held in thrall by the dreaded mind flayers. After the mythic hero Gith lead the race to freedom from their illithid masters, the ancient gith divided into the two rival races they have been ever since. While the githyanki pursued a path of cruel aggression, martial power and arcane might, the githzerai have turned their attention to the mysteries of the inner self and became a race of ascetics who harness the inner power of the mind and the spirit. They travel far and wide across the planes, opposing the sinister plots of both mind flayers and their own githyanki kin.

   Personality

Githzerai rarely use two words where one will do. They tend to be cynical and suspicious, and they generally expect the worst in people. Githzerai don’t waste time on fools, and are rarely moved to help those unprepared to help themselves. They are pragmatic to a fault, slow to give trust, and cautious in their dealings with others. Many githzerai disdain creature comforts and live their lives in ascetic discipline. Their settlements and strongholds resemble monasteries more than villages.

   Physical Description

Githzerai closely resemble githyanki. Like their kin, they are tall, gaunt humanoids averaging a little over 6 feet tall and typically weighing around 160 pounds. They have rough, yellow skin and russet hair, although they habitually shave their heads. Their noses are almost flat, their eyes are dull yellow or grey, and their ears are pointed. Githzerai favour drab robes and avoid ostentatious dress.

   Relations

Unlike githyanki, githzerai are not particularly contemptuous of Material Plan inhabitants. They simply view Material Plan folk as irrelevant and don’t waste much time on them. Those Material Plane natives who demonstrate discipline, resolve, and an understanding of the planes are given the respect their abilities merit. While githzerai are usually calm and disciplined in their behaviour, they feel nothing but cold, purposeful hatred for githyanki and mind flayers.

   Alignment

Githzerai tend to be pragmatic and self-serving, but they are not malicious and do not look to get ahead at the expense of others. Most are neutral with respect to good or evil.

   Githzerai Racial Traits

• +6 Dexterity, +2 Wisdom, -2 Intelligence: Githzerai are incredibly quick and agile, and they trust intuition more than logic.
• Medium: As Medium-sized creatures, githzerai have no special bonuses or penalties due to their size.
• Githzerai base land speed is 30 feet.
• Darkvision to 60 feet.
• Naturally Psionic: Githzerai gain 2 bonus power points at 1st-level. This does not give them the ability to manifest powers unless they gain that ability from another source, such as levels in a psionic class.
• Psi-Like Abilities: 3/day – inertial barrier, psionic daze, catfall, concussion. Githzerai of 11th-level also gain plane shift 1/day. Manifester level is equal to ½ HD (minimum 1st). The save DC are Charisma-based.
• Power Resistance (Ex): A githzerai has power resistance equal to their Hit Dice +5.
• Level Adjustment: +2.