#githmap

1. [CHARACTER INFO]

OC NAME: Ka'zalii

OC PRONOUS: He/Him

AUTHOR: @ardentkurashk

2. [DIALOGUE]

1. Greeting message:

Do you have something for me, ra'stil?

2. Identify yourself:

Ka'zalii. I serve the Sha'sal Khou as kith'rak, though it was not always so.

3. Tell me about your Creche:

Xal'i'n is far from here, in the depths of wildspace. It orbits a long dead planet that my kin made much use of. Searing storms of glass and sand and ethereal creatures are good for removing the weak. [He pauses, lost in uncomfortable memories for a moment.] I left long ago.

4. I need to know how you fight:

I trained with many weapons as a yank, though I find the blade most useful. I am a sorcerer first and foremost however and my innate talents manifested wilder than most. My magic can be.. unpredictable. [He lowers his voice.] Useful in battle more often than not, but don't stand too close.

5. Can I ask a more personal question?

Yes, I enjoy our conversation.

6. What is your relationship with the divinity?

Tas'ki, I assume you mean Vlaakith? Kain'cha. I bear no love for the lich queen. Neither should you, if you have wits about you. She is no god.

7. What do you usually do in your free time?

I enjoy collecting gems of all kinds and selecting the most striking for my armour. [He points to the series of gems set into his chestplate as he speaks.]

I also like to cook, it's oddly relaxing. There are dozens of ways to cook neogi for instance and I intend to know them all.

8. What is your life goal?

To unite our people under one sky of course, what else? The removal of the tyrant queen is but the first step. And perhaps, we might all enjoy a life of freedom afterwards.

9. How is your relationship with your allies?

Allies. Or, that istik word, friends. I had never put much thought into alliances before I became stranded on an istik world. Since then, forging bonds has become extremely important to me. We are nothing without our strongest kin.

10. Do you have someone special in your life?

G'lyck. Very personal, ra'stil. I will answer. I do have a mate and she is very dear to me. She is as beautiful and formidable as the astral sea itself. She is my silver.

11. Say something you would never do, and why?

As tempting as it is to mention the tyrant again.. I must learn to be less zealous around kin who are already allies. So, I will say.. you would not find me anywhere near a humid climate. That is more of a nightmare than any ghaik could conjure.

12. What is a perfect day to you?

A glorious battle perhaps? No? We fight almost constantly, I have learned to look forward to days where I can just.. be. Our people do not set aside enough time for talking.

13. How do you celebrate a victory?

With my mate. Some pilfered drink and well cooked food also does wonders for morale.

14. How do you deal with defeat and losses?

I learn from them. We persist, as all githyanki must, but we will not achieve victory if we don't study our mistakes.

15. How do you think you will be remembered after death?

Ideally? As a catalyst for change, for resistance. Though it is just as likely I will be remembered as a dissident, or not remembered at all. It is no matter, it will not stop me from remaining faithful to my ideals.

3. [GRAPHICS]

4. [BONUS RESOURCES] The reference I finally put together for him.

1. [CHARACTER INFO]

OC NAME: Xa'rok

AUTHOR: Rook (or @astraltadpoled on twt)

2. [DIALOGUE]

Greeting message:

I hope the journey was kind to you. How are you faring?

Identify yourself:

I am Xa'rok, Astral Envoy, and founder of the Society of the Three Skies. Free Skies? I'm still workshopping the title. Which do you like better?

Tell me about your creche:

I left it long ago. It's something of a sore subject - for them, not me, you understand. They were more open-minded than most, but even their tolerance had a limit. I think the northern winds addled their brains. If you've never been to the spine of the world, well. I can't say I recommend it.

I need to know how you fight:

With blade and bow. But trying to predict my movements will only get you tripping over your own thoughts. Telling you more would give you an edge. Every hatchling knows that. But since you asked... <casts Dissonant Whispers>

I have more tricks up my sleeve, but I reserve those for actual enemies, not potential friends. Hard to make friends with a corpse. Unless you're a necromancer, I suppose.

Can I ask a personal question?

I have nothing to hide.

What is your relationship to divinity?

I feel like I'm being censured again. If you're talking about Vlaakith, I think she could do better. She didn't like my notes, though. Zerthimon had the better philosohy to be sure, but I don't put my faith in any god. Veneration tends to amplify our mistakes. I prefer to leave the gods to their realms, and focus on our own.

What do you usually do in your free time?

Play music, when I get to. I could play you something now, if you like.

What is your life goal?

A tall order. Well, I guess I can't get exiled again. I want to reunite our people, and - perhaps most damningly - I want them to leave the ghaik alone. Coexistence is possible, but it is only the first step. Think of what they could teach us - and us them - if given the chance to meet in the middle.

[A long pause] ...I didn't say it was an obtainable goal.

How is your relationship to your allies?

Good, I hope. At least, that's what they tell me. We try to meet up once or twice a year, if our schedules allow it. And they know, should they have need of me, my sword and skills are at their call. They need only ask.

Do you have someone special in your life?

I have a partner, if that's what you're asking. Whether we're just business partners or otherwise is between us, though. Have to leave my colleagues guessing. If they knew the real truth, they'd be scandalized. Though maybe not here. Maybe.

Say something you would never do, and why:

Vlaakith gha'g shkath zai (laughs) she didn't like that, either. I've never been one to kneel to authority.

What is a perfect day to you?

Somewhere out there among the stars, traveling with D'jaxia, sometimes alone, sometimes with company, lost in a concert of noise and light. Preferably on a good day, when negotiations are going well. Did you know that the stars sing? You have to be silent to hear it, but when you do... there's nothing quite like it.

How do you celebrate a victory?

How does anyone? A party of course! Preferably with those you love in attendance, good food, and singing. Can you sing? It isn't my forte, but that makes it all the better, I think. It helps to humble your friends every now and again by reminding them you could be worse and that you're abstaining, for their sake.

But have a drink, enjoy the music! At my old creche there were sparring matches to determine the pecking order but I've left that particular celebratory custom up north where it belongs. There's a training dummy if you need to let off steam, though.

How do you deal with defeat and losses?

I like to be alone for that. It's hard to ruminate on failure when you have supportive friends and allies whispering reassurances into your brain on how best to succeed next time. Sometimes you have to sit with the loss to internalize it. It doesn't sink in otherwise.

How do you think you will be remembered after death?

As a positive force for change, if nothing else. A visionary at best. An addled-brained lost cause at the very worst. I can deal with being h'sharlak. But to discount my work entirely... to wonder why it's even being attempted in the first place... I want to change their minds. Maybe even yours. Even if my voice is just one lost in the chorus, if I've achieved anything - gotten just one person to pause and reconsider, I feel like I've done my duty.

I hope they'll entertain the work, after all is said and done, and maybe someone somewhere down the line can pick up where I left off in less dire straits. Maybe they can even contact my spirit, somehow, in some way, to let me know how it's gone. I think the githzerai have done something like that. Maybe Skaro knows...

3. [GRAPHICS]

4. [BONUS RESOURCES]

Xa'rok has a theme song here (by @aceforspinaltap on twt)

Xa'rok going illithid powers mode (by @/oxalees)

Xa'rok and the Emperor (by @/pickled0ctopus)

Xa'rok, D'jaxia, and the Emperor & illithid!Xa'rok, D'jaxia, and the Emperor by @/greseadraws

Xa'rok and their githzerai partner, Skaro (I may include him so long as I can figure him out enough to answer the questions) - (in the partner question Xa'rok refers to the Emperor in a candid sense, though the form the Emperor takes as their dream guardian is the face of Skaro, so no matter which way you slice Xa'rok's romantic entanglements, they're pissing off Vlaakith loyalist githyanki by tangoing with both ghaik and 'zerai, both factions they hope to unite for cultural advancement and free trade of information and resources, if nothing else.)

Xa'rok willingly took the astral tadpole and became half-illithid. Their in-game ending involves also becoming full illithid, but for this project they exist in their AU state as a half-illithid, half-gith.

They are non-binary and use they/them pronouns.

1. [CHARACTER INFO]

OC NAME: Ra’sha

OC PRONOUNS: She/her

AUTHOR: Warmhealerr

2. [DIALOGUE]

1. Greeting message:

What do you want from me? Make it quick.

2. Identify yourself:

Ra'sha.

3. Tell me about your Creche:

I would have already told you about my Creche if I wanted to discuss it.

You won't let it go will you? Fine. It was the once great M'laak'gi. Forget about it, puny istiki took it back. It has been wiped from Githyanki records entirely since. (She looks away, slurring under her breath. You manage to make out “is’tarki“ from her mumbling).

4. I need to know how you fight:

Some k'chakhi still say to be unable to choose between martial prowess and magic is proof of weakness. Strangling them with a shocking grasp has always proved to be a great way of settling the debate, shuts them right up. Roasted tongues are a gish’s favorite meal. Sometimes I crush their skulls with my flail instead, when I'm in the mood.

5. Can I ask a more personal question?

You are gorgeous and entertaining enough. Get on with it.

6. What is your relationship with the divinity?

You mean this insidious ruler who answers to Vlaakith? Pfah. Unworthy of the title. She has failed our people far too many times.

7. What do you usually do in your free time?

I do things like standing in place bored to death. My superior insists I must stay here for the time being. “It's not safe out there”, chk, as though I care. I miss sewer duty.

8. What is your life goal?

I will take back M'laak'gi. And then? I'm taking down Vlaakith myself.

9. How is your relationship with your allies?

I hardly trust the Sha'sal Khou, it is far too big for its own good, far too kind to istiki too, but they are all I have if I want to see the Queen's fall without having my eyeballs stuffed in my slit open gushing throat.

10. Do you have someone special in your life?

Do you?

11. Say something you would never do, and why?

I've been told I should learn to control my rage, redirect it at ghaik. Chk. These pathetic abominations have nothing to do with our current suffering. I've killed some, they are hardly shadows of a past they delusionally still chase. You should watch their tentacles curl on themselves as you slowly sever their heads. Even Beholders have more grace. My anger will not be sated until all of Vlaakith's kain’cha pawns' blood has been spilled all over my face. There is no point in pretending. My rage will guide me to triumph, just like it led Gith all those years ago, and another empire will fall.

12. What is a perfect day to you?

Ch’r’ai murder goes as planned, my favorite.

13. How do you celebrate a victory?

I have never experienced a true victory. When I do, if ever? I hope to fuck so many women I pass out in a pool of our own blood.

14. How do you deal with defeat and losses?

Chk, why would you need to know that?

15. How do you think you will be remembered after death?

Ra'sha, slayer of Death itself.

3. [GRAPHICS]

4. [BONUS RESOURCES]

1. [CHARACTER INFO]

OC NAME: Rynessa

OC PRONOUS: She/Her

AUTHOR: @leadflowers

2. [DIALOGUE]

1. Greeting message:

Greetings, kin.

2. Identify yourself:

My name is Rynessa, of Creche A’iel.

3. Tell me about your Creche:

A’iel is nestled inside an old tower that once belonged to a wizard of this realm, high up in the mountains. He thought his power would be enough to ensure his safety in his seclusion. *she flashes a predatory smile* He was wrong.

4. I need to know how you fight:

I can fight with blade and spell, though I prefer the latter. This is not the magic one finds in dusty scrolls and crumbling tomes; raw psionic energy flows through me, enabling me to shape the world around me and crush my enemies with my mind.

5. Can I ask a more personal question?

*Her eyes narrow slightly, but she nods* If you wish.

6. What is your relationship with the divinity?

*She frowns* This is a…peculiar question. I serve and honour our Queen Vlaakith, as is my duty.

7. What do you usually do in your free time?

I rest. I train. I work on my research. And, I read. This plane, for all its faults, does have some fascinating literature. *a smirk crosses her lips* Some of it is positively obscene!

8. What is your life goal?

I was apprenticed to a famed scholar who studied strange, distant planes and nameless artifacts never before touched by mortal hands. His knowledge of the multiverse is vast, his power prodigious. One day, I will surpass him.

9. How is your relationship with your allies?

They watch my back, I watch theirs. Furthermore, their company is not…unpleasant.

10. Do you have someone special in your life?

I...Once there was someone, yes. *she suddenly looks away, and says no more*

11. Say something you would never do, and why?

I would never sell my honour. This is something only cowards do.

12. What is a perfect day to you?

When nobody interrupts my experiments and all goes according to plan, then I can end the day with a good book. *she scowls, suggesting this is not a common occurrence*

13. How do you celebrate a victory?

With a feast, preferably one that includes some of that ‘strawberry treacle tart’ which I found in the last village we raided.

14. How do you deal with defeat and losses?

By rallying my forces and preparing my revenge. As long as I’m alive, all is not lost.

15. How do you think you will be remembered after death?

*She stands a little straighter* As a famed planewalker and ghaik-slayer, whose deeds are recorded in stone.

3. [GRAPHICS]

4. [BONUS RESOURCES]

1. [CHARACTER INFO]

OC NAME: Skaro

OC PRONOUS: He/Him

AUTHOR: Rook

2. [DIALOGUE]

1. Greeting message:

Do you have need of me?

2. Identify yourself:

I am Skaro of Shra'kt'lor, though I haven't called that place home in a long time.

3. Tell me about your Creche:

No creche, a monastery in the midst of Chaos. One of many. There isn't much to say. There we were trained, and there I learned to harness my psionic energy to better defend my mind and body, though I left to pursue a different path once that training was complete.

4. I need to know how you fight::

You may be expecting a monk, but the blade says otherwise. A fighter, then. But don't get too comfortable -- how many wizards do you know that can also swing a sword? I am a Zerth. I may prefer a blade to fists, but there is more to my fighting than meets the eye.

5. Can I ask a more personal question?

Not at the moment. I'm here on business.

3. [GRAPHICS]

4. [BONUS RESOURCES]

Skaro started life as Xa'rok's Dream Guardian, so you'll often see him in the Guardian's armor, but I got too attached to him, so he gets to exist on his own now, too.

In the AU in which he exists alongside Xa'rok as himself and not just the visage of a prisoner the Emperor once met, Skaro was born in Shra'kt'lor and became both a philosophical student of Zerthimon's and a practitioner of arcane-focused fighting, earning himself the honorary and hereditary title of Zerth. He has been around for quite some time -- age undefined but his physical body is somewhere in his 50s -- and in that time grown tired of the us against them mentality that keeps the gith people splintered instead of whole. He left Shra'kt'lor to follow this desire for unification, interplanar-traveled often, and found himself invited to and then a part of the sha'sal khou. He has been working with the organization for years and after meeting Xa'rok in his travels, brought them along into the fold. In this universe, he and Xa'rok are partnered and they continue Xa'rok's work alongside their work for the Sha'sal Khou, as some of their interests align.

1. [CHARACTER INFO]

OC NAME: Gaalil

OC PRONOUNS: He/him

AUTHOR: Warmhealerr

2. [DIALOGUE]

1. Greeting message:

Good to see you on your own two feet.

2. Identify yourself:

Gaalil of Creche Dul'tak. (The smirk growing on his face betrays a lie). 

3. Tell me about your Creche:

Ignorance is thriving I see. Dul’tak is located on- Alright, enough messing around. Unfortunately for you I was not born Githyanki, I have no Creche to call my pride, but we may still be allies.

4. I need to know how you fight::

I am far from a warrior, but I do know a thing or two about altercations. Artillery is where my strength truly lies, you see.

5. Can I ask a more personal question?

Am I not a charming fellow! What would you like to know?

6. What is your relationship with the divinity?

Zerths will tell you many hard truths about Gith, about Vlaakith. None of them truly sink in until you are on the field yourself. 

7. What do you usually do in your free time?

I talk to people like you. (He chuckles at his own joke. His expression drops when he finally notices the only laugh bouncing off the walls is his own). You want a real answer huh? I used to trade with istiki back on Tu’narath when I wasn't on cev’ren "maintenance" duty. Spy activities, you see, but the people saw me as an eccentric, skilled Mlar who happened to enjoy the Merchant District far too much. Unfortunately this hobby of mine is off the table in our current position. You would not believe the things I've heard, the things I've seen, the things I've held. Istiki are a curious bunch. They have more to them than deep pockets. I hope to travel again soon. 

8. What is your life goal?

Far too many Githzerai are blinded by a past we did not even witness. Their justification for spilling our cousins' blood is nonsensical, especially their young. When you get to experience Githyanki society, you see what you had long been warned about, the ugly, but what I wasn't warned about was the beautiful passion that animates it. Oh, most beautiful indeed. Our peoples need to reunite. We cannot erase history, but there is always time for a permanent truce, if not a gorgeous alliance. No more cousin hunting, I cannot bear to witness it anymore.

9. How is your relationship with your allies?

I was once a wary man, for reasons I am sure you can figure out. (He vaguely gestures around his own body). Nowadays, I think you can tell the trust I put in people like you, even if naive. I consider myself more Githyanki than Githzerai… though I welcome istiki with open arms. We all have our flaws, wouldn't you agree? The Sha'sal Khou's network is vast, I know they have my back, and I have theirs all the same.

10. Do you have someone special in your life?

Their name is N'un'ya Biz'ness.

11. Say something you would never do, and why?

Some worry I will betray the Sha'sal Khou’s cause when Githyanki will be at their weakest. Understandable fear really, but I will not follow in my mother's footsteps. My cousins are family, my silver, my blood. 

12. What is a perfect day to you?

There is no such a thing as a perfect day, especially not on this plane. Let me think. (He caresses his goatee). I enjoy meditation. Successfully fixing our fleets never ceases to make me proud. I would also love to collect more istik curiosities to study. All three at once…Oh, I’d love that. I like when my routine is thriving. It doesn’t take much to make me happy, or not that much at least, right?

13. How do you celebrate a victory?

All I need is to hold my cousins close, and by holding my cousins I mean punch, tackle and kick them laughing while we are still delirious from adrenaline. There is no reaction more genuine.

14. How do you deal with defeat and losses?

Istiki have taught me a few songs. They bring a little peace to broken spirits, especially when they cannot understand the lyrics.

15. How do you think you will be remembered after death?

Depends on when my time comes. In my experience, I assume I'll be forgotten, a digit less among the multitudes of Vlaakith's faceless enemies. Such is fate for the descendants of those who spurned Gith. If I am lucky enough to die after Her fall, perhaps I will be remembered as a reliable and skilled man by some. I would like to hope so, at least. 

3. [GRAPHICS]

4. [BONUS RESOURCES]

1. [CHARACTER INFO]

OC NAME: Ta’rath

OC PRONOUNS: They/them

AUTHOR: Warmhealerr

2. [DIALOGUE]

1. Greeting message:

(The Githyanki is looking right through you, avoiding your gaze. Common finally slips out of their mouth)…Yes?

2. Identify yourself:

My name is Ta’rath.

3. Tell me about your Creche:

My Creche?…I do not want to talk about it.

4. I need to know how you fight:

I fight with what my body naturally gives me. I was trained in an Ilmateri monastery, should you be familiar with the deity. I have been slowly picking up on more… “Githyanki” ways of fighting, but I believe control over my body and that of others by extension has been an advantage on the battlefield thus far. Our enemies are unfamiliar with my technique, and their tendency to underestimate me is yet another weapon for me to wield.

5. Can I ask a more personal question?

I have nothing to hide. (Capillaries on the inside of their elbow have burst from their insistent scratching). 

6. What is your relationship with the divinity?

Which one? Not like that matters, my answer would be the same. They care not about me, and I care not about them. I still swear on Ilmater more than I’d like. (They pause for an uncomfortably long amount of time). Wait, my apologies, were you asking about Vlaakith? Far from the divine she is. I care more about my kin than her, but if my kin needs help disposing of her…

7. What do you usually do in your free time?

(They hold out their forearms. Hidden underneath the bandages, raised scars decorate them : cuts, burns, scratches old and new cover almost every inch of skin peeking). Inflicting pain on oneself makes for great meditation and training. Do not pity me, I enjoy it most thoroughly.

8. What is your life goal?

I think I want to see our people thrive.

9. How is your relationship with your allies?

A few exceptions aside, distant. Do not take it personally.

10. Do you have someone special in your life?

There are few people I truly care about, especially people that I can still hope to see again someday, but I cannot think of one specifically that stands out among the others…(The sclera of their eyes darkens, star like glint revealing a subtle pink silhouette) Not someone that matters anymore, at least.

11. Say something you would never do, and why?

There is no room for such things in war. “To say never is to have already lost child” a great Kith'rak recently told me. Still, I hope I never have to bring harm to children, nor enslave, even istiki...Especially istiki. You can call me a bleeding heart, I am used to it. How do you say it again? “She'lak”?

12. What is a perfect day to you?

I miss bathing and swimming in nature. We can talk about this again when Vlaakith is gone and I can learn to truly enjoy the Astral Sea and what it has to offer. Perhaps I will have a deeper answer to give you by then.

13. How do you celebrate a victory?

Blueberry wine in peace and quiet is my favorite. The former is far too rare here. I thought Githyanki more lavish than that.

14. How do you deal with defeat and losses?

Just like you can drink a victory to the stars, you can drink your sorrow away all the same.

15. How do you think you will be remembered after death?

The question should be “Will it be known?”. Once upon a time I did not care about the thought, or at least I pretended I didn’t. I could have drowned the next day and maybe it wouldn’t have mattered for shit. I have lived on the Material outside of a Creche much longer than the average Githyanki does. I am far too familiar with death, the one Githyanki don’t allow themselves to know. If my time comes while they are still alive, I hope the lovely companions that have given me something to chase after, both on the Material and Astral planes, will not be left to wonder what became of me…(You have lost eye contact once more). Maybe this got far too personal. Can we talk about something else?

3. [GRAPHICS]

4. [BONUS RESOURCES]

Tenderly microwaved by my best friend.

I FOUND A SECRET!

Where to find it under the cut, though I'm not spoiling the actual surprise :