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Thread: Githyanki Silver-Swords
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2007-01-29, 05:38 AM (ISO 8601)
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Githyanki Silver-Swords
I don't know the Planescape setting very well, so could someone please help me out here?
At the very end of last session, our party rogue/fighter found a weird sword with a blade that looked like flowing water. The DM called for Knowledge (Planes) checks and said "please let somebody make this . . ." I rolled high and got told that it was a githyanki silversword. Apparently the githyanki don't like non-githyanki to have them, and try and get them back if one goes missing, or something like that.
Thing is, while my character apparently knows about githyanki and their weapons, I don't, so here are a few questions for the Planescape experts out there:
1) Exactly how upset do githyanki get over missing silverswords?
2) Do they have some way to track them? This one was caught in some pocket dimension or something for a while, until we picked it up. If they do have some way to track silverswords, how long would it take for them to get around to doing it?
3) I told what I knew to the party rogue (githyanki, angry, bad), and he just shrugged and went back to playing with his shiny new sword. Would it be a good idea for me to keep my distance from him for a while?
- Saph
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2007-01-29, 05:40 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Githyanki Silver-Swords
Definitely a plot hook. Be prepared to fight swarms of Githyanki.
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2007-01-29, 06:15 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Githyanki Silver-Swords
Githyanki can track silverswords as easily as any spellcasters can track specific objects. That is, extremely easily with the right divinations.
Githyanki hate non-githyanki using their silverswords. They're not even that good (the only special power being the ability to sever astral threads)...
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2007-01-29, 07:21 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Githyanki Silver-Swords
Yeah, but [plot] you might have some Githyanki general's sword that has been lost for a while[/plot]. 2nd-ed. style it may be vorpal, dancing or whatever else. Githyanki never give up on getting their swords back either, and they'll not just accept it back - they'll destroy you for having the audacity to possess it.
If you want a githyanki plot then cool, but you'll probably die if it's done properly.
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2007-01-29, 07:45 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Githyanki Silver-Swords
I've noticed the same thing. While it is nice to have a sword that can kill with one shot, the circumstances of that one-shot are very limited. Although given that githyanki live on the Asteral Plane, maybe they see more silver threads to sever than those from the Material.
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2007-01-29, 07:49 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Githyanki Silver-Swords
As a general FYI: http://www.planewalker.com -- your friend if you want to know Planescape better.
Though with this particular issue I know more from Baldur's Gate II and Neverwinter Nights II, which contains a lot of lore about silver swords.
1) Exactly how upset do githyanki get over missing silverswords?
2) Do they have some way to track them? This one was caught in some pocket dimension or something for a while, until we picked it up. If they do have some way to track silverswords, how long would it take for them to get around to doing it?
I'm not sure HOW they do it, but I imagine probably psionically.
3) I told what I knew to the party rogue (githyanki, angry, bad), and he just shrugged and went back to playing with his shiny new sword. Would it be a good idea for me to keep my distance from him for a while?
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2007-01-29, 07:57 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Githyanki Silver-Swords
Ah. Thanks for the info.
I think I'll go and start working on some escape plans. Wish I was high enough level to cast teleport.
- Saph
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2007-01-29, 08:01 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Githyanki Silver-Swords
Your DM has been playing NWN 2
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2007-01-29, 08:01 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Githyanki Silver-Swords
Just thought that I might mention that exact stats and abilities for the githyanki Silver Sword can be found in the Expanded Psionics Handbook, p. 167. Even shows how to make one.
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2007-01-29, 08:04 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Githyanki Silver-Swords
If the rogue is not in bad standing back home I don't see why he wouldn't be allowed to carry it. It could just as easily be custom treasure from the DM designed for the fighter/rogue as a plot device ...
It can disrupt psionic casters as well as attack astral travelers BTW. You probably won't encounter many people using astral projection (9th level) but psionic casters can be a lot more frequent.Last edited by PinkysBrain; 2007-01-29 at 08:09 AM.
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2007-01-29, 08:10 AM (ISO 8601)
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2007-01-29, 08:13 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Githyanki Silver-Swords
Sure, but if it's ability to sever astral cords was it's only advantage over a +1 alchemical silver greatsword it would be a hideously overpriced +1 sword for most people ... since you couldn't sell it, and you had the chance of being hunted for even having it it would be net loss to do so. I missed that it could disrupt the ability to use psionics, that makes owning it worth it in a psionics heavy campaign.
Last edited by PinkysBrain; 2007-01-29 at 08:15 AM.
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2007-01-29, 10:16 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Githyanki Silver-Swords
Oh dear, silver Gith swords. Back in 2nd Ed, we got four of them at once (can't remember how, think it was a Githyanki "arms-dealer" we knocked off). And, not listening to that nagging voice in the back of our heads saying something about this is our DM - he NEVER gives us good stuff without doom fast on its heels! - we pranced about with our shiny new swords.
Four running battles latter, our flying boat is kindling in a desert somewhere, half the party is dead, the rest are all at single digit hit points, and we call in a favor to a dragon to have him drop off the swords at an enemy nation's slavers town about twenty miles away. (To the guards in the central keep - "Here, hold these.")
DM said we could see the flames that night from that twenty miles away. Good times, good times.
So, not to be a complete "me too", yes, Gith tend to get a little pissy about their swords. And stay away from the rogue for a few days.
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2007-01-29, 10:45 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Githyanki Silver-Swords
Given that the Githyanki can and will track you across the plains for this sword I would recommend getting rid of it. I would recommend selling it/trading it back to them and then using that money to get something more usefull to the party. Of course, you should be carefull on how you go about this. I would recommend:
1. Do not take the sword to your first encounter with them. Make an imprint in wax to prove that you have it.
2. Choose a safe meeting point and make sure that those at the meeting do not know exactly where the sword is being kept. Stress this point with the Githyanki.
3. Determine the fair market value for the sword and ask for that. Trade it for gp or an item of equal value.
4. As your bargaining chip, threaten to break the sword or give it to some creature(s) that would make retrieving it a nightmare for the Githyanki. Say, going to Celestia(?) and giving it as a present to Bahamut.
5. Include as part of the deal that the Githyanki will not attempt to seek retribution once the sword has been delivered.
6. Arrange the final exchange through a powerfull third party that can be trusted to act as an escrow agent (Possibly for a fee). If that is not possible, then choose a location where a Githyanki betrayal would be difficult or near impossible. E.g. someplace in Celestia that is crawling with celestials.
This should allow you to profit from the sword, and avoid the harassment from the Githyanki.The Sistine Chappel, Michelangelo's David, Beethoven's Fifth, Pun-Pun - artistic wonders for the ages.
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2007-01-29, 10:49 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Githyanki Silver-Swords
You can cast non-detection and magic aura on it.
Last edited by PinkysBrain; 2007-01-29 at 10:50 AM.
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2007-01-29, 10:49 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Githyanki Silver-Swords
yeah, saying Gith may get slightly upset about someone getting a silversword i like saying the Demon Princes are passive aggressive.
I think they can sense the silversword from anywhere on the plane they are on.
And your party rogue is probably plotting your downfall already. Being a rogue that may or may not have anything to do with being a gith.
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2007-01-29, 11:00 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Githyanki Silver-Swords
Might work, although nondetection only lasts 1 hour/level, and I'd have to scribe the spell.
It's more that he's the classic CN type. Whenever you tell him to do something, he'll either do the opposite or something completely different, whichever he thinks will annoy you more. He does generally help the party, but doesn't take advice well.
Munchy, the suggestions helped, but we're only 6th level, and I'm not sure we could do much of that stuff with the resources available to us. (I have no idea how we'd get to Celestia, and we're a ways away from any city at the moment.)
- Saph
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2007-01-29, 08:42 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Githyanki Silver-Swords
I remember getting the Silver Sword in Baldur's Gate II (though that was a +3 Vorpal model). Good times. I was glad I'd paid for my magic license when they came to get it back. Nutjobs attacking me in the middle of the Promenade...
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2007-01-29, 08:50 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Githyanki Silver-Swords
The general consensus is indeed correct - you're expletive'd. Gith value their silver swords the same way that dragons value their hoard. More, even. There is no conceivable way that any non-githyanki could ever wield a silver sword and remain safe - not even an epic character.
My advice is to get real familiar with as much of githyanki customs as you can, and prostrate your sorry butt before them as you very, VERY humbly give it back. And maybe then they won't kill you. If you've got someone in the party with a really hardcore Diplomacy roll, you might even make friends.VisitSunnyBalmyExotic Sigil, City of Doors
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2007-01-29, 09:30 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Githyanki Silver-Swords
Another note: If you make a Knowledge check, you should actually, y'know, get some knowledge. Like maybe the fact that your shiny new sword will lead to your horrible demise. Next time you make a Knowledge check and don't know what it is, ask your DM for some knowledge.
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2007-01-29, 09:41 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Githyanki Silver-Swords
Thats not entirely true. There are no githyanki above level 16, as the lich queen eats their souls around that point, no exceptions. They may have that red dragon pact but I doubt that after the epic characters slaughter a half dozen reds they'll be willing to send more.
Now at 6th level, they wont slow down. I doubt your DM knows it, but githyanki actually have a prestige class dedicated to locating silver-swords. When they come after you you might want to just hand the sword over, but the gith that are there will probably still attack you on the basis of not being githyanki.
My advice is to get real familiar with as much of githyanki customs as you can, and prostrate your sorry butt before them as you very, VERY humbly give it back. And maybe then they won't kill you. If you've got someone in the party with a really hardcore Diplomacy roll, you might even make friends.I used to do avatars on request, feel free to use them.
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2007-01-29, 09:56 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Githyanki Silver-Swords
Or if you really want to have some fun with the sword, tell the githyanki that you stole it from a cabal of illithids and degenerate githzerhia, give them the sword back, and give "directions" to where this "cabal" is.
(Cabal meaning an actual mind flayer city. That'll get some real hoots and may just buy you your life back from them.)
As for not even being safe at epic levels...that statement is correct. x.x An army of 15th level gith on red dragons is still dangerous...not to mention the lich-queen of the gith grows more powerful with each 16th level soul she devours and eventually she'll come after you for killing so many of her peons.
My advice? Toss a bag of holding into a portable hole and, from a SAFE DISTANCE, throw the sword into it.Warriors & Wuxia: A community world-building project focused on low-magic wuxia/kung-fu action using ToB.
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2007-01-29, 09:59 PM (ISO 8601)
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2007-01-29, 10:05 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Githyanki Silver-Swords
Humbly giving it back will just me your death.
I suggest making a deal with a greater evil. Who Do I know that the Githyanki hate who are evil...Oh wait Illithids! Give it over to mindflayers*.
*warning this action may be the catalyst that will allow mind flayers to remake their great empire. For a more sane idea, give it to the Githzerai.
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2007-01-29, 10:32 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Githyanki Silver-Swords
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2007-01-29, 10:40 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Githyanki Silver-Swords
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2007-01-30, 01:00 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Githyanki Silver-Swords
Yea, NWN2 no doubt no doubt. If its at all similar to the game, should be a fun time.
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2007-01-30, 01:52 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Githyanki Silver-Swords
Ok, back up: start from 1. You're forgetting that the Gith hate non-gith and will kill you on sight.
On top of this "deal-making" with them will annoy them into torturing you for years rather than days.
On top of this, they will not rest until they get your for touching their sword. They will have murdered the Gith who lost his weapon (finding it and killing you is the only way he'd be let back into society), and for touching it you're probably in big trouble already.
If you're going to stay on Celestia, the game is over.
The only great suggestion is claiming the sword was found with the dead body of a Mind flayer and it's guards; you slew them found the sword, and can point them in the direction of an illithid city. (if you say "we got it in the city", the Gith will think you're lying (ie: why are you still alive?) and kill you)
SAPH: Initiate the contact, tell them you found the sword in an extra-dimensional vault (do you know whose? hire divinations to find out, that could be important to the plot-hook) and that you're leaving it on the edge of town; leave it on a rock and run away OR attempt a diplomacy check to show respect as you give it.
And, before you meet them, have your wizard research Githyanki in-game for your DMs take on them.Grrr. Arrrgh.
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2007-01-30, 06:17 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Githyanki Silver-Swords
After reading a few of these replies and some Internet articles, that's the impression I got. I'm glad I found this out before trying to talk to them.
Sounds like the plan least likely to get me killed at the moment (well, that and the one that involved staying at a different inn and ignoring the explosions in the middle of the night).
Unfortunately, right now we're somewhere in the wilderness of north-west Faerun, about to enter a tomb to Gruumsh - the tomb had some kind of extradimensional seal on it, and after we killed the guardian, the portal opened and we found the sword amidst the remains of other adventurers just outside the gate. It'll take at least ten days to get back to the nearest city, plus however long we spend in the tomb. Hopefully the gith won't show up before then.
Maybe I can convince the rogue to just bury the thing outside before we go in. That way, if a party of angry gith show up to track us down, at least they'll have to fight their way in to the tomb to reach us.
- Saph
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2007-01-30, 06:48 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Githyanki Silver-Swords
Really? Even demons and devils aren't that extreme. That is a recipe for a race to get itself exterminated. It is one thing to hate everyone or have contempt towards them, another to attack any non-Githyanki on sight. I haven't seen anything, anywhere, that justifies the claim that the Githyanki will attack you on sight just for being different. The only race that actually applies to are Illithids. Even their interactions with Githzerai can be "peacefull" in some conditions.
On top of this "deal-making" with them will annoy them into torturing you for years rather than days. On top of this, they will not rest until they get your for touching their sword. They will have murdered the Gith who lost his weapon (finding it and killing you is the only way he'd be let back into society), and for touching it you're probably in big trouble already.
Refusing to negotiate an exchange creates a situation where any non-Githyanki would have an incentive to destroy any silver swords they come across, greatly reducing the recovery rate for the Githyanki. A rather lousy strategy if they care so much about getting their swords back. Besides, I seem to recall reading somewhere that in some cases they are willing to negotiate the sword's return. (Manual of the Planes, I think)
If you're going to stay on Celestia, the game is over.
The only great suggestion is claiming the sword was found with the dead body of a Mind flayer and it's guards; you slew them found the sword, and can point them in the direction of an illithid city. (if you say "we got it in the city", the Gith will think you're lying (ie: why are you still alive?) and kill you)
And, before you meet them, have your wizard research Githyanki in-game for your DMs take on them.Last edited by Munchy; 2007-01-30 at 06:52 AM.
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