Zim ,youre going to have to tell me what illithid creeds are. Since I don't know, it's not comman knowledge for githyanki in general. Since you do, Ta'shenn knows about them.
BoG'r OOC.
Mon, 2007-10-22 16:40
#503
BoG'r OOC.
Mon, 2007-10-22 17:34
#504
BoG'r OOC.
Zim ,youre going to have to tell me what illithid creeds are. Since I don't know, it's not comman knowledge for githyanki in general. Since you do, Ta'shenn knows about them.
The Illithid Creeds are basically a mix of job roles and philosophies in Illithid society. The 'Nourisher Creed,' for example, are those illithids who specialize in managing thralls. The 'Venerator Creed' are those illithids who have become priests of Ilsensine. (It is likely that Du'minh would know something about Venerators.) The Darkener Creed -- no, I'm not making this up -- are focused on finding ways to darken the sun, i.e., to get rid of the evil burning sunlight on most worlds. The Abysmal Creed are especially focused on instilling fear and terror in other races; they're the kind of guys who, when fighting multiple opponents, may forcibly taste-link all of them while eating the brain of one of them. (In other words, not only will the one guy taste his own brain while it's being eaten, all his buddies do, too.) There are several other major creeds as well.
They're not usually as sharply divided as, say, Sigil's factions, though there may in fact be some political infighting or rivalry between them.
Basically, knowing which Creed an illithid belongs to will give you a general idea of his role in illithid society and/or his personal priorities. Illithids often, though not always, wear something (on those elaborate robes) indicating which creed they belong to.
On top of that, because Sigil sounds like it has a ton of 'renegade' illithids, some of them may belong to really weird or obscure Creeds, or have no Creed identification at all.
It's worth noting that when the Illithiad was written, arcane magic use was 'unacceptable' in illithid society, so none of the Creeds directly address use of the arcane.
Tue, 2007-10-23 00:32
#505
BoG'r OOC.
Really should try to get a hold of the Illithiad one of these days, it sounds fascinating.
I didn't know about the abstinence of magic, isn't that something that has been dropped in 3.x mind flayer lore?
Tue, 2007-10-23 01:05
#506
BoG'r OOC.
Really should try to get a hold of the Illithiad one of these days, it sounds fascinating.
I didn't know about the abstinence of magic, isn't that something that has been dropped in 3.x mind flayer lore?
Sort of, now days dabbling is permitted but frowned upon but getting seriously involved jeopardises you chance of being incorporated into the elder brain.
Generally those who want to get serious about magic get cast out of their Sept and try to attain immortality through undeath.
Tue, 2007-10-23 08:56
#507
BoG'r OOC.
*pokes in hope of seeing posts from Ar'dru/Daraz*
Edit: And Jhank'kor!
Tue, 2007-10-23 11:50
#508
BoG'r OOC.
Githyanki plurals:
What are the collect plural forms of, for example, ghaik and graith (illithid/barbarian)? I know that that post on the Rrakkma forum suggests -la, but the racial name for the people is Githyanki (suggesting the -i is a plural, since it translates to Children of Gith). Would ghaiki and graithi be the correct plurals?
Tue, 2007-10-23 12:14
#509
BoG'r OOC.
Githyanki plurals:
Would ghaiki and graithi be the correct plurals?
Actually I think the correct plural is ghaik, just like you have one githyanki or many githyanki. People calling them "ghaiks" are using a more pidgin gith. I actually try to have Grazz swear alot and use more slang, while Gy-Nath speaks more 'proper' gith.
BTW, I'm a believer that "Gith" is actually one language, but that Zerai and Yanki forms have different phrases and influences. Yanki has many words and phrases in Draconic, while Zerai has a Planar Cant influence.
Tue, 2007-10-23 13:37
#510
BoG'r OOC.
Githyanki plurals:
Would ghaiki and graithi be the correct plurals?
Actually I think the correct plural is ghaik, just like you have one githyanki or many githyanki. People calling them "ghaiks" are using a more pidgin gith. I actually try to have Grazz swear alot and use more slang, while Gy-Nath speaks more 'proper' gith.
Heheh. I've really noticed how Grazz can switch so easily between a fairly formal way of speaking to heavy Planar Cant to pure Gith Pirate. Seems very appropriate for his character.
Wed, 2007-10-24 21:43
#511
BoG'r OOC.
7) Feeble ghaik who leans on a staff, often followed by thralls carrying heavy tomes. Some of the others seem to defer to this one. Oddly, this ghaik has thin whisps of white hair on it's head
Elminsstercorian
Thu, 2007-10-25 00:17
#512
BoG'r OOC.
Illithid: "How... How did you know, gith?"
*Sound of flail-head being yanked out of a mind flayer chest*
Du'minh: "Through a friend of mine, who went through a contact of ours, who went through a friend of yours."
Fri, 2007-10-26 07:55
#513
BoG'r OOC.
Azure, I've noticed that Grazz has refrained from answering certain questions (Illithid House locations/defenses, and the question about Will). Should I assume that:
a) DM just doesn't want us to know that info right now, or
b) the PCs should take this as a sign to poke him more for the info?
Fri, 2007-10-26 10:33
#514
BoG'r OOC.
Sorry, it's more like (c) DM is scatterbrained and forgot to give satisfactory answers.
Fri, 2007-10-26 11:35
#515
BoG'r OOC.
Sorry, it's more like (c) DM is scatterbrained and forgot to give satisfactory answers.
Just so everyone else knows, Ya'shenn has a Knowledge (Arcana) and an Appraise of 0, so figuring out a way to destroy the gems safely may be a bit difficult for her. There are things like protection from evil circles, anti-magic shells, dead magic zones, and spells that protect the mind/spirit, but she would know very little about them.
It also depends on what type of gems they are exactly -- some are softer and easier to break than others. Of course, magical gems may well be harder to shatter than others, too.
Oh, and the off-chance that destroying the eyes might blind Grazz, due to the nature of his curse.
Fri, 2007-10-26 12:20
#516
BoG'r OOC.
Oh, and the off-chance that destroying the eyes might blind Grazz, due to the nature of his curse.
Ha! I hadn't even thought of that! Thanks Z.
-Evil DM
See, Evil DM is evil to NPCs too.
-DM
Fri, 2007-10-26 12:43
#517
BoG'r OOC.
Oh, and the off-chance that destroying the eyes might blind Grazz, due to the nature of his curse.
Ha! I hadn't even thought of that! Thanks Z.
-Evil DM
See, Evil DM is evil to NPCs too.
-DM
Good thing I haven't speculated on what I'd be doing if I were an illithid and wanted to give the githyanki a hard time!
Hehe, I saw your post before you edit-edit-re-edited it... you could put Grazz's request after Ya'shenn's post maybe. I had literally written up a lengthy response to it before I noticed you had taken it out.
Fri, 2007-10-26 13:39
#518
BoG'r OOC.
If we put the eyes in a magic circle against evil (as oppoused to all of us in a magic circle) would that prevent them from possesing anything?
Fri, 2007-10-26 13:53
#519
BoG'r OOC.
If it works like the spell, there must be line of effect from receptacle to victim for the spirit to attempt an attack. That's why Du'minh threw cloth over it. We keep it covered, we should be safe.
Fri, 2007-10-26 14:50
#520
BoG'r OOC.
Whatever happened to Jhank'kor and his 'fiery' temper? Or Rey? Please tell me the friendly neighborhood mind-ripper hasn't scared them off.
Fri, 2007-10-26 15:29
#521
BoG'r OOC.
Rey is still in the house, but staying quiet, as he doesn't wanna (further) step on anyone's toes after his "uncharacteristic" burst to try and help grazz escape
Fri, 2007-10-26 15:37
#522
BoG'r OOC.
Rey is still in the house, but staying quiet, as he doesn't wanna (further) step on anyone's toes after his "uncharacteristic" burst to try and help grazz escape
I'm glad he's around, though.
Fri, 2007-10-26 18:34
#523
BoG'r OOC.
"Lady"
I'm guessing the actual word being used doesn't have the same implications in the Githyanki language that it does in English (i.e., implications of noble blood). While flattering, that would freak out Ya'shenn. (Githyanki don't have a noble class or an aristocracy, and the last 'living' member of the royal line seems to be... gone.)
I'm guessing it's something more like the Japanese -san (generic term of respect, often used for equals or near-equals), as opposed to -sama (term of serious respect for someone above you). Or maybe 'Brother' or 'Sister,' something like that.
Fri, 2007-10-26 18:58
#524
BoG'r OOC.
"Lady"
I'm guessing the actual word being used doesn't have the same implications in the Githyanki language that it does in English (i.e., implications of noble blood). While flattering, that would freak out Ya'shenn. (Githyanki don't have a noble class or an aristocracy, and the last 'living' member of the royal line seems to be... gone.)
I'm guessing it's something more like the Japanese -san (generic term of respect, often used for equals or near-equals), as opposed to -sama (term of serious respect for someone above you). Or maybe 'Brother' or 'Sister,' something like that.
Well, actually, I suppose another githyanki would have called Ya'shenn 'Sister' and not 'Lady',. So yea, term implying nobility ... (first contact situations ARE fun)
Fri, 2007-10-26 19:12
#525
BoG'r OOC.
"Lady"
I'm guessing the actual word being used doesn't have the same implications in the Githyanki language that it does in English (i.e., implications of noble blood). While flattering, that would freak out Ya'shenn. (Githyanki don't have a noble class or an aristocracy, and the last 'living' member of the royal line seems to be... gone.)
I'm guessing it's something more like the Japanese -san (generic term of respect, often used for equals or near-equals), as opposed to -sama (term of serious respect for someone above you). Or maybe 'Brother' or 'Sister,' something like that.
Well, actually, I suppose another githyanki would have called Ya'shenn 'Sister' and not 'Lady',. So yea, term implying nobility ... (first contact situations ARE fun)
Ahh, but she got it from Du'minh, and I'm almost sure he wouldn't say that. Alternately, it could be an issue of translation between (possibly formal or slightly archaic) Githyanki and the modern Athasian gith language.
Sat, 2007-10-27 00:12
#526
BoG'r OOC.
Also, she is being more polite because she almost insulted Ya'shenn by calling her "mindbender" again, but stopped herself.
Sat, 2007-10-27 08:30
#527
BoG'r OOC.
Now that you mention it, "Sister" would probably be a more appropriate way to adress Ya'shenn. I considered using "Mistress", but that would sound like adressing a superior.
I'm not a native English speaker, so it could also just be that I have the wrong impression of how to use these titles in general.
Sat, 2007-10-27 08:42
#528
BoG'r OOC.
Beh. You speak better English than me (and I am a native english speaker).
Sat, 2007-10-27 09:03
#529
BoG'r OOC.
Azure, would Ya'shenn know of a way to thoroughly analyze the resonance stone without being subjected to its effects? Based on what she's heard about it, she wouldn't want to be within miles of said effects.
Sat, 2007-10-27 10:15
#530
BoG'r OOC.
Azure, would Ya'shenn know of a way to thoroughly analyze the resonance stone without being subjected to its effects? Based on what she's heard about it, she wouldn't want to be within miles of said effects.
Empty mind or a psionic defense would protect you from the effect, but to truly study it Ya'shenn would need to be open to the stone's influence.
Sat, 2007-10-27 11:51
#531
BoG'r OOC.
Poking Benyamin.
*poke* *poke* *poke*
Sat, 2007-10-27 12:58
#532
BoG'r OOC.
BTW, in case everybody hasn't figured this out about me yet:
I LOVE HALLOWEEN !!!
I've been trying to bring the spooky. I love the spooky. Unfortunately, the game might not advance far enough by wednesday to bring more spooky, but I'll try. For now we've just got a spooky stone and a dead head under a cloth on the table. Pretty spooky, but I've got a few ideas (muha hah ha)
Sat, 2007-10-27 13:07
#533
BoG'r OOC.
BTW, in case everybody hasn't figured this out about me yet:
I LOVE HALLOWEEN !!!
I've been trying to bring the spooky. I love the spooky. Unfortunately, the game might not advance far enough by wednesday to bring more spooky, but I'll try. For now we've just got a spooky stone and a dead head under a cloth on the table. Pretty spooky, but I've got a few ideas (muha hah ha)
Illithids are plenty spooky. <3
Oh, yeah... if it wouldn't violate the Grandma Rule of the site, this campaign needs a nice full-color decerebration or two... just preferably not of a party member, and especially not someone Ya'shenn is mindlinked to when it occurs.
Y'know, kind of like the center panel here (caution: gory): http://www.mindflayedcomic.com/comic016.html
Sat, 2007-10-27 14:43
#534
BoG'r OOC.
*[A span is a somewhat variable unit of time, used mainly to coordinate millitary actions. 99 spans would be between 8 and 9 days.]
**[Ninety-nine is an auspicious number in githyanki lore (rule of threes and all that). Gith's original rebellion was a 99-span struggle.]
Magic 8-ball is telling me that the number four has extremely negative connotations for githyanki.
Sat, 2007-10-27 15:17
#535
BoG'r OOC.
*[A span is a somewhat variable unit of time, used mainly to coordinate millitary actions. 99 spans would be between 8 and 9 days.]
**[Ninety-nine is an auspicious number in githyanki lore (rule of threes and all that). Gith's original rebellion was a 99-span struggle.]
Magic 8-ball is telling me that the number four has extremely negative connotations for githyanki.
Well, I know a little bit of numerology, both eastern and western, so here's a summary of my githyanki numerological associations, and a little bit about where it comes from;
#1 : Unity. Gith herself, and to a somewhat lesser degree, Vlaakith.
#2 : Duality. Conflict. The Zerth, as Gith's children were riven in two by Zerthimon. Also, there are several chess- and go- like strategy games that githyanki play. (My friend and I often play "Chaoss" a version of chess where we set up the board diagonally, and where you choose to set up your pieces is neary as important as how you play)
#3 : Completeness. Power. Rule of 3's.
#4 : Death. War. "Shi" in japaneese means '4' as well as 'death'.
#5 : Partition and organization. That is, unless gith don't have 5 fingers, but I think they do.
#6 : Magical Power. Rule of 3's again, and the idea that a spellcaster (the first 3) causes an effect upon the multiverse (the second 3).
#7 : Divine magic. Thank sunday school for this one.
#8 : Psionic power. 8 is lucky in eastern cultures, so 8=zen.
#9 : The Power! The Power! 3 x 3! Pure, unrestrained POWER!
Sat, 2007-10-27 15:30
#536
BoG'r OOC.
Hrmph, I think someone's obsessed with the rule of threes. 
I think four would have very strong connotations with illithids, not just because of the number of tentacles (obviously), but because the number 4 is important to illithids themselves -- number of lines in standard qualith script, four-tiered thought-patterns, etc. Probable connotations with death and enslavement.
Six /might/ have a minor connotation with ulitharids -- partly for the tentacles (of course), but also because Creed names use six lines of Qualith instead of the usual 4.
Sat, 2007-10-27 16:51
#537
BoG'r OOC.
Hrmph, I think someone's obsessed with the rule of threes.
I think four would have very strong connotations with illithids, not just because of the number of tentacles (obviously), but because the number 4 is important to illithids themselves -- number of lines in standard qualith script, four-tiered thought-patterns, etc. Probable connotations with death and enslavement.
Six /might/ have a minor connotation with ulitharids -- partly for the tentacles (of course), but also because Creed names use six lines of Qualith instead of the usual 4.
Mild OCD, nothing to worry about, but I'm tellin' ya, rule of 3's isn't screed.
Good call on the number four. 4=ghaik=death (they all must die)
Mon, 2007-10-29 02:17
#538
BoG'r OOC.
Ooh, good observations, and I should note how symbolical it was that we we're 9 at this meeting.
However, using qualith as an additional example is kind of circular logic, as there's 4 lines in qualith because illithids have 4 tentacles.
Mon, 2007-10-29 08:25
#539
BoG'r OOC.
Ooh, good observations, and I should note how symbolical it was that we we're 9 at this meeting.
However, using qualith as an additional example is kind of circular logic, as there's 4 lines in qualith because illithids have 4 tentacles.
True, true... The number 4 (and multiples) mean at least as much to 'thids as 5/10 mean to humanoids, though. Makes me start to wonder if they use base 4, 8, or 12 mathematics, actually. Probably base 12.
Azure, based on the numbers/types of ickies Ya'shenn and Du'minh saw when looking at the Illithid House security measures, what assumptions would they make about the size of the force needed to attack it? (Assuming Illithid House security doesn't get dramatically bolstered later, of course...)
Mon, 2007-10-29 09:18
#540
BoG'r OOC.
Ooh, good observations, and I should note how symbolical it was that we we're 9 at this meeting.
However, using qualith as an additional example is kind of circular logic, as there's 4 lines in qualith because illithids have 4 tentacles.
True, true... The number 4 (and multiples) mean at least as much to 'thids as 5/10 mean to humanoids, though. Makes me start to wonder if they use base 4, 8, or 12 mathematics, actually. Probably base 12.
Azure, based on the numbers/types of ickies Ya'shenn and Du'minh saw when looking at the Illithid House security measures, what assumptions would they make about the size of the force needed to attack it? (Assuming Illithid House security doesn't get dramatically bolstered later, of course...)
Well, a strike force of 8 or 9 cutters should be able to do a whole lot of damage ...
Mon, 2007-10-29 15:27
#541
BoG'r OOC.
Wei, should I assume that Daraz agrees to have his injuries looked at?
Mon, 2007-10-29 16:39
#542
BoG'r OOC.
Azure, wondering if any party members might happen to already know the location of a portal to the Plane of Fire, Magma, or some other similar spooky-dead-lithid-killin' location. Or whether we'll need to ask around.
Mon, 2007-10-29 17:06
#543
BoG'r OOC.
Yes. I doubt fishstick would mind being fixed up.
Mon, 2007-10-29 18:40
#544
BoG'r OOC.
Yes. I doubt fishstick would mind being fixed up.
Daraz probably has more HP and a better AC than my poor squishy psion. 
Did I mention that psions have d4 for hit dice, and classes with d4 hit dice tend to get one-shotted from full health? :shock:
So.... to the non-DM folks...
For some totally inexplicable reason, if I'm reading the Githyanki entry correctly, the genetically engineered former uber-battle-thralls of the illithids don't have darkvision. Light sources or things-that-confer-darkvision would probably be a good idea. (Ya'shenn has a couple, actually.)
We should be healed up before we go say hello to Illithid House.
If we kill off (or whatever) the thralls, we run the risk that it'll alert the 'thids that something is up. (Plus other, free-willed Githyanki will probably notice, who may talk to other people, who are thralls...) If we leave them in place, we don't know what they'll report next time they report in. So, yeah, I'm not entirely sure how to handle the thralls, though depriving the illithids of them sounds good. (The flayers can replace them eventually, but it takes a while to thoroughly program one.)
A night's rest would be great before we start (did I mention that psionic power points are way too easy to spend, and way too slow to recover), if we can fit it within the timeframe.
Any other ideas?
Mon, 2007-10-29 19:00
#545
BoG'r OOC.
Better AC, yes. Better HP, though I dunno. What's your con score?
Mon, 2007-10-29 19:06
#546
BoG'r OOC.
Better AC, yes. Better HP, though I dunno. What's your con score?
You probably don't want to know.
Actually, she's probably like Canzonzabar in some ways. High mental stats, high ranks in 'social' skills, but fragile. Although, come to think of it, I doubt Canzon can clear an entire room with a mind blast.
Mon, 2007-10-29 20:40
#547
BoG'r OOC.
Canzon is actually incredibly tough, just too dignified to fight. It's strength that's his problem, not con. Plus, he has a goon to stab people for him. (in fact the whole party's HP totals are pretty close together)
Mon, 2007-10-29 23:27
#548
BoG'r OOC.
Yep, Canzon is a paranoid bastard who does what he can to survive and is tough to take down, in mimicry of his lord Dispater.
For some totally inexplicable reason, if I'm reading the Githyanki entry correctly, the genetically engineered former uber-battle-thralls of the illithids don't have darkvision. Light sources or things-that-confer-darkvision would probably be a good idea. (Ya'shenn has a couple, actually.)
Githyanki do have darkvision. Perhaps you’re using them from some source that has made changes to their stats?
If we kill off (or whatever) the thralls, we run the risk that it'll alert the 'thids that something is up. (Plus other, free-willed Githyanki will probably notice, who may talk to other people, who are thralls...) If we leave them in place, we don't know what they'll report next time they report in. So, yeah, I'm not entirely sure how to handle the thralls, though depriving the illithids of them sounds good. (The flayers can replace them eventually, but it takes a while to thoroughly program one.)
I’m thinking we can still surprise the illithids with our raid, if we attack shortly after killing their spies.
Any other ideas?
Oh yes. Can Ya’shenn do something about mind blasts or other common illithid attack forms? Despite all the good intents of slaying flayers, Du’minh does not exactly have an impressive will save.
Tue, 2007-10-30 09:51
#549
BoG'r OOC.
Githyanki do have darkvision. Perhaps you’re using them from some source that has made changes to their stats?
In the Githyanki entry in the Psionics Handbook, it's not mentioned. Probably an oversight on the part of Bruce Cordell.
Oh yes. Can Ya’shenn do something about mind blasts or other common illithid attack forms? Despite all the good intents of slaying flayers, Du’minh does not exactly have an impressive will save.
I'm looking, but there seems to be a distinct lack of effects that counter Mind Blast on others. You'd think Negate Psionics would work, but Mind Blast is a power with instantaneous duration...
Negate Psionics definitely works well against charm and compulsion effects, though. (Psionically dominated party members are fun.)
Of course, according to the same handbook, a failed save against a Mind Blast only stuns for 1d4 rounds (instead of 3d4) if the victim is a psionically aware being. ALL githyanki, even Du'minh, are psionically aware, which would go a long way to explain why they hate the gith races so much.
The Tower of Iron Will psionic defense mode will slightly increase the defenses of nearby party members, but if you're close enough to get the bonus, you're almost certainly within the 60' cone of a mind blast.
While Ya'shenn has a good Will save, especially given that githyanki have a racial Wisdom penalty, one of the best anti-mind-blast abilities is the Quick Recovery feat in Lords of Madness: it allows a Will save every round to break out of a stun or daze effect. Sadly, she doesn't have it, since I only got LoM recently.
So, Azure...
1) Darkvision, neh?
2) Does Negate Psionics do anything to help against the mind-blast-stunned-for-eternity effect?
3) 1d4 or 3d4 rounds?
Tue, 2007-10-30 14:02
#550
BoG'r OOC.
So, Azure...
1) Darkvision, neh?
2) Does Negate Psionics do anything to help against the mind-blast-stunned-for-eternity effect?
3) 1d4 or 3d4 rounds?
1) Darkvision. Yeh.
2) No, sorry.
3) Sounds like 1d4 is the number.
BTW, anybody hear from Ben on other posts? He's usually a proliffic poster, but it's been a couple of weeks! I am now officially worried about his well-being. Reminds me of another player who dropped out of a game just before she was supposedly going in for surgery. 
Tue, 2007-10-30 14:05
#551
BoG'r OOC.
So, Azure...
1) Darkvision, neh?
2) Does Negate Psionics do anything to help against the mind-blast-stunned-for-eternity effect?
3) 1d4 or 3d4 rounds?
1) Darkvision. Yeh.
2) No, sorry.
3) Sounds like 1d4 is the number.
Thanks Az.
Edit: Yeah, I've been wondering about Ben... Always wanted to say hello to the extremely short-fused warmage too!
I think his suggestion should be possible via the Lesser Mindlink/Mindlink ability (which she has). Pull memories from Grazz via detect thoughts, transmit the spellcasting ones to Du'minh. Azure, what do you think?.
Absolutely, though not w/ lesser mindlink. Ya'shenn could enter a trance with both Grazz and Du'minh. It'd be a bit of a power drain, depending on how much info is being transferred.