The Githyanki...

[Kizuna Dragon]

They are supposed to have this great martial tradition in their culture.. yet they look like they have no muscle mass at all. It's hard to convince me it's a race of great warriors when they look like a half Orc could break them in half with one hand.

[AzureTheGamerKobold]

Tell me that when they cut your silver cord and sever your soul from your body with there silver sword---and kill you instantly.

They aren't feared because of there muscle mass or strength but battle tactics and cunning in battle. They have 1000's of years of tactical skill, and knowledge under there belt. They may not be as strong as an orc--- but Orcs would and do fall in droves to Githyanki... is a reason people fear them. Even Orcs... would rather fight drow then gith.

[Batailleuse]

Originally posted by Kizuna Dragon:

They are supposed to have this great martial tradition in their culture.. yet they look like they have no muscle mass at all. It's hard to convince me it's a race of great warriors when they look like a half Orc could break them in half with one hand.

well... tell then when they come down on you with their red dragons ?

then they teleport around, psychically assail you, and cleave your soul from your body.

[Gingermonkey]

Muscle mass does not equal great warrior.

[egolikeness]

Pretty sure the entire martial arts community would disagree.

[sevensided]

Originally posted by Kizuna Dragon:

yet they look like they have no muscle mass at all...

By human standards.

There are several things at play here- muscles for show vs muscles for use. Almost no body fat. And different physiology than humans.

As an aside- An ostrich leg is not particularly muscular looking, and yet it could kick you in half.

[onealone]

The kind of weird concepts about the body that I see online lately are troubling. The Diablo IV forums are full of this kind of stuff. It's borderline dysmorphia stuff.

[Chaosolous]

Muscle density.

[Thirdwish]

Think of the way a chimp is built. They don't seem that impressive at first glance, but they could tear the average bodybuilder to shreds. It's all about how that muscle is constructed in the body. The Githyanki are meant to be lanky and wiry, but still strong.

[Enola Gay]

Reminds me of a lightweight metal that's stronger than almost anything and worth it's value in mithril :p

[Siameasy]

submit. taste.
Only then will you realise the true potential of a Githyanki warrior!

[[Kartell]Captain Data]

Originally posted by Kizuna Dragon:

They are supposed to have this great martial tradition in their culture.. yet they look like they have no muscle mass at all. It's hard to convince me it's a race of great warriors when they look like a half Orc could break them in half with one hand.

You don't need muscles if you have dexterity ... or so they say. Nah, seriously: big burly mucles make a person slow. Githyanki aren't slow, they're fast and can outmaneuver you while still leaving a f*cking deep cut in your flesh.

From what I got so far, there are no weak Githyanki. They all have to earn their place in society and only the most successful get access to the Astral Plane. That's when they basically turn into a very dark version of Tolkien elves: they're immortal and have thousands of years to hone their skills. But they actually have been already masters of their arts before they're allowed to enter. And if they fail, they either die in their creche or get expelled and die alone. There's no such thing like a weak Githyanki. The ones alive are strong enough to survive in that society, the dead ones failed at some point.


I tend to compare Githyanki culture with Sparta - on steroids.

[Sarigan]

"Githyanki were similar to humans in many superficial respects, but generations of experimentation at the hands of mind flayers, as well as prolonged exposure to the Astral Plane, generated noticeable differences in their physiology, in addition to their innate psionic abilities. As a result of spending long periods of time without consuming food, their digestive systems had atrophied. For that reason, whenever they were outside of the Astral Plane, githyanki required frequent meals, often rich in meat.[26] In addition, they found the gravity of Prime Material worlds uncomfortable."

They're a race of genetically modified aliens who have poor digestive systems, largely because they don't need to eat in their native plane.

[hibbidy_jibbidy]

Originally posted by RMS_Gingermonkey:

Muscle mass does not equal great warrior.

tell that to brock ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ leasnar and mike tyson

[MonkeyHotDog]

Think of them as greek warriors.

[Tawm]

Originally posted by hibbidy_jibbidy:

Originally posted by RMS_Gingermonkey:

Muscle mass does not equal great warrior.

tell that to brock ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ leasnar and mike tyson

Lesnar got destroyed by a chubby Cain Velasques in MMA.