Unveiling the Ancient Blood Feud: The Unbridled Hatred Between Githyanki and Illithids in Baldur's Gate 3

Highlights

The immersive world and captivating characters of Baldur's Gate 3 contribute significantly to its success. What sets Baldur's Gate 3 apart from other fantasy games is its incorporation of extraterrestrial races such as the Githyanki and Mind Flayers.

The game centers on the conflict between the Githyanki and Illithids, offering players the choice to align with either faction and explore diverse and thrilling gameplay options. Immersing oneself in the lore reveals the history of the conflict, where the Illithids previously created and enslaved the Gith until they gained their own powers and revolted.

Baldur's Gate 3 continues to surpass its own records as one of the most played titles on the Steam charts, and the meticulously crafted world of the Forgotten Realms by Larian Studios plays a significant role in its success. Set in the realm of Faerun, inspired by the iconic Dungeons and Dragons universe, the game's immersive experience is enhanced by its consistent lore throughout its three acts. By remaining faithful to its source material, Baldur’s Gate 3 introduces players to the fundamental concepts of fantasy fiction, captivating audiences worldwide.

While there may be other Dungeons and Dragons settings, the Forgotten Realms stands as the most popular due to its rich history of popularizing various enduring themes within the fantasy genre. The game, based on the modern fifth edition, features a wide range of characters, from traditional Elves and Dwarves to the enigmatic and exotic Tieflings. However, what truly sets Baldur's Gate 3 apart is the inclusion of unique races like the extraterrestrial Githyanki and the enigmatic Illithid. Serving as formidable antagonistic forces, the Mind Flayers drive the game's narrative, while the Githyanki Fighter Lae'zel offers players a companion. The deep and complex histories of these races span decades of lore, adding further depth to the game's world.

Illithids and Their Subjugation of the Gith

The Illithids, also called Mind Flayers, have an uncertain origin, as various theories speculate their emergence from different scenarios. They have existed since ancient times, dominating multiple realms with their advanced technology and psychic capabilities. There is even speculation that they could be descendants from the distant future. Despite their notorious focus on genetic experimentation, it was one of their experiments that led to their downfall.

By utilizing a mysterious humanoid race called the "Forerunners" from the past, the Illithids created a fabricated race known as the Gith. Initially enslaved by their masters, the Gith eventually developed their own psionic abilities and rose against the Mind Flayers. They successfully rebelled and drove the Illithids out of the Astral Plane. However, the Gith's struggle continued on an ideological level.

The Divide of the Githyanki and Githzerai

After the Gith's victory over their oppressors, their newfound freedom led to the emergence of a division within their society. Gith, the leader, sought vengeance by pursuing every Illithid across the Multiverse, while her ally Zerthimon disagreed. This divergence resulted in the creation of the aggressive and combative Githyanki, led by Gith, and the more introspective and contemplative Githzerai, followers of Zerthimon. This split fractured the original Gith people, giving rise to two distinct factions. The narratives of Queen Vlaakith and Prince Orpheus, which unfold many generations later, hold significant importance in the context of Baldur's Gate 3.

In Baldur's Gate 3, the story revolves around an Illithid invasion of Faerun, providing an unprecedented exploration of the lore surrounding the Mind Flayers and Githyanki within the gaming realm. As players become infected by a Tadpole, which transforms them into one of these creatures, they are likely to share the same objective as the Githyanki in opposing the Illithids. However, the deep-seated thirst for violence instilled by the oppression faced by Lae'zel's race within the Astral Plane may also lead players to clash with one of the game's most distinctive races.

Baldur's Gate 3 is available now on PC and launches September 6 on PS5, with an Xbox Series X/S port also in development.