Zaith'isk

A zaith'isk is a partly organic, partly mechanical Githyanki device crafted by "mlar", gifted githyanki artisans.^[1] It purportedly purifies a Mind Flayer Tadpole from an infected victim. The only one seen in the game is in the Infirmary of Crèche Y'llek.

Involvement[edit section | visual editor]

While in the infirmary, a party member can speak with  Ghustil Stornugoss, the resident doctor, and ask to use the zaith'isk to remove the tadpole from their head. Once they lie down in the machine, they must pass three saving throws to successfully survive the procedure without ill effects, a  DC 12 Intelligence Saving Throw, a  DC 15 Wisdom Saving Throw, and finally a  DC 18 Constitution Saving Throw depending on their class.^[2]

If Ghustil Stornugoss is killed after a party member speaks to her, but before using the zaith'isk, it becomes inoperable; they must either interact with it before speaking with her or leave her alive (at least until after they use it).

Outcome[edit section | visual editor]

Each failed saving throw gives -2 to  Intelligence,  Wisdom, and  Constitution, respectively. Consuming a  Mind Flayer Parasite removes these debuffs.

If the interacting party member passes all three saving throws, the parasite strengthens and gives the  Awakened buff, which allows them to use all Illithid powers powers as a  Bonus Action instead of a regular action.

Regardless of whether they succeed or fail, the zaith'isk is destroyed by the Dream Visitor, who exclaims, "Enough!"

If the participating party member passes a  DC 15 Deception Check (or a  DC 15 Performance Check if the player character themself was in the machine) Ghustil Stornugoss lets the party leave. Otherwise, she fetches assistants, locking the door ( DC 10 Sleight of Hand Check) behind her. After some time passes, nearby githyanki barge in and attack the party. This does not cause other crèche inhabitants to turn hostile, and it is possible quickly escape the room to avoid the fight.

Special interactions with Lae'zel[edit section | visual editor]

If  Lae'zel is present, she demands to use the machine first. The player character can persuade Lae'zel to let them go first without any dice roll by selecting, "Stand back. I'm going first." Lae'zel then objects, and the player character can choose the response, "You would still be hunting for this place without my guidance. I will be cured first." Lae'zel yields^[3] and the player character gains +3.

However, if the player character selects the dialogue option, "Make way, Lae'zel. I am purging myself of this damned parasite", Lae'zel turns on the party along with Stornugoss.

Otherwise, letting Lae'zel go first grants +10.

As with the player character going through the process, there are three stages for Lae'zel, though they differ slightly here. Instead, the player character can convince Lae'zel to abort the process after realizing the machine is designed to kill its user. The first stage is either a  DC 30 Persuasion Check, or – if the player character passes an automatic  DC 14 Perception Check – a  DC 30 Wisdom Check.

If the player character fails to convince Lae'zel or thus far declines to stop the process, the second stage is either a  DC 30 Deception Check, or a  DC 21 Wisdom Check (if they fail, a Deception check is still available in the final stage, as shown below) followed by a  DC 21 Persuasion Check.

The final stage is a  DC 30 Wisdom Check, or  DC 30 Arcana Check^[4],  DC 30 Deception Check (if they did not try to stop the process earlier or failed a Persuasion check in the second stage),  DC 21 Constitution Check (if they did not roll a Wisdom check in the second stage; if they fail here, other checks are still available) followed by a  DC 21 Persuasion Check,  DC 21 Persuasion Check (if the player character passed a Wisdom check in the second stage but chose not to stop the process).

If Lae'zel is convinced to leave the machine at any stage (by any means), the player character gains approval with certain companions: +1 +1 +1 +1 +1.

Although the player character can take the active spot, being far enough away prevents this. If Lae'zel uses the Zaith'isk as a companion, her interaction progresses without any checks; unless stopped by the player character, she automatically fails all three saves (thereby acquiring a -2 to  Intelligence,  Wisdom, and  Constitution) and the Zaith'isk is destroyed.

Notes and references[edit section | visual editor]

↑ Banter between  Gale and  Lae'zel, typically while exploring the Wilderness in Act One for the first time together.
↑ An example of Lae'zel skipping the required checks for saves with the Zaith'isk and failing them all automatically is here.
↑ Custom or Dark Urge githyanki player characters have a race-specific dialogue option which allows them to assert dominance. This also results in Lae'zel yielding the chair with no skill check required.
↑ Succeeding the Arcana check grants the player character access to the  Awakened passive as though they went through the "cure" themselves. This passive cannot be acquired if the process is halted by succeeding any other checks before or during the final stage.

Related quests[edit section | visual editor]

⁠Find the Githyanki Crèche

Spotted an issue with this page? Leave a comment! Note that your IP address will be publicly logged unless you create an account. You can also edit the page to fix the issue. See How to Contribute to get started, and maybe join our Discord so we can coordinate our efforts.

[1] Banter between  Gale and  Lae'zel, typically while exploring the Wilderness in Act One for the first time together.

[2] An example of Lae'zel skipping the required checks for saves with the Zaith'isk and failing them all automatically is here.

[3] Custom or Dark Urge githyanki player characters have a race-specific dialogue option which allows them to assert dominance. This also results in Lae'zel yielding the chair with no skill check required.

[4] Succeeding the Arcana check grants the player character access to the  Awakened passive as though they went through the "cure" themselves. This passive cannot be acquired if the process is halted by succeeding any other checks before or during the final stage.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]