Illithids

Illithids, or Mind Flayers as they are more commonly called, were a species of inter-dimensional beings that primarily focused on the consumption of intellect and, more deliciously to them, sentient brains. Known for their terrifying ability to mutilate sentient beings, read their minds, and dominate their will, they are a much feared enemy to the societies of Talamh.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Mind Flayers most often reproduce through bipedal sentient beings, so most specimen find themselves standing on two legs and having long claws on their appendages. Their faces take the resemblance of an octopus, with four long tentacles protruding from the mouth (occasionally six from the Ulitharid Mutation, mentioned below.)

Genetics and Reproduction

Illithids have a very unique way of reproducing their own species, called Ceremorphisis. First, they implant one of their tadpoles into a sentient being (one preferably being bipedal). As the tadpoles start to feed on the mind of the victim, they slowly start to morph into an Illithids. They often undergo this process in a protected pool. After a period of 7 days, the sentient being will lose their own personhood and turn into the squid-like Mind Flayers, obedient to the Elder Brain.

Dietary Needs and Habits

As the Gnome Wizard Drig in 2A 56 exclaimed, "BRAINS!" Illithids keep themselves alive by consuming sentient brains. Often times they will first taste the thoughts of potential prey as an appetizer, and then go in for the kill by "flaying" their mind (pretty much ripping open their skull and pulling out the brain). Humans are often their favored prey, though they also prove to be the most dangerous for them.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Illithids are very social beings. They often build large lairs for the central Elder Brain which controls their society. Most Mind Flayers are loyal to this brain, though some, like Ulitharids, have the desire to overthrow their Elder Brain to become the new one. Illithids are both eager to serve their Elder Brain but are also a very anxious species, being wary of the dangers of the very sentient beings they enjoy consuming. Thus their structure of society tries to avoid recklessness, and they value all their members of the hive.

Average Intelligence

Mind Flayers are very intelligent species, to the point where they are in a state of constant anxiety. They become protective of their social habitats.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Illithids have the strange sense of being able to read minds from a long distance, giving them greater perception to threats that could harm them. Some of them also have innate magical abilities, able to plane shift or access other inter-dimensional powers.

Civilization and Culture

Common Dress Code

Mind Flayers have a tendency to try and wear simple breastplates over long, black robes with long rugged collars. Occasionally they will carry around a staff.

History

The Illithid race has very mysterious origins to the people of Talamh. All they know is that they are invaders, not from the realm whatsoever. Sometime in the pass, the Illithids tried to enslave the Gith species, which eventually revolted and caused them to flee from their home world. Eventually, the Illithids tried to affect the Duregar Dwarves, but they also revolted. Eventually dispatched groups of Illithids fled, but began to run out of crystals for fuel in their inter-dimensional travels.
One of these groups crash landed in Talamh in 1A 5000, and have been scouring for brains and crystals ever since so they may get back to their former glory. They became interested in the Treasure of Ages, home to a ginormous power crystal, in 2A 51. They attacked a pirate ship with clues to get to this treasure. They took over some of the crew members and killed any remaining members by consuming their brains. It was through this they started to sever leads and stole artifacts leading to the treasure. By the year 56 they began the final stages of their plan.

Common Myths and Legends

One of the legends the Mind Flayers on Talamh seem to believe is that of Ilsensine, their god of the depths. Many of them are loyal to this so-called "Kraken" and wish to find him and use them to assist them in their struggle on Talamh.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Bipedal Sentient Beings

"All other sentient beings have delicious brains and therefore must be treated as delicious brains or as perfect hosts for our other little Illithids. But be wary of humans and elves and dwarves, and, well, all the sentient beings really. They are nasty and will try to kill you with swords and magic. No matter, they still taste nice." -Flil, Mindflayer Arcanist, 2A 45.

Beholders

"Beholders are... Well, how else do you describe Beholders besides disgusting? You can't trust them, they can't trust you. But worst of all, they're self indulgent. They don't care for our GLORIOUS ELDER BRAIN as we do, but for themselves. That's why us Ulitharids need to take a note from them; aspiring to be an Elder Brain is not the same as the disgusting hording those multi-eyed monstrosities seem to enjoy! Oooh, but they do make great Mind Witnesses though." -Voggul, Ulitharid, 2A 56.

Information was taken from Volo's Guide to Monsters, by Wizards of the Coast.

Mind Flayer by Wizards of the Coast