Illithid

Illithid, more commonly called Mindflayers, are a species of psionic aberrations from the far reaches of the The Astral Sea.
Illithid are usually members of a Hive Mind, sharing the same thoughts and feelings. This hive mind is connected to an Elder Brain, a giant brain that facilitates and maintains this connection, acting as a mindflayer colony leader.
Illithid despise magic, exclusively using their powerful natural psionic powers. Any Illithid with gifts of magic are outcast.
The Illithid formerly were part of a vast empire that ruled the stars, conquering whole worlds and enslaving their populations. These slaves were subservient through mind control and used as a labour force, for Illithid reproduction and to be experimented on through many vile mutations. The Gith were one of the species enslaved by the Illithid, and were eventually their downfall. After a great Gith rebellion the Illithid were scattered across the stars, their Empire no more.
The Illithid are currently hiding across the multiverse, pursued relentlessly by the Gith who plot their extinction. While in their exile the Illithid plot and grow in number, intent on rebuilding their Empire and conquering all of creation.
Language: Illithid almost exclusively communicate through telepathy, but their scripture is written in Deep Speech.

Biology:

The Illithid have humanoid bodies but with purple skin and bulbous, squid-like heads, equipped with multiple tentacles.
Ilithid have natural psionic abilities, they use their powers to communicate telepathically and even dominate weaker minds to do their bidding.
Illithid feed exclusively on brains, draining them of psionic energy, they are incapable of receiving nutrients from any other source of food.
Illithid reproduce parasitically, they begin as a larvae created by an Elder Brain and then placed inside a host. After a few days the host will undergo metamorphosis, transforming into a mindflayer with no ties to their former lives.

Hierarchy:

Most Illithid colonies are led by an Elder Brain. There can only be one Elder Brain per colony. They are created when an Illithid becomes powerful enough to become an Ullitharid, when a group of Illithid lack a hive mind the Ullitharid will undergo a metamorphosis, transforming into a new Elder Brain.
Some Illithid are able to become separated or escape their Hive Mind, gaining free will and a personality. These Solitary Illithid are ostracised and hated by other Illithid, and are commonly killed or forced to rejoin the hive mind.

Origin/Ancestry

Aberration

Lifespan

Unknown

Geographic Distribution

• The Astral Sea