The Illithid
Long ago, in the endless void of the Astral Sea, the god Hydall sought to uncover the existence of creatures that had formed naturally with its creation. Unbound by mortal morality, Hydall created a secluded domain deep within the astral currents where even other gods dared not venture. Here, he conducted experiments on the fragmented essences of life drifting in the astral plane. With divine cunning and patience, he combined elements of thought, dreams, and raw chaos to create new beings—creatures unshackled by the laws of material existence. Hydall’s ultimate project was an entity designed to evolve beyond mortal limitations. These creatures were small, almost insignificant in appearance—slimy, tadpole-like creatures that held almost limitless intelligence and telepathic powers. These early experiments thrived in their astral habitat, existing as both individuals and a collective consciousness.
Meanwhile, on the material plane, a group of mortal wizards delved too deeply into the arcane mysteries of the cosmos. These scholars, driven by hubris and curiosity, sought to pierce the boundaries between their world and unknown and ultimately stumbling across the Astral Sea. Using an ancient ritual of their own design, they opened a planar rift—a thin, shimmering veil that granted them a glimpse of Hydall’s secluded realm. The wizards marveled at what they saw: a realm teeming with strange, alien life. But their awe quickly turned to terror. Through their portal, a single creature, slipped into their world. This parasite found a host among the wizards, rapidly transforming the unfortunate victim into the first illithid, an aberration of immense psychic power. The illithid wasted no time. With its newfound abilities, it dominated the minds of the surviving wizards, enslaving them to its will.
The parasites reproduced by implanting themselves into hosts and hijacking their forms, turning them into vessels for the collective intelligence. Entire villages fell to the illithid plague as the parasites spread through covert infiltration and telepathic domination. Over time, the illithids created vast, hidden enclaves beneath the surface of the world, constructing sprawling cities where they could thrive in darkness and isolation. Eventually the original infectors slowly mutated into Elder Brains, a massive, pulsing organ composed of fused illithid minds, acting as a hive-mind for its kin. The Elder Brains revered Hydall as their creator, interpreting his actions as divine will; however, they began to see themselves as his true successors, destined to consume and reshape all reality in their image.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Their most distinct feature is a bulbous, cephalopod-like head with four writhing tentacles surrounding a lamprey-like mouth. These tentacles are prehensile and used to latch onto prey during feeding. Their skin is pale, slick, and semi-translucent, ranging from ashen gray to pale violet. Their eyes are lidless and jet black, their eyes are capable of seeing in complete darkness via infravision. Their hands have long, slender fingers ending in sharp nails, and their feet resemble talons. Both are highly dexterous. Illithids lack traditional digestive organs, relying entirely on cerebral fluids extracted from the brains they consume.
Biological Traits
- All illithids possess innate telepathic and telekinetic abilities.
- Their alien biology grants them immunity to many mortal poisons and diseases.
- They are highly vulnerable to psychic feedback and divine magic.
Genetics and Reproduction
Illithids reproduce parasitically. They implant larvae into the bodies of sentient hosts, typically humanoids. These larvae burrow into the host’s brain, consuming it and integrating with the nervous system. Over a week, the host transforms into an illithid, its body reshaped and brain consumed.
Growth Rate & Stages
- Larval Stage (0-10 years): Small, tadpole-like creatures live in pools within illithid colonies.
- Ceremorphosis (10 years onward): Once implanted in a host, transformation into an illithid begins, lasting approximately 7 days.
- Adulthood (11-300 years): Fully formed illithids serve their colony and Elder Brain.
- Elder Brain Integration (Post-mortem): Upon death, an illithid’s brain is often absorbed into the Elder Brain to preserve its knowledge.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Illithids require cerebral fluids to survive, obtained by consuming the brains of sentient creatures. They prefer the brains of intelligent beings, as higher intelligence yields more potent psychic sustenance. They feed every 30 days, although starvation can force them into a torpid state where they conserve energy.
Biological Cycle
Illithids are nocturnal, preferring to operate in darkness. Their psionic energy is strongest during astral alignments, which they often mark with ritual feeding. Periodically, they molt, shedding their thin outer skin layers to maintain their pliability and sensory acuity.
Behaviour
Illithids are logical, calculating, and coldly pragmatic, viewing all other beings as resources to exploit; They lack empathy, focusing solely on the survival and expansion of their species. Many illithids seek to ascend to positions of power, particularly by merging with an Elder Brain. While individually formidable, they avoid unnecessary risks, preferring manipulation and subtlety over direct conflict.
Additional Information
Social Structure
llithid society revolves around their Elder Brains, which act as the center of their hive-mind. Beneath it are the Ulitharids which are the subordinate leaders followed by the Illithid Drones that are the majority. Beneath that are thralls that are enslaved mortals who have been "repurposed" for labor and possible sustenance.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Illithids possess innate telepathic abilities, allowing them to communicate mentally and sense the emotions of nearby creatures and they can all manipulate objects and their environment through focused thought and telekinesis. Their eyes can detect heat signatures, giving them perfect vision in darkness. With their hive-mind link when near an Elder Brain, an illithid’s senses are amplified through the collective consciousness of its kin.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Illithids use telepathic "names" consisting of mental impressions rather than spoken words. When translating to mortal tongues, their names are often guttural or sibilant, such as Xilthar, Vr’zaath, or Zilquorrath.
Beauty Ideals
Illithids value intellect and psionic mastery above all. Physical appearance holds no importance, though smooth skin and symmetrical tentacles are considered signs of vitality.
Common Etiquette Rules
In Illithid society obedience to the Elder Brain is paramount and rarely interact with outsiders unless they are seeking to manipulate or dominate. Direct communication is always telepathic and they disdain verbal speech as primitive.
Common Taboos
Illithids shun any behavior that suggests independence from the hive-mind. Any treachery against the colony or Elder Brain is met with immediate execution. Beyond the Elder Brain any relations beyond enslavement or predation are strictly forbidden.
Lifespan
300 years, though Elder Brain integration effectively grants immortality to their consciousness
Average Height
5’8” to 6’4”
Average Weight
140 to 200 pounds
Average Length
Tentacles: 12-18 inches
Average Physique
Illithids are physically weaker than most humanoids but rely on their psionic power for combat and manipulation.
Geographic Distribution
Discovered by
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