Mind Flayers (Illithids) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Mind Flayers (Illithids) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Aerostoth
11-20-07, 04:33 PM I like the Mind Flayers, and I'm trying to gather information on them to make a huge campaign on them. If anyone can find any info on Mind Flayers or Thoon, then please post.

Here is a list of all the referances to Mind Flayers that I found:

Monster Manual I
Monster Manual V
Lords of Madness
Lords of Darkness
Ilithiad (2E)
Expanded Psionics Handbook
Complete Arcane
Underdark
Dragon Magazine

Novels:

Vestress
Exile
Fabius Maximus
11-20-07, 04:44 PM The Illithad. A 2nd ed. sourcebook entirely devoted to flayers.
Aerostoth
11-20-07, 04:50 PM Is the book called Illithid or Illithad (typo?)?
Stigger
11-20-07, 04:51 PM Illithiad I think it was, kinda vaguely remember it, but never picked it up. Don't much care for Illithids though, so...
Aerostoth
11-20-07, 04:58 PM I'll put it on the list.
18DELTA
11-20-07, 05:01 PM ABOLETHS ARE THE SEX!!!:coolcthul :looloo: :crazy: :D
Stigger
11-20-07, 05:23 PM :blink:

You're starting to scare me as much as Creyzi does Delta...
Aerostoth
11-20-07, 05:33 PM Illithids do only have only 1 gender, so...
Suin Bahhar
11-20-07, 07:54 PM ABOLETHS ARE THE SEX!!! :twitch: What about half illithids then??? Where are those printed?
In LoM the illithids cannot have half offspring because of cerebromorphosis is their way of reproducing. I found a reference in the CandleKeepComp IX or a redeemed halfillithid...

Illithid mingling in surface politics is EBIL.
Aerostoth
11-20-07, 08:06 PM yeah, how does a half-Illithid come to be, Genetic Engineering?:banghead:
18DELTA
11-20-07, 11:16 PM :blink:

You're starting to scare me as much as Creyzi does Delta...

:dancin: :coolcthul :coolcthul :coolcthul :coolcthul :coolcthul :coolcthul :coolcthul :coolcthul :dancin:

:P
Meldread
11-20-07, 11:20 PM Ceremorphosis is not a perfect process. Every so rarely those who undergo the process are not completely transformed. Some transform fully into an Illithid mentally but lack the physical appearance of an Illithid, retaining their old humanoid form. These are typically used as spies. Others, however, and even some full Illithid retain some of who they once were before the process - memories, old habits and personalities. True Illithid try and suppress these things, but some retain more than others and if this small handful also maintain their old form (mostly) - then you have a half-Illithid.

I would imagine that this is the primary reason behind having the elder brain devour the weakest tadpoles. The weaker tadpoles may not be especially suited to undergo ceremorphosis.
Lord Karsus
11-20-07, 11:32 PM Is the book called Illithid or Illithad (typo?)?

-It's the Ilithiad, like Homer's Iliad.

-In my opinion, the Ilithiad is, simply, the best book on Mind Flayers.
Aerostoth
11-20-07, 11:53 PM thanks. where could i get it?
Lord Karsus
11-21-07, 12:26 AM thanks. where could i get it?

-It's long out of print. You can download it as a PDF file for something like $4 from various websites that offer RPG products (RPGnow.com comes to mind first).
Old Sage
11-21-07, 06:41 AM thanks. where could i get it?Paizo.com remains the more reliable location for the PDF version.

Alternatively, nobleknight.com may still have second hand copies of the tome in their online catalogues.
Aerostoth
01-28-08, 12:24 AM Are there any novels aside from "Exile" on Illithids?
Old Sage
01-28-08, 12:54 AM There's Vestress, from Elaine's "Starlight & Shadows" trilogy.
dethmetal
01-28-08, 09:40 AM Also in the expanded psionic handbook there are two Mind flayer centric classes.
I can't remember the names of each, but one was pro mind flayer and involved the Psion altering thier body to resemble mind flayers.
the other was anit flayer, and was basically a flayer hunter.
Lord Karsus
01-28-08, 10:17 AM Also in the expanded psionic handbook there are two Mind flayer centric classes.
I can't remember the names of each, but one was pro mind flayer and involved the Psion altering thier body to resemble mind flayers.
the other was anit flayer, and was basically a flayer hunter.

-I believe they are 'Illithid Hunters' and 'Acoltyes of the Skin'.
dethmetal
01-28-08, 05:57 PM i looked it up when i got home, the "Illithid Slayer" is in the expanded psionic handbook, as for the other one I couldn't find it anywhere in one of my books and can't quite recall where i saw it, the complete psion maybe?
ikki
01-28-08, 08:26 PM Anyway... What if i make a simulcra of a illithid tadpole and then insert it in my subject?

Will the resulting mindflayer.. obviously no longer a simulcra.. still be mine to command?
I mean simulcras keep all abilities. Including transformational like ones. We know the human does not remain in charge... with one known exception.... so assuming the tadpole DOES assume control, which was my slave, id still be in control.

But then, it is also a new creature in some ways.
Aerostoth
02-02-08, 11:59 AM i looked it up when i got home, the "Illithid Slayer" is in the expanded psionic handbook, as for the other one I couldn't find it anywhere in one of my books and can't quite recall where i saw it, the complete psion maybe?

Acolyte of the Skin is in Complete Arcane.

Do you know what book the spell "Simurlacrum" is in?
Lord Karsus
02-02-08, 01:33 PM Do you know what book the spell "Simurlacrum" is in?

-Here:

Simulacrum
Illusion (Shadow)
Level: Sor/Wiz 7
Components: V, S, M, XP
Casting Time: 12 hours
Range: 0 ft.
Effect: One duplicate creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No

Simulacrum creates an illusory duplicate of any creature. The duplicate creature is partially real and formed from ice or snow. It appears to be the same as the original, but it has only one-half of the real creature’s levels or Hit Dice (and the appropriate hit points, feats, skill ranks, and special abilities for a creature of that level or HD). You can’t create a simulacrum of a creature whose Hit Dice or levels exceed twice your caster level. You must make a Disguise check when you cast the spell to determine how good the likeness is. A creature familiar with the original might detect the ruse with a successful Spot check (opposed by the caster’s Disguise check) or a DC 20 Sense Motive check.

At all times the simulacrum remains under your absolute command. No special telepathic link exists, so command must be exercised in some other manner. A simulacrum has no ability to become more powerful. It cannot increase its level or abilities. If reduced to 0 hit points or otherwise destroyed, it reverts to snow and melts instantly into nothingness. A complex process requiring at least 24 hours, 100 gp per hit point, and a fully equipped magical laboratory can repair damage to a simulacrum.

Material Component
The spell is cast over the rough snow or ice form, and some piece of the creature to be duplicated (hair, nail, or the like) must be placed inside the snow or ice. Additionally, the spell requires powdered ruby worth 100 gp per HD of the simulacrum to be created.

XP Cost
100 XP per HD of the simulacrum to be created (minimum 1,000 XP).
GothicDan
02-02-08, 01:45 PM The Underdark book has a Mindflayerr PrC, I think, too.
Jiggawha
02-02-08, 07:25 PM there's also Dragon magazine

Associated creatures "Dragon's Bestiary, The" Stephen Inniss 150(12) D&D1
"Monsters of the Mind" Baase, Jansing, Frank 337(24) D&D3
Dwarven hunters of "Mindstalkers" Bruce R. Cordell 245(36) D&D2
Ecology of "Ecology of the Mind Flayer, The" Roger Moore 78(66) D&D1
Homeworld "Sunset World, The" Stephen Inniss 150(18) D&D1
Magic items "Armed To the Tentacle" Penny Williams 308(52) D&D3
Mind Mage prestige class "Brain Power: Secrets of the Illithids" Clifford Horowitz 313(50) D&D3
Monster cult "Worshipers of the Forbidden" Eric Cagle 296(48) D&D3
Names "By Any Other Name: Races of the Underdark" Owen K.C. Stephens 281(48) D&D3
Psionic weapons "New Illithid Arsenal, The" Christopher M. Schwartz 255(28) D&D2
Psi-Spell feats "Brain Power: Secrets of the Illithids" Clifford Horowitz 313(46) D&D3
Symbionts "Armed To the Tentacle" Penny Williams 308(52) D&D3

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Aerostoth 11-20-07, 04:33 PM	I like the Mind Flayers, and I'm trying to gather information on them to make a huge campaign on them. If anyone can find any info on Mind Flayers or Thoon, then please post. Here is a list of all the referances to Mind Flayers that I found: Monster Manual I Monster Manual V Lords of Madness Lords of Darkness Ilithiad (2E) Expanded Psionics Handbook Complete Arcane Underdark Dragon Magazine Novels: Vestress Exile
Fabius Maximus 11-20-07, 04:44 PM	The Illithad. A 2nd ed. sourcebook entirely devoted to flayers.
Aerostoth 11-20-07, 04:50 PM	Is the book called Illithid or Illithad (typo?)?
Stigger 11-20-07, 04:51 PM	Illithiad I think it was, kinda vaguely remember it, but never picked it up. Don't much care for Illithids though, so...
Aerostoth 11-20-07, 04:58 PM	I'll put it on the list.
18DELTA 11-20-07, 05:01 PM	ABOLETHS ARE THE SEX!!!:coolcthul :looloo: :crazy: :D
Stigger 11-20-07, 05:23 PM	:blink: You're starting to scare me as much as Creyzi does Delta...
Aerostoth 11-20-07, 05:33 PM	Illithids do only have only 1 gender, so...
Suin Bahhar 11-20-07, 07:54 PM	ABOLETHS ARE THE SEX!!! :twitch: What about half illithids then??? Where are those printed? In LoM the illithids cannot have half offspring because of cerebromorphosis is their way of reproducing. I found a reference in the CandleKeepComp IX or a redeemed halfillithid... Illithid mingling in surface politics is EBIL.
Aerostoth 11-20-07, 08:06 PM	yeah, how does a half-Illithid come to be, Genetic Engineering?:banghead:
18DELTA 11-20-07, 11:16 PM	:blink: You're starting to scare me as much as Creyzi does Delta... :dancin: :coolcthul :coolcthul :coolcthul :coolcthul :coolcthul :coolcthul :coolcthul :coolcthul :dancin: :P
Meldread 11-20-07, 11:20 PM	Ceremorphosis is not a perfect process. Every so rarely those who undergo the process are not completely transformed. Some transform fully into an Illithid mentally but lack the physical appearance of an Illithid, retaining their old humanoid form. These are typically used as spies. Others, however, and even some full Illithid retain some of who they once were before the process - memories, old habits and personalities. True Illithid try and suppress these things, but some retain more than others and if this small handful also maintain their old form (mostly) - then you have a half-Illithid. I would imagine that this is the primary reason behind having the elder brain devour the weakest tadpoles. The weaker tadpoles may not be especially suited to undergo ceremorphosis.
Lord Karsus 11-20-07, 11:32 PM	Is the book called Illithid or Illithad (typo?)? -It's the Ilithiad, like Homer's Iliad. -In my opinion, the Ilithiad is, simply, the best book on Mind Flayers.
Aerostoth 11-20-07, 11:53 PM	thanks. where could i get it?
Lord Karsus 11-21-07, 12:26 AM	thanks. where could i get it? -It's long out of print. You can download it as a PDF file for something like $4 from various websites that offer RPG products (RPGnow.com comes to mind first).
Old Sage 11-21-07, 06:41 AM	thanks. where could i get it?Paizo.com remains the more reliable location for the PDF version. Alternatively, nobleknight.com may still have second hand copies of the tome in their online catalogues.
Aerostoth 01-28-08, 12:24 AM	Are there any novels aside from "Exile" on Illithids?
Old Sage 01-28-08, 12:54 AM	There's Vestress, from Elaine's "Starlight & Shadows" trilogy.
dethmetal 01-28-08, 09:40 AM	Also in the expanded psionic handbook there are two Mind flayer centric classes. I can't remember the names of each, but one was pro mind flayer and involved the Psion altering thier body to resemble mind flayers. the other was anit flayer, and was basically a flayer hunter.
Lord Karsus 01-28-08, 10:17 AM	Also in the expanded psionic handbook there are two Mind flayer centric classes. I can't remember the names of each, but one was pro mind flayer and involved the Psion altering thier body to resemble mind flayers. the other was anit flayer, and was basically a flayer hunter. -I believe they are 'Illithid Hunters' and 'Acoltyes of the Skin'.
dethmetal 01-28-08, 05:57 PM	i looked it up when i got home, the "Illithid Slayer" is in the expanded psionic handbook, as for the other one I couldn't find it anywhere in one of my books and can't quite recall where i saw it, the complete psion maybe?
ikki 01-28-08, 08:26 PM	Anyway... What if i make a simulcra of a illithid tadpole and then insert it in my subject? Will the resulting mindflayer.. obviously no longer a simulcra.. still be mine to command? I mean simulcras keep all abilities. Including transformational like ones. We know the human does not remain in charge... with one known exception.... so assuming the tadpole DOES assume control, which was my slave, id still be in control. But then, it is also a new creature in some ways.
Aerostoth 02-02-08, 11:59 AM	i looked it up when i got home, the "Illithid Slayer" is in the expanded psionic handbook, as for the other one I couldn't find it anywhere in one of my books and can't quite recall where i saw it, the complete psion maybe? Acolyte of the Skin is in Complete Arcane. Do you know what book the spell "Simurlacrum" is in?
Lord Karsus 02-02-08, 01:33 PM	Do you know what book the spell "Simurlacrum" is in? -Here: Simulacrum Illusion (Shadow) Level: Sor/Wiz 7 Components: V, S, M, XP Casting Time: 12 hours Range: 0 ft. Effect: One duplicate creature Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: None Spell Resistance: No Simulacrum creates an illusory duplicate of any creature. The duplicate creature is partially real and formed from ice or snow. It appears to be the same as the original, but it has only one-half of the real creature’s levels or Hit Dice (and the appropriate hit points, feats, skill ranks, and special abilities for a creature of that level or HD). You can’t create a simulacrum of a creature whose Hit Dice or levels exceed twice your caster level. You must make a Disguise check when you cast the spell to determine how good the likeness is. A creature familiar with the original might detect the ruse with a successful Spot check (opposed by the caster’s Disguise check) or a DC 20 Sense Motive check. At all times the simulacrum remains under your absolute command. No special telepathic link exists, so command must be exercised in some other manner. A simulacrum has no ability to become more powerful. It cannot increase its level or abilities. If reduced to 0 hit points or otherwise destroyed, it reverts to snow and melts instantly into nothingness. A complex process requiring at least 24 hours, 100 gp per hit point, and a fully equipped magical laboratory can repair damage to a simulacrum. Material Component The spell is cast over the rough snow or ice form, and some piece of the creature to be duplicated (hair, nail, or the like) must be placed inside the snow or ice. Additionally, the spell requires powdered ruby worth 100 gp per HD of the simulacrum to be created. XP Cost 100 XP per HD of the simulacrum to be created (minimum 1,000 XP).
GothicDan 02-02-08, 01:45 PM	The Underdark book has a Mindflayerr PrC, I think, too.
Jiggawha 02-02-08, 07:25 PM	there's also Dragon magazine Associated creatures "Dragon's Bestiary, The" Stephen Inniss 150(12) D&D1 "Monsters of the Mind" Baase, Jansing, Frank 337(24) D&D3 Dwarven hunters of "Mindstalkers" Bruce R. Cordell 245(36) D&D2 Ecology of "Ecology of the Mind Flayer, The" Roger Moore 78(66) D&D1 Homeworld "Sunset World, The" Stephen Inniss 150(18) D&D1 Magic items "Armed To the Tentacle" Penny Williams 308(52) D&D3 Mind Mage prestige class "Brain Power: Secrets of the Illithids" Clifford Horowitz 313(50) D&D3 Monster cult "Worshipers of the Forbidden" Eric Cagle 296(48) D&D3 Names "By Any Other Name: Races of the Underdark" Owen K.C. Stephens 281(48) D&D3 Psionic weapons "New Illithid Arsenal, The" Christopher M. Schwartz 255(28) D&D2 Psi-Spell feats "Brain Power: Secrets of the Illithids" Clifford Horowitz 313(46) D&D3 Symbionts "Armed To the Tentacle" Penny Williams 308(52) D&D3