Refugees

Long ago, Mindflayers ruled over empires that spanned entire worlds, casting dark shadows of subjugation over civilizations. Entire races fell victim to their mastery of psionics, becoming twisted pawns in the Mindflayers' relentless pursuit of power. Unified by a collective consciousness, these creatures schemed with malevolent intellect, crafting plans as vast and malefic as the depths of their incomprehensible minds.

As time unfurled, their empires crumbled, leading some Mindflayer collectives to traverse the planes until they found solace on the Material Plane, in a realm known as Haven. Within this sanctuary, they weave webs of intrigue anew, rebuilding their dominion with patient deliberation, all while tapping into their innate psionic prowess to manipulate, control, and reshape the world to their advantage.

Ability score increase. your Intelligence or Wisdom is increased by 2, and Constitution by 1.

Age. Mindflayers undergo a unique life cycle that involves a transformation from tadpole to adult through a process of implantation and physiological changes. Their connection to elder brains can greatly influence their lifespan and level of advancement within their society.

Alignment. You are Considered Evil.

Size. Your size is medium.

Creature Type. You are considered an Aberration.

Speed. Your walking speed is 25 feet.

Languages. Mind flayers are Telepathic, allowing them to communicate mentally with any creature within a certain range, without the need for spoken words or shared languages.

Tentacle Appendages: Four flexible tentacles extend from their octopus-like heads, allowing them to manipulate objects, interact with the environment, and even grapple opponents. If a creature starts its turn grappled by you, it takes 1D4 psychic damage. If a humanoid grappled by you is reduced to 0 hit points, you may kill it by extracting and devouring its brain. When eating a creatures brain, you learn some of its memories or recent thoughts of the DM's choosing.

Darkvision: They possess keen senses in darkness, enabling them to see in dim light within 60 feet.

Psionic Resilience: They have advantage on saving throws against mind-affecting spells and effects.

Cerebral Unity: Mindflayers share a collective consciousness, granting them an advantage on Intelligence-based skill checks when collaborating with another Mindflayer.

Mind Blast. Though signifcantly weaker without the full power of the mind fayers' collective networked intelligence behind them, lone illithids' mental assaults are still dangerous. You can loose a wave of psionic energy against a creature you can see as an action. The target must make a Intelligence saving throw with a DC equal to 8 + your Intelligence modifer + your profciency bonus or take 1d8 psychic damage. At 6th level this damage increases to 2d8 and at 11th level the target is stunned for one round. Once you use this feature you must fnish a short or long rest to use it again.

Elder Brain

In this realm, Mindflayers embark on a bold endeavor — transporting a surviving Elder Brain to shape a new settlement beneath the surface. As they integrate with the hive mind, they gain amplified psionic prowess and access to collective wisdom. Enhanced resilience and camaraderie empower them to influence their society's direction, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose.

Yet, embracing the Elder Brain's embrace has its shadows. Individuality wanes, emotions align with the hive's priorities, and dependence grows. Vulnerability to psychic threats increases, and manipulation becomes a lurking danger. Innovations may stagnate, creativity dims, and personal desires fade. However, those who resist the hive's pull embrace autonomy, forging paths unburdened by collective will. Their unique perspectives foster creativity, resilience to manipulation, and the preservation of their individuality, defining the complex interplay of choice and unity that shapes the Mindflayers' destiny.

• Psionic Enhancement: Mindflayers in close contact with an Elder Brain experience a boost in their psionic abilities. They gain a bonus to their psionic powers, such as increased telepathic range or the ability to use mind control abilities more effectively.
• Shared Knowledge: Being part of the hive mind of an Elder Brain allows for the sharing of knowledge and experiences. Mindflayers in contact have access to the collective wisdom of their community, granting them advantages on Intelligence-based checks and access to specialized skills or information.
• Reduced Resilience: The Elder Brain's influence provides lesser resistance to mind-affecting spells and effects, granting Mindflayers in contact disadvantage on saving throws against such threats.

• Diminished Psionics: Their psionic abilities may weaken when away from the Elder Brain's influence. This could result in reduced telepathic range, decreased effectiveness of mind control, or limitations on other psionic powers.

• Strength in Resilience: The absence of the Elder Brain's collective consciousness makes them less susceptible to mind-affecting spells and effects, potentially granting advantage on saving throws in such situations

• Innovation and Creativity: Mindflayers who distance themselves from the hive mind are more likely to think outside the box and develop innovative solutions to problems. Their creativity isn't limited by conforming to established patterns of thought. Granting them 2 bonus proficiencies or 1 expertise.