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Eloi
2010-06-08, 03:49 PM
Is there any creatures like Mind Flayers in SRD? Barring that, is there any homebrew of Illitid-like creatures? Perhaps a magic instead of Psionics based Mind Flayer? Because I have this campaign idea of an Illitid alien-type invasion, but I don't have the proper books and they aren't in SRD. I'm not very good with Psionics anyway, so a Magic based variant in SRD or Homebrew would be awesome too.

Critical
2010-06-08, 03:53 PM
Nope, this question is answered in the Q&A at the SRD. You might want to browse homebrew forum for the homebrew version, though.

NEO|Phyte
2010-06-08, 03:54 PM
Technically speaking, the illithids in the first Monster Manual ARE magic-based. Their "psionics" are simply a collection of spell-like abilities.

Eloi
2010-06-08, 03:55 PM
Nope, this question is answered in the Q&A at the SRD. You might want to browse homebrew forum for the homebrew version, though.

Er...okay, I hope they aren't under a silly name that clearly doesn't say "Mind Flayer-copy".

Eloi
2010-06-08, 03:59 PM
Eh, screw it, I'm making my own race of Psionics Magic using aliens squid-heads that eat people's brains magical powers.

Optimystik
2010-06-08, 04:00 PM
Er...okay, I hope they aren't under a silly name that clearly doesn't say "Mind Flayer-copy".

...so you don't want to see my "Ulluthud" homebrew then?

Eloi
2010-06-08, 04:01 PM
...so you don't want to see my "Ulluthud" homebrew then?

But that clearly says "Illithid-copy"! Yes, I would love to see that if you aren't pulling my proverbial leg.

erikun
2010-06-08, 04:09 PM
Illithids are Wizard's intellectual properity, so you won't find them on the SRD. Oddly enough, you can find the Neothelid (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/monsters/neothelid.htm), although there isn't much similarity between the two.

There is also the Cerebrilith (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/monsters/cerebrilith.htm), which is a demon with psionic powers. I'm not quite sure what you are considering "like a Mind Flayer" so I figure I'll include it.

You can also check the Mind's Eye Archive (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/arch/psi) to see if there something similar listed as an alternate Illithid, or a Illithid character example for one of the classes/prestige classes.

Eloi
2010-06-08, 04:17 PM
Illithids are Wizard's intellectual properity, so you won't find them on the SRD. Oddly enough, you can find the Neothelid (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/monsters/neothelid.htm), although there isn't much similarity between the two.

There is also the Cerebrilith (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/monsters/cerebrilith.htm), which is a demon with psionic powers. I'm not quite sure what you are considering "like a Mind Flayer" so I figure I'll include it.

You can also check the Mind's Eye Archive (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/arch/psi) to see if there something similar listed as an alternate Illithid, or a Illithid character example for one of the classes/prestige classes.
Basically "like a Illithid" qualifies as being able to substitute one within SRD, I'll check out the resources provided.

Optimystik
2010-06-08, 04:29 PM
But that clearly says "Illithid-copy"! Yes, I would love to see that if you aren't pulling my proverbial leg.

*yank*
*yank*
...sorry. :smalltongue: I don't homebrew very much actually. I'm sure someone from that board can help you...


Illithids are Wizard's intellectual properity, so you won't find them on the SRD. Oddly enough, you can find the Neothelid (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/monsters/neothelid.htm), although there isn't much similarity between the two.

Actually, there's one that always puzzled me - Slaad are listed as Product Identity on the SRD, (http://www.d20srd.org/faq.htm) but not by WotC themselves. (http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:i3JHvBM-8sUJ:www.wizards.com/d20/files/v35/Legal.rtf+product+identity+displacer+beast+site:ww w.wizards.com&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us) Did Jans mess up? And assuming he is right, why would they make the Chaotic outsiders P.I. and not the Lawful ones?

erikun
2010-06-08, 04:54 PM
Actually, there's one that always puzzled me - Slaad are listed as Product Identity on the SRD, (http://www.d20srd.org/faq.htm) but not by WotC themselves. (http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:i3JHvBM-8sUJ:www.wizards.com/d20/files/v35/Legal.rtf+product+identity+displacer+beast+site:ww w.wizards.com&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us) Did Jans mess up? And assuming he is right, why would they make the Chaotic outsiders P.I. and not the Lawful ones?
Probably because the Slaad are more distinctly D&D and are more identifyable with the system, while the Inevitables are basically intelligent golems. Modrons would be the "classic" equilivant of the Slaad.


Basically "like a Illithid" qualifies as being able to substitute one within SRD, I'll check out the resources provided.
Well, the Aboleth (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/aboleth.htm) is a psychic fish-monster which lurks in underground caverns. Rakshasa (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/rakshasa.htm) are sorcerous outsiders which disguise themselves as mortals. Hags (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/hag.htm) also disguise themselves, and have several magical abilities. Naga (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/naga.htm) are also spellcasters, and Mummies (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/mummy.htm) typically have clerical spellcasting with their mystical abilities. There's also Beholders, but they aren't in the SRD either.

Homebrew would be better if you're looking specifically for an open-source "Illithid", though.

Mastikator
2010-06-08, 05:04 PM
The Rakshasa is kind of sort of like a sorceror version of the Mind Flayer. Except for a few details.

Edwin
2010-06-08, 05:11 PM
The Rakshasa is kind of sort of like a sorceror version of the Mind Flayer. Except for a few details.

Actually, that's not entirely accurate.

Mind flayers are an original creation of Gygax, his source of inspiration being some book he read. At least I think I read that somewhere.

Rakshasa, on the other hand, are an age old demonic spirit from Hindu and buddhist religions. Though that may be a no go area to discuss, so strike that. Basically, they're evil spirits that enjoy tormenting mortals, with magical powers of shapeshifting and illusion, originally, at least.

Flickerdart
2010-06-08, 05:15 PM
You can always just make man-sized Cthulhus that have drank too much grape juice.

Vaynor
2010-06-08, 05:19 PM
Actually, that's not entirely accurate.

Mind flayers are an original creation of Gygax, his source of inspiration being some book he read. At least I think I read that somewhere.

Rakshasa, on the other hand, are an age old demonic spirit from Hindu and buddhist religions. Though that may be a no go area to discuss, so strike that. Basically, they're evil spirits that enjoy tormenting mortals, with magical powers of shapeshifting and illusion, originally, at least.

I think he meant they were thematically similar. Magic-users, evil, weird-lookin', and intelligent.

CockroachTeaParty
2010-06-08, 05:22 PM
There's also the neh-thalggu (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/epic/monsters/nehThalggu.htm) in the SRD, also called Brain Collectors. Similar to illithids in what they like to eat, but they might be a tad epic for most games.