Renegade Illithid

Sometimes a mind flayer that’s away from its colony breaks free from the elder brain. Perhaps it ran into a situation where its bonds of obedience were broken, or perhaps the colony was destroyed while it was away. In such a case, the mind flayer becomes free-willed for as long as it avoids contact with an elder brain.

A renegade illithid remains fearful of gith attacks, and likely sets about creating a sort of colony of its own, the better to remain undetected. It gathers minions, establishes a lair, and makes defense of its territory a top priority. Unlike colonial mind flayers, rogue illithids develop a healthy respect for those not of their kind. They treat especially powerful creatures and individuals as equals, not adversaries, and seek to cooperate with them. A renegade mind flayer might become a trusted advisor or a powerful ally, so long as it is kept well fed. Any alliance it makes, however, collapses if the mind flayer falls under the sway of an elder brain once more.

Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among Arcana, History, Religion, or Survival

Languages: Choose two, one of which must be Abyssal, Celestial, Deep Speech, Draconic, Infernal, Primordial, Sylvan, or Undercommon

Equipment: A diplomat's pack, one alien trinket, a set of common clothes, and 10 sp.

Suggested Characteristics

You have learned to live with the terror that haunts you. You are a survivor, who can be very protective of those who bring light into your darkened life.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I never let pass an opportunity to show my contempt for lesser beings.
2	I like to flavor my meals by engendering positive emotions in my victims before feeding on them.
3	So as not to taint my thoughts, I avoid telepathically communicating with lesser beings when possible.
4	I never eat unless the victim is conscious and aware.
5	I’m very picky. I feed only on the brains of a specific kind of humanoid.
6	I’m curious about how other races live and how their societies function.
7	I find battle stimulating.
8	I’m curious about the limits of other creatures’ intelligence and devise situations to test them.

d6	Ideal
1	Knowledge. All information is of value. (Neutral)
2	Obedience. Nothing is more important than following orders. (Lawful)
3	Selfishness. I do my best work when motivated by my own self-interest. (Chaotic)
4	Truth. Truth is the foundation of knowledge, so I never lie. (Lawful)
5	Superiority. Nothing can be gained from the study of lesser beings. (Neutral)
6	Domination. All others should submit to my control. (Evil)

d6	Bond
1	I think the elder brain is wrong about something, and I want to convince it.
2	I have a secret I wish to keep even from other mind flayers.
3	The more the colony grows, the more powerful we all become.
4	Nothing is more important than rebuilding our lost empire.
5	Persistence of my colony is the greatest good.
6	I have important research that must be protected at all costs.

d6	Flaw
1	I am oblivious to the emotions expressed by others.
2	I believe my minions will always do precisely as I intend.
3	I never assume others understand and always explain everything.
4	I have a memory that isn’t mine. I obsess about it.
5	It is inconceivable that another creature could outsmart me.
6	I sometimes confuse others’ thoughts with my own.