Your Intelligence score increases by 2, and either your Charisma score or your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Illithid tadpoles that survive to the age of ten undergo ceremorphosis, devouring the minds of humanoid hosts and transforming their bodies into physically mature Mind Flayers. They live around 125 years.

Illithid are about as tall as humans, with grotesque, willowy builds. Your size is Medium.

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

You have advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Confined to underground colonies, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light.

You can use your action to emit psychic energy in a 30 foot cone. Each creature in the area must succeed on an Intelligence saving throw (DC equals 8 + your Intelligence modifier + your proficiency bonus) or take 1d8 psychic damage. This damage increases to 2d8 at 6th level, 3d8 at 11th level, and 4d8 at 16th level.

After you use your Mind Blast, you can’t use it again until you complete a short or long rest.

You can telepathically communicate with another creature within 60 feet that understands at least one language. The creature can respond, but cannot initiate telepathic conversations.

Although you can speak aloud if you want to, communication is unnatural to you. You have disadvantage on all Charisma ability checks that you are not proficient in.

You can speak, read, and write Deep Speech and Undercommon, but you prefer to communicate using your Telepathy trait.