Intellect devourers are tiny aberrations associated with the mind flayers (illithids); as the name implies, their attacks target the mind.

Creature information

Illithids subsist on humanoid brains for sustenance, using the enzymes and psychic energies to fuel their own bodies. However, they occasionally will save a brain to be turned into intellect devourers, which are used to hunt and obtain more brains.

Intellect devourers resemble brains with four clawed, bestial legs. They reside deep in the Underdark together with the mind flayers. They do not have an instinct for self-preservation; illithids create them for a pragmatic purpose.^[2]

Abilities

While intellect devourers are physically weak, they can easily cripple any individual of low intelligence.

• Devour Intellect - On a failed Intelligence saving throw, the creature takes 2d10 psychic damage; then, roll 3d6, and if the result is equal to or greater than the target's Intelligence score, the creature's Intelligence score is reduced to zero and it is stunned until it regains at least one point of Intelligence.^[1][3]
• Claw^[4]

History

During Vox Machina's adventures in the Underdark, an intellect devourer put Grog into a catatonic state with one attack due to the barbarian's already low intelligence score of 6.^[5]

Intellect devourers also accompanied the illithid party that Vox Machina was forced to fight in the elder brain temple in Yug'Voril.^[6]

References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6} See D&D: Monster Manual (2014), 5^th ed., p. 191.
2. ↑ See "Escape from the Underdark" (1x13) at 1:18:36.
3. ↑ See "Escape from the Underdark" (1x13) at 1:18:36.
4. ↑ See "Escape from the Underdark" (1x13) at 51:21.
5. ↑ See "Into the Greyspine Mines" (1x02) from 2:44:16 through 2:45:12.
6. ↑ See "Escape from the Underdark" (1x13) at 51:21.

Art:

1. ↑ Depiction of an intellect devourer, by Conceptopolis from D&D: Monster Manual, page 191. This page contains unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Wizards of the Coast Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.

v • d • e Campaign One Arc 1: Kraghammer and Vasselheim NPCs Allies Nostoc Greyspine • Clarota • Kima of Vord • Allura Vysoren • Shaun Gilmore • Sovereign Uriel Tal'Dorei II • Vord • Vanessa Cyndrial • Lyra • Zahra Hydris • Thorbir Falbek • Kashaw • Osysa Antagonists King Murghol • Queen Ulara • K'Varn • Clarota • Kern • Rimefang • Hotis Other Balgus • Xanthas • Damon • Mertin Cyndrial • Aldor • Cerkonos • Victor • Kynan Leore Places Kraghammer • Underdark • Emberhold • Yug'Voril • Emon (Greyskull Keep • Palace of the Sovereign • Gilmore's Glorious Goods) • Vasselheim • Vesper Timberland • Pyrah Creatures goblins • ogres • mutant naga • umber hulks • duergars • intellect devourer • illithids • bulette • black pudding • hook horror • basilisks • ghouls • ghast • cloaker • grick • fomorian • elder brain • griffon • wyverns • phase spiders • hydra • orcs • worg • half-ogre • frost giants • otyugh • ghosts • fire elementals