INTELLECT DEVOURER

Chaotic Evil Man-sized Monster (psionic)

FREQUENCY: Very rare

NO. APPEARING: 1-2

SURPRISE: 33% — Others +20%

SENSES: infravision

ARMOR CLASS: 4

MOVE: 15"

HIT DICE: 6 + 6 (hp 33)

% IN LAIR: 60%

TREASURE TYPE: D

THAC0: 13

MELEE: 4 claws (1d4 each)

SPECIAL ATTACKS: psionics - Hits As: +2

SPECIAL DEFENSES: immunity to most weapons and magic, DR/+3 (magic-1)

WEAKNESS: shuns bright light

MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard

INTELLIGENCE: Very (11-12)

MORALE: +33%

SAVES: Poison 10, Petrify 11, Wand 9, Breath 12, Spell 10

LANGUAGES: All human languages

PSIONIC ABILITY: 200 — Attack/Defense: C, D/F, G

LEVEL: VII (XP 1,510 + 8 per hp)

The intellect devourer is one of the most feared of monsters. They are found dwelling deep beneath the ground or in dark and dismal lairs in the wilderness. Although they are able to attack with their great claws, their primary offensive means is psionic, for they subsist on the psychic energy of their prey — whether gained from the dying shriek or by more subtle means.

Their awareness extends to the astral and ethereal planes, and intellect devourers often roam the astral and ethereal planes.

If psionic energy (from abilities or magical means) is in use nearby (6") they will stalk the user, seeking a time to attack him alone and by surprise. They are able to hide in shadow as well as a 10th level thief. [63%]

The monster then leaps upon his victim, tearing with his claws and psionically attacking with ego whip or id insinuation.

If psionically successful the 'devourer will then house itself within the mindless body, seeking to deceive others by assuming the character of the person it has slain. The intellect devourer will then seek opportunities to attack and devour others.

Campaign Rule. Intellect devourers can use the attack modes of Ego Whip and Id Insinuation and the defense modes of Mind Blank and Thought Shield. An intellect devourer can use psionics while physically attacking. Thus, while a psionic defender is concentrating, the creature is free to attack their immobile form leaving them weakened in the event that the psionic defender runs out of defense points. When attacking a victim, at the moment of the victim's death due to damage or the victim enters a robotic state (from an id insinuation attack), the intellect devourer can possess the victim (while consuming it's "dying shriek"). The intellect devourer psionically and physically merges with the victims brain and can control it from there forward. All wounds suffered by the victim by the 'devourer are "healed". The 'devourer can access the creatures memories (perfectly) but cannot use any non-continuous magical abilities possessed by the victim. The intellect devourer is an alien creature so some abstract or inherent concepts will not be understood by it. At any time, the intellect devourer can burst out of the victim's skull, killing it immediately if it was still alive. The victim will not have a magical aura due to the possession but a true seeing effect will show the true state of the victim (a zombie or robotic flesh-puppet) along with the vision of a ghostly brain surrounding the victims head.

Normal weapons and most spells have no effect upon these monsters.

Magical weapons +3 or more cause 1 point of damage upon them when they hit.

Bright light will drive them off, and a protection from evil will keep them at a distance.

Fireballs serve only as a bright light, but lightning bolts will cause them pain and some small damage (1 point per die of lightning bolt strength). A death spell has a 25% chance of success, and a power word, kill will slay them.

Of course, they can be psionically attacked, and their psionic strength of 200 total makes this not too difficult. However, if seriously threatened, they will seek to flee and save themselves.

They are able to speak any human language.

Campaign Rule. An intellect devourer is the size of a huge mastiff, 6-ft long and 280-lbs.

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