Ulitharid

An Ulitharid is an advanced, larger, and far more powerful form of illithid (mind flayer) in Dungeons & Dragons lore — essentially a superior evolutionary caste within illithid society.

Ulitharids are sometimes called:

• “noble illithids”
• “greater mind flayers”
• or potential “mind flayer kings.”

Physical Differences

Compared to a normal illithid, an ulitharid is:

• Taller (often 7–8 feet)
• Physically stronger
• More imposing and regal
• Distinguished by six facial tentacles instead of four

Their skin is often described as darker purple or more alien in appearance.

Role in Illithid Society

Ulitharids are extremely rare. A colony may produce only one after many generations.

They are typically:

• destined to become colony leaders,
• powerful psionic overlords,
• or eventual creators of new elder brains and new colonies.

Unlike ordinary illithids, ulitharids are often independent-minded and ambitious. This makes other mind flayers uneasy around them.

Psionic Power

Ulitharids possess:

• far stronger psychic abilities,
• greater domination powers,
• stronger mind blasts,
• and more magical capability than standard illithids.

Many are powerful spellcasters in addition to being psionic monsters.

Relationship to Elder Brains

An ulitharid may eventually:

1. leave its colony,
2. gather thralls and followers,
3. establish a new illithid settlement,
4. and ultimately transform into a new elder brain.

Thus, they are critical to the expansion and reproduction of illithid civilization.

A typical adventuring party encountering an ulitharid is usually dealing with:

• an emerging illithid empire,
• a hidden psychic conspiracy,
• or the birth of a new elder-brain colony.