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Mind Flayer Tadpole
 | Spoiler warning: The following content contains unhidden spoilers. Read at your own risk. |
Mind Flayer Tadpoles are Aberrations that are used by the Illithid to transform other Humanoids into Illithids through a process known as 
Ceremorphosis. The player character and the origin companions of Baldur's Gate 3 have all been infected with tadpoles. One of the first main Quests in the game is to Find a Cure for the infection.
Act One
It is revealed in Act One that the Cult of the Absolute is related to the Illithid abductions. By seeking out different healers to Find a Cure, the player learns more about the nature of their affliction.
It is also revealed that the player can encounter and absorb even more tadpoles, which will unlock Illithid Powers.
If either Auntie Ethel or Halsin is talked to, it is revealed that the tadpoles are protected by shadow magic and cannot be removed by normal means. If the player starts the Quest Help Omeluum Investigate the Parasite, they can learn from Omeluum that the mind flayer parasite is placed in stasis.
The Dream Visitor can visit the player and inform them that the order from the Absolute to trigger their ceremorphosis has been issued many times, though they've been blocking those orders.
Act Two
Towards the end of Act Two, it is revealed that the tadpoles were largely being produced at the Mind Flayer Colony under Moonrise Towers.