Mind flayer (windmill)

The windmill Mind flayer is a notable mind flayer that can be found sleeping underneath the Abandoned Windmill in Rivington during Act Three. It is brain-starved, as a result of its recent ceremorphosis.

Involvement

Act Three

If a party member interacts with the mind flayer,  The Emperor informs them that it is a recently transformed mind flayer, and ushers them to kill it to consume its power. The party can sneak away via a Stealth check or awaken the mind flayer.

Upon waking up, the mind flayer notices the party's tadpoles and asks for a fresh brain to consume, which initiates ⁠Feed the Mind Flayer. The party can bring it a fresh corpse, tell it to find its own food, or kill it. The first and third options grant a free Illithid power.

If the mind flayer is fed and not killed, it ventures to the Lower City and murders the Armbrust family and remains in their home until it is discovered by the guards.

According to  Absolute Orders: Newborn, which is carried by the mind flayer, its former name could have been Alyan, a member of the Flaming Fist.

The following inspiration can be earned based on the choice to feed it or kill it:

• ⁠Kill 'Em While They're Young ( Haunted One backgrounds) - for killing the mind flayer
• ⁠Newfound Subject ( Noble backgrounds) - for feeding it
• ⁠Unexpected Parenting ( Haunted One backgrounds) - for feeding it

Providing the mind flayer with a dead body to feed on is considered an oathbreaking action for  Vengeance Paladins,  Ancients' Paladins and  Paladins of Devotion (oathbreaking for  Paladins of the Crown ^[verify]).

Combat

Attacks and abilities

 Extract Brain ()

Damage: 11~101

10d10 + 1⁠Piercing

Healing: 6~36

6d6⁠Healing

Try to extract the brain of a Stunned or Unconscious creature.

 Melee: 1.5 m / 5 ft

⁠Recharge: Per turn

 Levitate (Illithid Power) ()

Float effortlessly to a destination.

 Range: 18 m / 60 ft

 Mind Blast ()

Damage: 4~32 + modifiers

4d8 + Spellcasting modifier⁠Psychic

Spew forth a conical wave of psychic energy and possibly  Stun targets within.

 INT Save

⁠Recharge: Long rest

 Tentacle Whip ()

Damage: 6~24

2d10 + 4⁠Psychic

Lash out with your tentacles and possibly Stun your target.

 INT Save

 Melee: 1.5 m / 5 ft

Loot

•  Absolute Orders: Newborn
•  Mind Flayer Brain
•  Ring of Truthfulness
•  Timmask Spores (ingredient)
•  Windmill Key

Related quests

• ⁠Feed the Mind Flayer

Notes

• Prior to entering the windmill, a voice can be heard undergoing ceremorphosis from the hatch, voiced by Harry Myers.