Partial-illithid

Minthara and default Dark Urge as partial-illithids

A partial-illithid is a character who has undergone a transformation and become a partial mind flayer, gaining the passive  Partial Ceremorphosis. Partial-illithids gain access to elite illithid powers, but also experience a physical change.

Becoming partial-illithid

After completing Act Two and travelling to the outskirts of Baldur's Gate, the party will be attacked by Githyanki Monks upon long resting. After the fight, The Emperor will offer the player the Astral-Touched Tadpole.

The player may use the astral tadpole immediately, however other characters will have to be Persuaded (Minthara will want to use the tadpole, but she must be spoken to for the option to become available). A character can then choose to open their mind to the tadpole (or eat it) to undergo partial ceremorphosis. Note that if any character chooses to eat the tadpole, others will not be able to use it.

When being given the astral tadpole, the Wisdom DC to resist it is variable based on how many tadpoles the player has used. ^{[Needs Verification]} A player who has not used any tadpoles will not have to pass any skill check.

Partial-illithid powers

A partial-illithid will gain access to the outer tier of elite illithid powers, which can now be unlocked with Mind Flayer Parasite Specimens:

•  Absorb Intellect
•  Black Hole
•  Displacer Beast Shape
•  Fracture Psyche
•  Freecast
•  Illithid Expertise
•  Mind Blast
•  Mind Sanctuary
•  Psionic Dominance

As well, they immediately obtain the following powers (any regular tadpoles the character might have already spent to unlock these abilities will be refunded):

•  Concentrated Blast
•  Favourable Beginnings
•  Fly
•  Force Tunnel
•  Psionic Overload
•  Transfuse Health

Gallery

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  Partial-Illithid Shadowheart

Notes

• During the partial ceremorphosis scene, some of the character's teeth may fall out. However, a full set of teeth can be seen in later scenes with the character.
• Non-party NPCs will not make any comments about transformed characters.
• Becoming partial-illithid changes only the character's appearance, access to illithid powers, and a small set of companion comments. It does not consequentially affect story choices.