Brainstealer Dragons

Brainstealer dragons are the malign fusion of Illithids and Dragons that find their way into the depths of the underdark and are harvested for their might by the vast psionic nightmares that are Mindflayer kingdoms. Brought before the Elder Brain; an illithid tadpole is dropped into the eye of this once mighty and prideful creature. As this wriggling larva writhes it’s way into the tear duct and along the dragon’s optic nerve, it finds itself a home at the base of the dragon’s spine, where it snuggles up and grows to consume and transform not only the brain, but mutate the whole body of the dragon.

Mind Hoarders

Traditionally, the act of ceremorphosis (the reproductive act that transforms creatures into Minflayers), consumes the mind and completely mutates the body of the host being converted, into that of the Illithid...but with a being as powerful as a Dragon; some remnants of their behavuour remain. While a Mindflayer's hunger is centered around consuming the enzymes, hormones and mental residue that make up a brain; Dragons are obsessed with hoarding treasure and items they consider to be valuable. For the Brainstealer dragon, this results in the hoarding of memories, minds and experiences. They consume vast quantities of brains to sate their enormous appetites, it likes to store particularly delicious memories, thoughts, feelings and experiences in jars, crystals or undescribable fleshy contraptions, which it builds into it's nest-like hordes. It is for this reason that many adventurers seek out the lairs of a Brainstealer Dragon; to discover lost knowledge and relive moments thought lost to time.

Custodians of the Collective

Dragons tend to enjoy a life of individuality and seclusion away from those who might steal their treasure; but the act of ceremorphosis actually connects a Mindflayer's will to the Illithid collective, centered around the desires of an Elder Brain. To this end; Brainstealer Dragons often lair at the base of an Illithid cave system, and fiercely guard the Elder Brain. In the small chance that a Dragon's will is particularly strong, and their nature is not completely overridden by the transformative processes that create a Brainstealer; they may seek to form their own Illithid colonies away from the Elder Brain, or to become a Draconic Qualith...an outcast among their creators.

Brainstealer Wyrmling

Medium Aberration, Lawful Evil

  • Armor Class 15 (natural armour)
  • Hit Points 38(7D8 +7)
  • Speed 30ft, fly 60ft, burrow 30ft
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
15 (+2) 12 (+1) 13 (+1) 19 (+4) 11 (+0) 13 (+1)
  • Saving Throws. Int +6, Wis + 2, Cha +3
  • Senses. Darkvision 120ft, Passive Perception 14
  • Skills. Arcana +7, Deception +6, Insight +6, Perception +6, Persuasion +6, Stealth +4.
  • Languages. Deep Speech, Undercommon, Draconic, Telepathy 120ft.
  • Challenge. 5 (1,100 XP)

Magic Resistance. The Brainstealer Dragon has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Actions

Tentacles. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit 15 (2d10 + 4) Psychic damage. If the target is Medium or smaller, it is grappled (escape DC15) and must succeed on a DC15 Intelligence saving throw or be stunned until the grapple ends.

Extract Brain. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5ft., one incapactitated humanoid grappled by the Brainstealer Dragon. Hit The target takes 55 (10D10) piercing damage. If this damage reduces the target to 0 hit points, the Brainstealer Dragon kills the target by extracting and devowering its brain.

Mind Torrent (Recharge 5-6). The Brainstealer Dragon expells a 15-foot cone of psychic energy. Each creature in that area must make a DC11 Intelligence saving throw, taking 21 (6D6) psychic damage, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Young Brainstealer Dragon

Large Aberration, Lawful Evil

  • Armor Class 17 (natural armour)
  • Hit Points 136 (16D10+48)
  • Speed 40ft, fly 80ft, burrow 40ft
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
19 (+4) 12 (+1) 17 (+1) 19 (+4) 13 (+1) 15 (+2)
  • Saving Throws. Int +7, Wis + 3, Cha +4
  • Senses. Darkvision 120ft, Passive Perception 14
  • Skills. Arcana +7, Deception +6, Insight +6, Perception +6, Persuasion +6, Stealth +4.
  • Languages. Deep Speech, Undercommon, Draconic, Telepathy 120ft.
  • Challenge. 10 (5,900 XP)

Magic Resistance. The Brainstealer Dragon has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Innate Spellcasting (Psionics). The Brainstealer Dragon's innate spellcasting ability is Intelligence (Spell save DC 15). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no components:

At Will: Detect Thoughts, Levitate 1.day each: Dominate Monster, Plane Shift (self only)

Actions

Multiattack. The Brainstealer Dragon makes two attacks: one with its tentacles and one with its claws.

Tentacles. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit 22 (3d10 + 4) Psychic damage. If the target is Large or smaller, it is grappled (escape DC15) and must succeed on a DC15 Intelligence saving throw or be stunned until the grapple ends.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit 11 (2D6+4) slashing damage.

Extract Brain. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5ft., one incapactitated humanoid grappled by the Brainstealer Dragon. Hit The target takes 55 (10D10) piercing damage. If this damage reduces the target to 0 hit points, the Brainstealer Dragon kills the target by extracting and devowering its brain.

Mind Torrent (Recharge 5-6). The Brainstealer Dragon expells a 30-foot cone of psychic energy. Each creature in that area must make a DC14 Intelligence saving throw, taking 42 (12D6) psychic damage, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Credit: Arcane Forge

Adult Brainstealer Dragon

Huge Aberration, Lawful Evil

  • Armor Class 18 (natural armour)
  • Hit Points 207 (18D12+90)
  • Speed 40ft, fly 80ft, burrow 40ft
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
23 (+6) 12 (+1) 21 (+5) 19 (+4) 15 (+2) 17 (+3)
  • Saving Throws. Int +8, Wis + 5, Cha +6
  • Senses. Darkvision 120ft, Passive Perception 14
  • Skills. Arcana +10, Deception +8, Insight +7, Perception +12, Persuasion +8, Stealth +6.
  • Languages. Deep Speech, Undercommon, Draconic, Telepathy 120ft.
  • Challenge. 17 (18,000 XP)

Magic Resistance. The Brainstealer Dragon has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Innate Spellcasting (Psionics). The Brainstealer Dragon's innate spellcasting ability is Intelligence (Spell save DC 15). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no components:

At Will: Detect Thoughts, Levitate 1/day each: Dominate Monster,Plane Shift (self only), Telekinesis.

Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the Brainstealer Dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

Actions

Multiattack. The Brainstealer Dragon can use its ensnaring Presence. It then makes two attacks: one with its tentacles and one with its claws.

Ensnaring presence. Each creature of the dragon's choice within 120 feet of the dragon and aware of it must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or become charmed for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature's saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the dragon's Ensnaring presence for the next 24 hours.

Psychic Lash. Ranged Spell Attack: +11 to hit, 30-60ft., one target. Hit 15 (2D8 + 6) Psychic damage.

Tentacles. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit 22 (3d10 + 6) Psychic damage. If the target is Huge or smaller, it is grappled (escape DC18) and must succeed on a DC18 Intelligence saving throw or be stunned until the grapple ends.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit 13 (2D6+11) slashing damage.

Extract Brain. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5ft., one incapactitated humanoid grappled by the Brainstealer Dragon. Hit The target takes 55 (10D10) piercing damage. If this damage reduces the target to 0 hit points, the Brainstealer Dragon kills the target by extracting and devowering its brain.

Mind Torrent (Recharge 5-6). The Brainstealer Dragon expells a 60-foot cone of psychic energy. Each creature in that area must make a DC18 Intelligence saving throw, taking 56 (16D6) psychic damage, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Legendary Actions

The Brainstealer Dragon can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature's turn. The dragon regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

Detect. The Brainstealer Dragon makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.

Psychic Lash. The dragon makes a Psychic lash attack.

Telekinetic Onslaught (Costs 2 Actions). The dragon unleashes a wave of telekinetic force, knocking creatures over and blasting them with nerby debris and large objects. Each creature within 10 feet of the dragon must succeed on a DC19 Dexterity saving throw or take 13 (2D6+6) bludgeoning samage and be knocked prone. The dragon can then fly up to half it's flying speed.

Ancient Brainstealer Dragon

Gargantuan Aberration, Lawful Evil

  • Armor Class 20 (natural armour)
  • Hit Points 385 (22 D20 + 154)
  • Speed 40ft, fly 80ft, burrow 40ft
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
27 (+8) 12 (+1) 25 (+7) 20 (+5) 17 (+3) 19 (+4)
  • Saving Throws. Int +13, Wis +12, Cha +11
  • Senses. Darkvision 120ft, Passive Perception 14
  • Skills. Arcana +15, Deception +10, Insight + 12, Perception +12, Persuasion +8, Stealth +6.
  • Languages. Deep Speech, Undercommon, Draconic, Telepathy 120ft.
  • Challenge. 24 (36,500 XP)

Magic Resistance. The Brainstealer Dragon has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Innate Spellcasting (Psionics). The Brainstealer Dragon's innate spellcasting ability is Intelligence (Spell save DC 22). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no components:

At Will: Detect Thoughts, Levitate 1/day each: Confusion, Dominate Monster, Eyebite, Feeblemind, Mass Suggestion, Plane Shift (self only), Project Image, Scrying, Telekinesis.

Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the Brainstealer Dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

Actions

Multiattack. The Brainstealer Dragon can use its ensnaring Presence. It then makes two attacks: one with its tentacles and one with its claws.

Ensnaring presence. Each creature of the dragon's choice within 120 feet of the dragon and aware of it must succeed on a DC 19 Wisdom saving throw or become charmed for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature's saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the dragon's Ensnaring presence for the next 24 hours.

Psychic Lash. Ranged Spell Attack: +15 to hit, 30-60ft., one target. Hit 17 (2D8 + 8) Psychic damage.

Tentacles. Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 15ft., one target. Hit 30 (4D10 + 8) Psychic damage. If the target is Gargantuan or smaller, it is grappled (escape DC22) and must succeed on a DC19 Intelligence saving throw or be stunned until the grapple ends.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 10ft., one target. Hit 22 (4D6+8) slashing damage.

Extract Brain. Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 15ft., one incapactitated humanoid grappled by the Brainstealer Dragon. Hit The target takes 55 (10D10) piercing damage. If this damage reduces the target to 0 hit points, the Brainstealer Dragon kills the target by extracting and devowering its brain.

Mind Torrent (Recharge 5-6). The Brainstealer Dragon expells a 90-foot cone of psychic energy. Each creature in that area must make a DC22 Intelligence saving throw, taking 77 (22D6) psychic damage, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Legendary Actions

The Brainstealer Dragon can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature's turn. The dragon regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

Detect. The Brainstealer Dragon makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.

Psychic Lash. The dragon makes a Psychic lash attack.

Telekinetic Onslaught (Costs 2 Actions). The dragon unleashes a wave of telekinetic force, knocking creatures over and blasting them with nerby debris and large objects. Each creature within 10 feet of the dragon must succeed on a DC23 Dexterity saving throw or take 15 (2D6+8) bludgeoning samage and be knocked prone. The dragon can then fly up to half it's flying speed.

The Homebrewery

Although I consider myself an illustrator, I am by no means a graphic designer and would have no clue on how to priduce a booklet by myself that looked this wonderful. This homebrew was presented due to the hard work of the people at homebrewery.naturalcrit.com and I would highly recommend looking at their work and using this fantastic homebrewing tool if you'd like to make monsters of your own or anything else for 5e

Shameless Self Plug

If somehow, this creature has made it's way to you and you are not a viewer of my videos over on Youtube, I would hate to miss the opportunity to share my work with you. You can find my videos over on youtube.com/arcaneforge where I draw at least one monster per week and talk about their lore, history and mythology as well as all of their real world influences, a pinch of biology and a smattering of linguistics. There's even a timelapse of me drawing and talking about this particular creature, so I hope you'll check it out.

Thanks so much for reading!