Sources
CR
Type
Size
Alignment
Movement

Encephalon Gemmule

Tiny Aberration, Unaligned

Armor Class 14
Hit Points 54 (12d4 + 24)
Speed 40 ft.
STR
1
-5
DEX
18
+4
CON
14
+2
INT
5
-3
WIS
12
+1
CHA
7
-2
Damage Resistances psychic
Condition Immunities Blinded
Senses blindsight 30 ft. (can't see beyond this radius), passive Perception 11
Languages
Challenge 3 (700 XP)

Traits

Encephalon Progeny. The gemmule matures into an encephalon cluster if not killed within 30 (4d12 + 4) days of its creation.

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

Actions

Psychic Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit:16 (3d10) psychic damage.

Bonus Actions

Leech. The gemmule targets one creature within 5 feet of itself and forces the target to make a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the gemmule enters the target's space and attaches to the target. While the gemmule is attached, the target takes 7 (3d4) piercing damage at the start of each of its turns, and the gemmule can't use Leech again until it detaches. It can detach itself by spending 5 feet of its movement. As an action, the target or a creature within 5 feet of the target can detach the gemmule by succeeding on a DC 15 Strength check.

Lore

Due to the influence of the Far Realm, the eggs within an encephalon cluster no longer hatch into illithid tadpoles. Instead, when one of an encephalon cluster's eggs reaches maturity, it is ejected from the mass as an encephalon gemmule.