Sources
CR
Type
Size
Alignment
Movement

Gnome Squidling

Small Aberration, Unaligned

Armor Class 8
Hit Points 10 (3d6)
Speed 15 ft.
STR
4
-3
DEX
7
-2
CON
10
+0
INT
4
-3
WIS
10
+0
CHA
3
-4
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages understands Deep Speech and Gnomish but can't speak, telepathy 60 ft.
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)

Traits

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

Spellcasting

Innate Spellcasting (Psionics). The squidling's innate spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 7). It can innately cast levitate at will, requiring no components.

Actions

Tentacles. Melee Weapon Attack: +0 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit:5 (2d4) psychic damage. If the target is Medium or smaller, it is grappled (escape DC 7) and must succeed on a DC 7 Intelligence saving throw or be stunned until this grapple ends.

Extract Brain. Melee Weapon Attack: +0 to hit, reach 5 ft., one incapacitated creature grappled by the squidling. Hit:27 (5d10) piercing damage. If this damage reduces the target to 0 hit points, the squidling kills the target by extracting and devouring its brain.

Mind Tickle (Recharge 5–6). The squidling magically emits psychic energy in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 7 Intelligence saving throw or take 2 (1d4) psychic damage and be stunned until the end of its next turn.

Lore

Mind flayers, which are described in the Monster Manual, are created through ceremorphosis, a process that begins with the implantation of an illithid tadpole in the brain of a humanoid host. After about seven days in its new home, the tadpole transforms its host into a mind flayer. The new creation typically retains no memory of its previous existence.