Sources
CR
Type
Size
Alignment
Movement

Swarm of Cranium Rats

Medium swarm of Tiny Beasts, Lawful Evil

Armor Class 12
Hit Points 36 (8d8)
Speed 30 ft.
STR
9
-1
DEX
14
+2
CON
10
+0
INT
15
+2
WIS
11
+0
CHA
14
+2
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, slashing
Condition Immunities Charmed, Frightened, Grappled, Paralyzed, Petrified, Prone, Restrained, Stunned
Senses darkvision 30 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages telepathy 30 ft.
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)

Traits

Illumination. As a bonus action, the swarm can shed dim light from its brains in a 5-foot radius, increase the illumination to bright light in a 5 to 20-foot radius (and dim light for an additional number of feet equal to the chosen radius), or extinguish the light.

Swarm. The swarm can occupy another creature's space and vice versa, and the swarm can move through any opening large enough for a Tiny rat. The swarm can't regain hit points or gain temporary hit points.

Telepathic Shroud. The swarm is immune to any effect that would sense its emotions or read its thoughts. as well as to all divination spells.

Spellcasting

Innate Spellcasting (Psionics). The swarm's innate spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 13). As long as it has more than half of its hit points, it can innately cast the following spells, requiring no components:

At will: command, comprehend languages, detect thoughts

1/day each: confusion, dominate monster

Actions

Bites. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 0 ft., one target in the swarm's space. Hit:14 (4d6) piercing damage, or 7 (2d6) piercing damage if the swarm has half of its hit points or fewer.

Lore

Mind flayers create cranium rats by bombarding normal rats with psionic energy.