Illithidae

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The illithidae were an order of creatures that were from the same alien world as the illithids. They were related to illithids much the way mammals such as apes or wolves were related to humans. Various species of illithidae were known to live in and around illithid lairs and cities, though whether on purpose (as domesticated creatures) or by happenstance (simply drawn to the same places) was unknown.

Like the mind flayers they were lesser kin to, the various species of illithidae typically had four limbs with four digits each (when terrestrial), an arrangement of four tentacles around a beaked mouth, and tough, slime-covered skin. Moreover, they all went through a larval stage in which the larvae dwelt and grew within some creature killed by the parent. They disliked light, and most exhibited some amount of psionic powers.

Cessarid
Cessarids were sometimes compared to canines, in that they were quadrupedal predators that traveled in packs. However, they had an large head and eyes, with a large rending beak surrounded by four short tentacles. The skin was smooth, grey, and slimy, and short spines stuck out of the back. The space between the toes was webbed. Although of average intelligence, they acted as little more than animals.

Cessarids' tentacles were coated in a poison that induced a stinging and burning sensation to the touch, and they could use the psionic abilities body equilibrium, ESP, and dimension door. Additionally, they could telepathically communicate with other cessarids within of themself with ease. They were wily and cruel; when they were not hungry cessarids were known to harass and torment prey for hours before killing it.

Cessarids reproduced by depositing 1-3 larvae in a corpse, which the adults then guarded until they metamorphosed. For unknown reasons, cessarids seemed to favor intelligent victims as hosts. Cessarid packs did not cooperate with each unless pressed by other creatures; they would fight kaoulgrim ("dogs" bred by the githyanki) on sight regardless of restraints or magic, and szarkel ("dogs" bred by the githzerai) always avoided cessarids without fail.

Embrac
Embracs were large illithidae, some long and with  long tentacles; the body was short, stocky, and somewhat sacklike, with spotted and/or striped skin in shades of black, grey, white, or dull red. They were largely motionless predators that only moved when the food supply in an area was exhausted.