Nilshai

Nilshais were aberrations native to the Ethereal Plane. They were sometimes referred to as ethereal theurges by star elves.

Activities
These malevolent alien sorcerers generally dwelled on the Ethereal Plane, yet occasionally entered the Material Plane on expeditions to obtain lore and magic. In particular, they had invaded Sildëyuir, the extraplanar home of the star elves, for several centuries, making portals to the demiplane that altered the plane’s essence, and by 1370 DR they had begun to assault the stars elves' citadels.

When on the Material Plane, a nilshai was almost always pursuing a purpose, whether searching for magical items, engaging in espionage, or looking for slaves to take to its homeland.

Combat
When residents of the Material Plane interfered in their activities, a nilshai profligately hurled spells at them in order to kill them as quickly as possible. When faced with spellcasters, a common tactic of the nilshai was to cast a spell and then immediately cast a counterspell to dispel any magic that might be forthcoming from its foe.

Abilities
They could quickly shift back and forth between the Ethereal and Material Planes, and they were naturally resistant to spells and effects of detection and mental influence. Because of their trilateral symmetry and alien minds, nilshais were adept at multitasking.

Description
Nilshais had worm-like bodies and three clawed legs. They had three slender tentacles for arms that each ended in three stubby fingers. A nilshai had a bulbous head that sat atop its worm-like body with three eye stalks that each ended in a large yellow eye. It also had three membranous wings that tightly folded along its trunk when not required. A nilshai had a soft, slimy, and slick hide that was mottled blue and black, but their flesh underneath was extremely hard.

Society
Very few in the Material Plane or Sildëyuir knew anything about nilshai society or their organization. The cities of the nilshais were bizarre stone strongholds on the Ethereal Plane that had extremely complex, maze-like chambers and twisting passages. Large strongholds could have about five-hundred nilshai residents, but most nilshais lived in communities of about fifty. A stronghold's most powerful sorcerer was its absolute ruler, commanding the obedience of all the others.

Nilshais kept ethereal marauders as pets and ethereal filchers as servants. Their strongholds also had ethereal slayers. Nilshais sometimes used other creatures as guards and raiders.

Nilshais worshiped the Far Realm entity Mak Thuum Ngatha, the Nine-Tongued Worm.

Appearances

 * Adventures:
 * The Twilight Tomb