View source for Gnome ceremorph

{{Creature
| image        = Gnome_ceremorph-5e.jpg
| caption      = 
| name         = Gnome Ceremorph
| othernames   = 
| size5e       = Small
| type5e       = [[Aberration]]
| subtype5e    = 
| alignment5e  = Any
| challenge5e  = 5
| refs5e       = <ref name="RotFM5e-p302-303">{{Cite book/Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden|302-303}}</ref>
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| movement     = 
| vision       = [[Darkvision]]
| activecycle  = 
| diet         = Brains
| lifespan     = 
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| language     = [[Deep Speech]], [[Gnome language|Gnomish]], [[Undercommon]], [[telepathy]]
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| first        = ''[[Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden]]''
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| histrefs     = <ref name="RotFM5e-p302-303" />
}}
'''Gnome ceremorphs''' were creatures that resulted from a modified version of [[ceremorphosis]], in which an [[illithid]] tadpole was implanted into a [[gnome]]. Unlike typical mind flayers, successful gnome ceremorphs retained partial memories of their previous lives, as well as much of their personality.<ref name="RotFM5e-p302-303" />

==Description==
Gnome ceremorphs retained the host's original size after ceremorphosis, remaining as tall as typical gnomes, but with physical traits of mind flayers, such as facial tentacles and [[psionic]] powers.<ref name="RotFM5e-p302-303" />

Also unlike typical mind flayers, gnome ceremorphs tended to favor speaking rather than using telepathy to communicate. They retained their host's original known languages, but could also speak [[Deep Speech]]. In all cases, they spoke with a "gooey" accent.<ref name="RotFM5e-p132-133">{{Cite book/Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden|132-133}}</ref>

==Abilities==
Like ordinary mind flayers, gnome ceremorphs had powerful psionic abilities and were capable of innately  ''[[levitate|levitating]]'' and producing the effects of ''[[detect thoughts]]'' at will. They were also capable of psychically casting ''[[dominate monster]]'' and ''[[plane shift]]'' once per day.<ref name="RotFM5e-p302-303" />

==Personality==
As a result of the warped ceremorphosis process, gnome ceremorphs retained much of their host's original personality. In particular, they kept their inclination towards invention and tinkering, as well as their original sense of morality.<ref name="RotFM5e-p302-303" /> Those traits became mixed with the mind flayers' taste for control and experimentation, but they tended to remain peaceful creatures.<ref name="RotFM5e-p132-133" />

==Combat==
Despite preferring to avoid combat when possible, if threatened, a gnome ceremorph did not hold back on its powers.<ref name="RotFM5e-p132-133" /> They could unleash powerful [[mind blast]]s, were extraordinarily resilient to [[magic]]al attacks, and also counted with a technological arsenal at their disposal. Many gnome ceremorphs carried homemade [[laser pistol]]s that could shoot beams of radiant energy at their opponents.<ref name="RotFM5e-p132-133" /><ref name="DMG5e-p268">{{Cite book/Dungeon Master's Guide 5th edition|268}}</ref>

==Ecology==
The normal process of ceremorphosis, if conducted on a gnome, invariably resulted in the death of both the host and the tadpole.<ref name="Ilith2e-p11">{{Cite book/The Illithiad|11}}</ref> The reason the process failed was unknown, but it was thought to be related with the different way that gnomish minds worked, or tied to their quasi-magical nature.<ref name="RotFM5e-p302-303" />

However, by slightly modifying the ceremorphosis process, it was possible to produce a viable ceremorph from a gnome host. The process did not always succeed, however, sometimes resulting in a stunted creature known as a [[gnome squidling]].<ref name="RotFM5e-p302-303" />
===Diet===
Much like ordinary mind flayers, gnome ceremorphs relied on a diet of brains.<ref name="RotFM5e-p302-303" /><ref name="RotFM5e-p132-133" />

==Notable Gnome Ceremorphs==
* [[Vorryn Q'uuol]] and [[Dredavex Sinfiz]], co-captains of the [[nautiloid]] ''[[Id Ascendant]]''.<ref name="RotFM5e-p132-137">{{Cite book/Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden|132-137}}</ref>

==Appendix==
===Appearances===
:;Adventures
::''[[Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden]]''
:;Video Games
::''[[Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms]]''
:;Miniatures
::''[[Icons of the Realms]]''

===References===
{{Refs}}
===Connections===
{{Mind flayers}}
[[Category:Mind flayers]]
[[Category:Creatures that consume brains]]