Qualith was the written language of illithids.[1][2][3][4] It took the form of four parallel lines that had texture that conveyed meaning when read by an illithid scanning its four tentacles along the lines simultaneously.[4]
The script was imprinted psionically onto the surface and transmitted the thoughts of the mind flayer that had inscribed it to the reader.[5] It could be written on parchment, in books,[3] or carved into surfaces.[2] Degradation of the material could cause the message to fade over time.[5]
Qualith was extremely difficult to read for non-illithids and usually required magic such as a comprehend languages spell to decipher[1][5] because each of the four lines of script modified the others and only when taken as a whole was the full meaning understandable.[4] Readers attempting to non-magically decipher the message, if successful, could gain insight on the writer's thoughts, its meaning, and even who the message was intended for. Failure, however, could drive the reader mad, or at least leave them with a bad headache.[5]
Some specially trained dwarves known as caradhakers[6] (which loosely translates to "mindstalker") were said to be able to grasp the basic meaning (but not the nuances) by running four fingers over the striations.[7]
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References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins (2014-09-30). Monster Manual 5th edition. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 221. ISBN 978-0786965614.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bruce R. Cordell, Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, Jeff Quick (October 2003). Underdark. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 170. ISBN 0-7869-3053-5.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel (2003-10-24). Underdark Dungeons (Zipped PDF). Wizards of the Coast. p. 3. Archived from the original on 2016-11-01. Retrieved on 2018-09-11.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Bruce R. Cordell (March 1998). “Mindstalkers”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #245 (TSR, Inc.), p. 40.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Mike Mearls, et al. (November 2016). Volo's Guide to Monsters. Edited by Jeremy Crawford, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 75. ISBN 978-0786966011.
- ↑ Bruce R. Cordell (March 1998). “Mindstalkers”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #245 (TSR, Inc.), p. 37.
- ↑ Bruce R. Cordell (March 1998). “Mindstalkers”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #245 (TSR, Inc.), p. 41.