The mind harvester is a colossal aberration adorned with writhing segmented tentacles that emerge from its ridged half-sphere body, adorned with an array of mesmerizing multicolored eyes. Through psychic means, these beings extract knowledge and experience from their hapless victims. Along the outskirts of bustling towns and cities, mind harvesters lurk, descending upon unsuspecting individuals to drain their thoughts and memories, leaving them mere husks, bereft of knowledge and barely functioning.
While simple creatures go unnoticed, it is beings of higher intelligence, such as wizards, that become the coveted quarry of the mind harvester. Despite their inherent resistance to the probing techniques of these abominations, the allure of their vast knowledge remains irresistible.
Mind Harvester
Huge Aberration, Typically Lawful Evil
Armor Class 15
Hit Points 93 (11d12 + 22)
Speed 0 ft., fly 30 ft. (hover)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 (+3) | 12 (+1) | 15 (+2) | 15 (+2) | 15 (+2) | 10 (+0) |
Saving Throws Int +5, Wis +5
Skills Insight +5, Perception +5, Persuasion +3, Stealth +4
Damage Resistances psychic
Condition Immunities prone
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 15
Languages Deep Speech, telepathy 120 ft.
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +3
Mind Bending Aura. The environment within 60 feet of the harvester appears to bend and swirl in an unnatural way. Each creature of the harvester’s choice that begins its turn within the area must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature’s saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the Mind Bending Aura for the next 24 hours.
Tentacle Tips. If the harvester is reduced to 30 hit points or less, it no longer attaches tentacle tips to targets hit by Tentacle Attack until it finishes a long rest.
Actions
Multiattack. The harvester makes two Tentacle attacks and uses Brain Drain.
Tentacle. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one creature. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) bludgeoning. The tip of the tentacle separates and attaches to the target. The target or a creature within 5 feet of it can use an action to make a DC 15 Strength check. On a success, any tentacle tips attached to the target are removed.
Brain Drain. Each creature with a tentacle tip attached to it within 120 feet of the harvester must make a DC 15 Intelligence saving throw, taking 10 (3d6) psychic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. If this damage reduces the target to 0 hit points, the target is stable but unconscious.
A stable creature that would take damage from Brain Drain instead takes no damage and loses a random language, skill, or tool proficiency. Lost proficiencies can be restored with the greater restoration spell or similar magic.
Downloads
Further Reading
Mind harvesters and sleep leeches are quite threatening to large population centers.
Imagery created with Midjourney.
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