Roughly one in a hundred larval mind flayers does not undergo ceremorphosis as normal, but instead develops into a much larger and more powerful creature known as a noble illithid, or ulitharid.
An ulitharid towers over other mind flayers, standing at least nine feet in height. It possesses six tentacles, including two almost as long as its entire body. Its skin is a darker purple than other illithids, and it favors elaborate robes, spreading collars, and often high-crowned headdresses.
Ulitharids eclipse common mind flayers in both size and psychic potency, and are viewed almost as minor deities by other illithids. It is unknown how they come into being, but most mind flayers believe them to be favored by Ilsensine, their race’s foul god. In illithid society, ulitharids act as high priests, ambassadors, and caretakers of the community’s elder brain.
