Absterator, High Priest of the Esoteric Order of Ilsensine

Illithid Psion
Medium-Size Aberration
20th Level

Hit Dice: 8d8 +20d6 + 28 (134 Hit Points)
Initiative: +7 (+3 Dex, +4 Improved Initiative)
Speed: 30 ft
AC: 16 (+3 Dex, +3 Natural)
Attacks: 4 tentacles +18 melee
              Crossbow +15/+10 ranged
Damage: Tentacle 1d4+1
               Crossbow 1d8
Face/Reach: 5 ft by 5 ft/5ft
Special Attacks: Mind Blast, Psionics (223 power points), Improved Grab, Extract
Special Qualities: SR 25, Telepathy
Saves: Fort +9, Ref +11, Will +21
Abilities: Str 12, Dex 14 (16), Con 12, Int 19, Wis 17, Cha 22
Skills: Bluff +29, Disguise +10 (+12 acting), Intimidate +29, Knowledge (Arcana) +27, Knowledge (Religion) +27, Listen +10, Move Silently +26, Spot +23, Psi-craft +23, Concentration +24, Sense Motive +33, Diplomacy +28
Feats: Alertness, Combat Manifestation, Improved Initiative, Weapon Finesse (tentacle), Inertial Armor, Inner Strength, Talented, Trigger Power (lesser domination), Craft Dorje, Power Penetration

Climate/Terrain: Lamapacher (Alisander)
Challenge Rating: 28
Treasure: Double Standard
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Advancement: by Character class
Possessions: Masterwork Light Crossbow, 10 masterwork bolts, Powerstone (thrall), Powerstone (astral construct VIII), Powerstone (mind seed), Psionic Tattoo (Body Adjustment),  Third Eye (Negate), Cloak of Displacement,  Gloves of Dexterity +2, Amulet of Catapsi

Absterator has set himself up as a religious cult leader in Alisander, and currently has created a lot of political power for himself and his following.  Absterator has heard that Alisander is a haven of sorts for psions.  The psions that join the Esoteric Order of Ilsensine are carefully dominated and monitored, but allowed to expand and explore the talents they possess, turning them into illithidkin (Dragon 296, page 49).  His illithidkin are his eyes and ears, kidnapping people off the streets to be used as food and slaves by Absterator and his fellow mind flayers.

Absterator does not belong to any of the Creeds, although he is sympathetic toward the Nourishers and the Venerators. Absterator believes that only through the domination of others can it actualize its inner desires, needs, and future goals.  Absterator believed he could do this better on the surface than amongst his people.

Absterator does not act alone, however.  He is part of a cult, and shares power with another illithid over a small group of illithids who operate in the Alisander area.

Mind Blast (Sp): This attack is 60 feet long.  Anyone caught in this cone must succeed at a Will save (DC 30) or be stunned for 3d4 rounds.  This is the equivalent of a 4th level spell.  The save DC is charisma based (DC 10 + 1/2 hit dice + Cha modifier)

Psionics (Sp): At Will – charm monster (DC 20), detect thoughts (DC 18), levitate, plane shift, and suggestion (DC 19).  These abilities are as the spells cast by an 8th level sorcerer (Save DC 10 + spell level + Cha bonus)

Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, the mind flayer must hit a small to large critter with its tentacle attack.  It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity.  If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and attaches the tentacle to the opponent's head.  If a mind flayer begins its turn with at least one tentacle attached, it can try to attach its remaining tentacles with a single grapple check.  The opponent can escape with a single successful grabble check or an Escape Artist check, but the mind flayer gets a +2 circumstance bonus for every tentacle that was attached at the beginning of the opponent's turn.

Extract (Ex): A mind flayer that begins its turn with all four tentacles attached and successfully maintains its hold automatically extracts the opponent's brain, instantly killing the creature.

Telepathy (Su): Mind flayers can communicate telepathically with any creature within 100 feet that has a language.

 Psionics:
            Combat Modes: Mind Blast (Cha, +6, 9 pts), Ego Whip (Dex, +3, 3 pts), Id Insinuation (Str, +1, 3 pts), Mind Thrust (Int, +4, 1 pt), Psychic Crush (Wis, +3, 5 pts).  Often used with Inflict Pain
            Powers Discovered: 8/5/5/5/5/4/4/3/3/2
            0 - Detect Psionics, Inkling, Daze, Missive, Telempathic Projection, Burst, Bolt, Catfall
            1 – Attraction, Lesser Mindlink, Sense Link, Empathy, Charm Person
            2 – Inflict Pain, Brain Lock, Aversion, Ectoplasmic Cocoon, Invisibility
            3 – Fate Link, Mindlink, Crisis of Breath, Lesser Domination, Nondetection
            4 – Tailor Memory, Mindwipe, Domination, Inertial Barrier (DR 10/+5), Fatal Attraction
            5 – Greater Domination, Mind Probe, Baleful Teleport (9d6 damage), Teleport
            6 – Mind Switch, Mass Suggestion, Trace Teleport, Remote View Trap (remote viewers take 4d4 damage)
            7 – Mass Domination, True Concussion (13d6 damage), Mass Cocoon
            8 – Mind Seed, Recall Death, Dream Travel
            9 – Thrall, Microcosm