D&D 5E Does an Intellect Devourer "Possess" Its Victim?

[beaumontsebos]

Rules for a magical sword that one of my players uses states: "In addition, those within the radius can’t be charmed, frightened or possessed by aberrations, fiends, demons and undead."

(The sword emits light in an 80 foot radius that offers certain protections, in case you were wondering why the rule mentions a radius.)

The Intellect Devourer "Body Thief" action states: "The intellect devourer initiates an Intelligence contest with an incapacitated humanoid within 5 feet of it that isn't protected by protection from evil and good. If it wins the contest, the intellect devourer magically consumes the target's brain, teleports into the target's skull, and takes control of the target's body."

This doesn't technically seem like the Intellect Devourer is "possessing" the creature and only specifies "protection from evil and good" as a method of preventing the action.

However, do you think the sword's power would thwart its "Body Thief" attempt?

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

No, the intellect devourer is piloting the body like a mech pilot. There's no brain to possess -- it's been evicted.

This same thing happens early* in Baldur's Gate 3, if you want an illustration.


* This is about 90 seconds in, so not much of a spoiler.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Uh... no. As shown above, you're brain is eaten and the critter occupies its space. You're not possessed; you're dead.

 

[Mistwell]

I wish the intellect devourer had to make a vehicle check to pilot a humanoid body sometimes.

 

[Lakesidefantasy]

Uh... no. As shown above, you're brain is eaten and the critter occupies its space. You're not possessed; you're dead.

Not dead. Your body is still alive, it just basically had a brain transplant.

 

[pawsplay]

You've been Starro'd.

 

[Savage Wombat]

I'm gonna go the other way, and say that the sword's power sure sounds like Protection from Evil to me. I think it should work.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Not dead. Your body is still alive, it just basically had a brain transplant.

Yeah, that makes YOU dead. It doesn't matter what your old flesh suit is up to with its new passenger.

 

[EldritchHistory]

I'm gonna go the other way, and say that the sword's power sure sounds like Protection from Evil to me. I think it should work.

Yeah I agree, the sword has the same wording as the part of the spell I would assume is protecting them from the devourer.

 

[Lakesidefantasy]

Yeah, that makes YOU dead. It doesn't matter what your old flesh suit is up to with its new passenger.

Yeah you're right AND your body is still alive. I don't think it's possession, it's replacement.