Are mind flayers related to Cthulhu?

As a minor point: that creature will actually be a Chthonian, who is part of the Mythos, but is significantly different from Cthulhu. So the full answer would seem to be: Mind Flayers are inspired by the Cthulhu Mythos, but not by Cthulhu himself.

How are mind flayers born?

Mind flayers are usually created by introducing a parasitic illithid tadpole to a human or similar humanoid. In some cases, rare and unique creatures have been created by introducing a tadpole to an unusual creature. The urophion is an illithid roper.

How do mind flayers reproduce?

Ceremorphosis is the natural reproduction process of the mind flayer. It involves inserting a live illithid tadpole into the mind of a captive humanoid host, consuming their mind over the course of days and transforming the body into a mind flayer.

Is the Mind Flayer nyarlathotep?

While the Dungeons & Dragons analogy of the Shadow Monster is the “Mind Flayer,” deemed as such for its ability to tap into and control human minds, there’s also another great point of reference in the deity mythos of H.P. Lovecraft: the Nyarlathotep.

What is a nautiloid?

The Nautiloid is a spelljamming ship built and used by illithids . The Nautiloid is the standard ship of the line of the various illithid nations, and reflects the nature of the race. Its coiled shell provides the comfort of enclosed spaces while protecting the mind flayers from the irritating rays of the sun .

What is an illithid shell?

Its coiled shell provides the comfort of enclosed spaces while protecting the mind flayers from the irritating rays of the sun . A standard mind flayer crew numbers 10 illithids, plus 2-5 additional mind flayers, depending on the number of series helms in use.

What happened to illithids nautiloids?

At this time, the illithids had lost the secrets of constructing new nautiloids and did not dare risk losing the few they had left. In the winter of 1489 DR, the research nautiloid Id Ascendant crashed in southern Icewind Dale near the Spine of the World.

What is the purpose of the coiled shell on a nautiloid?

The coiled shell in the aft section of a nautiloid served to protect the mind flayer crew from the Sun, as well as to provide a comfortable closed space. The shells were harvested from enormous snails indigenous to an unknown world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHzigOCv7OM