[RPG] Would Truesight detect an Intellect Devourer

dnd-5emonstersspells

I'm writing an adventure where a major NPC is actually occupied by an Intellect Devourer. As I read the description in the monster manual, the Devourer uses magic to teleport inside the victim's head, eats their brain and effectively takes over driving the body. There seems to be no illusion involved, it feels like the Intellect Devourer winds up physically "plugged in" in place of the original brain- although magic can be used to drive the Devourer out.

How would you referee this? Would a character with Truesight detect anything unusual when dealing with the poor sap the Devourer is controlling?

Best Answer

The ability truesight says:

A monster with truesight can, out to a specific range, see in normal and magical darkness, see invisible creatures and objects, automatically detect visual illusions and succeed on saving throws against them, and perceive the original form of a shapechanger or a creature that is transformed by magic. Furthermore, the monster can see into the Ethereal Plane within the same range.

However, the intellect devourer does none of those things. The creature it's controlling is still in it's original form - it has not been transformed.

In addition, the intellect devourer's Body Thief special ability says:

While inside a creature, the intellect devourer has total cover against attacks and other effects originating outside the host.

Truesight is most certainly an "effect originating outside the host" and it does not allow you to see through total cover.

In short, Truesight won't help.

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