Basically imagine Goro from Mortal Kombat, but with that facial (don't get bit or you will lose a decent chunk of flesh bruh) and leg structure. Wearing thick gambeson and possibly mail on some more vulnerable spots like joints, wielding a rawhide coated roundshield in each upper arm and a...
So what you're saying is an illithid might at first be welcome among the batties until the see that the creature before them is not cyclopean. ?
Jokes aside, you have a point there. What exactly are the orcs and other goblinoids/ogroids like in this universe? Are they more like D&D? Warcraft...
I was initially thinking something like a Banderhobb but nevermind. I can't think of any reasonably engaging beasts like that what could seriously maintain their own organized civilization.
Undoubtedly true... not that any goblinoids or batfolk are much prettier. ?
I doubt an illithid would openly walk anywhere that has a tavern (especially in daylight) without some kind of cloak concealing most of their appearance. Wouldn't there be amphibian analogues around, too? Besides...
Let's be honest, both. It's both...
... well, more like neurotic sociopaths in most cases, but close enough.
I like that basis. It's vague as to the what, but clearly establishes the how. Thus nigh any being with a soul has the potential to manifest it, but it's so rare as to be practically...
You did say magic exists, though it's a rare soft system phenomenon. It could be that a magical event created the illithids in a similar manner, but they aren't inherently magical creatures. Modern illithids despise magic anyway, thinking themselves "above" it. Could work. :P
Eldritch tentacle monster like an illithid or a young aboleth, yes. ^3^
Not an actual demigod (that would be silly, at least with me playing it), though it could be interesting if the Kobolds worshipped such a species, given their natural intellect and ability to sway weak willed adversaries...
I FEEL IT DEEP WITHIN! IT'S JUST BENEATH THE SKIN! I MUST CONFESS THAT I FEEL LIKE a DMCA copyright takedown? Don't ask, I have no idea where that came from. XD
Anyway, bump!
I don't want to load you down too terribly much further, but perhaps something along the lines of an illithid/mind flayer? I'm well aware that such a character would be considered a danger by many seeing as they must feed on sentient beings like orks and gremlins to survive, though some war...