Alhoon

An Alhoon is a unique undead Mind Flayer. The term is used to describe all outcasts from mind flayer societies who had defied the ruling Elder Brains to achieve a limited form of lichdom. Only the most powerful mind flayer mages could achieve true lichdom and were known as illithiliches.
Alhoons combined powerful wizardry and sorcery with their innate Psionic Ability. The lore about the Alhoon strongly suggests that they are formidable foes, however, the in-game version is configured to be well below those expectations and more akin to a Ulitharid who can get up a few protection spell buffs, but only once. So, fear not if you are a new player - they aren't really much tougher than a standard mind flayer.
==Gameplay==
The Alhoon's covered on this page share the same AI scripting, and mostly will perform in identical fashion. There may be different combat log displays that are triggered and or inserted by the specific Area scripts the creatures appear in.
When the creature is alerted to an enemy, it will apply Stoneskin and Mirror Image on self (uninteruuptible).
The next action will be to launch a Psionic Blast, which has a moderate Area of Effect and can expose party members clustered together to the potential Stun effect.
If the creature manages to survive a few more rounds it will attempt a Psionic Domination at the nearest target.
If one of its nearby opponents is damaged below 25% of original HP, the Alhoon will try and cast a Maze arcane spell at it.
This creature can use its tentacle tendrils and attack in melee combat like any illithid, causing minor crushing damage and a "Devour Brain" effect, temporarily draining 5 Intelligence.
This creature can't assess an opponent's protections and immunities and won't know if a target is immune to charm or stun. It can however tell if a target is already affected by stun, and that will alter its behavior slightly in battle.
In the unmodified game, the Alhoon won't be able to survive a party onslaught very long and has limited staying power. The creature isn't provided with the 100% elemental resistances that a standard Mind Flayer has, which may be an oversight, as it is supposed to be some sort of lich. Even normal weapons can strike it as well.
==Encounters==
*Illithid Hideout in the Sewers (MINDAL01.cre)
**When Gorion's Ward enters the Alhoon's line of sight, he will say "No! My army is not yet complete!", suggesting that he is in charge of the operation mentioned in the Illithid Correspondence.
*Completed Maze (Korkorran) (ohhalhoo.cre)
**One is found in the Library room accompanied by two Death Tyrants.
==Notes==
* In the original Shadows of Amn without its expansion Throne of Bhaal, the Alhoon's race is set as human and his class is Fighter / Mage. Both are changed to mind flayer with the expansion's patch and still valid in the Enhanced Edition.
**Unlike other mind flayers, Alhoon counts as an undead since this change.
*With the mod Swordcoast Stratagems (SCS) installed, this foe is incredibly dangerous, probably one of the most difficult in the game. However, using a scroll of Protection From Undead makes the fight trivially easy. It's also useful to know that he doesn't open doors but does use the planar travel ability.
==See also==
*Goxxa the Alhoon (Different Alhoon, different AI script, different abilities)
==Gallery==
OG Alhoon Buff.png|Alhoon instantly applies protective buffs at the outset of battle.
OG Alhoon Psionic.png|First Psionic Ability used is a Psionic Blast attempt. All party members make their Saving throw.
OG Alhoon beaten to death.png|Three rounds of weapon play chew through the Alhoon's defenses and its killed. One Devour Brain hit was scored on Minsc, and no one noticed any difference.
== Mod Content ==
The Sword Coast Stratagems mod revitalizes the theme that the Alhoon is a powerful illthid creature with a potent spell casting ability. In basic terms the mod designs the creature as a lich in many respects, but with the psionic powers of a Ulitharid. If the player installs the "Smarter Mind Flayers" component, then the Alhoon will be at its peak potential.
On Hardcore and above difficulty settings the Alhoon will get additional 50% physical damage resistance (due to its alien physiology and psionics). In addition, the creature now is equipped with the LICH.ITM which gives the Alhoon the same immunities as a standard Lich. It can also See the invisible and is under a permanent Improved Alacrity power.
The creature has been revised to a level 20 caster and an improved THACO of 3, and with the SCS "Smarter Mage" component is scripted to select spells to cast from an entire spell book repertoire, and on the higher game difficulty setting will also have mage High-level class ability choices. Prepared Minor Sequencer, Spell Sequencer and Spell Trigger are ready to use as well.
Expect several reactionary castings of protective spells to remain immune to magical weapons. The script knows when a spell has expired or been dispelled/breached and will renew it.
The Alhoon will summon help to include twin Mordenkainen's Sword or Efreeti allies, and one of its HLA's is a gated Dark Planetar.
The creature can also launch any of the innate illithid abilities discussed on the Psionic Ability article, sometimes in the same round as a spell cast. It's Psionic Blast is the more potent Ulitharid version with a -4 saving throw penalty.
If the party flees the room or closes the door - then the Alhoon and any remaining illithids with it may "Planar Travel" across the map to the party's "rear' areas - no one is entirely safe from being followed anywhere on the map. Because psionics.
If the Spell Revisions mod is installed, the Alhoon's spell choices will be the SR version.
If the SCS Icewind Dale spell component is installed, or the IWDification mod, then some spells will be those versions.
The Golem Construction for Spellcasters mod adds a bodyguard Brain Golem to this Alhoon's lair as well.
==Mod gallery==
Alhoon Responds.png|Stealthing party scout is detected, and the Alhoon responds. SCS, SR and GCFS mods shown.
==External links==
*
Category:Humanoids
Category:Undead
Category:Mind flayers (race)
Category:Mind flayers (class)
Category:Males