Why do Mind Flayers have gems?

[Orion Invictus]

I feel like every single Mind Flayer I kill or find dead has some sort of gemstone on it. Is there a lore reason for this?

[EricHVela]

I thought that strange, too. I chalked it up to "something for players to sell after killing an Illithid" rather than lore-appropriate since it seems that an Illithid prizes nothing other than consuming knowledge (literally) and servitude (as both the servitor and servitee).

[Mike Garrison]

No lore reason I know of.

I assume it's a coding thing -- mind flayers are probably coded as having "minor loot: random gems" or something.

[GriffinPilgrim]

Yes, actually. I don't know if this is a coincidence but at various points in D&D lore gems have been associated with psionics as power amplifiers.

[hornsounder97]

Originally posted by GriffinPilgrim:

Yes, actually. I don't know if this is a coincidence but at various points in D&D lore gems have been associated with psionics as power amplifiers.

Gems or stones are common in fantasy settings as a focus to some sort of magic or ability. I'd assume it's that, or greedy tentacle man likes shiny rock. At least, that's why I like shiny rock.