To the Illithid, there is no greater crime than treachery to their own race.

“VITIAM” (essentially, “crime” or “pathology”) only exists between Illithids. It must be studied systematically to be understood and bred out of the race. VITIAM cannot morally exist between an Illithid and any other race, as such, they can do whatever they want to the Lesser Races.

Mezzensine exists in large part for understanding VITIAM. It is the second of the Three Pillars of Mezzensine, which are: PUNIRE, INTELLIGE, CONTINE. That is PUNISH the lesser races (because death is too kind for some), UNDERSTAND vitiam between Illithid, and CONTAIN threats to Illithid civilization and the Spheres.

Administration at Mezzensine is broken down between SENTINELS, SPECIALISTS and the WARDEN (who is both). The Sentinels, are effectively the Illithid bred to be prison guards and administrators and rotate in through the portal for a long cycle (a month); Specialists rotate in for a short cycle (a week) or less, depending. The Warden never leaves.

The Specialists are eithers DISCOMFORTERS (torturers), DISCOVERERS (the scientists) and SENESCHAL. The Seneschal is the name for what amounts to the Illithid’s multi-faceted and complex Secret Service. There are many types of Seneschal.

There is no Elder Brain on Mezzensine, which is unusual for an independent planetoid. However, the Warden is rumoured to be an Illithid of terrifying power. He is best avoided.

Illithids believe they are the Only True Gardeners. As horrifying as their methods might be, Shroktath can confirm, that they have the blood to back their belief. They have a complex mythology of their ancient rebellion against the Inbetween Men.

The Illithid DESPISE all other races, whom they deem lesser (LUMINARE) or Above Lesser (SUPRALUMINARE), but they do not fear them. They FEAR the Inbetween Men (whom they call fathers or PATRES), but do not despise them. They FEAR & DESPISE the Ylfe (whom they call brothers or FRATRES), who shattered the Sphere and worship the One. They do not know enough about the Psulron to fear them or despise them, but know enough to avoid them. They seem to have an uneasy truce.

The Illithid did indeed try to destroy the sun (now called The Twain Heart) and in so doing, divided in two. They still harbour fantasies about drawing on its energy to empower their schemes…  including to simply destroy its energy, but they are not Of a Single Mind on the subject. Crushing Okkallappa is key to moving the Illithid to a “single mind”. When they were last Of a Single Mind, they tapped the Heart (the sun) to unleash its power against the Ylfe, with whom they were then at war (The Nyn'Ylfen War). The Ylfe countered with their own weapon, and between them, they shattered the Sphere Maglulon. According to many, this event also “cracked” the Final Sphere and allowed the One to begin to seep in as never before.

Illithid were once allied to the Goblins of Maglulon. This is part of what led to the Ylfe to pursue the Goblin genocide.