The Beholder: A Terrifying, Multi-Eyed Tyrant

Monster Article of the day...

Few creatures in the world of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons inspire as much fear as the Beholder. It is the kind of monster that turns every encounter into a nightmare—a floating, grotesque mass of eyes and tentacles that sees all and controls the fate of those unfortunate enough to cross its path. With its numerous magical abilities and its domineering intelligence, the Beholder stands as a creature of unimaginable terror, one that exists to dominate and destroy.

There’s no subtlety with the Beholder. It’s not the kind of monster that skulks in the shadows, waiting to be uncovered. No, it’s a creature that demands attention, that lives to terrify and to control. And as any adventurer who has crossed paths with one will tell you, a Beholder is not just a fight—it’s a test of your wits, your courage, and your very will to survive.

What Is a Beholder?

The Beholder is a creature of pure evil, a tyrant born of the very depths of the Underdark or other planes of existence, often existing in the farthest reaches of dungeons or hidden lairs. Its form is alien, its shape a nightmarish fusion of eyeballs, floating at the end of a single central stalk, with multiple smaller eye stalks protruding from its spherical body. Each eye is capable of casting a different magical effect, creating a variety of horrifying powers. A Beholder is not a single creature; it’s an entire arsenal of spells, all rolled into one horrifying entity.

Physically, the Beholder is a floating ball of flesh, hovering effortlessly through the air. Its central eye is enormous, and its gaze alone has the power to incapacitate or annihilate those unfortunate enough to meet it. The Beholder’s numerous eye stalks extend outward, each capable of firing a different beam of energy—disintegration, petrification, paralysis, fear, and even death are just a few of the options the Beholder has in its arsenal.

Despite its terrifying appearance and powers, the Beholder is an intelligent being, more than capable of planning, scheming, and manipulating. It is a creature that demands the respect and fear of those it encounters, and in return, it shows no mercy to those who challenge it.

The Beholder’s Powers and Abilities

The Beholder’s greatest asset is its central eye. This eye radiates an anti-magic field that negates all magic within its gaze. This means that for adventurers relying on spells or magical items, facing a Beholder can be a nightmare. No spell can be cast, no magical weapon will work, and no protective magic can shield the party from the horrors of the Beholder’s attacks. For players who rely on their arcane abilities, this adds an extra layer of tension, forcing them to confront the monster with only their wits and physical strength.

In addition to this, the Beholder has its various eye stalks, each capable of unleashing a different type of beam. These beams can cause petrification, disintegration, fear, and more. The variety of effects means that no two encounters with a Beholder will be the same. A Beholder is capable of quickly shifting tactics in battle, using a different eye’s power depending on the situation, ensuring that the players never know what’s coming next.

Perhaps most terrifying of all is the Beholder’s intelligence. It doesn’t simply attack—it manipulates, it plots, and it anticipates. This makes the Beholder not just a monster to fight, but a true villain to outwit. While its body may be vulnerable to attack, its mind is nearly impenetrable. The Beholder’s cunning and its ability to control its surroundings makes it a creature that will test your players’ skills in every way imaginable.

The Beholder's Lair

The lair of a Beholder is as terrifying as the creature itself. These monsters are known to inhabit dark, dank caves, deep caverns, or other isolated spaces, often surrounded by an army of lesser creatures that serve as their minions or toys. The Beholder is a master of its environment, using its control over magic to create deadly traps, illusions, and challenges for any would-be adventurer who dares to enter.

The Beholder’s lair is often a twisted reflection of its own personality. It is a place filled with mirrors, false doors, and disorienting architecture designed to confuse and dissuade intruders. It is not simply a home; it is a fortress, an extension of the Beholder’s tyrannical nature. The walls may pulse with magical energy, and the very air may feel heavy with the weight of the Beholder’s dominance. Every corner hides a secret, and every hallway may be a trap waiting to spring.

As a Dungeon Master, you can play up the psychological horror of exploring a Beholder’s lair. The party may find themselves second-guessing every decision they make, wondering if they are being watched by the creature’s countless eyes. What if the Beholder is toying with them? What if every choice they make only brings them closer to their doom?

Roleplaying the Beholder

The Beholder is not a mindless monster—it is a calculating and manipulative entity. It craves power and dominance, seeking to control all it surveys. As such, the Beholder can be an excellent villain in a campaign that explores themes of tyranny, control, and paranoia. It does not simply attack adventurers for sport; it has a purpose behind its actions.

The Beholder’s motivations can be complex. Perhaps it seeks to expand its territory, conquering neighboring lands and forcing lesser creatures to bow to its will. Or maybe it is driven by a desire to learn—its vast intelligence leads it to experiment, study, and dissect the creatures it captures. It could even be a being obsessed with perfecting its own form, constantly striving to improve itself and eliminate any weakness.

For a Dungeon Master, this creates interesting roleplaying opportunities. The Beholder is not just a monster to be slain—it is a foe to be negotiated with, a creature that might seek to make bargains, manipulate the players, or even use them as pawns in its schemes. If the players are cunning enough, they might even be able to outsmart the Beholder, playing into its ego and using its overconfidence against it.

The Beholder’s Legacy

The Beholder is not just a monster—it is a symbol of the dangers that come with unchecked power. It is a creature of darkness, a tyrant that rules through fear and domination. It is also a creature that can challenge players in ways few others can, forcing them to confront their own reliance on magic and to rethink their approach to combat and strategy.

In game of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, the Beholder stands as a testament to the terrifying possibilities that arise when a monster is not just powerful, but also deeply intelligent. It is a reminder that sometimes, the most dangerous creatures aren’t the ones you can see—they are the ones who see everything, and control everything.

Whether you use the Beholder as the focal point of your campaign or as a terrifying, one-off encounter, it is a creature that will leave a lasting impact on your players. They’ll remember the terror, the challenge, and the thrill of facing a being that can kill them with a single glance—and they’ll remember the Beholder’s eyes, always watching, always waiting.