Beholder

A beholder, sometimes called a sphere of many eyes or an eye tyrant, is a large aberration normally found in the Underdark. These large, orb-shaped beings have ten eyestalks and one central eye, each containing powerful magic. Powerful and intelligent, beholders are among the greatest threats to the world. Beholders are immediately identifiable, being essentially a floating head with one single, cyclops-like eye surrounded by ten smaller eyestalks. Other than this, the main feature of a beholder's anatomy is its massive, gaping maw. Because of these features, beholders are occasionally known as "spheres of many eyes" or "eye tyrants," although the latter also refers to a specific type of beholder. Xenophobic and vicious creatures, beholders are quick to attack enemies, including anyone they deem not "like themselves." Beholders, as a rule, are violent and greedy, hungering for both wealth and power over others. This is made all the more complicated since more than one variety of beholder exists, each believing itself to be the pinnacle of bodily perfection and they view other beholders who differ from this image in even the most minute details as loathsome enemies and inferiors. Beholder minds are divided into two separate entities. Each of these entities thinks and acts on their own accord even though it is bound to the same body as the other half of its mind. Neither half of the beholder's mind trusts the other, so they hide a lot from each other, creating a very paranoid relationship. "Sane beholders" are beholders whose minds are not "divided" so to speak. They are still two entities within the beholder, but neither hides anything from the other, making a less paranoid beholder. However, the persona of a "sane beholder" is just as likely to be considered "insane" by any non-beholder. Because there are two entities within a single beholder, that beholder should always be addressed by its full name when in conversation with them, or they will perceive it as speaking to only one of the entities.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

Genetic Descendants