Creating a New Kind of Beholder: Dreams and Designs in Dungeons and Dragons

Dungeons and Dragons, a world of endless creativity and imagination, invites players and Dungeon Masters to conjure up monsters that defy the imagination. One such monster is the beholder, a fearsome creature with a variety of eye rays capable of unleashing havoc upon anyone within its reach. But what if we were to create a new kind of beholder? Let's explore the possibilities and designs.

The Beholder Family

Beholders come in many forms in the DD universe. Apart from the classic beholder, there are variants like the Spectator, which has fewer eye stalks and less potent abilities. In DD 5e alone, there are at least three known beholder stat blocks: the beholder itself, the beholder in its lair, and the lesser-known zombie beholder. Historically, there have been over a dozen different types of beholderkin, but many players and Dungeon Masters have found the original beholder to be more than enough for their campaigns.

My Vision

If I were to create a new kind of beholder, it would be a dark twist on the classic. The beholder, with its sanity-shattering intellect and megalomania, is a deeply unsettling creature, but in my vision, it becomes a parody of a more toxic form of positivity. Picture this: a beholder with a personality so overwhelmingly positive that it feels offensive, with a relentless cheerfulness that is more akin to condescension than genuine warmth.

Imagine a beholder that radiates an aura of happiness that would make anyone want to break out their best smile. It is the kind of positivity that tells you, 'Things are great, and if they weren’t, they would be. Just take the blue pill and move on.' This beholder, with its CN alignment, preaches a gospel of sunshine and rainbows, but only to make everyone feel worse about themselves.

Monster Specifications

For a new kind of beholder, I would increase the stats and eye ray capabilities to bridge the gap between the original beholder and the death tyrant. The archbeholder, as I envision it, would have the following features:

Increased Stats: The archbeholder would have higherexterity, intelligence, and wisdom scores, making it more dangerous and cunning. Enhanced Eye Rays: The eye rays would be more potent and versatile, allowing for a wider range of tactics and more devastating attacks. Offensive Personality: The beholder's personality would be such that it constantly encourages others to be happy, yet in a way that feels condescending and intrusive. Alignment Flexibility: The ability to attune to magic items or possess items like rings, belts, and necklaces would add depth to its design. Defensive Mechanisms: The beholder would be capable of using lesser eye rays, like the improved magic missile, to catch opponents off guard.

Why Not Invent Something New?

While the idea of creating an entirely new monster is thrilling, I find myself yearning for the consistency and familiarity of the older editions of DD. DD 1e and 2e, with all their quirks and inconsistencies, had a charm that is hard to match. They may have had their issues, but at least they were consistent. Returning to these editions brings back the nostalgia and simplicity of the early DD experience.

Conclusion

The beholder is a timeless and terrifying monstrosity in the DD universe. Why not explore the possibilities of concocting a new type of beholder? By combining the iconic features of the original beholder with a twist of toxic positivity and enhanced capabilities, we can create a formidable foe that challenges even the most experienced players. Whether you choose to delve into DD 5e or return to the comfort of earlier editions, the world of Dungeons and Dragons is vast and exciting, filled with endless possibilities for innovation and adventure.