
Beholders are floating spheres with a giant eyeball in the centre, surrounded by smaller eyestalks, and a mouth full of teeth. They are one of the original monsters in Dungeons and Dragons, created by the minds of Rob Kuntz, Gary Gygax, and Theron Kuntz. With the ability to shoot rays of magic from their eyes, beholders are a formidable foe. But do they dream? And if so, what do they dream about? Well, according to some, beholders do indeed dream, and their dreams can have some interesting effects on the world around them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dream themes | Having two eyes like lesser creatures, killing a hag, removing hands, a world without itself, a copy of itself taunting, a dragon tearing into it, a party submitting to become its slaves, obtaining an artifact, choking on glass, travelling the cosmos, a shopping spree, halflings attacking, a crazy night out |
| Impact on others | Creatures with two eyes in a 1-mile radius feel self-loathing, a hag appears within a 10-mile radius and may help kill the beholder, creatures in a 2-mile radius feel compelled to cut off their hands, creatures within 20 ft feel nihilism, spawning of creatures to fight, creation of fake artifacts, town inhabitants turned into inanimate objects, small creatures turn chaotic evil, creatures in the area become drunk |
| Physical description | Floating sphere, giant central eyeball, mouth full of teeth, multiple eyestalks, insect-like with plates of chitin and hair |
| Abilities | Eye rays with various magical effects, including Death Ray and Anti-Magic Ray, telekinesis |
| Game-related information | First appeared in the 1977 Monster Manual, also featured in the 1974 Dungeons & Dragons Boxed Set and Dragon Magazine #76 (1983), over 20 variants exist, eye stalks regrow at a rate of 1 per week |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

The beholder's self-loathing
The Beholder, a terrifying monster from the Dungeons and Dragons universe, is a creation of the game's creators, Rob and Theron Kuntz, and Gary Gygax. This floating sphere with a giant central eyeball, a mouth full of teeth, and smaller eyestalk on top is a formidable foe, with the ability to shoot rays of magic from its eyes.
The Beholder's dreams are often filled with self-loathing and a deep sense of nihilism. In one such dream, the Beholder imagines itself with two central eyes, like "lesser creatures", and upon waking, feels revolted with itself. This dream has a ripple effect, causing all two-eyed creatures within a mile radius to feel a sense of self-loathing as well. The Beholder's self-hatred is so powerful that it can influence the emotions of those around it, spreading its negative feelings to others.
In another instance, the Beholder dreams of killing a hag who tricked it long ago. The dream is so vivid that the Beholder forgets the hag's exact appearance, leading to the potential emergence of a random hag, bloodied and angry, within a 10-mile radius of its lair. This hag may even offer assistance to others in killing the Beholder, further showcasing the Beholder's self-destructive tendencies.
The Beholder's dreams also reveal its insecurities and desire for power. In one nightmare, it finds itself powerless to stop a dragon from attacking, resulting in those nearby gaining an irrational fear of anything with scales. Additionally, the Beholder may dream of obtaining an artifact it desires, only to wake up and find a fake copy of the object, leaving it feeling unfulfilled.
The Beholder's dreams are a window into its complex psyche, revealing deep-seated insecurities, self-hatred, and a desire for power and control. Its emotions are so powerful that they can influence the world around it, impacting the feelings and actions of other creatures.
Realistic Flames: Electric Fireplaces with Realistic Ambiance
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The hag's revenge
The beholder, a terrifying floating sphere with a giant eyeball at its centre, is an iconic monster in Dungeons and Dragons. With its numerous eye stalks capable of shooting rays of various magic, it is a formidable foe for any adventuring party to face. But what happens when the beholder falls asleep and enters the realm of dreams?
One such dream involves a hag, a twisted and malevolent creature, who tricked the beholder long ago. In its dream, the beholder sees itself killing the hag, but it cannot quite remember her face. When it wakes, a bloodied and vengeful hag appears within ten miles of the beholder's lair. This hag, furious and seeking revenge, may offer her services to any adventurers in the area, proposing they join forces to defeat the beholder.
Texas' Electricity: Powering Neighbors or Lone Star Exclusive?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The ocean's riches
The oceans are a rich and diverse ecosystem, home to a myriad of creatures, including the Beholder. A creation of the minds of Rob Kuntz, Gary Gygax, and Theron Kuntz, the Beholder is a unique monster in the world of Dungeons and Dragons. With over 20 variants, this floating eyeball of doom has a long and storied history.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the Beholder is its eye rays, which can shoot various magic rays at its victims. The effects of these eye rays are numerous and imaginative, ranging from causing a sense of self-loathing in creatures with two eyes to turning people into inanimate objects. The beholder's dreams are just as intriguing as its waking abilities.
In one such dream, the Beholder finds itself in the ocean, gathering the riches of the sea, such as pearls. This dream reflects the vast wealth that lies beneath the waves, from precious gems and metals to rare and valuable creatures. The ocean is a treasure trove, offering endless opportunities for exploration and discovery.
Understanding the Deadly Power of 120-Volt Electricity
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The all-knowing book
In the realm of fantasy role-playing games, few creatures are as distinctive and unnerving as the Beholder. With its floating sphere form, a giant central eyeball, a mouth filled with sharp teeth, and smaller eyestalks, it is a formidable opponent for any adventurer. The Beholder's ability to shoot rays of magic from its eyes further adds to its infamy and danger.
In the dreams of Beholders, we find intriguing insights into their desires, fears, and peculiarities. One such dream involves the concept of "The All-Knowing Book." In this dream, the Beholder envisions possessing a book that contains all the knowledge in the universe. Upon waking, the book manifests physically, but its contents are illegible, written in an unknown script or perhaps a forgotten language.
The Beholder is driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge and an unwavering belief in the book's power. It becomes obsessed with deciphering the book's secrets, convinced that it holds the answer to every question and the solution to every problem. The Beholder may go to great lengths to understand the book, seeking ancient tomes, consulting wise sages, or even capturing knowledgeable creatures to aid in its quest.
The presence of this book can have far-reaching consequences in the Beholder's lair and beyond. The Beholder may become reclusive, spending all its time studying the book and devising ways to unlock its secrets. It may also become more manipulative, using the promise of knowledge to control others or seeking to hoard information as a form of power. The All-Knowing Book becomes a source of both fascination and fear, driving the Beholder to extreme actions and influencing the fate of those who cross its path.
Washing Electric Blankets: Easy Steps for Clean Comfort
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The cosmic travels
The Beholder is a terrifying creature, a floating sphere with a giant eyeball at its centre, surrounded by smaller eyestalks, each with the power to shoot rays of varying magic. It is a creation of the minds of Rob Kuntz, Gary Gygax and Theron Kuntz, the brothers who invented the game Dungeons and Dragons. With over 20 variants, the Beholder has a long history in the game.
The Beholder is a creature of dreams, and its dreams have consequences. The Beholder dreams of travelling the cosmos from the comfort of its lair, and upon waking, the doors cast illusions on those who enter, leading them to random planes of existence. The Beholder's dreams are not always so benign, however. In one, it dreams of having two eyes like lesser creatures, and upon waking, all creatures with two eyes in a one-mile radius feel a sense of self-loathing. In another, it dreams of killing a hag that tricked it long ago, and a bloodied, angry hag appears within a ten-mile radius of its lair, ready to seek revenge.
The Beholder's dreams can also be self-destructive. In one dream, it sees itself with hands, and upon waking, it savagely attacks its own body to remove them. All creatures within a two-mile radius must pass a WIS save or feel a strong compulsion to cut off their own hands. In another dream, the Beholder sees a copy of itself taunting and belittling it, telling it that it will never amount to anything. This dream spawns a second Beholder, or another creature, which attacks the original.
The Beholder's dreams are a powerful force, with the ability to alter reality and affect the minds of those around it. Those who encounter a Beholder must be prepared for the unexpected, as its dreams can turn the familiar into the strange and dangerous.
Conserving Electricity at Home: Simple Tips for Big Savings
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Beholders are floating spheres with a giant eyeball in the centre, a mouth full of teeth, and little eyestalk on top that can shoot rays of various magic.
Beholders dream of a variety of things, including having two central eyes like lesser creatures, killing a hag that tricked them long ago, and having a book that knows everything.
The effects of a beholder's dreams can vary. For example, if a beholder dreams of having two eyes, all creatures with two eyes in a one-mile radius feel a sense of self-loathing. If a beholder dreams of killing a hag, a random hag may appear within a 10-mile radius of its lair and offer help to kill the beholder.
![What Dreams May Come [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71aCtBeXXbL._AC_UY218_.jpg)


![The Dream Team [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91tyIdLMq4L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![Field of Dreams [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81Ao11IZYdL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![Requiem For a Dream [4K]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81LxZ2C-rgL._AC_UY218_.jpg)



![Requiem for a Dream (Director's Cut) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/718qfua6E7L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![In Dreams [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51uZRskWs1L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![I'll See You in My Dreams [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81cMlhF3P3L._AC_UY218_.jpg)



















