Beholder (SLASH'EM)
Beholder (SLASH'EM Monster)
The Beholder is the quest nemesis for the Neutral Quest. He holds the Key of Neutrality, which is required, along with one of the other Alignment keys, to enter Vlad's Tower.
The Beholder combines the gaze attacks of various creatures. Namely, the catoblepas (instant death), bloodshot eye (stun), umber hulk (confusion), and chasme (sleep). It also has a gaze attack which deals up to 24 damage.
Despite its description, it does not have a bite attack and is, in fact, possibly the easiest Alignment Quest nemesis.
Strategy
The easiest way to defeat the Beholder is to put on a blindfold or towel before entering its room. Even you don't have telepathy, the Beholder is easy to find if you close the door behind you.
You'll know it has been defeated when the game says "All that remains is a single eye..."
Encyclopedia Entry
The beholder (A.K.A the eye tyrant, the sphere of many eyes) is most frequently found deep underground, although infrequently it will lair in desolate wilderness. The globular body of this monster is supported by levitation, and it floats slowly about as it wills. Atop the sphere are ten eyestalks, while in its central area are a great eleventh eye and a large mouth filled with pointed teeth. Each of the eyes is said to have a different magical property, all of which are deadly or malicious. The beholder is hateful, tricky, and avaricious and is known to have a fondness for both traps and artifacts. [ Adapted by Ben Lehman from Monstrous Manual, by TSR, Inc. ]