Beholder (SLASH'EM)

The Beholder is the quest nemesis for the Neutral Quest. He holds the Key of Neutrality, one of the three Alignment keys; you need two of these keys to unlock the indestructible doors in 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. ]

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