Beholder Zombie

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Beholder Zombie Introduction

In the dim, echoing corridors of forgotten dungeons and the shadowy recesses of ancient ruins, a chilling presence lurks, waiting to be discovered by the unwary. The Beholder Zombie, a grotesque mockery of its once-mighty form, drifts silently through the darkness, its decaying eye stalks swaying with a sinister grace. Once a fearsome beholder, this undead abomination is now a slave to the necromantic forces that bind it, its once-vibrant skin now a pallid, rotting mass that clings to its skeletal frame.

The Beholder Zombie's central eye, once capable of unleashing devastating magical effects, now stares blankly, its power diminished but not entirely extinguished. Its remaining eye stalks, though decayed, still emit a faint, eerie glow, casting unsettling shadows on the walls as it moves. The air around it is thick with the stench of decay, a nauseating reminder of its undead nature. Despite its slow, lumbering movements, the Beholder Zombie retains a vestige of its former intelligence, making it a cunning and unpredictable foe.

Legends speak of these creatures haunting the ruins of ancient civilizations, where they were once revered as gods or feared as tyrants. Now, they are but echoes of their former selves, cursed to wander the desolate halls of their former domains. It is said that those who dare to venture into these forsaken places may hear the faint whispers of the Beholder Zombie, a haunting melody that lures the curious and the brave into its lair.

Dungeon Masters, as you guide your adventurers through these perilous depths, let the presence of the Beholder Zombie serve as a reminder of the dangers that lurk in the shadows. Its appearance is a testament to the power of necromancy and the horrors that can arise when the natural order is disturbed. Will your players rise to the challenge and lay this abomination to rest, or will they become yet another chapter in the dark history of the Beholder Zombie's domain?

Beholder Zombie Skills & Traits

Skills

• Perception +8

Senses

• Darkvision 60 ft.
• Passive Perception 18

Languages

• Understands Deep Speech and Undercommon but can't speak

Abilities

• Undead Nature: A beholder zombie doesn't require air, food, drink, or sleep.

Actions

• Multiattack: The beholder zombie makes two attacks with its eye rays.
• Eye Rays: The beholder zombie shoots two of the following magical eye rays at random (reroll duplicates), choosing one or two targets it can see within 60 feet of it:
  • 1. Charm Ray: The targeted creature must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed by the beholder zombie for 1 hour, or until the beholder zombie harms the creature.
  • 2. Paralyzing Ray: The targeted creature must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or be paralyzed for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
  • 3. Fear Ray: The targeted creature must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, with disadvantage if the beholder zombie is visible to the target, ending the effect on itself on a success.
  • 4. Slowing Ray: The targeted creature must succeed on a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the target's speed is halved for 1 minute. In addition, the creature can't take reactions, and it can take either an action or a bonus action on its turn, not both. The creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
  • 5. Enervation Ray: The targeted creature must make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw, taking 36 (8d8) necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
  • 6. Telekinetic Ray: If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or the beholder zombie moves it up to 30 feet in any direction. It is restrained by the ray's telekinetic grip until the start of the beholder zombie's next turn or until the beholder zombie is incapacitated.
  • 7. Sleep Ray: The targeted creature must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or fall asleep and remain unconscious for 1 minute. The target awakens if it takes damage or another creature takes an action to wake it.
  • 8. Petrification Ray: The targeted creature must make a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the creature begins to turn to stone and is restrained. It must repeat the saving throw at the end of its next turn. On a success, the effect ends. On a failure, the creature is petrified until freed by the greater restoration spell or other magic.
  • 9. Disintegration Ray: If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or take 45 (10d8) force damage. If this damage reduces the creature to 0 hit points, its body becomes a pile of fine gray dust.
  • 10. Death Ray: The targeted creature must succeed on a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or take 55 (10d10) necrotic damage. The target dies if the ray reduces it to 0 hit points.

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Battle Tips for Beholder Zombie

The Beholder Zombie is a formidable undead creature that combines the terrifying presence of a beholder with the relentless nature of a zombie. As a Dungeon Master, utilizing this creature effectively can create a memorable and challenging encounter for your players. Here are some tips to make the most out of a Beholder Zombie in battle:

Using the Beholder Zombie in Battle

• Leverage Its Eye Rays: Although the Beholder Zombie's eye rays are less potent than a living beholder's, they still pose a significant threat. Use them strategically to target players with debilitating effects, such as paralyzing or slowing them down.
• Positioning is Key: The Beholder Zombie's ability to hover allows it to maintain a strategic position in combat. Keep it at a distance where it can use its eye rays effectively while staying out of reach of melee attacks.
• Exploit Its Undead Nature: As an undead creature, the Beholder Zombie is immune to many conditions and effects. Use this to your advantage by placing it in environments that would be hazardous to living creatures, such as areas filled with poison or disease.

Coordinating with Multiple Beholder Zombies

• Overwhelm with Numbers: Multiple Beholder Zombies can create a chaotic battlefield. Use their numbers to surround and isolate players, forcing them to split their focus and resources.
• Focus Fire: Coordinate the eye rays of multiple Beholder Zombies to focus on a single target, increasing the likelihood of incapacitating a key player character.
• Divide and Conquer: Use the Beholder Zombies to divide the party, forcing them into smaller groups that can be picked off more easily.

Strategic Retreats

• Feigning Death: As zombies, these creatures can play dead to lure players into a false sense of security. Use this tactic to set up ambushes or to regroup with other undead forces.
• Retreat to Reinforce: If the battle turns against them, Beholder Zombies can retreat to areas where they can be reinforced by other undead or traps, turning the tide back in their favor.

By using these strategies, you can ensure that encounters with Beholder Zombies are both challenging and engaging, providing a memorable experience for your players.