@fizzgig said in Ursula:
Tass' summary of beholder lore, as requested by Ursula.
Bodyparts:
Mages of all backgrounds have over the years made bounties, and formal requests for parts of beholders. Eyes, eyestalks, and body fluids are among the most common parts requested. The most recent example of these bounties, come from Izereth who has made multiple posters offering rewards for the items. Oddly enough, she and the lower house hosted a sun themed fair for Lathander some moons ago, one of the main challenges was to deliver the eye of a beholder. It is also worth mentioning a prominent member of the Precept Arcanum by name 'Belinda', who frequently reward people for eyestalks, its unclear if they are used for experiments or.. if she eats them?
On a extreme case, someone was selling the body of a beholder tyrant. And, there were several posters warning people not to subdue beholders and bring them into the city alive. A little odd.
Previous attempts:
Besides Izereth's campaign for beholder bodyparts, which appears to be a common theme within the Precept. I also came across a disbanded group which once held a holding within the Helmlands, with the aid of House Mossmere. What is interesting, is that they referred to a specific beholder as 'God-Eater'. I am uncertain of why, but it is worth noting for future references.
There were more beholder activity at the beginning of the year, with the fight against them being lead by the Wildwalkers. In their publishing poster, they even mention an undead beholder and its minion being slain. The light of Lathander was also mentioned, allowing the party to defeat the powerful eye-kin. However, I am more concerned about their mention of a 'beholder mage' and 'beholder cultist', something which speaks volumes of what peopel are willing to do for power.
Beholder types:
Eyeballs, the color of its iris decides its power. The black ones are the most powerful, but all eyeballs are weak in nature
Gauth, a lesser eye-kin, alone it pose no threat and there appears to be no references of them having minions
Beholders, powerful eye-kin capable of deadly magic. For example, their gaze can turn people to stone, and some are even rumored to kill people with a mere glare
Elder Beholders, it is unclear if they are the same as Tyrant beholders, but they are more magically adept than normal beholders
@fizzgig said in Ursula:
Ursula,
Thank you kindly, also I came upon a wizard by name Albert Sinclaire, together with his apprentice Wilfred. They are both expert in paranormal hunting, specifically undead and aberrations. Albert would be most willing to share his research notes on beholders with you, and aid you in the cleansing of the hive.
Tass
@fizzgig said in Ursula:
Ursula,
The library research has bore more fruits, I have summarized the librarian's knowledge here.
Tass
@spiffymeister said in Tass' beholder research:
Beholder is less a definition and more of a 'class' of aberration, namely- characterized by levitation, a maw of sharp teeth, and a singular (with branching stalks tipped with eyes) orbulent eye in the eye where it channels various powers depending on the breed and species.
Beholders are known to largely dwell in dark, damp places- and are characterized by madness, often suffering from multiple personalities and extreme narcissism. They can only work together when an overpowering presence, often a Tyrant- a massive creature of its kind, forces them to work together.
It's unknown how Beholder's breed, as no one has survived in their haunts long enough to learn.
As with all aberrations, they are all poorly understood, and lesser 'eyekin' often serve greater ones. They can charm, set fire to, or the more powerful turn their targets to stone or disintegrate them- and alongside their ability to fly, make their hives extremely dangerous places to be.
Worship of beholders would likely fall under the 'worship of blasphemous powers' and is thusly outlawed- though, being a lesser crime, would only see light fines or slap on the wrist if publicly practiced.
As for the consumption of their flesh, it's alluded that the consumption of magical creatures, in more pagan and savage circles, might bestow their might upon the imbiber.
