The Tiniest Beholderkin

Today we have the tiniest beholderkin, the eyeball. A tiny, nasty little predator that will sometimes serve a wizard as a familiar.

This picture is official Wizards of the Coast art.

I don't know exactly when this critter was made for D&D. The first time I saw it was in Monsters of Faerun. Anyway, feel free to menace your party with softball-sized beholders. Should be a good time.

Eyeball

Tiny aberration, neutral evil

Armor Class 13

Hit Points 2 (1d4)

Speed 0 ft., fly 30 ft. (hover)

Str                    Dex                  Con                  Int                    Wis                  Cha

5 (-3)               16 (+3)             10 (+0)             3 (-4)               10 (+0)             8 (-1)

Skills Perception +4, Stealth +7

Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 14

Languages –

Challenge ¼

Magical Origin. The eyeball has advantage on saving throws against being charmed.

Actions

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1 piercing damage.

Eye Rays. The eyeball shoots one of the following magical eye rays at random, choosing a target it can see within 35 ft.

1. Fear Ray. The targeted creature must make a DC 10 Will saving throw or be frightened for 5 rounds. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

2. Stun Ray. The targeted creature must make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or be stunned until the end of the eyeball’s next turn.

3. Frost Ray. The targeted creature must make a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw or take 5 (1d8) cold damage.

4. Slowing Ray. The targeted creature must make a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the target’s speed is halved for 5 rounds. 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 it turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

The eyeball is an 8-inch diameter cousin to the much feared beholder. Like the beholder, the eyeball has a central eye as well as four eyestalks. The central eye is only capable of sight, but the smaller eyes possess magical powers much like the eyestalks of their larger kin.

Underground Predators

Eyeballs are voracious, underground predators. They are usually encountered alone, but occasionally a group will come together to form a pack. When alone, they rarely pick a fight with anything bigger than they are. When operating as a pack, however, they are much more willing to pursue larger prey. Like most wild predators, they will flee a situation if they feel that they cannot win.

Wild & Fierce

Eyeballs cannot be domesticated in anyway. They are so wild that they even prove difficult to influence through magical means. Despite this, there are tales of wizards who have managed to take one of these creatures on as a familiar.