Khuul, Tyrant of Byblos

Khuul is a healthy, well-fed specimen of beholderkind, it's teal hide holding green highlights.

Khuul's eyestalks are rather fleshy and doughy, flexible as a snail.

Khuul has gaping nasal cavities, giving it a high pitched whine and a tendancy to whistle or chirp when excited. It's gaping maw holds many teeth, bent inward to aid it gripping food.

Khuul has the sigil of Harkas on it's right cheek and the seal of Byblos on it's left.

All-Around Vision (Ex) Khuul is exceptionally alert and circumspect. His many eyes give a +4 racial bonus on Spot and Search checks, and he can’t be flanked.   Alter Ego (Sp) Lord Khuul can establish an alternate identity. This alter ego has its own distinct physical characteristics, quirks, preferred clothing, and so on. At will, he can generate an illusion of his alter egos. This ability works like the alter self spell cast by a 6th level caster, except that he can assume only the appearance of an alternate identity, and he remains Large sized despite his alter egos appearing to be Medium creatures. Lord Khuul currently can maintain two alter egos.   Antimagic Cone (Su) Lord Khuul’s central eye continually produces a 150 foot cone of antimagic. This functions just like antimagic field (caster level 11th). All magical and supernatural powers and effects within the cone are suppressed—even his own eye rays. Once each round, during his turn, Lord Khuul decides whether the antimagic cone is active or not (he deactivates the cone by shutting his central eye).   Eye Rays (Su) Each of Lord Khuul’s small eyes can produce a magical ray once per round as a free action. During a single round, he can aim only three eye rays at targets in any one 90-degree arc (up, forward, backward, left, right, or down). The remaining eyes must aim at targets in other arcs, or not at all. Lord Khuul can tilt and pan his body each round to change which rays he can bring to bear in any given arc. Each eye’s effect resembles a spell (caster level 11), but follows the rules for a ray (see Aiming a Spell, page 175 of the Player’s Handbook). Each eye ray has a range of 150 feet and is DC 20. The ten eye rays include: Charm Monster: The target must succeed on a Will save or be affected as though by the spell. Lord Khuul uses this ray to confuse the opposition, usually employing it early in a fight. He generally instructs a charmed target to either restrain a comrade or stand aside. Charm Person: The target must succeed on a Will save or be affected as though by the spell. Lord Khuul uses this ray in the same manner as the charm monster ray. Disintegrate: The target must succeed on a Fortitude save or be affected as though by the spell. Lord Khuul carves out mines and tunnels with this eye but has been known to preserve social standards by reprimanding staff with it, particularly those slow in bringing his refreshments. Fear: This works like the spell, except that it targets one creature. The target must succeed on a Will save or be affected as though by the spell. Lord Khuul likes to use this ray against warriors and other powerful creatures early in a fight, to break up the opposition. Finger of Death:The target must succeed on a Fortitude save or be slain as though by the spell. The target takes 3d6+11 points of damage if its saving throw succeeds. Lord Khuul uses this ray to eliminate dangerous foes quickly. Flesh to Stone: The target must succeed on a Fortitude save or be affected as though by the spell. Lord Knuul likes to aim this ray at enemy spellcasters and any creature whose appearance he finds interesting. Inflict Moderate Wounds: This works like the spell, causing 2d8+10 points of damage (Will half ). Sleep: This works like the spell, except that it affects one creature with any number of Hit Dice (Will negates). Lord Khuul likes to use this ray against warriors and other physically powerful creatures. He knows his foes can quickly awaken the sleepers, but he also knows that doing so takes time and can delay an effective counterattack. Slow: This works like the spell, except that it affects one creature. The target can make a Will save to negate the effect. Lord Khuul often uses this ray against the same creature targeted by his disintegrate, flesh to stone, or finger of death ray. If one of the former rays fails to eliminate the foe, this ray might at least hamper it. Telekinesis: Lord Khuul can move objects or creatures that weigh up to 325 pounds, as though with a telekinesis spell. Creatures can resist the effect with a successful Will save.   Flight (Ex) Lord Khuul’s body is naturally buoyant. This buoyancy allows him to fly at a speed of 20 feet. This buoyancy also grants him a permanent feather fall effect (as the spell) with personal range.   Sideslip (Su) Twice per day as an immediate action, Lord Khuul can transfer himself from his current space to another up to 20 feet away. This ability otherwise works like the dimension door spell, except that he cannot transport other creatures with him.   Sneak Attack (Ex) Lord Khuul deals an extra 2d6 points of damage when he is flanking an opponent or at any time when the target would be denied its Dexterity bonus. This damage stacks with sneak attack dice from other sources.   Tongue of the Devil (Ex) Lord Khuul adds his Intelligence bonus to Bluff checks.

Khuul is the dominant of Attar's brood, albeit generations after the powerful Attar wrenched the religious capital of the Purple Ports from the murex and successfully held Iranshar at bay. When the dominant passes, all it's young fight until but one survives. Young of young do not compete, only those directly spawned by the dominant are eligible to assume the mantle of tyrant. Khuul was the only surviving spawn when the promising Harkas was slain and ascended not yet mature. Khuul was able to corner the papyrus market early on and parlay that into supplying 85% of the bookbinding supplies on the Mare Nostrum.

Khuul sees itself as male, but it's status as tyrant and among beholders of Byblos may have more to do with this than any sexuality identification.

Khuul is asexual, producing a clutch of viable eggs periodically with exceptionally large clutches every five years.

Khuul recieved a very traditional education, instructed by several slaves of various races esteemed for their ability in the subject being taught. Other than eating Noxos during speech lessons, it was a capable student.

Khuul's control of bookbinding supplies is it's personal contribution to the Attar family holdings. It has followed the ladder of service through every Imperial office in Byblos and was elected to the Silentium without the support of the basileus. Although tyrant of Byblos, it often holds a second office as well, depending on on election results. Byblos favors Khuul as censor, and it has held this office repeatedly.

The beholder community disdains Khuul for it's bloodless ascent to Tyrant and envies it's fecundity as it has birthed numerous spawn. It is often derided for eating the centaur Noxos when it failed to properly comprehend Noxos's lessons.

Selfish and self-centered to an extreme, Khuul is also heartless, ruthless, and cunning.

Khuul thinks of Khuul first, and everything else only as how it benefits Khuul. It follows traditional Imperial morality, but this is for it's public image, not it's spiritual development.

Khuul wants comfort and prestige

Khuul understands people fairly well, but tends to cajole through tantrum rather than discussion. It pays well but is a heartless martinet.

Quite the foodie, Khuul's banquets are always something stuffed with something else. Sea slug stuffed with chicken is a personal favorite. It's taste in food and decor is the envy of the Purple Ports, where it is a trendsetter.

Khuul is meticulous and persevering. It succeeds often through sheer bullheadedness. Once it embarks on something, it sees it through.

Khuul tends to be peevish and vengeful. It's hate is passionate and eternal, though it can set it aside or on a back burner for gain.

Khuul tends to whistle or chirp when excited or upset.

Khuul keeps itself clean, bathing regularly and enjoying long soaks and scrubdowns.

Khuul has no religious beliefs personally, but adheres to the strictures of the Imperial Temple

Khuul cajoles or commands, sometimes flying into tantrums when denied.

Khuul's voice is high pitched with an odd buzz. It's speech is peppered liberally with mild cursings and the occasional obscenity.

Khuul pulls a salary for being tyrant of Byblos, and has cornered the papyrus market. It produces 85% of bookbinding supplies to the Mare Nostrum.

Large Aberration 5th level Aristocrat/6th level Mountebank Hit Dice: 5d8+6d6+33 hp(76-77 hp) Initiative: +8 Speed: 5 ft. (1 square), fly 20 ft. (good) Armor Class: 24 (–1 size, +15 natural), touch 9, flat-footed 24 Base Attack/Grapple: +7/+2 Attack: Eye rays + 11 ranged touch and bite +7 melee (2d4) Full Attack: Eye rays +11 ranged touch and bite +7 melee (2d4) Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft. Special Attacks: Eye rays Special Qualities: All-around vision, antimagic cone, darkvision 60 ft., flight Saves: Fort +6, Ref +10, Will +10 Abilities: Str 10, Dex 18(+4), Con 16(+3), Int 18(+4), Wis 18(+4), Cha 20(+5) Skills: Bluff +23, Diplomacy +19, Intimidate +19, KN(local) +18, Listen +18, Sense Motive +18, Spellcraft +14, Spot +22 Feats: Alertness, Deceitful, Flyby Attack, Improved Initiative, Point Blank Shot Environment: urban Organization: Unique Challenge Rating: 13 Treasure: Double standard Alignment: Neutral Advancement: Lord Khuul will master mountebank with any experience garnered, then likely become a spellwarp sniper. He will not advance beyond 20th level under any circumstances.