I must be the odd duck in the room, I love the Epicenes of the opening story.

side note: Its not a beholder people lol, its a spectator CR3 a party of 4 this can be a challenge but not one that's out there. https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/17094-spectator


DRAGON FIRE-AND DOOM Dragons? Splendid things, lad-so long as ye look upon them only in tapestries, or in the masks worn at revels, or from about three realms off...
Astragarl Hornwood, Mage of Elembar - Year of the Tusk