Time-Shattered Aberrations That Actually Terrify
Looking to get started with Hollow Gazers? Start Here
The Hollow Gazer embodies one of D&D's most compelling horror tropes: the scholar who delved too deep into forbidden knowledge and paid the ultimate price. These wretched aberrations were once seers and chronomancers who dared pierce the veil of time itself - only to have their minds shattered by what they witnessed in the timestream. Now they lurk in ruined observatories and collapsed wizard towers, muttering prophecies that echo backward and forward through causality.
But here's the problem: while the concept of an eyeless, cursed spellcaster is iconic (like the Nothic from official 5E sourcebooks), the 2024 Monster Manual version doesn't really sell the flavor with its abilities.
That's why we gave the Hollow Gazer the upgrade it deserves:
- 2 unique Statblocks (Hollow Gazer, Hollow Gazer of Ruin) with dozens of variants each
- Custom Hollow Gazer Powers that emphasize prophecy, fate manipulation, and temporal horror
- Flavorful and table-ready Hollow Gazer Encounter Ideas and Hollow Gazer Adventure Ideas
- Enhanced lore that makes these creatures feel like tragic figures warped by temporal paradox
2 Enhanced Hollow Gazer Statblocks
As usual for Foe Foundry, we created multiple monster statblocks, each with dozens of unique combinations of powers. You can click on the dice to re-roll the stats and try a new loadout, or check out the Generator to customize the monster yourself.
These statblocks work perfectly for campaigns involving prophecy, forbidden knowledge, or temporal anomalies, especially when combined with ready-to-go Hollow Gazer Encounters and Hollow Gazer Adventures.
Hollow Gazer
The Hollow Gazer represents a newly-cursed scholar still clinging to fragments of sanity. Perfect for CR 2 encounters in forgotten libraries and cursed ruins.
Hollow Gazer
Summoned with Foe FoundryMedium Aberration (Hollow Gazer)
AC 15 (Unholy Armor) Initiative +1 (11)
HP 45 (7d8 + 14)
Speed 30 ft.
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Str | 8 | -1 | -1 |
| Dex | 12 | +1 | +1 |
| Con | 14 | +2 | +2 |
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Int | 16 | +3 | +3 |
| Wis | 13 | +1 | +1 |
| Cha | 7 | -2 | -2 |
Skills Stealth +3, Arcana +7, Insight +5, Perception +5
Resistances Psychic
Immunities Charmed
Senses Truesight 120 ft., Passive Perception 15
Languages Almost Comprehensible Gibberish
CR 2 (450 XP; PB +2)
Traits
Warping Madness. If the hollow gazer dies with 3 or more levels of Madness, a Gibbering Mouther immediately spawns and joins the combat, acting next in initiative.
Focused Delirium (3/day). When the hollow gazer misses with an attack roll, it can choose to take 2 psychic damage, gain a level of Madness, and re-roll the attack roll.
Actions
Multiattack. The hollow gazer makes two Pitying Gaze attacks.
Pitying Gaze. Ranged Spell Attack: +5 to hit, range 30ft., one target. Hit 10 (2d6 + 3) psychic damage. The attack deals an additional 3 (1d6) psychic damage for each level of Madness.
Bonus Actions
Mind-Shattering Prediction (Recharge 5-6). The hollow gazer pronounces a grim prophecy about a creature it can see. If the prophecy does not come true by the end of the hollow gazer's next turn, then the creature takes 7 (2d6) psychic damage. If the prophecy does come true, the hollow gazer gains a level of Madness.
Hollow Gazer of Ruin
The Hollow Gazer of Ruin is an ancient aberration consumed by centuries of accumulated madness. This CR 6 variant has witnessed empires rise and fall, making it perfect for high-stakes encounters with prophecy and fate.
Hollow Gazer of Ruin
Summoned with Foe FoundryMedium Aberration (Hollow Gazer)
AC 16 (Unholy Armor) Initiative +1 (11)
HP 110 (17d8 + 34)
Speed 30 ft.
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Str | 10 | +0 | +0 |
| Dex | 13 | +1 | +1 |
| Con | 14 | +2 | +5 |
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Int | 18 | +4 | +4 |
| Wis | 14 | +2 | +5 |
| Cha | 17 | +3 | +3 |
Skills Stealth +4, Arcana +10, Insight +8, Perception +8
Resistances Psychic
Immunities Charmed
Senses Truesight 120 ft., Passive Perception 18
Languages Almost Comprehensible Gibberish
CR 6 (2,300 XP; PB +3)
Traits
Twisted Prophecy. At the start of combat, the hollow gazer utters a twisted prophecy and chooses a number from 1 to 20. Whenever any creature, including the hollow gazer, rolls the chosen number on a d20 test, that creature suffers 21 (6d6) psychic damage. The hollow gazer then gains a level of Madness
Warping Madness. If the hollow gazer dies with 3 or more levels of Madness, a Gibbering Mouther immediately spawns and joins the combat, acting next in initiative.
Focused Delirium (3/day). When the hollow gazer misses with an attack roll, it can choose to take 7 psychic damage, gain a level of Madness, and re-roll the attack roll.
Actions
Multiattack. The hollow gazer makes three Pitying Gaze attacks. It may replace two attacks with a use of its Eldritch Beacon.
Pitying Gaze. Ranged Spell Attack: +7 to hit, range 30ft., one target. Hit 14 (3d6 + 4) psychic damage. The attack deals an additional 3 (1d6) psychic damage for each level of Madness.
Eldritch Beacon (1/day). The hollow gazer magically creates a Medium Eldritch Beacon Token (AC/DC 12, 3 Charges) at an unoccupied space it can see within 30 feet. Each turn that the beacon is active, on initiative count 0, 12 (5d4) Cultist arrive to aid the summoner and join combat at initiative count 0. On their first turn, the Cultist use their movement and action to arrive on the battlefield in unoccupied spaces within 30 feet of the summoner. They then act normally on subsequent turns.
8 Powers That Make Hollow Gazers Unforgettable
These powers transform the Hollow Gazer from a simple aberration into a controller that manipulates fate, prophecy, and probability itself. Each ability creates memorable moments where players question whether they're fighting a monster or destiny itself.
Warping Madness
Traits
Warping Madness. If the hollow gazer dies with 3 or more levels of Madness, a Gibbering Mouther immediately spawns and joins the combat, acting next in initiative.
Madness Boost. The attack deals an additional 3 (1d6) psychic damage for each level of Madness.
Used by Hollow Gazer (CR 2), Hollow Gazer of Ruin (CR 6)
Warping Madness is the signature mechanic that defines every Hollow Gazer. Other powers interact with this mechanic by generating madness under flavorful situations. This gives plenty of opportunities for RP while also adding some interesting mechanical twists to the fight.
Twisted Prophecy
Traits
Twisted Prophecy. At the start of combat, the hollow gazer utters a twisted prophecy and chooses a number from 1 to 20. Whenever any creature, including the hollow gazer, rolls the chosen number on a d20 test, that creature suffers 7 (2d6) psychic damage. The hollow gazer then gains a level of Madness
Used by Hollow Gazer (CR 2), Hollow Gazer of Ruin (CR 6)
With Twisted Prophecy, the Hollow Gazer utters a cursed prophecy at the start of combat, choosing a number from 1 to 20. Whenever any creature — including the Hollow Gazer itself — rolls that number on a d20, they suffer psychic damage. This creates a brilliant tension throughout the encounter as players watch their dice rolls with dread. Rolling a 15 to hit becomes terrifying when you know the prophecy punishes that exact number. The mechanic perfectly captures the creature's role as a prophet whose visions warp reality itself.
Shattered Omens
Reactions
Mind-Warping Truths. When a creature succeeds or fails a d20 test by 5 or less, The hollow gazer forces that creature to re-roll the d20 test. The hollow gazer then gains a level of Madness.
Used by Hollow Gazer (CR 2), Hollow Gazer of Ruin (CR 6)
Shattered Omens lets the Hollow Gazer force creatures to reroll attack rolls or saving throws that succeed or fail by 5 or less. Picture the moment when a player's attack roll of 16 just barely hits — and then the Hollow Gazer whispers "Not in this timeline," forcing them to reroll. This ability creates incredible narrative moments while giving the creature control over marginal outcomes, making every close call feel like fate itself is being rewritten.
Mind-Shattering Prediction
Bonus Actions
Mind-Shattering Prediction (Recharge 5-6). The hollow gazer pronounces a grim prophecy about a creature it can see. If the prophecy does not come true by the end of the hollow gazer's next turn, then the creature takes 7 (2d6) psychic damage. If the prophecy does come true, the hollow gazer gains a level of Madness.
Used by Hollow Gazer (CR 2), Hollow Gazer of Ruin (CR 6)
Mind-Shattering Prediction showcases the Hollow Gazer's prophetic power in a unique way. The creature can pronounce a prophecy as a bonus action — typically something like "You will strike me before my next turn" — and if the prophecy isn't fulfilled, the target takes psychic damage. This creates fascinating tactical situations where players must decide whether to trigger the prophecy or suffer the consequences of defying fate.
Alter Fate
Reactions
Alter Fate (Recharge 5-6). When a creature that the divination mage can see within 60 feet succeeds on an attack roll, ability check, or a saving throw, then the divination mage alters that creature's fate. It must reroll the d20 and use the lower roll.
Used by Diviner Archmage (CR 12), Diviner Primagus (CR 16), Hollow Gazer (CR 2), Hollow Gazer of Ruin (CR 6)
With Alter Fate, the most powerful Hollow Gazers can force creatures to reroll successful attack rolls, ability checks, or saving throws. Unlike Shattered Omens, this ability doesn't care about the margin of success — even critical hits can be undone. Picture the party's relief when the fighter lands a critical hit on the aberration, only for the Hollow Gazer to whisper "That's not how this story ends" and force a reroll. It's one of the most powerful control abilities in the Hollow Gazer's arsenal, reserved for the Hollow Gazer of Ruin.
Gaze of the Far Realm
Actions
Gaze of the Far Realm (Recharge 4-6). One target that the aboleth can see within 60 feet must succed on a DC 14 Charisma saving throw. On a failure, roll a d6. On a 1-2, the creature is Frightened (save ends at end of turn). On a 3-4, the creature is Dazed (save ends at end of turn). On a 5-6, the creature is Burning [3 (1d6) psychic]. A burning creature suffers 3 (1d6) ongoing psychic damage at the end of each of its turns. A creature may use an action to end the condition.
Used by Aberrant Cultist (CR 8), Aberrant Cultist Grand Master (CR 14), Hollow Gazer (CR 2), Hollow Gazer of Ruin (CR 6)
Gaze of the Far Realm is a versatile psychic assault that can inflict fear, confusion, or ongoing psychic burning. The Hollow Gazer chooses which effect to apply, letting it adapt to tactical situations. This ability reinforces the creature's connection to aberrant forces beyond mortal comprehension while providing reliable crowd control.
Eyebite
Spellcasting
Spellcasting. The green hag casts one of the following spells, using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 16):
1/day each: Eyebitec
Used by Hollow Gazer (CR 2), Hollow Gazer of Ruin (CR 6), Medusa Queen (CR 10)
Some Hollow Gazers have mastered the Eyebite spell through their cursed existence. This innate spellcasting gives them access to multiple control effects — panicked fleeing, unconsciousness, or sickeningly repulsed targets — making them dangerous controllers even at range. It's perfect for high-CR variants like the Hollow Gazer of Ruin.
Spell Eater
Attacks
Devour Spell. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10ft., one target that can cast a spell. Hit 11 (3d4 + 4) piercing damage and 15 (6d4) force damage. On a hit, the target loses its highest level spell slot. If the target has no spell slots remaining, it is Stunned until the end of its next turn.
Used by Hollow Gazer (CR 2), Hollow Gazer of Ruin (CR 6)
The most ancient Hollow Gazers have developed Spell Eater, the ability to consume and nullify magic entirely. When a spell targets the creature or includes it in its area of effect, the Hollow Gazer can absorb it as a reaction, gaining temporary hit points. This creates incredible "oh no" moments when the wizard's fireball gets eaten and the aberration grows stronger. It perfectly captures the idea that these creatures have been warped by magic so deeply that they've learned to feed on it.
Table-Ready Temporal Horror Encounters
Want to add prophecy and temporal dread to your campaign? We've created table-ready Hollow Gazer Encounters and Hollow Gazer Adventures that showcase these creatures' unique blend of tragedy, madness, and fate manipulation.
My personal favorites include:
Acrid smoke drifts from a toppled brazier as the party enters the ruined archive. A wet, rasping voice whispers from the darkness as the Hollow Gazer speaks: "I see your secret... the one you buried deep."
The party camps in ruins and one PC awakens to find a Hollow Gazer sitting across from them, staring. "You dreamed of your failure tonight. I can show you how to prevent it... if you trust me."
A crazed Hollow Gazer fortune-teller on the road makes twisted but disturbingly accurate predictions of future challenges the party will encounter. It demands payment in secrets, not coin.
These encounters play to the Hollow Gazer's strengths as both a tragic figure seeking forbidden knowledge and a terrifying aberration that can bend fate itself. The creature works brilliantly as an information broker, a fortune-teller, or a keeper of dangerous prophecies.
Using Hollow Gazers as More Than Monsters
One of the most interesting aspects of Hollow Gazers is that they don't have to be simple combat encounters. These creatures retain fragmented intelligence and can communicate. They're tragic scholars who were destroyed by the very knowledge they sought. This makes them perfect for non-combat encounters:
- Fortune Tellers: A Hollow Gazer offering disturbingly accurate predictions in exchange for secrets
- Information Brokers: The creature knows things that haven't happened yet — for a price
- Tragic Questgivers: A former ally transformed into a Hollow Gazer, seeking redemption
- Archive Keepers: Guardians of forbidden libraries who trade knowledge for knowledge
Their prophetic abilities let you foreshadow future events naturally while their obsession with secrets creates interesting negotiation dynamics. Just remember: every interaction with a Hollow Gazer should feel unsettling, even when they're being helpful.
Make Your Hollow Gazers Memorable
The Hollow Gazer represents one of D&D's most evocative archetypes — the tragic scholar destroyed by forbidden knowledge. But unlike most implementations of this concept, these enhanced versions actually deliver on the promise of temporal horror and fate manipulation.
With powers that manipulate probability, prophecies that warp reality, and a signature madness mechanic that makes them more dangerous as they die, these aberrations become memorable centerpieces for any encounter involving prophecy, time, or forbidden secrets. Whether you're running a one-shot in a cursed library or building an entire campaign around temporal anomalies, these time-shattered seers are ready to question everything your players think they know about fate and causality.
Summon Your Own
Explore both Hollow Gazer statblocks, encounter ideas, and prophetic adventure prompts below — or summon a random Hollow Gazer and watch your players question reality itself.
Ready to peer into the timestream? Summon a Hollow Gazer