Gazers

Description
Gazers are creatures of magic. They are basically flying orbs with one big eye and five tentacles with one smaller eye on each tip. They battle their foes by paralyzing them or using strong magic, which hints at strong intelligence. It is yet unknown how they devour their prey. If a Gazer is killed, it dissolves into insects.

Gazers are usually found in dungeons and caves, and seldomly in the wilderness.

Lore
''These hypnotic creatures snare their prey by putting them to sleep. The deep forests are the favorite habitat of these evil, floating eyes.''

- from "The History of Britannia", Ultima IV

''Giant, magical floating eyes, gazers mesmerize their foes, turning them against each other. They make up for their weak, clumsy physique with strong intelligence and a fairly good constitution.''

- from "The Book of Lore", Ultima V

''How this monstrosity evolved is anybody's guess, for gazers are among the most unusual creatures found in the realm. They are usually spotted hovering above the ground in dungeons, searching for creatures they can mesmerize with their multiple eyes. One experienced adventurer claims that gazers emit a strange buzzing sound as they move about. Remain alert when you suspect the presence of a gazer, as it is constantly on the alert for prey.''

- from "Compendium", Ultima VI

''Surely this creature was created by sorcerous means, for no natural law could have given birth to a beast this monstrous. Gazers float through the corridors of our chasm, and with their many eyeballs are quick to spot intruders into their domain. Do not underestimate the fearsomeness of this obstacle, as a Gazer's attack - noted by the wink of its great central eye, or the twist of an eye stalk - cuts as deep as a sword thrust, and this beast seldom misses its mark.''

- from "Memoirs of Cabirus", Ultima Underworld

''These many-eyed floating spheres are the product of some perverse wizard 's madness, or perhaps genius, given that once created the gazers proved well-adapted to the subterranean environment, and have multiplied in profusion. No one knows what they eat, or whether they  are intelligent. Some have been observed  using magic, but wecannot tell whether this is a learned skill among them, or some sort of innate ability.''

- from "A Safe Passage through Britannia", Ultima Underworld II

Evolution in the series



 * First apperance: Ultima I


 * Last apperance: Ultima IX


 * Last classical apperance: Ultima VII/2

After first seen in Ultima I (then known as "Wandering Eyes"), it took until Ultima IV before the Gazer re-appeared. It then stayed in the series (with exception of Ultima VIII) until the very end. However, while in Ultima IV, V, VI, VII, VII/2 and both Underworlds the Gazer stayed the same, it was drastically changed and re-designed for Ultima IX, which apart from the name, made it actually a totally new monster.