The astereater has none of the intelligence or magical abilities of the beholders. In appearance, the astereater resembles a large round boulder with a one large central eye and large mouth filled with pointed teeth. The skin of the creature is virtually identical in appearance and consistency to rock.
    Astereaters speak the language of beholders and the common tongue.

    Combat: The rock-like skin of the astereater protects it very well. When its eye and mouth are shut, the creature is virtually impervious to any but very powerful or magical attacks.
    The astereater's normal method of attack is to hide at the edge of an asteroid field and wait for passers-by to wander to close. It attacks using its huge mouth. A normal hit inflicts 2d4+5 points of damage.
    With its eyes and mouth shut, the astereater is almost identical to an asteroid in appearance, requiring a Spot check at DC 18.
    Since the astereater is too slow to retreat from combat, it chooses its opponents carefully before revealing itself and attacking.

    Flight (Ex): An Astereater's body is naturally buoyant. This buoyancy allows it to fly as per the spell, as a free action, at a speed of 20 feet. This buoyancy also grants it a permanent feather fall effect with personal range.

    Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, the astereater must hit a medium-size or smaller opponent with its bite attack. If it gets a hold, it can try to swallow the foe.

    Swallow Whole (Ex): An astereater can try to swallow a medium-size or smaller opponent by making a successful grapple check. The swallowed creature takes 2d4+5 points of crushing damage per round plus 4 points of acid damage from the astereater's gizzard/stomach. A swallowed creature can cut its way out by using claws or a small or tiny slashing weapon to deal 12 points of damage to the gizzard/stomach (AC 28). Once the creature exits, muscular action closes the hole; another swallowed opponent must again cut its own way out.
    The astereater's gizzard/stomach can hold one Medium-sized, two Small, four Tiny, eight diminutive, or sixteen or more fine opponents. Once the astereater's gizzard/stomach is full the astereater cannot swallow any more opponents, but may still bite!

In the Spheres
    Like all beholder-kin, astereaters are hateful and cruel. However, in the belly of these creatures (particularly older ones) there is usually a fair amount of incidental treasure that the creature cannot digest. Astereaters prey upon the flesh of any creature but prefer the flesh of sentient prey.

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