[RPG] If a beholder uses its telekinetic ray and throws someone with a fly speed down a hole, can they fly and not take damage

dnd-5e

Our DM isn't sure on this, and neither are we. We can't find any specific rules that deal with it.

Best Answer

The Beholder's Telekinetic Ray does not deal damage

This is regardless of the Fly speed of the creature. What the Telekinetic Ray does is restrain the target if they fail their Strength save, and then move them 30 ft in any direction.

A Flying creature does not take Falling damage

See this answer, which quotes PHB 191, Flying Movement.

If a flying creature is knocked prone, has its speed reduced to 0, or is otherwise deprived of the ability to move, the creature falls, unless it has the ability to hover or it is being held aloft by magic, such as by the fly spell.

If the Beholder used a Telekinetic Ray to move a flying creature above a pit and then releases it with the intent of letting it fall to its death, if it's being held aloft by the Fly spell, it stays afloat.

If the target has wings instead and so it has a mundane, non-magical way of flying, as the target is being released from the Telekinetic Ray's effects, the Restrained condition is lifted. This grants the creature its speed back, including its Fly speed. Since it wasn't knocked Prone, then it can remain flying.