Monsters: Basilisks

Monsters: Basilisks

Basilisk is a classical mythological monster, typically a multilegged lizard or a serpent with a petrifying gaze or bite. Some media replace petrifaction with paralysis. I have always liked the basilisk, but I do not remember ever using it in a game. In addition to the common basilisk, I provide stats for the abyssal greater basilisk - a stronger fiendish version of the beast.

 

Basilisk [Monster Manual, page 23]

 
54 points
Attribute Modifiers: ST+5 (No Fine Manipulators, -40%) [30]; DX-2 [-40]; IQ-7 [-140]; HT+2 [20].
Secondary Characteristic Modifiers: Will+7 [35]; Per+8 [40]; Basic Move -2 [-10].
Advantages: DR 3 (Flexible, -20%) [12]; Extra Legs (Eight Legs) [15]; Infravision [10]; Night Vision 5 [5]; Peripheral Vision [15]; Reduced Consumption 4 (Food Only, -50%) [4]; Regrowth [40]; See Invisible (Ethereal; Completely Exclusive, -50%; Magical, -10%) [6]; Sharp Claws [5]; Sharp Teeth [1]; Ultravision [10]; Universal Digestion (Matter Eater, +300%) [20].
    Petrifying Gaze: Affliction 1 (HT; Affects Insubstantial, +20%; Cone 15, +200%; Cured by Stone to Flesh or Remove Curse spells; Extended Duration, Permanent, +150%; Magical, -10%; Malediction 2, +150%; Paralysis, +150%; Selective Area, +20%; Vision-Based, -20%) [76].
Disadvantages: Bad Temper (12) [-10]; Cold-Blooded (50°) [-5]; Gluttony (12) [-5]; Horizontal [-10]; No Fine Manipulators [-30]; Restricted Diet (Carnivore) [-10]; Wild Animal [-30].
Perks: Scales [1].
Quirks: Glowing Eyes (Reduce darkness penalties for targeting eyes by -5) [-1].
Features: Born Biter 2.
Notes: Size 2 hexes; Weight 300 lbs.
Creature Type: Magical Beast.
 

Knowing Your Own Strength [74] Replace ST+5 (No Fine Manipulators, -40%) [30] with ST+5 [50]

 
Typical Stats

ST:	15	HP:	15	Speed:	5
DX:	8	Will:	10	Move:	3
IQ:	3	Per:	11
HT:	12	FP:	12	SM:	+0
Dodge:	8	Parry:	N/A	DR:	3*

    Sharp Teeth (10): thrust 1d+1 cutting (KYOS: 2d cutting), Reach C.
    Petrifying Gaze (10): A basilisk’s petrifying gaze spreads out in a cone 15 yards long and 15 yards wide at the end. It can select who is affected; potential victims must be looking at it. For every target, there is a Quick Contest between the basilisk’s Will (minus a range penalty taken from the Speed/Range Table) and each target’s HT. If the basilisk wins, the target is petrified. (The distinction between “paralyzed” and “petrified” generally works in their victims’ favor – e.g., they won’t starve – so the basilisk does not pay extra for this.) Someone looking at a reflection of a basilisk is not affected by its gaze. Fighting while looking in a mirror is at a -5 penalty; attacks made with closed eyes are at -10. Petrification can be removed with Remove Curse or Stone to Flesh. This attack also affects insubstantial beings.
 
    Traits: Bad Temper (12); Born Biter 2; Cold-Blooded (50°); Extra Legs (Eight Legs); Glowing Eyes (Reduce darkness penalties for targeting eyes by -5); Gluttony (12); Horizontal; Infravision; Night Vision 5; No Fine Manipulators; Peripheral Vision; Reduced Consumption 4 (Food Only); Regrowth; Restricted Diet (Carnivore); Scales; See Invisible (Ethereal; Completely Exclusive; Magical); Ultravision; Universal Digestion (Matter Eater); Wild Animal.
    Skills: Brawling-10; Tracking-10.
    Creature Type: Magical Beast.
    Notes: Size 2 hexes; Weight 300 lbs.
 

Abyssal Greater Basilisk [Monster Manual, page 24]

 
137 points
Attribute Modifiers: ST+8 (No Fine Manipulators, -40%; Size Modifier, -10%) [40]; DX-2 [-40]; IQ-4 [-80]; HT+3 [30].
Secondary Characteristic Modifiers: SM+1; Will+4 [20]; Per+5 [25]; Basic Move -2 [-10].
Advantages: DR 3 (Flexible, -20%) [12]; DR 2 (Bane, Magic, -15%) [9]; Extra Legs (Eight Legs) [15]; Infravision [10]; Magic Resistance 2 (Improved, +150%) [10]; Night Vision 5 [5]; Peripheral Vision [15]; Reduced Consumption 4 (Food Only, -50%) [4]; Regrowth [40]; See Invisible (Ethereal; Completely Exclusive, -50%; Magical, -10%) [6]; Sharp Claws [5]; Sharp Teeth [1]; Ultravision [10]; Universal Digestion (Matter Eater, +300%) [20].
    Elemental Resistance (C,F): DR 5 (Includes Eyes, +10%; Includes Internal, +20%; Limited, Cold, Fire, -35%; Tough Skin, -40%) [14].
    Petrifying Gaze: Affliction 1 (HT; Affects Insubstantial, +20%; Cone 15, +200%; Cured by Stone to Flesh or Remove Curse spells; Extended Duration, Permanent, +150%; Magical, -10%; Malediction 2, +150%; Paralysis, +150%; Selective Area, +20%; Vision-Based, -20%) [76].
Disadvantages: Bad Temper (12) [-10]; Cold-Blooded (50°) [-5]; Gluttony (12) [-5]; Horizontal [-10]; No Fine Manipulators [-30]; Restricted Diet (Carnivore) [-10]; Wild Animal [-30].
Perks: Scales [1].
Quirks: Glowing Eyes (Reduce darkness penalties for targeting eyes by -5) [-1].
Features: Born Biter 2.
Notes: Size 3 hexes; Weight 800 lbs.
Creature Type: Outsider (Chaotic, Evil).
 

Knowing Your Own Strength [177] Replace ST+8 (No Fine Manipulators, -40%; Size Modifier, -10%) [40] with ST+8 [80]

 
Typical Stats

ST:	18	HP:	18	Speed:	5.25
DX:	8	Will:	10	Move:	3
IQ:	6	Per:	11
HT:	13	FP:	13	SM:	+1
Dodge:	8	Parry:	N/A	DR:	3*, 2 (not vs. magic), 5 (vs. cold and fire)

    Sharp Teeth (10): thrust 1d+2 cutting (KYOS: 3d-1 cutting), Reach C.
    Petrifying Gaze (10): A basilisk’s petrifying gaze spreads out in a cone 15 yards long and 15 yards wide at the end. It can select who is affected; potential victims must be looking at it. For every target, there is a Quick Contest between the basilisk’s Will (minus a range penalty taken from the Speed/Range Table) and each target’s HT. If the basilisk wins, the target is petrified. (The distinction between “paralyzed” and “petrified” generally works in their victims’ favor – e.g., they won’t starve – so the basilisk does not pay extra for this.) Someone looking at a reflection of a basilisk is not affected by its gaze. Fighting while looking in a mirror is at a -5 penalty; attacks made with closed eyes are at -10. Petrification can be removed with Remove Curse or Stone to Flesh. This attack also affects insubstantial beings.
 
    Traits: Bad Temper (12); Born Biter 2; Cold-Blooded (50°); Extra Legs (Eight Legs); Glowing Eyes (Reduce darkness penalties for targeting eyes by -5); Gluttony (12); Horizontal; Infravision; Magic Resistance 2 (Improved); Night Vision 5; No Fine Manipulators; Peripheral Vision; Reduced Consumption 4 (Food Only); Regrowth; Restricted Diet (Carnivore); Scales; See Invisible (Ethereal; Completely Exclusive; Magical); Ultravision; Universal Digestion (Matter Eater); Wild Animal.
    Skills: Brawling-10; Tracking-10.
    Creature Type: Outsider (Chaotic, Evil).
    Notes: Size 3 hexes; Weight 800 lbs.