Basilisk
10' long, serpentine lizards. Unintelligent, but highly magical
Old-School Essentials Classic Fantasy
| Armor Class | 4 [15] |
|---|---|
| Hit Dice | 6+1** (28hp) |
| Number Appearing | 1d6 (1d6) |
| Attacks | 1 × bite (1d10 + petrification), 1 × gaze (petrification) |
| THAC0 | 13 [+6] |
| Movement | 60' (20') |
| Saving Throws | D10 W11 P12 B13 S14 (6) |
| Morale | 9 |
| Alignment | Neutral |
| XP | 950 |
| Treasure Type | F |
10’ long, serpentine lizards. Unintelligent, but highly magical. Dwell in caverns and twisted brambles.
Special Abilities
Surprise: Characters surprised by a basilisk meet its gaze.
Petrifying touch: Anyone touched by a basilisk is turned to stone (save vs petrify).
Petrifying gaze: Anyone meeting a basilisk’s gaze is turned to stone (save versus petrify). Unless averting eyes or using a mirror, characters in melee are affected each round.
Averting eyes: -4 penalty to-hit; the basilisk gains a +2 bonus to attack.
Mirrors: The reflection of a basilisk is harmless. Fighting by looking in a mirror incurs a -1 penalty to attack. If a basilisk sees its own reflection (2-in-6 chance), it must save or be petrified.
Other Sources
OSRIC
| Armor Class | 4 |
|---|---|
| Hit Dice | 6 |
| Number Encountered | 1d4 |
| Attacks | 1 (antlers+weapon) |
| Damage | 1d10 |
| Move | 60-ft |
| Alignment | Neutral |
| Intelligence | Animal |
| XP | 7/1,000+8/hp |
| Treasure Type | 1d10×1,000 cp (5%), 1d12×1,000 sp (25%), 1d6×1,000 ep (25%), 1d8×1,000 gp (25%), 1d12 gems (15%), 1d8 jewellery (15%), 3 magic items and 1 scroll (10%) |
| Size | Medium (6-ft+) |
| Frequency | Rare |
| Lair | 40% |
Noting the basilisk’s physiognomy, the wisest sages posit that it is hatched by a cock from the egg of a serpent, begetting an 8-legged anfractuous creature with a lizard-like head. The gaze of the basilisk is deadly, as any creature meeting its gaze must successfully save vs petrifaction or instantly be turned to stone. The gaze effects of the basilisk extend into both the astral and æthereal planes.
Special Abilities
Petrifying gaze: Any creature meeting its gaze must successfully save vs petrifaction or instantly be turned to stone. The gaze effects extend into both the astral and æthereal planes.