Basilisk, Greater
A larger variety of basilisk with toxic skin in addition to its petrifying gaze
Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game
| Armor Class | 17 |
|---|---|
| Hit Dice | 8*** |
| Number Appearing | 1 |
| Attacks | 1 bite/ 1 gaze |
| Damage | 1d12 + poison, bite, petrification gaze |
| Movement | 20' (10') |
| Save As | Fighter: 8 |
| Morale | 10 |
| XP | 1085 |
| Treasure Type | F, K |
The greater basilisk appears identical to the common variety, save that it is larger, having a body length of about 8 feet with a 7 to 9 foot long tail and weighing between 400 and 750 pounds. The skin of the greater basilisk is toxic to the touch, such that any living creature bitten by one or who touches one with bare skin must save vs. Poison or die. This effect persists even after the monster is dead, typically for about 2d20 hours; the only way to tell if the effect has subsided is to touch the corpse, an obviously bad idea.
Special Abilities
Petrifying Gaze: Any living creature meeting the gaze of a basilisk must save vs. Petrify or be turned to stone instantly. In general, any creature surprised by the basilisk will meet its gaze. Those who attempt to fight the monster while averting their eyes suffer penalties of -4 to attack and -2 to AC. It is possible to use a mirror to fight the monster, in which case the penalties are -2 to attack and no penalty to AC. If a basilisk sees its own reflection in a mirror it must save vs. Petrify or be turned to stone; a petrified basilisk loses its power to petrify. Basilisks instinctively avoid mirrors or other reflective surfaces, even drinking with their eyes closed, but if an attacker can manage to surprise the monster with a mirror it may see its reflection.
Toxic Skin: Any living creature bitten by one or who touches one with bare skin must save vs. Poison or die. This effect persists even after the monster is dead, typically for about 2d20 hours; the only way to tell if the effect has subsided is to touch the corpse, an obviously bad idea.