Basilisks
Reptilian Predators with Petrifying Gaze and Venomous Bite
Basilisks are eight-legged reptilian monsters whose deadly gaze turns their victims to stone. They consider the petrified flesh of humanoids a particular delicacy. Newly hatched basilisks are often born amid fields of stone - their eggs laid among petrified victims to ensure a ready feast.
As a basilisk matures, minerals drawn from consumed petrified flesh crystallize along its spine and form jagged crystalline growths. These crystals glow warm when interacting with latent magical energy. For this reason, basilisks are particularly fond of regions with strong natural magical energies, and are known to be stubbornly territorial of their nesting grounds. Wizened hags and mad mages occasionally employ basilisk guardians for this very reason.
A basilisk's bite delivers a potent venom that is lethal to the living; but paradoxically, it softens stone flesh, allowing the creature to devour its petrified prey. A skilled alchemist can transform the venom into an elixir that can reverse the petrification process.
Lore
- The gaze of a basilisk is dangerous and turns its victims to stone
- Basilisks were created by a powerful curse from an Arch-Hag who desired fierce protectors for her lair
- Because basilisks enjoy eating petrified flesh, their venom can thaw the petrification process
Tactics
The basilisk uses its Petrifying Glance or Petrifying Gaze, focusing on creatures that have intruded on its territory or alternatively creatures that appear to be the easiest targets for a meal.
Statblocks
Basilisk
A Basilisk is a dangerous foe, with its venomous bite and petrifying gaze.
Basilisk
Summoned with Foe FoundryMedium Monstrosity (Basilisk)
AC 14 Initiative -1 (9)
HP 65 (10d8 + 20)
Speed 30 ft., burrow 30 ft.
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Str | 18 | +4 | +4 |
| Dex | 8 | -1 | -1 |
| Con | 14 | +2 | +2 |
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Int | 4 | -3 | -3 |
| Wis | 8 | -1 | -1 |
| Cha | 7 | -2 | -2 |
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 9
CR 3 (700 XP; PB +2)
Traits
Adaptive Camouflage. The basilisk cannot be seen by a creature that is more than 15 feet away from it unless that creature first makes a DC 14 Perception check using an action. On a success, that creature can see the basilisk as normal.
Petrification. The basilisk can turn creatures to stone. When affected, the creature must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be Restrained. At the end of its next turn, the creature repeats the save. If it fails, it is Petrified.
Actions
Multiattack. The basilisk makes two Venomous Bite attacks.
Venomous Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage and 4 (1d8) poison damage.
Bonus Actions
Burrowing Ambush (1/day). The basilisk can burrow up to its burrowing speed without provoking opportunity attacks, and then resurface. If within melee range of an enemy, it makes an attack with advantage.
Reactions (3/turn)
Petrifying Glance. If a creature within 60 feet looks at the basilisk (such as to make an attack or target it with a spell or ability), then the basilisk uses Petrification on that creature.
Basilisk Broodmother
As the matron of a pack, the Basilisk Broodmother is frequently surrounded by potential suitors and mates who rush to protect her. She fiercely and viciously guards her young.
Basilisk Broodmother
Summoned with Foe FoundryMedium Monstrosity (Basilisk)
AC 16 Initiative +0 (10)
HP 135 (18d8 + 54)
Speed 30 ft.
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Str | 20 | +5 | +8 |
| Dex | 10 | +0 | +0 |
| Con | 16 | +3 | +6 |
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Int | 6 | -2 | -2 |
| Wis | 9 | -1 | +2 |
| Cha | 9 | -1 | -1 |
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 9
CR 8 (3,900 XP; PB +3)
Traits
Petrification. The basilisk can turn creatures to stone. When affected, the creature must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or be Restrained. At the end of its next turn, the creature repeats the save. If it fails, it is Petrified.
Actions
Multiattack. The basilisk makes three Venomous Bite attacks.
Venomous Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit 14 (2d8 + 5) piercing damage and 4 (1d8) poison damage.
Basilisk Brood (1/day). The basilisk lets out a piercing cry for aid. 2 (1d4) Basilisk arrive to aid the basilisk and join combat at initiative count 0. On their first turn, the Basilisk use their movement and action to arrive on the battlefield in unoccupied spaces within 30 feet of the basilisk. They then act normally on subsequent turns.
Bonus Actions
Charge (1/day). The basilisk uses Dash and moves towards a hostile creature. Up to one creature that is within 5 ft of the path must make a DC 16 Strength saving throw or be knocked Prone.
Petrifying Gaze (Recharge 4-6). Each creature in a 30-foot cone is affected by the the basilisk's Petrification
Reactions
Limited Magic Immunity. When the basilisk is attacked by a spell, targeted by a spell, or forced to make a saving throw by a third level spell or lower then the basilisk can force the spell attack to miss or can choose to succeed on the saving throw.
Basilisk Encounter Ideas
- A battered Veteran stumbles forward, begging the party to help as he turns to stone in front of the PC's eyes. 1d4 angry Basilisks are not far behind, infuriated by the intruders encroaching on their territory
- The PCs discover a toppled statue of an Owlbear with its entire hindquarters missing in a clearing. Many lizard-like tracks lead to and from the Basilisk feeding grounds. Something stirs in the underbrush nearby...
- The PCs hear the cracking and crunching of stone as a nearby Basilisk eats pieces of the statues of a petrified family that fell victim to its gaze. One of the statues of a young child appears to not be fully petrified
- A carriage made from a giant pumpkin drawn by 4 Basilisks barrels down the road. The cackling laughter of a Hag tumbles forth. She's late for her gala that begins at midnight.
Basilisk Adventure Ideas
- A Bandit Crime Lord has put out a bounty for any who can retrieve a priceless ruby that a Basilisk Broodmother has mistaken for one of her eggs
- A secretive Druid hires the PCs to steal Basilisk eggs. She secretly wishes to raise a clutch of basilisks as protectors of a nearby wood that is being heavily hunted by the villagers
- An important NPC connected to the PCs has gone missing, turned to stone by an unfortunate encounter with a Basilisk
- A Hydra encroaches on the territory of a clutch of Basilisks, enraging them. The conflict wreaks such havoc that the Priest of a nearby village begs the party to put an end to the wanton destruction. He can't offer much, but he does have a holy relic of a saint he is willing to offer.