Basilisk, Desert

Desert reptiles with a venomous attack

Armour Class: 3
Hit Dice: 4+4**
Move: 90' (30')
THAC0: 15
Attacks: 1 bite or 1 spit
Damage: 1d4+1d12 or 1d12
No. Appearing: 1 (1)
Save As: C5
Morale: 11
Treasure Type: incidental
Intelligence: 4
Alignment: Neutral
XP Value: 275

General Notes

Monster Type: Monster (Very rare)
Terrain: Desert

Description

Desert basilisks appear to be fat cobra snakes, about 20’ long, 2’ in diameter, with four skinny legs that help it propel itself along the ground, and horns all around the top of its head. These basilisks are extremely poisonous—so much so that even the gaze of a basilisk inflicts 1d6 points of damage unless its line-of-sight victims save vs. poison. Anyone who makes the save will know to look away, but attacks the basilisk with a -4 penalty to hit and damage; the only way to negate this penalty is to risk the basilisk's glance.

In addition, a basilisk can spit its poison up to 20’ as a missile attack for 1d12 points of poison damage. The bite of a basilisk does 1d4 points of physical damage and the poison does an additional 1d12. Anyone who purposely comes into physical contact with a basilisk’s hide (e.g., making a touch attack) automatically takes 1d6 points of poison damage.

Any weapon that strikes a basilisk is envenomed and does and additional 1d12 points of poison damage to the next target hit.

Basilisks are indigenous to desert regions, but are sometimes transported elsewhere by wizards looking for exotic guardians.