Basilisk

"At first, I thought the word petrification was a bit overkill. Then I saw the victims of a basilisk attack myself. Their bodies were stiff as rock and cold to the touch, but with hearts still beating and minds fully aware of the situation. A terrible way to go, unless aid is near."
-Nurse Jenny

The basilisk is a terrible creature often mistaken for a cockatrice, or the reptilian basilisk family which ironically has nothing to do with this bird. The basilisk features a rooster-like head much like the cockatrice though with raptorial legs and a long, often curled feathery tail. Usually it comes in boring greyish and brown colours of feathers, not unlike a vulture, likely due to the creature's nocturnal nature.
While this creature is overall on the weaker scale in comparison to most other demi-beasts, its odd sight is a terrible weapon to be struck by. Rays of odd light cause the neurological functions in its prey to malfunction to the point all but the most vital functions of the body periodically go haywire in a span between five minutes to a quarter of an hour. To nullify this effect, deep stinging pain in puncture points are known to strike the mind back into focus of its own necessities again. Alternatively, a hard hitting hammer to a reflex point can also reset the nerves of the cursed body part.
Hence, when going up against a basilisk it is often wise to bring along needles, silver or cactus thorns, and a companion or two as if anyone gazes into the creatures eyes, they can swiftly be cured with a sting to an exposed arm, rear, finger or ear. Hence, why they are also best fought in light and exposed clothing, as their talons are not capable of cutting through common fabric without great effort anyways.
While native to the desert regions of the Golden Dunes, vampiric individuals of wealth are known to buy the services of poachers to capture these creatures so that they can be turned into familiars. The reasoning is that under the right care, the gaze of this demi-beast can be used as a non-lethal method to completely neutralise a target without spilling a drop of blood. Thus making it easy for vampires to hunt along these terrible chicken birds.

Creature Type

Species: Basilisk
Family: Phasianidae
Class: Demi-beast
Domain: Avian, Terrestrial

Biology

Size: 0.8 - 1.2m
Weight: 30 - 40kg
Wingspan: 3-5m
Diet: Scavenger
Intelligence: Cunning
Lifespan: 23 - 27 years

Habitat

Preferred biomes: Woodlands, Mountains, Deserts
Native regions: Golden Dunes, Diestria

Hunting knowledge

Strengths: Cunning, fast, hunts during night
Weaknesses: Long and exposed neck, weak claws, weak flight
Special Abilities: The eyes of a basilisk emits a peculiar sheen, which if gazed into for a couple seconds alone can paralyse or at worst grant the victim an epileptic episode