Medusa

Spirits of the Mists

Medusa are humanoid creatures with smooth-scaled skin and snake-like tendrils instead of hair. Their physical appearance is so akin to a human, that at 30 feet or more in poor lighting, a medusa can easily pass as a human man or woman provided they cover their 'hair'.

The origins of the medusa species have been traced back to an immigration of dragons into the region of Southen Edoya. There they intermarried with the local human and elven populations, producing the dragon-kin known as 'medusa' in the current day.

Basic Information

Biological Traits

Medusas are a bipedal humanoid species. Despite their general appearance they are actually a rare species of air-breathing, warm-blooded reptiles. Like many species, they have pointed ears, however for medusa the point is graceful and can be easily overlooked. They are easily recognizable due to the small interlocking scales on their skin, reptilian eyes, and their famous - if not infamous - snake 'hair'.

The medusa 'hair' are indeed small snakes that will grow to a full length of a foot long. They live in symbiotic relationship with the medusa and are as much the medusa as he or she is their 'hair'. The snake hair comes in a variety of colors from green, to copper, to black or any other color combination. However, the color of the snakes always compliments the color of the medusa's own scales. Such as if a medusa has copper colored scale-skin, then his or her snake hair might be a red-gold, or copper with black bands and so on.

A medusa's eyes are always reptilian in shape and vary in color from black to blue, purple, or yellow. This also often complements the color of the medusa's scales and snake hair. Most scholars believe this is an ancestral development similar to natural camouflage.

Aside from their snake hair, medusa possess a unique defensive ability among all other species: the ability to turn an attacker to stone with a gaze. It isn't certain if this was an ability inherited from their dragon ancestry or developed over time because of the Southern Edoyan jungle environment. However, medusa are able to petrify a target - or reverse the effect - if necessary.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Medusas are omnivorous but tend toward more plant and fruits supplemented by lighter meats such as fish. In leaner times, medusas can eat meat-grubs and similar forms of protein but will eventually need to return toward a more plant based diet supplemented by occasional animal protein.

Medusa 'hair', being a living symbiotic creature, prefers a similar diet as the medusa.

by CB Ash and HeroForge

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Dragon

Lifespan

approximately 120 years

Average Height

5 1/2 to 6 feet

Average Weight

average health adult is between 140 and 180 pounds

Related Ethnicities

• Seskyalii

by CB Ash and HeroForge

Medusa Ancestral Traits

A character that is descended from a medusa or has medusa in their bloodline has the following available, regardless of ethnicity.

---

Age Medusa biologically become adults by 25 and live to be an average of 120 years.

Size Medium

Speed Base walking speed is 30 feet

Eyes of Stone Medusas have developed the defensive ability to turn a victim to stone with their gaze and force of will. As an action, the medusa can turn his or her gaze - and all of their snake hair - at one foe that is within 30 feet. That target must make a Fortitude Save. On a failed roll, the victim - and all their belongings - are turned into inert stone.

However, this doesn't mean the target has been killed. In fact, they are held in a strange state of suspended animation that can be reversed be the spell Stone to Flesh, a Wish spell, or the medusa making a successful Will save against the target's Constitution saving throw + 10. Failed attempts by the medusa to reverse the effects can be reattempted but only after a long rest.

The medusa may perform this ability once per day. Once they have used it, they may not use it again - or reverse the effect - until after a long rest.

Snake Hair A medusa's writhing snake hair is more than just for looks. These snakes can bite and snap at targets within 1 foot of the medusa using the medusa's unarmed combat strike stat. On a successful hit, the snakes deal a combined total damage of 1 point piercing damage and 1d4 poison ( sleep, not affected by sleep immunity ) damage.