Medusa

Medusas are isolationists. Even amongst their own, there is hardly a chance of ever seeing any of them in a group. This is because of their curse: any creature who meets their gaze, even another of their kind, will be turned to stone. Some revel in this power. Others deal with it.
This is the reason that most medusas live near the Chrysoan Sea, their birthplace, in caves far away from civilization. Every once and a while an adventurer (or two) tries to take a medusa's head as a trophy. And they don't like that at all.
Medusas also known for their love of plants - they build gardens and harvest flowers with great consistency across the species.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

Slender, angular features. Beautiful in an odd, alien way.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Solely Moralus. It is the only country where they are allowed to live in peace.

Average Intelligence

Medusas are clever and intelligent, but they would not be considered wise by many people.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Medusas are born spontaneously, and do not have much interaction with others. As such, they do not take names unless absolutely necessary and when they do, the names are normally serpentine in nature or take after the herbs and flora that medusas surround themselves with.

Gender Ideals

Medusas are born exclusively female.

Contains directions for building a playable Medusa character in 5th edition Dungeons and Dragons.

Origin/Ancestry

Medusas are extremely rare, and generally unsociable people. They were first born when a pegasus, wounded in battle, flew out over the Chrysoan Sea. Everywhere a drop of it's blood fell, a medusa was born.

Lifespan

300 - 400 years

Average Height

5'4" - 6'2"

Average Weight

140 lbs

Average Physique

Slender.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Green skin with scales is common.

Related Ethnicities

• Moralan

To build a Medusa:

Your Charisma score increases by 2 and your Intelligence increases by 1

Age

Medusas are born when a pegasus' blood is spilled in the Chrysoan Sea. They rise fully formed in the foam, and normally live hundreds of years in solitude.

Alignment

Because of their status as pariahs, even amongst the denizens of Moralus, medusas have a cynical view of the world and tend towards chaotic.

Size

Medusas tend to stand between 5'4" - 6'2" and weigh around 140 lbs. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Petrifying Gaze

When a creature that can see your eyes starts its turn within 30 ft. of you, you can force it to make a Constitution saving throw if you aren't Incapacitated and can see the creature. The DC for this saving throw equals 8 + your Charisma modifier + your proficiency bonus. If the saving throw fails by 5 or more, the creature is instantly Petrified. Otherwise, a creature that fails the save begins to turn to stone and is Restrained. The Restrained creature must repeat the saving throw at the end of its next turn, becoming Petrified on a failure or ending the effect on a success. The petrification lasts until the creature is freed by the Greater Restoration spell or other magic. Unless surprised, a creature can avert its eyes to avoid the saving throw at the start of its turn. If the creature does so, it can't see you until the start of its next turn, when it can avert its eyes again. If the creature looks at you in the meantime, it must immediately make the save. If you see yourself reflected on a polished surface within 30 ft. of you and in an area of bright light, you are, due to your curse, affected by your own gaze. You can use this a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier per long rest.

Cursed Existence

The amount of people who would love to kill you is... substantial. You gain proficiency with shields, whips, short swords, and tridents.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Celestial.