The following information may be out of date or entirely conceptual!
Basilisks is a widespread group of monsters that have the ability to inflict great harm upon a creature by its mearist look. Most commonly this stare takes on the form of petrification that being turning the flesh of the victim into stone or other such substance. Though there are many that may instead inflict horrible wounds, set ablaze or even metamorphosis their victims.
The term Basilisk is such a wide-ranging descriptor that is used to lump together many different creatures hailing from widely different lineages. No more is this represented than in the fact that even Medusi were once categorised as Basilisks at one point in history. Instead, Basilisk are usually grouped together into one of many subcategories based on the effect of their gaze.
For a creature to be categorised as a basilisk it usually has to meet the following criteria:
- Be a living creature.
- Have the supernatural ability to negatively affect a creature with the power of its gaze.
Many Basilisks are able to consume magic items and will actively seek them out if able. This often brings them into conflict with Medusi who tend to hoard such items.
While it has been tempting to for many rules with a few too many prisoners to make use of a Basilisk that turns its victims into a rare material type. It is an often overlooked fact that they actively consume the material they creat in most cases. Most Basilisks will not leave much evidence of their work unless they have been startled or defeated. They will often wither away quite quickly if they are deprived of this material. Indeed some Basilisk larder their victims in dense "gardens". {Trivia: A Medusas haul can also be called a garden if it is located outside, otherwise, it is known as a "gallery"}.
A command way to tell of to witch danger you are about to encounter if you come across statues is to look at their condition. If they are cracked and broken into pieces then you are likely feeling with a Basilisk. The more intact it is the closer the beast is likely to be located. If they are smooth in nature or kept in pristine condition you are likely dealing with a medusa. In fact, you may even be able to find a petrified Basilisk in their collection as the two creatures often clash rather one-sidedly in the medusas favour; Over her haul of magical items. If the statues do not quite match their surroundings then you are like dealing with a location of gargoyles. And if they start moving as soon as you approach them you are most certainly dealing with some sort of animated statues. Though you could probably tell about that last one for yourselves. {Eddit: Medusas are able to control the motion of some of their statues so you may still be dealing with a medusa on that last one.}
The name for a group of Basilisk changes based on the size and nature of the gathering. A large group of Basilisks is known as Disaster. Whereas a family unit is known as a Bustle. A group of males is known as a Gang. A group of females is known as a hearing.
It takes a lot of energy for a Basilisk to inflict their gaze upon a victim. Most will try and scare away perceived threats with loud noises and posturing before resorting to petrification or their equivalent. Many Basilisks are able to finally control the extent of the power of their gaze. This both allows them to simply stun non-prey items that are giving them problems but also to turn up their gaze to their deadliest levels in times of great danger. The full force of a Basilisk's gaze is not something that can be resisted under most circumstances and is affected far more by a creature's size as opposed to their thoroughness.
Most baslisks have very sensative eyes and do not like sudden flashes of bright light; Making mirrors an often used tool in warding them away. Unfortunaly most Baslisks are not able to turn themselves to stone.
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