Basilisk

Gregory! Don't look at it! No, you fool! I said don't look at......*sigh*.....Damned idiot apprentice! Tell him to do one thing and he does another! -Sir Raust Lohar, Royal Knight

Basilisk

The common Basilisk tends to stalk its prey in small groups, preferring to isolate one that it sees as the tastiest by turning its companions to stone, taking them out of the fight. Basilisks are almost completely fearless and very willing to fight against unfavorable odds if it means a good meal. The most common variant of this creature is a dull brown and about 7 feet in length from snout to tail tip, and weighs around 200 lbs. They can most often be found in darkly shaded forest areas and nearby caves

Basilisk Characteristics

The basilisk, if not for it's legendary petrifying gaze, would already be a ferocious predator. Much larger then a common lizard, Basilisks can grow as large as 8 feet in length, including their tails. The bulk of their body is aroun 4-5 feet in length, and they weigh from 200-250 lbs. Basilisk skin colors range from dark grey to pale greens, yellows, or browns. They are most commonly covered and spines and small horns running from the ridge of their brow down along the length of their tails. Basilisks have small, pointy teeth that they use to tear at their opponents should their primary method of attack be unavailable. The most notable feature on a basilisk is of course their eyes, which glow with an eerie pale yellow light that swirls around the milk white pupil.

History

Basilisks are well known throughout time as a great nuisance to would-be heroes. Their unusual ability to turn others to stone through their gaze has been made the stuff of legends, and as such, many powerful creatures of higher intelligence capture and train the animals, often times as guardians to an area that they want well protected. Once a basilisk accepts it's position, the owner usually steers clear of the spot himself to avoid the same fate as any potential usurpers.

Culture

Basilisks are usually solitary creatures, however they raise their young like most reptiles, and it is not uncommon to find a nest of 3-5 eggs near an adult basilisk. Shortly after hatching, the brood will depart to find their own lairs and food sources, their gaze making surviving the process of natural selection much easier than it otherwise would be for creatures of this size. Basilisks can appear in most areas, and are highly adaptable, varying in appearance and physical attributes depending on the climate. Most commonly Basilisk lairs are found in dark caves, not too far removed from the surface lands where they can find easy prey. A tell tale sign of a Basilisk lair are seemingly random appearing stone "sculptures" strewn about in disorder, or perhaps tipped over and shattered. These are most often beings or objects that for one reason or another, the Basilisk could not consume.