Pathfinder Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Basilisk
(Creature)
Type Magical beast
CR 5
Environment any
Alignment

Source: Pathfinder Bestiary, pg(s). 29

Large land based lizards that are nearly as long as crocodiles Basilisks are sometimes referred to as the "King of Serpents". They are most renowned for their petrifying gaze.

Appearance[]

Despite its reputation as the king of serpents the basilisk is not a serpent at all but a foul tempered, eight legged lizard. The basilisk's two most unusual features are it two extra pairs of legs and it eyes which glow with an unnatural green fire, unfortunately few who see the basilisk's eyes live to tell the tale. The basilisk's appearance varies hugely depending on where it is from, as they can be found in many types of terrain their colour varies so they blend in with their environment, desert dwelling basilisks tend to be brown or tan while forest and swamp dweller tend to be a shade of green. There are also other small variations like the size of the spiky frill that runs down the basilisks back or the small horns that protrude from some basilisk's heads. In general basilisk are the same length as a crocodile, around twelve to fifteen feet and most weight in or around three hundred pounds.[1]

Habitat & Ecology[]

Basilisks can be found nearly anywhere, they seem to be able to adept to all sorts of terrain from the burning depths of the Cinderlands to the rain drenched swamps of the Sodden Lands. Wherever they settle basilisks seem to have similar taste in lairs, they generally seek out caves or burrows or any other sort of well sheltered areas. These lairs are easy to recognise as they are often surrounded by the petrified remains of creatures they have yet to eat. Basilisk are normally solitary creatures but they do come together to mate and sometime in particularly dangerous areas they form small groups for mutual protection.[1]

No one is quite sure of the origins of the basilisk, rustic folk tales claim that, like the cockatrice, basilisks hatched from the eggs of a snake that where incubated by roosters. There is little real support for this claim and their interactions with their environment makes it seem like they may be natural creatures. Like any other predator the basilisk spends much of its time looking for food. Its hunting technique is unique, it use its camouflage to get close to its prey then uses its gaze to turn them to stone. Basilisks gain their sustenance from devouring the nutrients from those they turn to stone, fortunately for those they hunt this process is slow and ineffective which makes basilisks generally lazy and sluggish.[1]

References[]

Advertisement