AC 15 (natural armor)
HP 52 (7d8 + 21; bloodied 26)
Speed 20 ft., climb 10 ft.
Proficiency +2; Maneuver DC 12
Senses darkvision 30 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages —
ACTIONS
Stone Gaze (Gaze). The basilisk targets a creature within 60 feet. The target makes a DC 13 Constitution saving throw . On a failure, the target magically begins to turn to stone and is restrained . A lesser restoration spell ends this effect. At the beginning of the basilisk’s next turn, if still restrained, the target repeats the saving throw. On a success, the effect ends. On a failure, the target is petrified . This petrification can be removed with greater restoration or similar magic or with basilisk venom.
Venomous Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) piercing damage plus 10 (3d6) poison damage.
REACTIONS
Stone Glance. If a creature within 60 feet that the basilisk can see hits the basilisk with an attack, the basilisk uses Stone Gaze on the attacker.
Combat
The basilisk uses Stone Gaze and Stone Glance on anyone nearby that is not averting their eyes, and bites only if it has no such target.
Legends and Lore
With a History or Nature check, characters can learn the following:
DC 10 A basilisk’s gaze can turn its victims to stone.
DC 15 If you act quickly, lesser restoration can prevent petrification. If it’s too late, extracted basilisk venom can be used to unpetrify a creature, but victims don’t always survive the process.
A basilisk is a venomous eight-legged reptile that turns creatures to stone with its gaze.
Dangerous Guardians. Basilisks can be trained as pets and guardians, although the process is dangerous. They can learn to avoid meeting the eyes of specific creatures. A well-trained basilisk commands a high price, and even a basilisk egg is precious.
Basilisks are often used as guardians by blind creatures, such as grimlocks, and creatures immune to petrification, such as stone giants.
Killing Cure. The venom in a basilisk’s mouth removes petrification, allowing the beast to consume a petrified victim piece by piece. If a basilisk’s venom is extracted and spread on a petrified creature, the petrification ends—but the newly-cured creature takes 10 (3d6) poison damage from the venom.
1 Attacks on sight
2 Eating pieces of a statue
3 Immobile; doesn’t immediately attack but will meet your eyes if you examine it
4 Asleep
5 Protecting a clutch of eggs
6 Guarding treasure for its master
Wilderness Signs
1 Toppled statue of a griffon with one leg missing
2 Statue of a basilisk with shoulder and tail missing
3 Nest containing stone birds
4 Big lizard footprints
Underground Signs
1 Statue of a knight with sword raised
2 Heaped flagstones sheltering large eggs
3 A life-sized stone head lying on the floor
4 Stone rat statues sitting in a circle
Basilisks favor caves, mountains, and other rocky environments.
CR 3–4 Basilisk
Treasure 450 petrified gp on a petrified statue
CR 5–10 2 or 3 basilisks ; basilisk and 1d4 + 1 cockatrices
Treasure 400 gp, 800 sp, a golden-framed hand mirror (75 gp), a silver-and-pearl bracelet (125 gp), 1 dagger