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Documentation Area

Document Path: /doc/monsters/medusa

Name:
	Medusa  (Magical Creature)

Stats:
	No. Appearing  : 1-3
	Climate/Terrain: Any
	Frequency      : Rare
	Organization   : Solitary
	Activity Cycle : Any
	Diet           : Omnivore

Description:
	Medusae are female humanoids with hair of swarming snakes. They are
	hateful creatures that can petrify any creature that meets their gaze.
	The typical medusa has a pale-skinned, very shapely woman's form. It
	stands 5 to 6 feet tall with the snakes adding up to another foot. At
	distances farther than 30 feet, the medusa is easily confused with a
	normal woman. Its red-glowing eyes are visible up to 30 feet. At dis-
	tances of 20 feet or closer, the medusa's true nature is revealed. Its
	face is horrible - the snakes writhe constantly, especially if the me-
	dusa is excited.

	Medusae wear human clothing such as loose dresses or robes. They seldom
	wear armour and cannot easily wear helmets. Medusae may carry a knife,
	dagger, or short bow. Medusae speak their own tongue and the common
	one.

Combat:
	The medusa tries to get close to a victim before it reveals its true
	nature. It will use its attractive body to lure males nearer while
	staying in the shadows. Once the medusa is within 30 feet, it strikes,
	trying to get its victim to look into its eyes. Any creature within 30
	feet is instantly turned to lifeless stone. If an opponent averts his
	eyes, the medusa rushes up so that its serpentine growths can attack.
	The range of such attacks is only 1 foot, but the victim dies of poi-
	son, if hit.

	The medusa retains its petrifying gaze after death, though the gaze
	gets weaker every day. If the medusa cannot easily use its normal tac-
	tics, it may resort to normal weapons such as knives and shortbows.

Habitat/Society:
	Medusae dwell in dark caves or the lower regions of large abandoned
	buildings. They arrange the lighting such that their homes are filled
	with flickering shadows.

	The present of petrified victims is a sure indicator of the occupant's
	true nature. For this, aesthetic, and other reasons, the medusa usually
	removes most of its victims. Those that resemble interesting statues
	may be retained; the rest are often broken into unrecognizable (and
	unrevivable) chunks.

	The one form of treasure never found in a medusa's lair is a mirror. If
	a medusa sees its own reflection in a mirror, it turns to stone itself.
	Reflection in nonmetallic reflectors such as water or polished stone
	have no such effect. Medusae are immune to the petrifying effect of
	another medusa.

	Medusae are infrequently driven to mate with humanoid males. The act
	always ends in the male's death, usually by petrifying when the medusa
	reveals its previously hidden visage. Two to six eggs are laid one
	month later and hatch eight months after that. The female hatchlings
	appear as baby girls with stubby green tendrils. The hatchlings are
	revolting to look at but cannot petrify. Medusae grow at the same rate
	as humans. At about age two the serpentine hair becomes alive and gains
	its poisonous bite. The medusa can petrify with the onset of adoles-
	cence.