HOME | DD

Basilisk — Description

The wilds and its strange lands hold plenty of dangers, with the biggest being the beasts that roam it. Legion Shrews, Barbed Ogres, Lesser Dragons and more, the list seems endless when you ask terrified folk. Of course, if you listened to them wholly, you would think this entire continent plagued with monsters and fiends, which isn't the case. Fear and paranoia creates more terrible creatures and horror stories tied to them than actually exist. Not every missing person was devoured by rabid beasts, but the imagination does love that story. After all, certain species leave quite the impression on the populace, be they in the fringes or in more civilized regions. Hunting methods so gruesome, abilities so strange, that folk cannot help but fear them before they even meet one in real life. There are certainly some people who think you are doomed the second you even see one of these terrors, so scared they are of them. This is hyperbole of course, but for one species, that can be reality...
The basilisk is a feared serpent that slithers through the wilds. Though it may not be the longest of serpents, its size is terrifying enough, and the bulk of its body gives it greater strength. For sure it can constrict and bite like any other snake, but that isn't what scares people. As one will find, the chilling tales of its power are quite literal, as the basilisk is a wielder of Tears. The icy energeiai of Tears flows through its body, to the point where folks can identify its presence by a subtle drop in air temperature. The spikes that run down its body are said to be freezing to the touch, and its club-like tail rattles like loose ice chunks. With serpents, the greatest weapon they wield is typically their bite, but the basilisk dispenses death through a different method. After all, the organa of Tears is the eye...
The gaze of the basilisk is its deadliest weapon, for it emits the freezing energeiai of Tears. Wherever it looks, a chilling aura is inflicted, the strength of it determined by how close the observed area is to the icy eyes. Near the serpent, its gaze can cause frost to form on plants, and an icy sheen to cover the ground and structures. Within throwing distance, surfaces are cool to the touch and some beings may see their own breath. Going further, the effects are greatly diminished, though some folk swear that you may feel a sudden chill run down your spine when a far away basilisk spots you. This may be your only warning to shield your eyes, as one wrong look can mean your doom.
Making eye contact with the basilisk is when victims feel its true power, as its gaze seems to set off a terrible reaction within. It is believed that the basilisk is capable activating the Tears within prey's own eyes, and unleashing a freezing effect through their whole body. Within the first moment of eye contact, the victim's eyes are afflicted with a paralytic chill, preventing their lids from closing so they cannot sever the connection. From there, the iciness begins to rapidly spread through the body, running from the head, down the neck and into the torso. The cold saps all organa it touches, weakening magic and the blessings of the Humors. The cold hits the arms quickly after, slowing joints to make physical combat and shielding of the eyes difficult. At last, it reaches the legs, locking them in place so the victim cannot flee. This happens within seconds of maintained eye contact, which is often enough to seal their fate. Continued eye contact from there strengthens the cold, dropping internal heat and causing flesh to harden and freeze. In ten seconds, a human sized victim may be frozen solid, the time changing if prey is bigger or smaller. The basilisk will do its best to keep eyes locked for as long as possible, ensuring prey is completely frozen. Once it is done, their club-like tail lashes out and smashes them to pieces, and the basilisk feeds on the chunks. Those who are not entirely ice are not spared, in fact, they face a worse fate. If the basilisk cannot freeze you entirely, but has you chilled and immobilized, its saw-like teeth will get to work. And in that state, you are probably still alive when it starts chewing you into pieces.
The freezing gaze of the basilisk is a terrifying weapon indeed, for all it takes is one slip up to be transformed into an ice sculpture. While some may think avoiding eye contact is easy, the basilisk is no simple foe. It possesses three eyes, two on the side of the skull and one greatly developed parietal eye on top. This gives it an incredible field of vision, and more chances for prey to make fatal eye contact. The large parietal eye is said to be even more potent than the smaller ones, and it is the organa the basilisk uses the most to channel its energeiai. The serpent does not rely on mere chance to catch foes, instead wielding its gaze to better its odds. The parietal eye unleashes its chilling vision upon the environment, coating the land with a slick icy sheen. They favor flat surfaces and solid ground so that the ice patches may cause prey to slip and fall. Downed prey is easy prey, and victims may not be wary of where they are looking when they try to get back on their feet. Basilisks may spread their generated frost onto certain spots and let it melt, then freeze the resulting water to create better traps. Basilisks my also utilize nearby fluid bodies, especially water, to further torment prey. Slick spots may be generated near ponds and pools so that the victim slides in and gets soaked. Sometimes they may even ambush prey and give a helpful push to knock them in. When prey emerges from the water, its gaze is unleashed and their soaked clothing becomes an icy prison.
What makes it worse is that even though the basilisk may live in warm climates, its body is well adapted to living on ice. Its belly scales are designed to grip slick surfaces, and paddle-like limbs help grab and push. While prey struggles on the ice rink it generates, the basilisk slithers about with ease, making the hunt an almost graceful dance. Basilisks typically set up a territory where they create their cunning traps and use their gaze to maintain the ice even during warm days. However, they typically do this subtly, so that their presence is not obvious. Signs of their territory comes from slight changes in air temperature, frost bitten plants and a nearby lair that exudes the cold of winter. Due to the basilisk using sight to take down prey, they hunt primarily during the day, taking shelter at night. However, in leaner times, the serpent may take to the darkness and use the cover to physically assault its food. The chilling aura of its sight still works, but the eye contact effects are weakened due to the low light making it harder to lock on. Regardless, the basilisk is strong and smart, it knows how to fight when handicapped. For man, darkness is a weakness, making it hard to navigate or see an attacker, and the basilisk will take advantage of that. They will use belly slides and icy surfaces to disorient and attack from blind spots. A way to get your bearings is to bring a light source, but of course, you know the basilisk is just as eager for that...
A thing to note is that the basilisk does not constantly emit this freezing gaze, as it possesses a special pair of eyelids. The eyes are protected by clear ocular scales, but an extra translucent membrane can be pulled over these as a dampener for its power. This is to help conserve energeiai when at rest, but with a cover that is transparent enough that they can still see. This can be seen when the basilisk sleeps, the membrane conserving energeiai but allowing them to notice approaching foes. In a moment, the cover can slide clear and its gaze can be unleashed. It can also serve as a protector when bright lights are used to disorient it, shielding the eye til the offending illumination has faded. Due to the membrane giving a cloudier look to the eye when in use, some may make the mistake that the basilisk is blind or dead. In combination with its chilling aura and low body temperature, certain legends describe the basilisk as an undead being, the risen corpse of a demonic serpent.
No surprise that the basilisk is feared, for how does one deal with a beast that cannot be looked at? What does one do when a single glimpse can kill? Horror stories speak of basilisks stalking caravans or travelers who walk in line, picking them off one by one from behind as victims are silently frozen solid. Its chilling rattle causes panic, typically resulting in people covering their eyes and fleeing. However, it is believed that basilisks have learned this behavior, and are starting to take advantage of it. Fearful prey that cannot see is prone to making a fatal blunder, and the basilisk's rattle may do well to scatter the pack and leave at least on fool vulnerable. Some even believe their gaze is hypnotic, making it difficult to break free once eyes are locked, though that is probably the freezing effect. During colder months, its power may seem weaker, yet the basilisk is in its element, easily navigating frozen areas and harassing bulkier, bundled-up prey. In those times, it may use its own spit to soak clothing and victim, making it easier to freeze them.
While it seems like the basilisk is the ultimate terror, a monster one cannot even look at, it can be beaten. For their fatal weapon to work, they need eye contact, and smart warriors can protect themselves from it. Tinted goggles like bileforgers use can dampen the effects while still allowing some vision. Some warriors use reflective surfaces to navigate the battlefield instead of direct eye contact, while others may abandon vision entirely and rely on other senses. This will prevent the fatal energeiai from claiming you, but the chilling powers remain. Yellowflame and other warm sources can help fight the cold and melt its traps, though its gaze does dampen any fire it sees. Bright lights, fogs and other visual disrupters can disorient it and weaken its power, giving fighters a chance to outmaneuver it or land a decisive blow. Obviously, its eyes are the main target, as destroying them will rob it of its greatest power. The scales that cover them are quite sturdy, requiring a hefty blow or stab to break through. However, one doesn't have to gouge them out to remove them from battle. Paints and thick fluids can be splattered onto its eyes, covering its scales and thus cutting off its sight. The membrane and tongue may be used to wipe these away, but the cleaning process takes time, and a quick warrior can easily gain the upper hand. Just be wary of its powerful coils, hefty tail and sharp spikes. A blinded basilisk is a not a defenseless basilisk.
Though they are seen as terrible monsters, basilisks can bring more to the table than just death. Their scales and spines make excellent cold weather gear, creating armors that are sleek yet able to retain the body heat of those who wear it. Some assassins have found it to be great for stealthy suits, as it is flexible, tough and has a cool exterior that hides them from guards and beasts that hunt by heat. The eyes of a basilisk are a valuable material, fetching a high price for those who can retrieve them intact. They are potent ingredients in potions and used in certain rituals, while their eye jelly can be used to infuse weapons or even be eaten as a delicacy. Some have been able to use the fresh eye of a basilisk as a weapon, preserving it so they may wield its chilling gaze. Usually it is used as a lethal security system, embedded into doors, vaults, chests and other places that look to keep away thieves and intruders. When a certain trigger is set off, the protective lid will open up and the surprised offender will face the power of its fatal sight. It is a trap used by those who have money, power and a sadistic streak, as they find amusement in the frozen statues of would-be thieves.
Those even more insane may raise basilisks as guards, letting the cunning serpent serve as protector of valuable vaults. They often are used with goods that benefit from a colder environment, the basilisk serving as guardian and preserver with its chilling aura. Some claim that the Academy has basilisks slithering about in areas where fluids and experiments are kept in cold storage, though not a whole lot of proof has been provided for these rumors. The problem is, basilisks are smart, which is good for training and creating a powerful ally, but not so great when said ally starts wondering if you would make a better meal than a partner...
-----------------------------
The King of Serpents-yes-I-know-it-looks-like-a-fish-but-I-swear-