Medusa
CR 7, LE Medium Monstrous humanoid
Senses: Perception 16, All-Around VisionThe creature sees in all directions at once. It cannot be flat-footed unless physically immobilized and is immune to sneak attack or flanking., Darkvision 60
Speed: 30 ft. Skills: Deception 10, Intimidation 13, Stealth 13
Languages: Common
Ability Scores: Str 10 (+3), Dex 15 (+11), Con 18 (+7), Int 12 (+10), Wis 13 (+10), Cha 15 (+11)
INIT: +6 CP: +8 HP: 76 (8d10+32) SA: -- DC: 20
AC: 15 Touch: 12 Flat-footed: 13 [+2 Dodge, +3 Natural]
SR: -- Vulnerable: -- Resistant: -- Bypass: --
Immunity: -- Effect Immunity: --
Petrification Gaze (ex, Gaze) - Players who look at the Medusa to target it or move toward it are automatically subject to its gaze attack (within 30 feet). They must make a Con save or be turned to stone (as Petrify). This save happens each turn before any of the player's other actions. Players can attempt to avoid the gaze by:
- a) Indirect Action: Players choose to indirectly look toward the Medusa. In doing so, the Medusa gains 1/2 cover and cannot be directly targeted by spells. Even so, there's still a 50% chance each round that the player accidentally catches the Medusa's gaze and must make a save.
- b) Blind Fighting: players can wear a blindfold, blind themselves, keep their eyes shut, use darkness, or use other means of fighting without vision. The Medusa gains 3/4 cover and essentially functions as if invisible.
Precise Shot (ex) - This cretaure gets a +3 on physical cover rolls made with ranged attacks.
Attacks
- Melee - 2 x dagger +10 (1d4/Dagger). Reach: 5 ft.
- Melee (Natural) - 1 x snake bite +8 (1d4 plus poison). Reach: 5 ft. Poison - Medusa Poison: 2d6 /3 STR until saved (DC 17)
- Ranged - 2 x mwk. longbow +11 (1d8). Range: 150/300/600
Gaze Attack (su) - As a standard action, on its turn, the Medusa may also attempt to actively gaze at a target. Doing so automatically triggers a save against its gaze (see description above). If the target is actively attempting to avoid the creature's gaze (indirect action), the gaze attack is considered to be against 3/4 cover. If the target is blind fighting, the gaze attack automatically fails.
Environment: temperate marshes and underground
Organization: solitary
Treasure: double (dagger, masterwork longbow with 20 arrows, other treasure)
This slender, attractive woman has strangely glowing eyes and a full head of hissing snakes for hair.
Medusas are human-like creatures with snakes instead of hair. At distances of 30 feet or more, a medusa can easily pass for a beautiful woman if she wears something to cover her serpentine locks-when wearing clothing that conceals her head and face, she can be mistaken for a human at even closer distances. Medusas use lies and disguises that conceal their faces to get close enough to opponents to use their petrifying gaze, though they like playing with their prey and may fire arrows from a distance to lead enemies into traps. Some enjoy creating intricate decorations out of their victims, using their petrified remains as accents to their swampy lairs, but most medusas take care to hide the evidence of their previous conf licts so that new foes won't have advance warning of their presence. Used to concealing themselves, medusas in cities are usually rogues, while those in the wilderness often pass themselves off as rangers or trackers. The most notorious and legendary medusas, though, are those who take levels as bards or clerics. Charismatic and intelligent, urban medusas are often involved with thieves' guilds or other aspects of the criminal underworld. Medusas may form alliances with blind creatures or intelligent undead, both of which are immune to their stony gaze. Spellcasting medusas often serve as oracles or prophets, usually dwelling in remote locations of legendary power or infamous history. Such oracle medusas take great delight in their roles, and if presented with the proper gifts and flattery, the secrets they offer can be quite helpful. Of course, the lairs of such potent creatures are liberally decorated with statues of those who have offended them, so the seeker of knowledge is well advised to tred carefully during such meetings. All known medusas are female. Rarely, a medusa may decide to keep a male humanoid as a mate, usually with the help of elixirs of love or similar magic, and is always careful to not petrify her prisoner-at least until she grows tired of his company.
