Medusa 5 (15)

Lost Company Press

The Medusa is a serpent-haired monstrosity whose gaze can petrify the unwary. This aberrant creature was once beautiful, but now exudes a malevolent grace. Scales glitter amidst the writhing serpents atop her head, and her eyes glimmer with eldritch energy. The Medusa holds grudges like old coins, counting and recounting them as she lies in wait within her accursed lair.

Motive: To punish and petrify those who wrong her, intentionally or not

Environment: Secluded ruins, caves, and ancient temples filled with stone statues of the unfortunate (Underground)

Health: 15

Damage: 5 points

Armor: 2

Movement: Short

Modifications: Stealth as level 6; Deception and Speed defense as level 6; Intellect defense as level 6 due to cunning nature

Combat: The Medusa attempts to deceive adventurers into looking into her eyes, engaging in a deadly dance of avoidance and misdirection. A successful Intellect attack that beats the target's defense causes the victim to become petrified, turning to stone over the course of a few rounds unless they succeed on a Might defense roll each round to resist the transformation.

• Gaze of Petrification: Witnessing the Medusa's direct gaze requires an immediate Intellect defense roll to avoid the petrifying effect.
• Serpent Strike: The living serpents on the Medusa's head can extend to strike, causing 4 points of damage and potentially injecting a paralyzing venom.
• Shard Shatter: The Medusa can target stone statues in the area, especially those of former victims, to shatter and send sharp fragments flying, dealing 3 points of damage in an immediate area and possibly creating a cloud of obscuring dust.

Interactions: The Medusa is a cunning negotiator, using her voice to lure or mislead. She may bargain with those who can provide her something she desires, but always with a sinister agenda.

Uses: An ancient curse has awakened the Medusa, whose wrath now threatens to spill out into neighboring lands unless brave souls confront her.

Loot: Victims of the Medusa often carry treasure or valuable information, now entombed within their stony forms.

GM Intrusion: As a character avoids the Medusa's gaze, they step back onto a loose stone tile, triggering a cascade of noise that echoes through the chamber—alerting the Medusa or her minions to their exact location.