Basilisk, Whelp

Family: Basilisk

Small monstrosity, neutral

Armor Class 15 (natural Armor)
Hit Points 11 (2d6 + 4)
Speed 20 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
13 (+1)	8 (-1)	15 (+2)	2 (-4)	8 (-1)	7 (-2)

Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9
Challenge ¼ (50 XP)

ACTIONS

• Petrifying Glare (Recharge 4-6). The basilisk whelp glares at a target within 60 feet that it can see. The target must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or turn to stone, becoming petrified until the start of the basilisk’s next turn.
• Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) piercing damage plus 3 (1d6) poison damage.

REACTIONS

• Protective Gaze. When a friendly creature that the basilisk whelp can see would take damage, the basilisk whelp can use its reaction to take the petrifying glare action, targeting that friendly creature, before the damage is dealt (the creature may choose to fail the saving throw).

ABOUT

Basilisk hatchlings are crocodilian reptiles with scales ranging from gold to rust to black or emerald green. Fresh hatchlings are about the length of a human arm from head to tail, with six short, clawed legs and long rows of needle-like teeth. Full grown basilisks are feared throughout the realms for their ability to turn flesh to stone with their powerful gaze. Even as hatchlings, a nascent ability to briefly paralyze living creatures reveals itself when the hatchlings are startled or threatened.

Stone Matriarchs. Basilisk whelps are born in small clutches of no more than a dozen or so eggs, watched over by a basilisk matriarch. After laying her eggs, the matriarch slowly turns to stone, her petrified body deterring predators and providing a first meal full of vital nutrients for her hatchlings. Poachers that are able to get a old of an intact petrified matriarch can earn enough gold to live in luxury, particularly if they can seize her unhatched brood as well.

Golden Eggs. Despite the great danger involved, many of the realm’s bravest and most ambitious hunters seek out the basilisk to prove themselves against its legend. Most fail, their hubris immortalized in stone in countless swamps and forests. A lucky few succeed against all odds and return, always with a tale and, in some rare cases, with eggs. Basilisk eggs are a rare treasure, invaluable both for the reagents they provide and because basilisks are smart enough to train. Tended from a young age, basilisks can be molded into fierce protectors, provided the trainer makes careful use of blinders.