Medium monstrosity, lawful evil
Armor Class 15 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points 127 (17d8+51)
Speed 30 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +3
Proficiency Bonus +7 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 (+0) | 15 (+2) | 16 (+3) | 12 (+1) | 13 (+1) | 15 (+2) |
Saving Throws (suggested) Con +6, Cha +5
Skills Deception +5, Insight +4, Perception +4, Stealth +5
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., passive perception 14
Languages Common
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)
Petrifying Gaze. When a creature that can see the medusa’s eyes starts its turn within 30 ft. of the medusa, the medusa can force it to make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw if the medusa isn’t incapacitated and can see the creature. If the saving throw fails by 5 or more, the creature is instantly petrified. Otherwise, a creature that fails the save begins to turn to stone and is restrained. The restrained creature must repeat the saving throw at the end of its next turn, becoming petrified on a failure or ending the effect on a success. The petrification lasts until the creature is freed by the greater restoration spell or other magic. Unless surprised, a creature can avert its eyes to avoid the saving throw at the start of its turn. If the creature does so, it can’t see the medusa until the start of its next turn, when it can avert its eyes again. If the creature looks at the medusa in the meantime, it must immediately make the save. If the medusa sees itself reflected on a polished surface within 30 ft. of it and in an area of bright light, the medusa is, due to its curse, affected by its own gaze.
ACTIONS
- Multiattack. The medusa makes either three melee attacks — one with its snake hair and two with its shortsword — or two ranged attacks with its longbow.
- Snake Hair. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage plus 14 (4d6) poison damage.
- Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
- Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 150/600 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) poison damage.
5th Edition Advanced Mode
Limiting the power of a character and making the overall difficulty of the game harder, does not reduce the creativity, indeed it does quite the opposite.
The Game Master has the option to use any and all of the instances proposed in this guide, or just some of them according to their preference.
It is the lack of something that move and motivate characters, not the abundance of it
DESCRIPTION
A medusa is a monstrous and hateful creature that is capable of petrifying any creature that meets its gaze. A typical medusa has a pale-skinned, very shapely woman’s form, standing 5 to 6 feet tall with the snakes adding up to another foot. Instead of hair, its head is covered in a mass of writhing snakes that can bite and inject venom into their targets. Its eyes glow with an intense red color and are visible up to 30 feet. At distances farther than 30 feet, the medusa is easily confused with a normal woman, but at distances of 20 feet or closer, its true nature is revealed. Its face is horrible and the snakes writhe constantly, especially if the medusa is excited.
Medusae are often vain and obsessed with their appearance, which is a result of a terrible curse that afflicted them in the past. Some legends say that the medusae were once beautiful humanoids who angered a goddess with their pride and arrogance, while others claim that they were corrupted by the influence of evil serpents or aberrations. Medusae wear human clothing such as loose dresses or robes, but they seldom wear armor and cannot easily wear helmets. Medusae may carry a knife, dagger, or short bow, but they may use other weapons depending on their preferences and availability. Medusae speak their own tongue and the common one.
COMBAT
Medusae are dangerous foes that rely on their petrifying gaze to immobilize and destroy their enemies. They can force any creature that can see their eyes within 30 feet to make a Constitution saving throw or begin to turn to stone. If the creature fails the save by 5 or more, it is instantly petrified. Otherwise, it is restrained and must repeat the save at the end of its next turn, becoming petrified on a failure or ending the effect on a success. The petrification lasts until the creature is freed by the greater restoration spell or other magic. A creature can avoid the gaze by averting its eyes, but then it cannot see the medusa until the start of its next turn. If the creature looks at the medusa in the meantime, it must immediately make the save. The medusa is also subject to its own curse and can be affected by its own gaze if it sees itself reflected on a polished surface within 30 feet and in an area of bright light.
Medusae are also proficient in melee and ranged combat, using their snake hair and weapons to attack their foes. Their weapons are usually coated with poison as well. Medusae are cunning and deceptive, often using their skills to lure or manipulate unsuspecting victims into their lairs or traps.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
Medusae are solitary creatures that live in secluded places, such as ruins, caves, forests, or deserts. They avoid contact with other races, especially those that remind them of their former beauty or curse. They often collect statues of their petrified victims as trophies or decorations, sometimes posing them in grotesque or humiliating ways. Medusae usually remove most of their victims from their lairs, but they may retain those that resemble interesting statues. The one form of treasure never found in a medusa’s lair is a mirror, as it can cause the medusa to turn to stone itself.
Medusae may occasionally ally with other evil creatures, such as yuan-ti, nagas, or cultists, but they are distrustful and paranoid of anyone who might betray them or covet their treasures. Medusae rarely mate with other medusae, as they find each other repulsive and competitive. They may seek out partners from other races, using charm or coercion to seduce them. The offspring of such unions are usually humanoids with some snake-like features, such as scales, fangs, or slitted eyes. These children are called maedar (male) or medusa (female), and they may inherit their parent’s curse or not depending on their fate.
ECOLOGY
Medusae are omnivorous creatures that can eat almost anything, but they prefer fresh meat from their petrified prey. They have a slow metabolism and can go for long periods without food or water. They are immune to poison and resistant to cold and acid. They have a lifespan of about 200 years, but they may age faster or slower depending on their curse.
Medusae have a complex relationship with magic and religion. Some medusae seek to remove their curse by finding a cure or appeasing the deity that inflicted it on them, while others embrace their curse as a gift or a weapon. Some medusae worship evil gods or goddesses that are associated with snakes, stone, or vengeance, such as Sseth, Zehir, or Shar. Others reject any form of worship and rely only on themselves.
Medusae have few natural predators, as most creatures fear their gaze and avoid them. However, some creatures may hunt them for their venom, scales, eyes, or hair, which can be used for various purposes. Examples of such creatures include basilisks, cockatrices, beholders, gorgons, harpies, manticores, sphinxes, and adventurers.
Medusa is employed as material component to empower the following spells: