Two classic monsters in a row, eh? Not only that, but this one is one of my favorite monsters from Greek mythology! How will they fit that into D&D lore, I wonder? I mean, they can’t exactly do the real story of Medusa.
Unless…
Lore: The Price of Eternity
There are many out there who are willing to pay the price for immortality. Unfortunately, few of them truly understand the consequence of doing so. Once enough time passes, the price is exacted, and they are transformed into a medusa. They are then rejected for their monstrous appearance and forced to live on the outskirts of civilization. Their refuges gradually degrade, as the medusa does nothing to keep it in shape. The only thing they’ll do is remove any reflective surface in order to prevent their own curse from claiming their lives.
While this does sadden my inner Greek mythology nerd, this is pretty decent lore with plenty of potential. Perhaps the players must confront a sinister immortal who is slowly becoming a medusa (calling it a medusa and not a gorgon is gonna be weird) and either help them find some kind of cure or try to slay them. Or they could simply wander through a ruined temple and find a medusa lurking within, like a classic Greek myth. It doesn’t make for a good campaign-long villain, but it works well for a side quest or a cool one-off encounter.
Design: New Story, Old Look
Hold on. If you’re gonna cut out all of the Greek inspiration from the story of the monster, then why does she still look Greek?
Unlike the lore, this design remains true to the origins of the monster. Between its clothing, jewelry, and its headpiece, the whole thing screams Greek. Perfect if you’re doing a campaign themed around that! But if you’re just slipping one of these into a normal D&D campaign, she’ll stick out like a sore thumb. Unless you take her look into your own hands.
Still, it isn’t a bad design. It doesn’t fit the lore, but it’s still cool looking. Her skin is as gray as stone, alluding to her deadly curse. The same thing goes for her glowing blue eyes; you can tell that there’s something dangerous and deadly hiding beneath that gaze.
And that realization is the last thing you’ll ever think.
It isn’t exactly creative or original. But it gets the job done and does it well. Even if it doesn’t quite fit the aesthetic set out by the lore.
Stats: My Eyes Are Up Here
For a low to mid-level boss monster, this one is… okay. It has a few unique abilities to help it stand out, but nothing you wouldn’t expect and nothing that really pushes the limits of your players, either stat wise or tactically.
It’s a fairly durable monster. Its AC isn’t monstrous, nor is it anything to roll your eyes at. On top of that, it’s got a fair bit of HP. Killing it is gonna take some time.
None of her attacks, however, are all that dangerous. While the base damage of her snake hair and longbow aren’t all that much, the extra poison damage on top of them is. Her shortsword doesn’t have this, making it a complete joke. Even with this extra poison, however, she’s not particularly deadly on the physical front.
Deadliest of all is her Petrifying Gaze. This is your typical ‘look at me and turn to stone’ curse. Should the victim save the saving throw by more than 5, they are instantly turned to stone. Otherwise, they’ll only gradually turn to stone. It is possible to avoid the gaze, but it makes striking the creature more difficult.
This one ability makes dealing with a medusa much more difficult and dangerous. Every single time you look at her, you’re putting your character in danger. Melee fighters and magic casters alike have to look at their target. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what she wants.
Still, that ability is pretty easily circumvented. Your players would have to be pretty stupid not to immediately think about going for the eyes and removing them from play. That’s just about the only thing that stresses creativity from the players. Once that is done, they can just beat her to death in a prolonged slugfest.
Placement
Overall, this is a middling monster. It has some strong lore, though there isn’t much of it. It’s design is strong, even if it doesn’t fit. The stats can make for a challenging fit, so long as your players don’t go for the eyes.
With all that in mind, let’s put the Medusa on the Best of the Bestiary!
- Beholder
- Death Tyrant
- Dragon Turtle
- Green Dragons
- Red Dragons
- Blue Dragons
- Black Dragons
- White Dragons
- Silver Dragons
- Couatl
- Behir
- Aboleth
- Sea Hag
- Lamia
- Bronze Dragons
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- Copper Dragons
- Gold Dragons
- Chuul
- Kuo-Toa
- Gibbering Mouther
- Kraken
- Intellect Devourer
- Chimera
- Death Knight
- Fomorian
- Bone Devil
- Dracolich
- Faerie Dragon
- Lich
- Magmin
- Kobold
- Kenku
- Hobgoblins
- Night Hag
- Green Hag
- Ankheg
- Hook Horror
- Storm Giant
- Hill Giant
- Empyrean
- Efreeti
- Grimlock
- Dao
- Cloud Giant
- Manticore
- Drow (all four of ’em)
- Shadow Demon
- Marilith
- Drider
- Aarackockra
- Azer
- Demilich
- Spectator
- Hydra
- Marid
- Harpy
- Werejackal
- Half-Dragon
- Cambion
- Fire Giant
- Animated Armor
- Banshee
- Basilisk
- Yochlol
- Bulette
- Cloaker
- Darkmantle
- Doppelganger
- Ghoul and Ghast
- Ettin
- Medusa <————————–
- Pit Fiend
- Erinyes
- Chain Devil
- Bearded Devil
- Barbed Devil
- Spined Devil
- Ice Devil
- Djinni
- Nalfeshnee
- Glabrezu
- Chasme
- Grell
- Barlgura
- Horned Devil
- Balor
- Shadow Dragon
- Werebear
- Lizardfolk
- Vrock
- Dretch
- Gnolls (all three)
- Goristro
- Hezrou
- Manes
- Frost Giant
- Weretiger
- Werewolf
- Duergar
- Quasit
- Dryad
- Flumph
- Goblin
- Wereboar
- Wererat
- Githyanki
- Planetar
- Imp
- Clay Golem
- Flameskull
- Displacer Beast
- Carrion Crawler
- Githzerai
- Grick
- Invisible Stalker
- Rug of Smothering
- Bugbear Chief
- Bugbear
- Flesh Golem
- Vine Blight
- Twig Blight
- Needle Blight
- Bullywug
- Hellhound
- Ettercap
- Gas Spore
- Cockatrice
- Lemure
- Homonculus
- Solar
- Deva
- Gorgon
- Hippogriff
- Griffon
- Cyclops
- Centaur
- Ghost
- Fire Elemental
- Water Elemental
- Air Elemental
- Stone Giant
- Deep Gnome
- Dinosaurs (All six of them)
- Iron Golem
- Stone Golem
- Earth Elemental
- Galeb Duhr
- Helmed Horror
- Flying Sword
- Crawling Claw
- Violet Fungus
- Shrieker
- Gargoyle
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