Page 1 of 1
Fleshing out a Medua
Posted: Sat May 18, 2013 6:37 pm
by AxeMental
I'm trying to flesh out a medusa for a dungeon I'm writing and looking for ideas (something a little beyond standard is what I'm going for, but not hokey). Being humanoid I've always thought these would be neat to develop a little. I want to stick with any precedent already established in any of the source material you can think of, including the modules and Dragon. For instance, did any of the appearances of medusas have magical spell abilities (priestesses, shaman etc.), did they use any particular weapons of interest, have special magic? I've always wondered if they might know how to craft stone to flesh scrolls. Just anything you can think of might be helpful. Thanks.
Re: Fleshing out a Medua
Posted: Sat May 18, 2013 7:58 pm
by deathanddrek
Vornheim has the following spin on medusae (some snippets):
It is known to some scholars that the skins of all snakes can be read like books. Those who speak the serpent language know that these creatures continuously hiss their titles...
--
The snakes growing from the heads of medusae are generally reference works and the medusae themselves are often cata- loguers – tending private libraries contain- ing nothing but caged snakes, selectively breeding exotic and daring new works...
--
Once, demons ruled every universe, unchecked. Then came 12 sisters – medusae – they looked upon the demon kings and changed them to stone, and drove the rest away. The grey bones of this earth were hewn from the petrified bodies of these demon kings. Or at least that’s what the 12 sisters will tell you.
At any rate, though masked and monstrous, the twelve sisters are respected in all nations. One of the most civilized of the sisters – Eshrigel – has long lived in Vornheim.
Re: Fleshing out a Medua
Posted: Sun May 19, 2013 7:26 pm
by genghisdon
I think you want this in homebrew.
One can do innumerable takes on medusa/gorgons; ranging from starting over from greek myth versions, re-imaginings like the Vornheim example or from the Conan story "black tears" or whatnot, or just taking one of the D&D versions add modifying by adding class abilities or monster abilities.
How powerful is she to be?
Re: Fleshing out a Medua
Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 2:32 am
by AxeMental
genghisdon wrote:I think you want this in homebrew.
One can do innumerable takes on medusa/gorgons; ranging from starting over from greek myth versions, re-imaginings like the Vornheim example or from the Conan story "black tears" or whatnot, or just taking one of the D&D versions add modifying by adding class abilities or monster abilities.
How powerful is she to be?
Its something I want confined to "done before" in this case (so sorta official) modules, Dragon, etc. I am unaware of any medusa's that had any powers outside MM.
Re: Fleshing out a Medua
Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 4:11 am
by Kellri
You could be just really nasty and insist any PC in melee with the medusa must make a saving throw every round. Barring blindfolds, no blind-fighting bullshit either.
Re: Fleshing out a Medua
Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 3:19 pm
by genghisdon
AxeMental wrote:genghisdon wrote:I think you want this in homebrew.
One can do innumerable takes on medusa/gorgons; ranging from starting over from greek myth versions, re-imaginings like the Vornheim example or from the Conan story "black tears" or whatnot, or just taking one of the D&D versions add modifying by adding class abilities or monster abilities.
How powerful is she to be?
Its something I want confined to "done before" in this case (so sorta official) modules, Dragon, etc. I am unaware of any medusa's that had any powers outside MM.
Well, I don't think much of anything special/unique was done with a Medusa in "official" 1e then.
Kellri wrote:You could be just really nasty and insist any PC in melee with the medusa must make a saving throw every round. Barring blindfolds, no blind-fighting bullshit either.
Isn't that the default/BTB?