Monster of the Week: Medusa

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I was going to write an article about Cockatrices, having been killed by one in NetHack (a Rogue-like game, more on NetHack later this week). However, I found 4E D&D doesn’t have them… yet. It’s possible they’ll be in the MM2, which is released in May. *sigh* While I like the DM-friendliness of the 4E MM, I wish they’d put all the classic monsters in the first one. Well, I guess you can’t blame them for trying to make a bit more money. Wait… yes you can… huh.

Aaaanway, I will thus be covering a similar monster which, like Cockatrices, can turn people to stone. Yup, Medusas. The D&D folk managed to go back in time, kidnap the original mythological gorgon, and clone her so now we have lots of Medusas! Medusas for everyone! Yay!

Fundamentally, Medusas want the same as anyone else. They are just another creature in D&D, trying to make a living. Naturally, being able to kill with a gaze means they fit better as, say, a leader of a Thieves Guild rather than a shop assistant. In fact, their natural abilities make them extremely good assassins: even if they don’t petrify their target, Medusas are poisonous.

With that in mind, there’s no surprise that Medusas are statted with a bow in hand. They’re intelligent creatures, and will use any advantage possible. In 4E, they use their own poison on their arrows: I see no reason why a clever Medusa couldn’t do this in 3.5, so go ahead, if you want. Anyway, their intelligence means more than just weapon choice: it should affect how a Medusa is encountered, and how it behaves and fights.

Do not use Medusas as random monsters in the wilderness. If you want to do that, use a Basilisk: it does basically the same thing, but is a stupid monster actually suited to such a role. Medusas are like humans: they think, they have goals, they have desires. Work out why a Medusa is where it is. Remember that a Medusa in regular society has to cover its face somehow to conduct any conversation of decent length, so do not place a Medusa in a social position where this would not be possible.

The classic tale of D&D medusas is the petrified bodies of foes left as statues around the Medusa’s home. Think whether this would be appropriate. If the Medusa is solitary, or has enough power in society, this is fine. Think Narnia White Witch. Don’t go leaving evidence if you can’t defend yourself.

Here’s a couple of plot ideas for using a Medusa.

Plot 1: Thieves Guild

The Medusa has come into command of a Thieves Guild. The headquarters is decorated with statues of her enemies, as warnings to those who would cross her. Her thieves obey not just through fear, but also loyalty, because they realise the power she brings to the guild. The city guard are too afraid of her personal power to try to take her down, but she is becoming a menace to the city. The PCs are hired to take her down.

Plot 2: Assassin

An important noble, or a friend of the PCs, has been killed. Healers have found he was killed by a poisoned arrow, but cannot identify the poison. The PCs are to track down the killer. Investigations into the poison find that no known source has been selling this poison, and no Thieves Guild can identify it. Consulting with a specialist alchemist, ranger, or druid reveals the poison is that of a Medusa.

Now, once you have your Medusa plot, the chances are is the PCs will end up fighting it. Things just happen that way. Also, Medusas are obviously confident in their abilities, so why would they try to chat their way out of a difficult situation? However, if they look like they are losing, Medusas are just as likely as any other intelligent creature to try to flee or surrender.

3.5 Edition

Eek. Save or Die gaze attack. Yeah, I know, that’s kind of the point, but the aim of D&D is for everyone to have fun. I’m sure earlier editions had Protection from Petrification as a spell… perhaps grant the players some in scroll form? One thing I would recommend is take a leaf out of 4E’s entry: the blood of a recently dead Medusa, if dripped in the mouth of a Petrified person, (+ a DC20 Heal check) can revive someone. This makes the whole encounter a lot more friendly.

As mentioned earlier, I would allow the Medusa to have poisoned arrows. They aren’t tough, and no Medusa is stupid enough to stick around in melee if they can help it. Sniping with poisoned arrows and gaze attacks really is the way to go, to make the Medusa a credible foe.

Other than that, there’s not much to say on the 3.5 Medusa. I would recommend getting familiar with the Gaze Attack rules (srd link) before running a Medusa against a party.

4th Edition

Ah, some variety! Whilst I first read someone’s idea of male Medusas in a 1st-Edition-era Dragon magazine, they’re finally main-stream. There’s three types, now: two are female with Petrification attacks, the other is male with a Daze Gaze. Heh. Daze Gaze. There’s a Controller (level 10 female), Soldier (level 13 male), and a Skirmisher (level 18 female).

The Petrification attacks are far weaker than 3.5, since the target has to be hit, then fail 2 saves to be Petrified. The male’s gaze disables far faster, and causes Daze and Weakness. Very nice.

Naturally, the real strength of both the male and female Medusas is when you combine them. The two types of gaze attacks plus strong ranged and melee attacks make the match perfect. You can, of course, throw either at the party alone, but the female Medusa in particular will suffer, unless she can run around and hide a lot.

The level 18 version is a Skirmisher, and lacks the bow of the lesser one. I don’t really like this creature so much as the others: it doesn’t feel right. The others are Elite, this isn’t, and the tactics and abilities feel like you should have a swarm of them, which just feels wrong. Isn’t even trained in Intimidate.

When running these, I would recommend making sure everyone in the group knows the Saving Throw rules properly, because nearly every Medusa attack creates Save Ends conditions. In addition, don’t forget that the level 10 and 13 Medusas each have an Action Point.

With either edition, just remember: the aim is not to kill the PCs, but to produce the illusion of near-death for all involved. Allow petrified people to come back to life, or it’s just not fun.

Come back next week, for another Monster. Happy gaming!

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