Medusa, Greater

This creature appears as a large female with glistening green scales, snakes for hair, and the lower torso of a giant snake.

Medusa, Greater (CR 8)

Large Monstrous Humanoid
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Initiative: +1
Senses: Darkvision 60 feet; Perception +12

Speed: 30 feet
Space: 10 feet

Defense

Armor Class: 16, touch 10, flat-footed 15 (+1 Dex, +6 natural, -1 size)
Hit Points: 60 (8d10+16)
Saving Throws: Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +7

Offense

Melee: dagger +9/+4 (1d4+2/19-20) or snakes +9 (1d4 plus poison)
Reach: 10 feet
Ranged: composite shortbow +9/+4 (1d6+2/x3)

Special Attacks: petrifying gaze, poison, Poisonous Blood

Statistics

Str	Dex	Con	Int	Wis	Cha
14 (+2)	12 (+1)	15 (+2)	12 (+1)	13 (+1)	15 (+2)

Base Attack Bonus: +8
CMB +11
CMD 22 (can't be tripped)

Feats: Precise Shot, Rapid Shot, Weapon Focus (Composite Shortbow)

Skills: Bluff +10, Disguise +10, Intimidate +13, Perception +12, Stealth +8

Languages: Common, Terran

Special Abilities

Petrifying Gaze (Su)

Turn to stone permanently, 30 feet, Fortitude DC 16 negates. The save DC is Charisma-based.

Poison (Ex)

Bite-injury; save DC 16; frequency 1/round for 6 rounds; effect 1d6 Strength damage; cure 1 save. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Poisonous Blood (Ex)

The blood of a greater medusa is highly poisonous even to the touch. A creature contacting the blood is exposed to the poison of the medusa as described above. The blood loses its potency one hour after being exposed to air.

Ecology

Environment: Temperate Marshes
Organization: solitary or covey (greater medusa plus 1-2 medusas)
Treasure: double standard


The greater medusa is a rare form of the normal medusa. They are very solitary creatures and dwell far from civilization, rarely leaving their lairs. In all other respects, they behave as the normal medusa (see the Pathfinder Roleplaying Games Bestiary).

A greater medusa attempts to disguise itself until its prey is within range. It then unveils its face and attempts to petrify its chosen victim. Creatures that avert their eyes are attacked with the greater medusa's snakes and weapons.

Credit The Greater Medusa originally appeared in the Second Edition Monstrous Compendium I (© TSR/Wizards of the Coast, 1989) and is used by permission.

Copyright Notice Author Scott Greene, based on original material by Wizards of the Coast.