Basilisk Landwyrm

Basilisk Landwyrms are large reptilian-like creatures that stalk the swamp-like regions in eastern Thedas, primarily the Free Marches and Antiva. They are incredibly stealthy predators that could crush an entire goliath with a single bite of their jaw.
The name of this species is one of intrigue. For the longest time, they were believed to be descendants of dragons. They did not have wings, so they were dubbed "landwyrms". However, popular opinion changed when Rivaini fisher tales spread claiming that they were much more akin to leviathan-like creatures of the northern seas. The basilisk part of them was spread due to folktales claiming that any who met the creature's gaze would be petrified. While true for basilisks, this is not true for the basilisk landwyrm. It doesn't not petrify upon locking eyes, it instead entombs its enemies in its venom which hardens when coming into contact with air. Thus they are not truly petrified, only wholly swallowed in a stone prison. It's not always easy to deter story-tellers and common perceptions, so their name has never changed.

Basilisk Landwyrms have a venom that hardens only seconds after it comes into contact with air. When hardened, it is as tough as stone. Amazingly, these creatures are able to spit this venom more than a hundred feet away from them. They have been seen using this venom to build shelters for themselves. It has also been documented that they use this venom as both a defensive and offensive weapon. On the defensive front, a landwyrm can construct a dense stone wall to obstruct their enemies. When on the offensive, a basilisk can spray their venom in the air to either restrict someone close or to create a projectile if the target is far enough away.

Basic Information

Genetics and Reproduction

Landwyrms make nests in swampier regions, particularly around the Minanter River in the Free Marches and the Tellari Swamps in Antiva. They create nests that are similar in appearance to beaver dams. In these nests, the female will lay hundreds if not thousands of eggs. The overwhelming majority of the eggs fail to hatch, but those that do show an incredible strength and tenacity common in landwyrms. Of all those that hatch, usually only one or two survive past the first few years.
After reproducing, the mother and father leave each other.

Growth Rate & Stages

Landwyrms pass through four distinct stages of life. They are born as creatures the size of a minnow but very quickly during their first few years of life become a magnitude larger. They then seem to spend the next dozen or two dozen years following around their mother around. During this period of time, they show a milky white coloration in their eyes. It is believed that during this time, these young landwyrms are blind. If their mother is not around, often these landwyrms starve and die.
Once they gain their sight, they become very territorial and distance themselves from their parents and siblings. Once they feel the need, they eventually seek out a mate of the opposite gender and continue the cycle of life.
In their final years, a landwyrn undertakes a long voyage by themself out to the coasts of the Amaranthine Ocean where they bask in the sun until eventually they die. This can sometimes take years. During that time, the landwyrm rarely moves but as water crashes over their body they get covered in sand and sea salt. This allows them to blend in almost perfectly onto the coastal terrain. So long as they aren't stepped on or taunted, they show very little threat. When they die, their bodies can leave a putrid odor. Thankfully, they generally avoid popular beaches.

Ecology and Habitats

One can identify that they are in a basilisk landwyrm's habitat when they notice large scratchings in trees, carcasses mostly picked clean, or dense stone fragments which may indicate their recent use of venom in the area.