Basilisk eyes [Archive] - Wizards Community

Basilisk eyes [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Argo
07-22-06, 12:01 AM hey everybody.

my players (4th level cleric, rogue, ranger) have just defeated a basilisk in the desert. the rogue gouged out the basilisk's eyes and now has them in his pouch. the whole party is now excited about their newfound power to turn their enemies to stone.
my question is this: what should i do about this? should i let them use these eyes to turn people to stone? since the basilisk is dead, are the eyes now useless? should i give the eyes one shot apiece? should they be unlimited use for a limited time? or limited use for an unlimited time?

thoughts?

thanks.

--Argo
bitswordmaker
07-22-06, 12:23 AM According to the book, there's no limit on how many times per day it can be used. So, here's what I'd do.

I would make it still useable, however, since a basilisk's sight works when the creature wants it to, I'd say they have no control over it. I would actually make it so they're working all the time, and anything the pupil of the eye "sees" is what can be turned to stone. So that means that the bag their holding it in, or the pocket, has to make a Fortitude save, or be turned to stone. Devious isn't it? ;)
That also means when a PC reaches in to get them, I'd make them roll a luck save, to see if they're hit by the eye's attack, and get turned to stone. This may become enough of a nuisance that they drop them on the side of the road somewhere.

Have fun :D
Zombayz1
07-22-06, 12:27 AM None of the above. All of those are potetial game-breakers.

I would say, have them be a power component for flesh to stone, ie: using them as a spell component for a FtS spell results in a +2 to the DC to resist.

Just my opinion, feel free to disregard.
IceFractal
07-22-06, 05:16 AM Officially, the eyes are now useless.

However, why spoil the fun that way? It shouldn't be imbalancing to let the eyes have some use (but not unlimited). Some options:
1) The eyes work once each, but then burn out.
2) The eyes work to an unlimited extent for a while, but then they start to rot. Gentle Repose will stop the rot, but put the eyes in stasis, rendering them useless. They can animate the eyes as undead, but that will be expensive.
3) The eyes continue working, but randomly. They might work fine for a couple rounds, then stop, then start again unexpectedly when the PCs are looking at them to see what the trouble is.
Damren
07-22-06, 12:02 PM I would have to agree with Zombayz1. But, you could add a few caveats.

As they are eyes of a living creature, they will change & decay now that the creature is dead. They may have retained some magical vitality for a few hours at most, but then, I think it should be gone. The only exception would be in the case of a Legendary or Epic creature (such as Perseus cutting off the Medusas head & using it as a weapon).

You might make the PCs aware of an alchemy formula called 'StoneGlow'. Rare and potent, it uses Basilisk Eyes as the primary reagent. It can be used a few different ways. A weaker blend packaged like Alchemist Fire causes any who get hit to be turned to stone, paralyzed or slowed at the very least (you might give some type of save here for lesser affects). A stronger version can been used in to fill clear vials placed at the center of a bullseye lantern. Once primed, the glow lasts for several hours before fading & act just like an active basilisk glaze.
Delfedd
07-22-06, 02:21 PM There was a thing in Dragon A while back about doing a similar thing. It was a "silicon sorcery" Article on God of War. They made a feat which allowed you to use the power of the gaze attack by holding the object in their hand.

I'd say Definately no control over when they activate. Or alternately, the gaze attack could function as hold person.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Argo 07-22-06, 12:01 AM	hey everybody. my players (4th level cleric, rogue, ranger) have just defeated a basilisk in the desert. the rogue gouged out the basilisk's eyes and now has them in his pouch. the whole party is now excited about their newfound power to turn their enemies to stone. my question is this: what should i do about this? should i let them use these eyes to turn people to stone? since the basilisk is dead, are the eyes now useless? should i give the eyes one shot apiece? should they be unlimited use for a limited time? or limited use for an unlimited time? thoughts? thanks. --Argo
bitswordmaker 07-22-06, 12:23 AM	According to the book, there's no limit on how many times per day it can be used. So, here's what I'd do. I would make it still useable, however, since a basilisk's sight works when the creature wants it to, I'd say they have no control over it. I would actually make it so they're working all the time, and anything the pupil of the eye "sees" is what can be turned to stone. So that means that the bag their holding it in, or the pocket, has to make a Fortitude save, or be turned to stone. Devious isn't it? ;) That also means when a PC reaches in to get them, I'd make them roll a luck save, to see if they're hit by the eye's attack, and get turned to stone. This may become enough of a nuisance that they drop them on the side of the road somewhere. Have fun :D
Zombayz1 07-22-06, 12:27 AM	None of the above. All of those are potetial game-breakers. I would say, have them be a power component for flesh to stone, ie: using them as a spell component for a FtS spell results in a +2 to the DC to resist. Just my opinion, feel free to disregard.
IceFractal 07-22-06, 05:16 AM	Officially, the eyes are now useless. However, why spoil the fun that way? It shouldn't be imbalancing to let the eyes have some use (but not unlimited). Some options: 1) The eyes work once each, but then burn out. 2) The eyes work to an unlimited extent for a while, but then they start to rot. Gentle Repose will stop the rot, but put the eyes in stasis, rendering them useless. They can animate the eyes as undead, but that will be expensive. 3) The eyes continue working, but randomly. They might work fine for a couple rounds, then stop, then start again unexpectedly when the PCs are looking at them to see what the trouble is.
Damren 07-22-06, 12:02 PM	I would have to agree with Zombayz1. But, you could add a few caveats. As they are eyes of a living creature, they will change & decay now that the creature is dead. They may have retained some magical vitality for a few hours at most, but then, I think it should be gone. The only exception would be in the case of a Legendary or Epic creature (such as Perseus cutting off the Medusas head & using it as a weapon). You might make the PCs aware of an alchemy formula called 'StoneGlow'. Rare and potent, it uses Basilisk Eyes as the primary reagent. It can be used a few different ways. A weaker blend packaged like Alchemist Fire causes any who get hit to be turned to stone, paralyzed or slowed at the very least (you might give some type of save here for lesser affects). A stronger version can been used in to fill clear vials placed at the center of a bullseye lantern. Once primed, the glow lasts for several hours before fading & act just like an active basilisk glaze.
Delfedd 07-22-06, 02:21 PM	There was a thing in Dragon A while back about doing a similar thing. It was a "silicon sorcery" Article on God of War. They made a feat which allowed you to use the power of the gaze attack by holding the object in their hand. I'd say Definately no control over when they activate. Or alternately, the gaze attack could function as hold person.