Basilisks are a species of extra-dimensional entity created by American games manufacturer Chaosium for their Call of Cthulhu roleplaying game. It was inspired by the real-world legends of the Basilisk, a creature known in European mythology since at least the beginning of the first century AD [1].
Description[]
Basilisks resemble some kind of scaled avian, with a sinuous, snake-like tail and expansive wings decorated with bright plumage. Their head sports a striking crest and vicious fangs [2].
Basilisks are a highly venomous species found only in Earth's Dreamlands. Their toxin is so potent that any area they inhabit soon becomes a desolate, inhospitable wasteland as the venom seeps into the very ground, and rivers are polluted for leagues downriver whenever the creatures sate their thirst. Needless to say, this poison is instantly fatal to most living creatures, and there are even accounts of the effects transferring from one affected creature to another in physical contact [2].
An unusual capability of the Basilisk is its ability to transfer its venom to its prey through simply making eye contact; only a second or two is required for this process to complete, again resulting in the near-certain death of the victim [2].
Appearances[]
- H. P. Lovecraft's Dreamlands
- S. Petersen's Field Guide to Creatures of the Dreamlands
- S. Petersen's Field Guide to Lovecraftian Horrors (2015)
Gallery[]
