The only reason our group managed to avoid the gaze of the basilisk was a lucky saving throw by my paladin, who of course waltzed valiantly (*cough*stupidly*cough*) across the runes on the floor. He quickly alerted everyone else to avert their eyes, and they managed to walk across unscathed.
The golem at the end hits like a mack truck, and when the level 3 paladin at full health is nearly downed in a flurry of full-round attacks, you have reason to be concerned. It could easily obliterate a lower-level caster or injured group member in a single turn.
