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Some of the miniatures I see (Reaper specifically), as well as the recently released Clash of the Titans movie, had Medusa with a snake lower body.
However, the Bestiary has Medusa with legs.
I kind of like the snake body Medusa more than the legs. On Golarion, are there both types of Medusa (similar to the different types of Yuan-Ti) or are all medusas on Golarion with legs?
I know of one Medusa currently in Golarion "Canon" that is a courtesan in The Second Labyrinth in Absalom's Merchant Quarter. She is of the legged variety.
If there are other Medusa with snake lower bodies, what should change between the current Bestiary version? I would think movement would change, as well as climb. But, is there any other changes that you think should be made?
"OD&D" medusae have always been humanoid in form. Classically speaking, however, there was one Medusa. If memory serves, she was one of the Titans of Greek mythology - and thus the reason behind the movies' name (Medusa vs. Kraken).
I believe that in 2e there was a "greater medusa" that mimicked the serpentine lower body. If there is a "serpentine creature" template I would probably apply that. If not, then what you do largely depends on how close to the mythological medusa you wish to get ...
At a minimum, I suggest something along the lines of the following:
- stick to the standard medusa's 8d10 racial hit dice
- change type from monstrous humanoid to magical beast (augmented monstrous humanoid - changing good saves to Fort and Reflex seems appropriate)
- size increases to either Large or Huge, depending upon how you view the creature
- unlike normal magical beasts, this one would retain simple weapons proficiency and martial weapons proficiency with the longbow
- speed - land, climb and swim - I would suggest setting at anywhere from 30' to 60' (depending upon how fast you want the critter to be)
Racial modifiers for being a Large or Huge snake - that is both constrictor and viper (and not counting size increases from medium) I would peg as:
- adding scent
- +8 racial bonuses on Acrobatics, Climb and Swim
- +4 racial bonuses on Perception and Stealth
- grab and constrict [1d4 +1 1/2 Str mod @ Medium] special attacks - note that in this case, the grab is not attached to a specific natural weapon
- +6 bonus to Str & Dex; +2 bonus to Con and Wis
- CMD adds "cannot be tripped"
- +4 racial bonus to CMB for grapples & to CMD against grapples
- uses the higher of Str or Dex modifiers for Climb and Swim
- bonus feats gained are Skill Focus - Perception & Toughness while Weapon Finesse is lost.
Her gear would scale to size (and in case of the bow, be scaled to her Strength bonus as well).
At a guesstimate, I would stake the CR at an 8 or 9.
"OD&D" medusae have always been humanoid in form. Classically speaking, however, there was one Medusa. If memory serves, she was one of the Titans of Greek mythology - and thus the reason behind the movie's name: Medusa vs. Kraken.
Actually she was a priestess of Athena who slept with Poseidon in Athena's Temple and was transformed as punishment for her transgression.
but as for the legs or serpent lower body you can chose ether.
Thanks for the info. I have a special surprise for my Legacy of Fire group. ***spoiler omitted***
as animated objects perhaps (or worse ... oh yes, it can get worse ...)
"OD&D" medusae have always been humanoid in form. Classically speaking, however, there was one Medusa. If memory serves, she was one of the Titans of Greek mythology - and thus the reason behind the movie's name: Medusa vs. Kraken.Actually she was a priestess of Athena who slept with Poseidon in Athena's Temple and was transformed as punishment for her transgression.
but as for the legs or serpent lower body you can chose either.
Oohh, those pesky male Gawds and their penchant for sleeping with ... well, nearly anything female ... :)
I added some spoiler tags.
"OD&D" medusae have always been humanoid in form. Classically speaking, however, there was one Medusa. If memory serves, she was one of the Titans of Greek mythology - and thus the reason behind the movie's name: Medusa vs. Kraken.Actually she was a priestess of Athena who slept with Poseidon in Athena's Temple and was transformed as punishment for her transgression.
but as for the legs or serpent lower body you can chose ether.
She also had two sisters who shared her curse and only Medusa was the mortal one while her sisters were immortal. They all also had claws of brass, tusks, and wings in addition to the famous trade mark snake hair.
Perseus also wasn't that much of hero because he slipped in and beheaded her while she was asleep. Classically she only had legs but Ray Harryhausen was the first one to but a snake like body instead.
There are a lot of variations of the story however.
In Tome of Horrors and Tome of Horrors Revised there is the the Greater Medusa that had the snakes lower body.
It makes me sad that they took the "medusa's" correct name (Gorgon) and gave it to a metal cow with bad breath :(
It makes me sad that they took the "medusa's" correct name (Gorgon) and gave it to a metal cow with bad breath :(
Oh boy! I get to post the link again!
D&D didn't do it first--the gorgon = big bull thing is about 400 years old. Specifically, it's a reinterpretation of the catoblepas, specifically named in honor of the Medusa myth.
And now you know!
It makes me sad that they took the "medusa's" correct name (Gorgon) and gave it to a metal cow with bad breath :(Oh boy! I get to post the link again!
D&D didn't do it first--the gorgon = big bull thing is about 400 years old. Specifically, it's a reinterpretation of the catoblepas, specifically named in honor of the Medusa myth.
And now you know!
And now I know! Though I'm still not happy about it and to maintain my busybody know-it-allness that is required for interwebz forum-ing i will say..... I never implied who "they" was ; P
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I kind of like the snake body Medusa more than the legs. On Golarion, are there both types of Medusa (similar to the different types of Yuan-Ti) or are all medusas on Golarion with legs?
Medusas on Golarion have humanoid bodies.
If you're looking for a creature that's got a feminine upper torso and a snakelike lower torso, check out the lamia matriarch. She's statted up in Pathfinder Adventure Path #2, but will also be appearing in the upcoming Bestairy 2.
we need a Mythic Monsters Revisited for medusa goodness
I run them as one of many sub-races of my Naga race (stand-in for the standard Yuan-Ti). They run the gamut from creatures even more human than Medusa to humanoid-headed serpents.
Turin's modifications look real good.
One idea I have always like is that there a differing images of a creatures because they are at different stages of life.
Since a medusa/gorgon is a cursed creature, perhaps they start with legs, and as they grow older, the legs fuse and grow into a serpentine body...so if you treat them as a race you could have legged ones less powerful--a gaze that causes less powerful effects than petrificatiion--and adults with serpentine bodies and the full petrificating gaze.