Name: Basilisk (P. Basilisks)

Classification: Draconids, Wyrms, Pureblood

Occurrence: Misure, Ondine territory

Risk Factor: Generally safe if unprovoked, but capable of catastrophic and widespread destruction

Entry: 

“Basilisks! Basilisks are wondrous creatures that are the dream of every merchant and king alike! Basilisks care not about the heat of the desert nor of the loose grains of sand that dampens one’s foothold, and most important of all, the beasts protect themselves while carrying a caravan all on its back! Gone are the worries of being raided by bandits! Gone are the dangers of encountering sand gorgers that can swallow a camel or a horse whole! A mature basilisk is an army all on its own— an apex predator, so there exists nothing within the sandy dunes of Misrue that dares to provoke a wandering basilisk, not beasts and certainly not men.” 

—Pashedu, A Misruean Merchant

Basilisks: “King of Serpents.” They are pureblood wyrms whose existence were once fables and were worshiped by the primitive Fey who lived in the sandy dunes of Misrue, as, after all, who but these venerable giants could move mountains of sand and give form to the uniquely snake shaped dunes of the desert? Putting aside the beliefs of yesteryear, a more modern misconception of the basilisk, similar to a misconception with the cockatrice, (See Cockatrice, Chapter 7: Draconids, Hybrids) is that the creatures are filled with so much hatred towards all things that even their breaths are venomous and their gaze is capable of turning the living into stone. The intelligent readers of this bestiary should be relieved that this is indeed just hearsay, because basilisks have long been reared as creatures of burden by Misrueans and are considered the safest means of travel in the industry.

Being the apex predator of Misrue, a basilisk’s biggest enemy is another larger basilisk. As with all other pureblood draconids, basilisks are biologically immortal, thus they will only continue to grow with age. And also as with all other pureblood draconids, basilisks have a remarkably keen sense of intellect and undying loyalty. They will remember the one who raised them from a hatchling and will follow that person’s bloodline until the day it dies. Basilisks also have a terrific memory and are known to be incredibly petty, so beware. This is the reason why bad passengers particularly are barred from riding the same basilisk for life, as it is not uncommon for a basilisk to take their revenge by crushing or eating said bad passenger. 

As a creature, Basilisks have long bodies resembling snakes yet have two sets of limbs in the front and back. They also have long spike-like protrusions that run all the way along their spinal columns. Those reared by breeders however, have these protrusions clipped while young and maintained throughout the course of its life as without maintenance it will eventually regrow. When cleared, it gives enough space on the creature’s back to host the abundant rows of seats and cargos that are the lifeblood of their merchant breeders. 

Additional Information: 

Due to their enormous strength, the limit of what a basilisk can carry on their back is not so much a function of weight as it is a function of the amount of space available on its back. To this extent, much of the cargos are tied with ropes and suspended off to the sides of the beast to allow for a higher carry capacity. Basilisks under two hundred years of age are considered juveniles and cannot be used to carry passengers, although breeders will still mount on their backs to begin training them and to also to get the beasts used to carrying the load of cargo. Beyond that, a basilisk is considered matured, as it is also when they are at an age where they begin breeding in the wild. 

A basilisk’s favorite prey are sand gorgers (See Gorgers, Chapter 3: Beasts: Terrestrial, Avian, Aquatic): These large ten to twenty meter long, plump, and meaty sand worms that are a terror to any traveler out on the dunes. To a basilisk however, who are the only natural predators of the gorgers, they are but a tasty morsel. It is to be noted that even a newborn basilisk is capable of hunting an adult sand gorger. This is due to the fact that their scales are too hard to be punctured by a sand gorger’s teeth, and they are acid proof. So in the event that a newborn basilisk gets swallowed whole by a gorger, they are able to simply eat their way out.

To this end, it is suggested to the highest degree that nobody short of a duke, or equivalent caliber fighter, attempts to make an enemy of a basilisk. Not only do iron not puncture their scales, crushing weapons such as a hammer mounted on the end of a poleaxe similarly are unable to leave so much as a dent. Not even siege weapons that can break down a fortress’ walls like old parchment can do so much as warrant a slight tickle on the fearsome creature’s body. As, after all, a basilisks is a pureblood draconid. 

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