The Basilisk

[Rey]

Discussion thread for The Basilisk (http://www.birthright.net/brwiki/index.php/The Basilisk). If you would like to add a comment, click the Post Reply button.

In this article Basilisk' true name is said to be Kassim. Abominations of Cerilia mentions Bali. Overlooked?

[AndrewTall]

Probably, although if unsure you could add a 'or perhaps his ensorceled student..' or some such caveat.

[Caelcormac]

The only thing I have a problem with is:

"Note: In "Blood Enemies" the Basilisk is described as coated in a caustic slime that had a minor poison effect. This is not likely in a desert dwelling reptile so has not been included above."

This is a magical creature with the blood of an evil god in its veins. I don't see why it shouldn't adhere as strictly to its original description as possible.

[Birthright-L]

At 02:32 PM 1/28/2010, Caelcormac wrote:

>The only thing I have a problem with is:
>
>"Note: In "Blood Enemies" the Basilisk is described as coated in a
>caustic slime that had a minor poison effect. This is not likely in
>a desert dwelling reptile so has not been included above."
>
>This is a magical creature with the blood of an evil god in its
>veins. I don`t see why it shouldn`t adhere as strictly to its
>original description as possible.

Agreed. Is there any particular reason to change it? I mean, it`s
not overpoweringly powerful an ability or anything really.

Gary

[Sorontar]

It is already included. It is his Death Touch blood ability. I suspect the comment was added to indicate that there is no need to consider a separate poison when you have the blood ability.

I would be more worried about defining his poisonous gaze. The wiki has no details about that but its effect. If a hero can get past that, the smell, the claws, the teeth and the tail then saving versus the Death Touch should be easy. I suspect most people would use range spells and weapons to try and take the Basilisk out.

[AndrewTall]

The issue to me is biological - anything that is fundamentally soggy will not do well in a blazing desert sun. I like to see creatures as as biological as possible - they have hearts, circulatory systems, etc, etc - with magic then added on top.

A possibility is a powder of some sort (tiny flakes of hide that are slowly shed?) that is toxic to the touch, but dry.

That said the power is completely unnecessary - claws and bite aside how much touching are people going to do? Aside from the rumoured sex-partners anyway. :(

[Rey]

Could be poisonous fumes, he is already reeking a mile away anyway.

[Caelcormac]

I was only suggesting that we stick as closely to the original as possible, if it isn't something you want to do then that is apparently up to you. :)

[AndrewTall]

The text marks up the difference to canon, and why the change was made so I'm fairly relaxed, but then I agree with the change. The other way of doing it would be to create a non-gloopy basilisk as an alternate.

In general changes which 'fix' canon should be fine, those which develop normal, and only those which change 'for the sake of change', are contentious, or to suit a campaign really need flagging up with a banner.