Basilick

In European bestiaries and legends, a **Basilisk** is a legendary reptile reputed to be a serpent king, who causes death to those who look into its eyes. According to the Naturalis Historia of Pliny the Elder, the basilisk of Cyrene is a small snake, "being not more than twelve inches in length", that is so venomous, it leaves a wide trail of deadly venom in its wake, and its gaze is likewise lethal.

## Etymology

The word originates from the Greek form basilískos, which means "little king", "little prince", "chieftain", or "young ruler", from two components βᾰσῐλεύς and -ῐ́σκος. It was also considered to be synonymous with the cockatrice.

## Accounts

The basilisk is called "king" because it is reputed to have on its head a mitre, or crown-shaped crest. Stories of the basilisk show that it is not completely distinguished from the cockatrice. The basilisk is alleged to be hatched by a cockerel from the egg of a serpent or toad. In Medieval Europe, the description of the creature began taking on features from cockerels. It has a venomous strike and in some versions of the myth, it has the ability to breathe fire.

## Origin

Some have speculated that accounts and descriptions of cobras may have given rise to the legend of the basilisk. Cobras can maintain an upright posture, and, as with many snakes in overlapping territories, are often killed by mongooses. The king cobra or hamadryad has a crown-like symbol on its head. Several species of spitting cobras can incapacitate from a distance by spitting venom, most often into the prey's eyes, and may well have been confused with the hamadryad by their similar appearance. The Egyptian cobra lives in the desert and was employed as a symbol of royalty.

## Capabilities

Basilicks are legendary reptiles reputed to be king of serpents and said to have the power to cause death with a single glance. According to the Naturalis Historia of Pliny the Elder, the basilisk of Cyrene is a small snake, "being not more than twelve fingers in length," that is so venomous that it leaves a wide trail of deadly venom in its wake, and its gaze is likewise lethal and can kill with the sound of its voice.

## Common powers

**Death Song:** Basilicks can cause death by emitting sound, user can induce death only using voice or during dialogue others use musical instruments.

**Fire Aura:** Basilicks can release and surround themselves in fire for defensive and offensive purposes, possibly becoming almost untouchable and granting them various abilities.

**Fire Breath:** Basilicks can generate and manipulate fire within them in a way that allows them to shape the exhaling of the effect.

**Killing Eyes:** Basilicks can kill anyone via looking at someone and by having the target look at them.

**Poison Breath:** Basilicks are able to generate and manipulate poison within them in a way that allows them to shape the exhaling of the effect.

**Poisonous Blood:** Basilicks have poisons in their blood which they can use against their opponent or when threatened.

**Rot Inducement:** Basilicks can cause anything organic to wither, rot, decay and eventually disintegrate, whether living or deceased.

**Shattering:** Basilicks can cause targets to shatter regardless of their hardness or condition.

**Sliding:** Basilicks can slide on the surfaces for long distances, sliding on their feet or other body parts across the surfaces, moving on the surfaces effortlessly.

**Snake Physiology:** Basilicks either are or can mimic snakes, gaining a plethora of special abilities, traits and attributes, such as scales that increase defensive capabilities, extremely dangerous venom, seismic senses and many physical capabilities.

**Stench Generation:** Basilicks can generate an odor to repel, slow down, paralyze or even render foes unconscious.