Basilisk Hergling

Thorny. Any creature that touches the Hergling takes 2(1d4) piercing damage and 2(1d4) poison damage.

Hergling. The Hergling will follow orders from any Herg it encounters.

Petrifying Gaze. If a creature starts its turn within 30 feet of the hergling and the two of them can see each other, the hergling can force the creature to make a DC 12 Constitution saving throw if the hergling isn’t incapacitated. On a failed save, the creature magically begins to turn to stone and is restrained. It must repeat the saving throw at the end of its next turn. On a success, the effect ends. On a failure, the creature is petrified until freed by the greater restoration spell or other magic.

A creature that isn’t surprised can avert its eyes to avoid the saving throw at the start of its turn. If it does so, it can’t see the hergling until the start of its next turn, when it can avert its eyes again. If it looks at the hergling in the meantime, it must immediately make the save.

If the hergling sees its reflection within 30 feet of it in bright light, it mistakes itself for a rival and targets itself with its gaze.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +1 to hit, reach 2 ft., 1 target. Hit: 14 (1d20 + 4) piercing damage plus 10 (3d6) poison damage. If target is a Beast, Dragon, Fey, Fiend, Giant, Humanoid, or Monstrosity, it must make a DC 15 saving throw. On a failed throw, the target becomes a Hergling and changes the following ways.

• The creatures size increases by one size.
• The creatures strength increases by 4.
• The creatures intelligence becomes 10.
• The creature gains one hit dice.
• The creature gains this bite attack, which replaces any previous bite attacks and is exactly the same except for the reach.
• The creatures type changes to Aberration.
• The creatures skin, fur, scales, or feathers take on a green shade.
• The creatures eyes become orange.
• The creatures alignment changes to Chaotic Evil.
• The creature sprouts small thorns all over its body.
• The creature gains the following traits.
  • Thorny. Any creature that touches the Herg takes 2(1d4) piercing damage and 2(1d4) poison damage.
  • Hergling. The Hergling will follow orders from any Herg it encounters.
• The creature becomes immune to poison and acid damage.
• The creature becomes immune to the conditions Exhaustion, Frightened, and Poisoned.
• If the creature has any attacks that deal poison damage, it's poison attacks gain one extra damage die.
• If the creature has arms/forelegs and hands/paws/talons, it gains a claw attack [10(1d20) slashing damage] if it does not already have one.