Bardic Medusa

Petrifying Gaze. When a creature that can see the bardic medusa’s eyes starts its turn within 30 feet of the bardic medusa, the bardic medusa can force it to make a DC 18 Constitution saving throw if the bardic medusa isn’t incapacitated and can see the creature. If the saving throw fails by 5 or more, the creature is instantly petrified. Otherwise, a creature that fails the save begins to turn to stone and is restrained. The restrained creature must repeat the saving throw at the end of its next turn, becoming petrified on a failure or ending the effect on a success. The petrification lasts until the creature is freed by the greater restoration spell or other magic.

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

If the bardic medusa sees itself reflected on a polished surface within 30 feet of it and in an area of bright light, the bardic medusa is, due to its curse, affected by its own gaze.

Multiattack. The bardic medusa makes either three melee attacks--two with its snake hair and one with its shortsword--or three ranged attacks with its longbow.

Serpent Hair. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage plus 21 (6d6) poison damage.

Envenomed Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage plus 10 (3d6) poison damage.

Envenomed Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, range 150/600 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage plus 14 (4d6) poison damage.

Spellcasting. The bardic medusa casts one of the following spells, requiring no material components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 16):

At will: message, minor illusion

4/day each: counterspell, healing word

3/day each: heat metal

2/day each: greater invisibility

1/day each: greater restoration

Parry. The bardic medusa adds 5 to its AC against one melee attack roll that would hit it. To do so, the bardic medusa must see the attacker and be wielding a melee weapon.