Homebrew Medusa Species Details

Medusae (otherwise known as 'gorgons', not to be mistaken with the bullish creature) are a fading breed in Ravnica. Found almost exclusively in the undercity, medusae wander dark labyrinths and rot pits with equal grace, bringing a certain nobility to the diseased and abandoned corners frequented by the Golgari. Beautiful yet terrifying, many medusae prefer a life in the shadows, where the constant attention they draw from other guilds is mitigated.

Venom and Vigor

A medusae's most prominent feature is her serpentine hair, a host of snakes that emerge from the scalp and appear to have a life of their own. While rumors abound of solitary medusae that speak to these snakes, they are simply another part of a medusae's body, and any independent intelligence is an illusion. Their hair manifests in a diverse spectrum of colors, although green and black scales are the most common amongst them. Many medusae style their snakes with rings of metal or polished stone. A medusa's skin ranges from pale alabaster to obsidian, with most in the shades of gray in between. Regardless of tone, their green blood provides a particular tinge to it when exerted or otherwise agitated.

Hearts of Stone

Medusae are known for their cold demeanor and exacting wit—there are some who would rather be turned to stone than face a medusae in such a contest. They have high standards for both themselves and others, but deeply value loyalty and community. In this day and age, medusae are also deeply practical, driven by necessity. They have not survived so long to be extinguished now, and are thus willing to make deals with unusual allies, no matter if other guilds—or their own—raise a brow.

Last of Their Kind

The heyday of the medusae is long over. Once as common as centaurs or goblins, the slow collapse of their dynasties reached a head when the Sisters of Stone Death, a quintet of medusae serving Svogthir, rose up and overthrew him. The Golgari parun was immune to their petrifying gazes, but they imprisoned Svogthir in the depths of the undercity, sealed away with every bone in his body shattered. Yet the Sisters' rule over the Golgari was short-lived. Savra, sister of the current guildmaster Jarad Vod Savo, saw to their swift collapse, and eventually only a single Sister remained. Many other medusae perished in the conflict, until the remaining dynasties fled into self-imposed exile, waiting for the dust to settle around the guild's conflicts. Those who survived did so in the most dangerous, desolate corners of the undercity, and some medusae have not seen the light of day in centuries.

Medusa Names

Medusae are often gifted the names of fallen relatives at birth. Although they do not have formal family names, those who see a need for one often turn their mother's name into a matronymic. Given names lean on Ss and As, well-suited to the particular dialects of Common and Sylvan that medusae speak. A medusa's name gives no indication of gender. - Akhyla, Ashar, Cassia, Elessa, Hellas, Isanthe, Jazia, Laska, Lexa, Lysandra, Nezha, Nisha, Phys, Tellesse, Samilla, Taslima, Zahra.

Medusa Traits

Your medusa character has the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increase

Your Intelligence, Constitution, and Charisma scores each increase by 1.

Age

While medusae physically mature at the same rate as humans, they can live to over 500 years old. The wisdom of elder medusae is highly prized, and the loss of the very old or very young provokes an almost desperate grief among them. There are simply not many medusae left, despite their longevity.

Alignment

While the most notorious medusae in history aligned with evil, as a whole they are a lawful species. The natural order of the world appeals to them, as do institutions that are as immovable and immortal as stone.

Size

Medusae range from 5 to 7 feet tall, and possess an innate grace regardless of weight or frame. Your size is Medium.

Stone Skin

You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed and poisoned. You are also resistant to poison and acid damage and are immune to being petrified.

Child of the Old Ways

You can call on the innate magics of your bloodline. You can cast expeditious retreat with this trait. Starting at 3rd level, you can cast fog cloud with it, and starting at 5th level, you can also cast misty step with it. Once you cast a spell with this trait, you can’t cast that spell with it again until you finish a long rest. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Petrifying Gaze

You can spend an action to fix your gaze on one creature within 60 feet of you that you can see and it can see you. The target must make a Constitution saving throw (Your Intelligence + Proficiency + 8). 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 a greater restoration spell or similar magic.

Medusa