D&D 5E Holy crap, that's cool

[mach1.9pants]

Lots of creatures IRL attack others of their kind, unless they are in mating season... just makes it a risky proposition if you get your timing wrong!

 

[aramis erak]

Not an accurate enough reflection to fool it? I have never seen a lake or pond that is so mirror like that it could fool an animal.

I've seen a couple dogs that dumb. One was a toy poodle. Spent 15 minutes barking at the dog in the water dish... every day... finally, the owner moved the dish into the shade.

 

[Hussar]

Given where a basilisk's eyes are set into its head, I'm not sure it would really see it's reflection when drinking from a pool anyway. It would have to be bent over pretty awkwardly. More likely it can't see downward that well while drinking.

 

[MortalPlague]

On the note of cool stuff in the MM, how about the ghost's Horrifying Visage ability? It can permanently age you by 10 to 40 years.

 

[Jan van Leyden]

Given where a basilisk's eyes are set into its head, I'm not sure it would really see it's reflection when drinking from a pool anyway. It would have to be bent over pretty awkwardly. More likely it can't see downward that well while drinking.

This, or they disturb the surface with a claw before bringing the head down to drink. Or they don't drink from pools at all. Perhaps they have to "hear" the sound of running water to detect it or licking moist surfaces is enough.

I'm sure nature found a solution for this problem.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

So this means that there are likely many petrified basilisks in and around basilisk breeding grounds.

"So Elminster...what's with all these basilisk bookends you have?"

 

[Henrix]

On the note of cool stuff in the MM, how about the ghost's Horrifying Visage ability? It can permanently age you by 10 to 40 years.

Yeah. I loved seeing that one back! Fond memories of it, and it makes ghosts awesomely terrifying.


Though I no longer endorse my tactic from long ago munchkin days. Subduing a young wyrmling white dragon and then throwing it in to look at the ghost.
The age categories whizzed by!

 

[the Jester]

On the note of cool stuff in the MM, how about the ghost's Horrifying Visage ability? It can permanently age you by 10 to 40 years.

Yep, that's how ghosts were in 1e.

 

[dd.stevenson]

What happens if the basilisk sees its reflection in a pool of water as it is going to take a drink?

Natural selection happens.

 

[aramis erak]

"So Elminster...what's with all these basilisk bookends you have?"

(To the tune of Baby beluga)
Baby basilisk, sittin' on my shelf
Turned to stone when you saw your self
Sippin at the pool
But drippin no drool
Heaven above
Water below
Up on the shelf you go...