The vestige Balam's gaze attack (ToM)

[lukelightning]

In the Tome of Magic, the vestige Balam gives a gaze attack that does 2d6 cold damage. But the ability is not further described; is it like the "selective" gaze attack that Geryon provides, which can be targetted specifically at the binder's enemies, or does it affect everyone?

 

[frankthedm]

In the Tome of Magic, the vestige Balam gives a gaze attack that does 2d6 cold damage. But the ability is not further described; is it like the "selective" gaze attack that Geryon provides, which can be targetted specifically at the binder's enemies, or does it affect everyone?

Is there any reason why you would not use the default gaze attack rules? Sometimes you don't get to have things both ways. Gaze attackers often have friendly fire issues with allies.

Unless specified otherwise, a creature with a gaze attack can control its gaze attack and “turn it off ” when so desired. Allies of a creature with a gaze attack might be affected. All the creature’s allies are considered to be averting their eyes from the creature with the gaze attack, and have a 50% chance to not need to make a saving throw against the gaze attack each round.

And it sounds like Belam does not give a crud about ones' alies. If she has her way she forces you to spit on any holy or unholy ground you enter. That could cause problems...

Though looking it over...

First mention says she gives you a chilling stare
Second mention calls it the ability to freeze foes with a glance
The rulestext says it is a gaze attatck 2d6 cold to the target

A choce of two options, I'd say...

Either it hits everone in the gaze area's default 30'
Or it is a one target per standard action like the Vamprie's gaze.

 

[James McMurray]

Unless it says otherwise it should use the standard gaze attack rules, meaning it hits a radius and can also be aimed as an attack action.