Hydusa

Large Aberration

Hit Dice:  4d8+12 (46 hp)

Initiative:  +2 (Dex)

Speed:  20 ft.

AC:  18 (+1 natural, +5 chain mail, +2 Dex)

Attacks: up to 8; +7 melee or +5 Ranged

Damage:  Per weapon

Face/Reach:  5ft. by 5ft./10ft.

Special Attacks:  Multiple Attacks, Petrifying gaze, Spell-Like abilities

Saves:  Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +6

Abilities:  Str 18, Dex 15, Con 17, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 12

Skills:  Intimidate +7, Listen +11, Move Silently +11, Sense Motive +8, Spot +8

Feats:  Multidexterity, Multiweapon Fighting

Climate/Terrain:  Any underground

Organization:  Solitary

Challenge Rating:  5

Alignment:  Chaotic Evil

Advancement:  By class

The hydusa was created in a series of twisted experiments centuries ago. It is not known how many of them were created or how many still remain. This monster has the top torso of a woman with eight arms and the lower torso of a snake. Their eyes range in color from pale blue to bright green. They rarely wear clothing but will don armor if they expect combat.

Hydusa enjoy torture and are very skilled in the art, so there is a 75% chance that there are 1d20 slaves in her lair. If the hydusa is encountered during the winter she will be hibernating and there will be 1d8 large animals chained near and guarding her treasure.

Combat

Hydusa will usually try to lure unwary victims into its lair by changing its shape to that of a beautiful human woman. She will then try to keep them in sight long enough to use her petrifying gaze. If this fails she will become enraged, change back into her true form and attack. Hydusa have eight arms in which they can use any combination of weapons, items, or shields. Her AC improves 2 points for every large shield she employs.

Petrifying Gaze (Su):  Turn to stone permanently, 50 feet, Fortitude save (DC15).

Spell-Like Abilities:  3/day- polymorph self.