Rhaumbusun
Created by Victor Selby && Ed Greenwood




FREQUENCY: Rare
NO. APPEARING: 1-3
ARMOR CLASS: 6
MOVE: 9”
HIT DICE: 1+2
% IN LAIR: 30%
TREASURE TYPE: O, possible Q or R
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-3
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Gaze
SPECIAL DEFENSES Nil
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Semi
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: S (2-2½ feet long)
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
    Attack/Defense Modes: Nil
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: III/65+2 per hp
    (adult); 30+1 per hp (young) 

Rhaumbusun are small, reptilian creatures usually found in dry, warm climes.
They are probably related to basilisks,
but have substantially different physical
and magical properties. Rhaumbusun
tend to be cowardly, preferring to avoid a
fight if possible. If forced into battle, they
will rely primarily on their gaze attack.

A Rhaumbusun can affect one creature per round with its gaze; if the affected creature fails its saving throw, it will
become paralyzed for 3-12 turns. The
range of the gaze is 4” and eye contact is
necessary for it to have effect. Mirrors
will not reflect the gaze, but the first-level
illusionist spell Gaze Reflection may be
used to turn the creature’s power against
itself.

The rhaumbusun’s gaze does not extend into the astral or ethereal planes. It
cannot be hooded or “turned off” by the
beast itself; many unfortunate creatures
perish as a result of chance encounters
with rhaumbusun. (Once paralyzed, victims are easy prey for enemies.) The
gaze will not affect other rhaumbusun.

The rhaumbusun will also bite foes if
surprised or hard pressed. It can bite
only the target of its gaze attack (if within
range), once in the same round.

Rhaumbusun will be encountered as
either a mated pair or a mated pair and
one offspring (young have 1-4 hit points,
bite for 1-2 points of damage, and victims get +2 on saving throws against
their gaze). Powerful characters such as
wizards and high priests sometimes keep 
rhaumbusun as pets or guards.

A rhaumbusun lair is usually a small,
dark and dry cave in a hidden or remote
location. Scattered about it are odds and
ends the creatures have collected, generally worthless but shiny objects (the
sort of thing highly prized by rhaumbusun). Sometimes such a hoard will contain precious metal or even cut gems.
Rhaumbusun always fight to the death to
defend their mate and their lair. A lair is
inhabited only to rear young, and will
contain either a mated pair and an egg
(60% chance) or a mated pair and its
young (40% chance). If the egg or offspring is disturbed, both parents will bite at
+1 to hit and damage. (Rearing young
takes one summer season; young are
born after 41-48 days and are weak, so
that the parents must watch over them
for 20 days or so until they are fully
grown.)

Rhaumbusun communicate through a 
series of clicks and hisses. When the
creature is in danger, a rhaumbusun’s
foot-long tail will flip from side to side in
agitation. Rhaumbusun eat plants (most
are especially fond of fireweed and
spruce buds), bark, and nuts.

The Rhaumbusun is not graceful. Its
stubby legs curl slightly underneath its
body, giving it a scuttling gait that allows
creatures within 6” to hear its approach. 

A rhaumbusun resembles a miniature
basilisk, save that its body is covered in
glittering colored scales (males are predominantly purple, females orange, and
young a dusty red). 

A rhaumbusun’s eyes resemble small,
clear, many-faceted gems. If the eyes are
taken from the body intact and preserved
(frozen or kept from air by immersion in
oil or wine), they are worth up to 200 gp
each to an alchemist or wizard, for they
are of use in magical inks and potions
related to paralyzation. 

Dragon - Monster Manual III - Dragon #52