Basilisk



There are a few types of creatures known as basilisks in the Warcraft universe.

Azeroth basilisks
Basilisks are heavily-armored, six-legged lizards which are related to the crocolisk. Basilisk stomachs are capable of dissolving nearly anything. Because of this, basilisks have a fondness for eating crystals and rocks from the area they inhabit. This not only makes their hides extremely hard, but gives them a unique power. They're best known for their ability to petrify a person with their stare. Due to this, basilisk parts are often sought by mages and alchemists for study. These powerful, enchanted creatures are something of an anomaly throughout the land of Azeroth.

Basilisks are large-thick bodied reptiles with six stumpy legs and a scaly hide studded with shimmering crystals. Their eyes shine with a pale, eerie glow. The basilisks of Azeroth long had a fondness for the legendary "singing crystals" that grow in Stranglethorn Vale. The creatures built their nests near the crystal beds and even rubbed against them. In time, basilisks were born with chunks of crystal growing from their hides. The crystals' mystical nature gives basilisks great power against any would invade their lairs. While gentle enough when left alone, basilisks will defend their nests with great ferocity. In addition to biting and clawing, basilisks will focus the power of the crystals in their hide to plunge intruders into slumber, lull their prey to sleep or even turn them to stone. As a side effect of eating the crystals, the Basilisk have mutated: the mystical crystals now grow from their scaly hides, giving them even greater power against their enemies. If that attack should fail, basilisks unleash their petrifying gaze upon their foes.

Basilisks are possessed of barely more than animal intelligence, but can put prey to sleep or even turn enemies to stone (if they aren't hungry). While fierce fighters, basilisks do not exhibit cruel or violent tendencies. They defend their territories and hunt other creatures, even sapient ones, for food. Basilisks' hides range from dark chestnut shades of brown to mossy green and ocean blue. Males tend to be larger and brighter than females. Immature basilisks usually stand as tall and wide as an adult boar. Full-grown basilisks grow to 10 feet in length and weigh up to 2,500 pounds. After mating, a basilisk pair remains together for several months. The female buries her eggs in warm earth and rotting plant matter; she guards the eggs while her mate hunts and brings her food. After the young hatch, the male departs. A basilisk stays at range and targets its enemies with sleep. Once its prey enters range, the basilisk switches to its petrifying gaze attack. When the enemy reaches a distance of 15 or so from the basilisk, the basilisk charges. Basilisks are ferocious fighters but not suicidal; they retreat when the odds turn against them.

Basilisks are classified as beasts but cannot be tamed, much to the dismay of many hunters.

For more information on the Earth creature of the same name, see Myth.

Outland basilisks


Another type of creature native to Outland is also known as a basilisk. Unlike a normal basilisk, their skin comes in smooth bright colors, and they have three glowing eyes. These basilisks are commonly found in various zones throughout Outland, often inhabiting the cracked edges of the world. Their notable drops include Chunk o' Basilisk and Dampscale Basilisk Eye.

Named

 * Chomper
 * Deatheye
 * Hellgazer
 * Hissperak
 * Ironeye the Invincible
 * Scale Belly
 * Stonegazer

Common basilisks

 * Blasted Lands: Redstone Basilisk, Redstone Crystalhide
 * Desolace: Gritjaw Basilisk, Hulking Gritjaw Basilisk
 * Maraudon: Ambereye Basilisk, Ambereye Reaver
 * Plunder Isle: Cold Eye Basilisk
 * Stonetalon Mountains: Blackened Basilisk, Scorched Basilisk, Singed Basilisk
 * Stranglethorn Vale: Cold Eye Basilisk, Crystal Spine Basilisk, Ironjaw Basilisk, Stone Maw Basilisk, Thrashtail Basilisk
 * Tanaris: Glasshide Basilisk, Glasshide Gazer, Glasshide Petrifier
 * Thousand Needles: Saltstone Basilisk, Saltstone Crystalhide, Saltstone Gazer
 * Uldaman: Jadespine Basilisk
 * Zul'Farrak: Sul'lithuz Abomination, Sul'lithuz Broodling, Sul'lithuz Hatchling, Sul'lithuz Sandcrawler

Manual of Monsters
In Manual of Monsters Appendix Three another type of basilisk is given, the Ice Basilisk, however, the validity of the source is disputed.

Myth
In European bestiaries and legends, a basilisk is a legendary reptile reputed to be king of serpents and said to have the power of causing death by a single glance. The basilisk is popular in some forms of fantasy (a large number of readers will recognize the major antagonist from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets), in some cases as a traditional snake, in others as a sort of lizard. Though it is generally believed that basilisks are capable of reproducing normally, it is possible to create a basilisk through a sort of magical ritual — this species was not thought to breed naturally, the arcane offspring of a chicken and a toad. This parentage created the composite "cockatrice" image of a serpent with certain elements of chicken biology. As a rule of thumb, "basilisk" refers to the creature itself, while "cockatrice" refers to the composite chicken/serpent imagery. The Basilisk's gaze is fatal when met directly, but causes petrification (remaining as still as stone, but still alive) if met indirectly. In a number of modern fantasy, the Basilisk's gaze always turns a being to stone, in the same manner as a Gorgon.