Medusa

"Though at first glance this creature appeared to be a well-proportioned human, a closer look reveals a hideous face crowned with a mass of writhing, hissing snakes instead of hair, eyes glowing a deep, feral red, and scaly, earth-colored skin."

- Monster Manual 3.5

Medusae were monstrous beings with bodies that are covered in scales and rather than hair, they had a writhing mass of serpents growing from their scalp.

Abilities
The eyes of a medusa were feared, because to look in their eyes was to invite death. A female's gaze would instantly transform living flesh into lifeless stone, while a male's gaze would daze and weaken.

Society
Medusae prefered to live alone in small groups, but they desired treasures and dominance over other races most of all.