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

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

Abilities
The eyes of a Medusa are feared, because to look in their eyes is to invite death, a females gaze will instantly transformed into lifeless stone, while a males will daze and weaken you.

Society
Medusas prefer to live alone in small groups, but they desire treasures and dominance over other races most of all.

Ecology
All medusae are female. They will interact with a male humanoid when they desire to mate and give birth. The medusa is careful to not slay her lover… at least, not until after she has conceived.

Medusae are the progeny of Stheno and Euryale – the surviving sisters of the Medusa of legend. These creatures – sometimes called gorgons – live in isolated ruins away from civilization. They are hunted creatures; feared and hated for their poisonous bite and ability to petrify with the slightest glance. This fact drives most medusae to be evil, hunting down and slaying mortals with their gaze and poison. The lair of a medusa is often adorned with the statues of petrified enemies.