Rhaumbusun

Rhaumbusuns were reptilian creatures with a dangerous paralyzing gaze found in the dry deserts of Maztica, in the steppes of the Hordelands, and in Zakhara.

Description
A rhaumbusun's relation to the dreaded basilisk was evident by its eight legs, reptilian appearance, and dorsal spikes. The species had distinct sexual dimorphism: males had glistening scales of purple hue, while females' were mostly orange. Otherwise, both sexes were born with a dirty orange coloration that changed as they matured and were of approximately equal size. The most notable feature of rhaumbusuns was their clear multi-faceted eyes that resembled gemstones. An adult's tail reached, while its total length was to.

Behavior
When agitated, rhaumbusuns' tails began to flip sideways sharply. They were loudly shuffling and clumsy creatures with short stubby legs that curled inwards under their bodies. They moved in a loud scuttle, making them quite easy to detect even if visually concealed.

Combat
The paralyzing gaze was its main weapon and defense mechanism—the target needed to meet the creature's stare to be affected. A rhaumbusun's magical gaze reached and could affect one creature per minute. The paralyzation lasted for one to eight minutes. Unlike some other creatures with magical sight, a rhaumbusun's gaze could not be reflected with mirrors, though the spell of gaze reflection could turn the paralyzing magic against itself. However, all rhaumbusuns were immune to each others' gazes. Also, unlike many other magical gazes, a rhaumbusun's sight did not affect the Astral or Ethereal planes. Rhaumbusuns attacked with a bite when cornered and preferred to target creatures made helpless with the paralyzing stare.

Ecology
Apprehensive creatures by nature, rhaumbusuns fed on plant matter, preferring fireweed, spruce buds, bark, and nuts. However, owing to their magical gaze, they became accidental predators. The areas around their lair were often notable by the paralyzed beasts that eventually became prey to actual predators in the area. Some smaller creatures even chose to lair within rhaumbusun territory for the protection the reptiles offered.

Rhaumbusuns were most commonly encountered in mated pairs, and they mated for life. The creatures mated in late spring, and each couple produced a single egg that hatched 41–48 days later. The young was weak initially but reached the strength of an adult within 20 days. The parents and their young defended each other to the death when endangered. Parents defended their young with ferocity while the entire family defended their lairs. If one of a pair died or was separated from its partner, rhaumbusuns mourned the loss and physically deteriorated during the period. Typical mourning took one to four weeks, and the deterioration could be fatal for the grieving creature.

A typical rhaumbusun lair was a small hidden, dark, and dry cave. These reptiles often decorated their lairs with small shiny baubles, usually worthless with occasional pieces of precious metals, coins, and rarely gems.

Rhaumbusuns communicated in their own rudimentary language consisting of clicks and hisses. Timid by nature, they willingly communicated with humanoids who learned the language or via the speak with monster spell.

Habitats
In the Hordelands, rhaumbusuns inhabited the Central Steppe of the Endless Wastes and Semphar's uplands, as well as the Quoya desert. Maztican rhaumbusuns inhabited the scrublands of Metahel, the Pasocada Basin, and dry lands around the Valley of Nexal. Zakharan deserts and the islands of Nada al-Hazan were yet another home of rhaumbusuns.

Beyond Toril, rhaumbusuns scuttled across the desert of the world of Athas.

Usages
Rhaumbusuns were hunted for their glistening hides, which were popular as decoration for small items. The reptiles' eyes were a valuable commodity if undamaged and preserved, going for 200 gold pieces per orb. Wizards and alchemists used their eyes to prepare ink for scribing scrolls of paralyzation, and potions of the same effect.

Domesticated rhaumbusuns were known to be kept by powerful spellcasters as pets or sentries. A living pair of these creatures was sold for 2,000 gold coins and eggs for 500 gold each.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Fires of Zatal &bull; City of Gold