Medusa: as a race.

[captaincrumbcake]

As described in Monsters & Treasure (LBB #2), p.10, the creature is a " human-type monster with the lower body of a snake, a human torso and head, with tresses which are asps." A perfect example of this can be seen in the Ray Harryhausen creation found in the 80's film, Clash of the Titans. In that film, and commonly found throughout Greek myth, Medusa is depicted as a single being--a woman. But as OD&D gamer-creators, we are not confined to any such notions. One can ignore the M&T/film/myth versions, and go one's own way with it.

I prefer the OD&D description of Medusa, rather than the (eventual) AD&D concept (which is a shapely female body with a horrid face). But I am not satisfied with the limiting stats: AC 8, M 9, HD 4.

To my mind, there is room to fashion a other medusa; perhaps capable of functioning as a class: F, MU, C, T.

I see room for Greater Medusa, having 6 to 9 HD, with class abilities equal to their HD; and Noble Medusa, capable of having 10 to 15 Hit Dice, and commensurate class abilities. 
Heck, perhaps there is a Royal, Queen Mother of Medusa, with 18 to 21 Hit Dice, and so on.

If we are to consider this possible, then considering the medusa as a race, opens the door to an entire landscape of creativity in their regard. 
And something, I think, is worth the consideration.

[Vile Traveller]

Have a look at the medusa in Mazes & Perils - it comes in 3 distinct flavours. I allowed a player to run a medusa character in one of the BLUEHOLME™ Compleat Rules play tests, which worked okay but the petrification ability was a bit dominating. Not necessarily overpowered, but it tended to take over with other options falling by the wayside. That may just have been a novelty factor, though.

This reminds me of a medusa in a modern-day adventure in White Dwarf (I think). She had mirrored contacts IIRC. Must try and dig that up.

[captaincrumbcake]

Do you refer to Vince's Mazes & Perils?

[Vile Traveller]

Jan 2, 2016 2:29:26 GMT -5 captaincrumbcake said:

Do you refer to Vince's Mazes & Perils?

Yes, that's the one. I'm somewhat familiar with it as you might guess fro glancing at the credits. 

Here's what it says about medusas (you might discern some Harryhausen inspirations there):

Mazes & Perils said:

Common medusas have the lower body of a snake and are usually found among ruins of temples dedicated to snake worship. These often employ bows and fire deadly poisoned arrows. They are not pleasant to look upon, with facial features that are crone-like and wicked.

The classical medusa has the body of a beautiful woman. Except for the writhing snakes on her head in place of hair, they are not a disagreeable sight to behold, and many men have been lured to a stony purgatory by this appealing bodily form. Alternatively, if a victim is lured close enough, the snakes upon her head will strike; the bites are poisonous and require a saving throw or the PC will die.

The rarest of the medusa is the gorgon. This mutation has 6 arms, 3 stemming from each side of her torso. A gorgon can wield a sword in each hand, giving it 1 to 6 attacks per melee round. Fortunately, though she also has poisonous snakes for hair, she does not possess the gaze that turns men to stone. She does, nonetheless, love the taste of man-flesh, and eats all males she kills.

[captaincrumbcake]

I don't have a copy of M & P so, i wasn't sure of the reference.
After checking my Holmes 77 proof-print, I think I see your implication.
It's my age, you know. I tend to forget things I've said--or written--just moments ago.