06 June 2018

OD&D II-10: Lizard-y Monsters, Annotated

Page 10

Cockatrice and
Basilisk: iconic D&D monsters over the decades. While
these are depicted in later editions as a rooster like serpent and
multi-legged lizard respectively, one should note there is no
explicit description for either. The Cockatrice is said to be able
to fly, it is noted the basilisk cannot. Volume III, page 7
features an illustration of a basilisk we can best describe as
dragon-like dog creature.

Gorgons: though
most persons associate the word Gorgon with snake-haired Medusa and
her two sisters? Gygax was familiar with a less well-known reference
to a scaled bull which fed on poisonous herbs giving it a lethal
breath.

Hydras: a
multi-headed dragon like creature. In A&D the beast would evolve
into three types drawn from mythology.