Talk:Basilisk/@comment-4991168-20160313091952/@comment-27950421-20160313203712

Well in the original myth the basilisk didn't turn people to stone. They just died. Same with the Cockatrice to be honest. It doesn't even matter where you happen to be looking, if they look at you, you die. However modern interpretations somehow got it confused with Medusas stone gaze. I'm guessing that D&D started it. I imagine playing a game with enemies that can kill you just by glancing in your general direction wouldn't be very much fun.