Pyrolisk
c pyrolisk 
| |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Attacks |
Gaze 2d6 |
| Base level | 6 |
| Base experience | 82 |
| Speed | 6 |
| Base AC | 6 |
| Base MR | 30 |
| Alignment | 0 (neutral) |
| Frequency (by normal means) | Very rare |
| Genocidable | Yes |
| Weight | 30 |
| Nutritional value | 30 |
| Size | small |
| Resistances | Fire, poison |
| Resistances conveyed |
Fire (20%), poison (20%) |
| |
The pyrolisk, c (from the Greek word πῦρ “fire” blended with basilisk) is a monster that uses a special fire-based gaze attack that may burn up your potions, scrolls, and spellbooks. Armor is not affected, and engaging it does not run the risk of petrification like its cockatrice brethren.
Its attack is useless if either one of you is blind, so the easiest solution is to wear a blindfold, then treat it like any other monster. Another good practice when encountering fire using monsters or traps to conserve your scrolls, potions and spellbooks is to keep these types of items in some kind of container, like a sack or bag of holding, or on the ground if lacking such tools and desperate. Having fire resistance prevents damage but can still affect your items. A pyrolisk corpse is a good source of both fire and poison resistance, with no risk of poisoning when consuming it.
As a Pet
A pyrolisk is a very safe pet to have, partially because nothing in the dungeon will ever target it. It has no close quarters attack but will use its gaze attack at all creatures in the dungeon whether they are hostile or not and, due to the way pet-monster combat works, monsters will not consider that an "attack." This makes them astoundingly useful when it comes to assassinating friendlies without penalty or worrying about them biting off more than they can chew and only a few things are truly fire resistant. The gaze itself is relatively weak - maximum 12 damage - but it will never miss. The obvious downsides are fire-damaged equipment on gazed creatures - bad loot - and the risk of killing important friendlies, e.g., shopkeepers, priests, your quest leader, by accident. It's probably best to tame a pyrolisk purely for reasons of assassinating something but only keep it around if you find it convenient.
A pyrolisk is a relatively slow monster so keeping it with you as you move from level to level can be tiresome without a Magic whistle or a leash, especially when you as fast, though this problem can be somewhat reduced with a Wand of speed monster. Even burdened, you are probably faster than it.
Killing what seems like profitable enemies first and locking your pet out of sight are obvious means of mitigating any unwanted collateral damage. You can always run ahead and do killing before it catches up to you, then double back if you feel you need help. There is always the obvious fire resistant monster and monster that is blind or has no eyes to worry about but that just removes your chances of backup.
Encyclopaedia entry
At first glance around the corner, I thought it was another
cockatrice. I had encountered the wretched creatures two or
three times since leaving the open area. I quickly ducked my
head back and considered what to do next. My heart had begun
to thump audibly as I patted my pack to make sure I still had
the dead lizards at close reach. A check of my attire showed
no obvious holes or damage. I had to keep moving. One deep
breath, and a count of three, two, one, and around the corner
I bolted. But it was no cockatrice! I felt a sudden intense
searing of the skin around my face, and flames began to leap
from my pack. I tossed it to the ground, and quickly retreated
back, around that corner, desperately striving to get out of
its sight.
