Small Mammal

Small mammals rarely threaten people, but several have handy talents or valuable fur. Humanoids need magic to use their crude languages. All have THAC0 20 unless noted.

Pelt values: adult beaver 2 gp, spotted white ermine 4 gp, mink 3 gp, muskrat 5 sp, fox 3 to 5 gp, raccoon and woodchuck 1 gp each. Beavers fell trees fast and build lodges in ponds, and woodchucks gnaw through wood quickly. Ermines and minks are weasel kin. Foxes have superb eyes, ears and noses. Raccoons fight only when trapped or rabid (10% chance).

Otters run at 12, swim at 18, and fight only when cornered or guarding young. Pelts fetch 2 to 3 gp. Giant otters are the same animal at 10 to 15 feet long, with pelts worth 1,000 to 4,000 gp. Sea and giant otters have THAC0 19.

Chipmunks see and hear very well, as do squirrels. Plains gophers have sharp ears and noses, and every one seen means another 1d10 hidden in nearby burrows. Moles barely see but sense taste and vibration superbly. Opossums are woodland marsupials with keen hearing. Rabbits, sharp-sensed and naturally paranoid, are hard to surprise or catch.

Ferrets, also weasel kin, can be trained from cubs or tame birth to do tricks, fetch, or hunt small burrowers. Hedgehogs have sharp quills that do no harm. Mice infest nearly any building. Monkeys include rhesus, spider monkeys, tamarinds, lemurs and other peaceful kinds (THAC0 19).

Pigs bite, or butt to stun and then crush. Tame ones are harmless unless angry or under magical control; wild pigs are smaller (2 feet long) runaways that leave folk alone unless provoked (THAC0 19).

Flying squirrels glide five feet per foot of descent. Two-foot giant black squirrels haunt evil forests, stealing rings, gems, vials and other small loose valuables for their nests (THAC0 19).