WEASEL

WEASEL, Giant

Neutral Man-sized Monster (animal, mammal) (6-ft long)

FREQUENCY: Rare

NO. APPEARING: 1-8

SURPRISE: 17%

SENSES: night vision, exceptional hearing, scent

ARMOR CLASS: 6

MOVE: 15"

HIT DICE: 3 + 3 (hp 17)

% IN LAIR: 15%

TREASURE TYPE: nil

THAC0: 16

MELEE: bite (2d6) plus grab

SPECIAL ATTACKS: blood drain, grab - Hits As: normal

SPECIAL DEFENSES: none

MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard

INTELLIGENCE: Animal (1)

MORALE: fanatical

SAVES: Poison 13, Petrify 14, Wand 15, Breath 16, Spell 16

LEVEL: III (XP 213 or 125 + 4 per hp)

Giant weasels are very vicious and hunt prey aggressively. They will attack until destroyed. They favor woodlands but also roam subterranean places in hunting.

In addition to its bite, a giant weasel drains blood, for on the melee round after it successfully bites an opponent, it does not release its jaws, but instead the giant weasel sucks the blood from the victim at a rate of 2-12 hit points of damage per melee round.

If taken before half-grown, and carefully trained, giant weasels can sometimes (25%) be used as hunting animals and guards. When encountered in their lair, there will always be 4 or more giant weasels — 2 parents and young from 10% to 80% mature. The young also attack, doing damage appropriate to their development.

Weasel pelts sell for 1,000 to 6,000 gold pieces.

WEASEL (Ferret, Mink, Stoat)

Neutral Small Animal (mammal) (1-ft to 2-ft long)

FREQUENCY: Uncommon

NO. APPEARING: 1-2

SURPRISE: 17%

SENSES: night vision, exceptional hearing, scent

ARMOR CLASS: 6

MOVE: 15"

HIT DICE: 1d2 (hp 1)

% IN LAIR: nil

TREASURE TYPE: nil

THAC0: 20*

MELEE: bite (1)

SPECIAL ATTACKS: none - Hits As: normal

SPECIAL DEFENSES: none

WEAKNESS: tiny (-1 to attack rolls and saves)

MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard

INTELLIGENCE: Animal (1)

MORALE: +0%

SAVES: Poison 16, Petrify 17, Wand 18, Breath 20, Spell 19

LEVEL: I (XP 8 or 7 + 1 per hp)

Weasels and their kin, such as mink, ferrets, and stoats, are common predators. Armor class is attributed to small size, darting movement, and speed. They will not attack unless cornered. Some of these creatures are hunted for their pelts, as their fur is valued. Ferrets can be captured while young and trained to hunt small burrowing game.