Difference between revisions of "Beaver"

From The Authentic D&D Wiki
Jump to navigationJump to search
Line 41: Line 41:
  
 
== Common Beaver ==
 
== Common Beaver ==
 +
'''Common beavers''' possess stout bodies with large heads, chisel-like incisors and coats of brown or gray fur.  Their front paws resemble human hands, while their hind limbs are webbed; they possess a flat, scaly tail.  These distinctive attributes equip them exceptionally well for thriving in a habitat that combines land and water.
 +
 
[[File:Beaver.jpg|left|350px|thumb]]
 
[[File:Beaver.jpg|left|350px|thumb]]
'''Common beavers''' possess stout bodies with large heads, chisel-like incisors, brown or gray fur, hand-like front feet, webbed back feet and a flat, scaly tail.  These characteristics make them very well adapted for a mixed land-and-water environment.  Their ponds tend to be 10 to 12 feet deep and hundreds of feet across. Families consist of an adult male and female, along with their kits and yearlings. Offspring may continue to serve the same beaver pond as their parents, or may build adjoining ponds that share water sources. Whole beaver "towns" may form if undisturbed, covering areas up to [[2-mile Hex Map|two miles across]].
+
== Behaviour ==
 +
The ponds they create typically reach depths of 10 to 12 feet and span hundreds of feet in width. Beaver families typically consist of an adult male and female, along with their young kits and yearlings. Offspring may either remain in the same beaver pond as their parents or construct adjacent ponds that share water sources. In the absence of disturbances, entire beaver "communities" can emerge, covering areas that extend up to two miles in diameter.
  
Common beavers aren't aggressive.  Encountered out of water, they'll make a stand and be quite dangerous; but unless cornered, giving ground and seek the water at first opportunity.
+
Beavers are not known for being aggressive or engaging in active fighting with each other.  They're generally social animals that live in family groups, tending to cooperate in building and maintaining their dams and lodges.  Encountered out of water, they can become defensive if they feel threatened or cornered.  Beavers are expressly made uncomfortable by dogs, with such interactions being unpredictable.
  
==== Defenses ====
+
=== Advantages ===
 
If in water when encountered, the beaver '''slaps its tail''' on the water.  This creates a loud, hollow sound as it hits the water, calling warning to every other beaver in the pond.  Because beavers are nearly invisible in the brush, and are sure to see a character tramping through the trees before they're seen, it's nearly impossible to surprise them.  Moreover, the beaver's excellent swimming ability enables it to swim 3 [[Combat Hex|hexes]] per [[Action Points|action point]].  Their lodge can only be accessed from below the waterline, through a vertical doorway. accessible through an underwater doorway.  
 
If in water when encountered, the beaver '''slaps its tail''' on the water.  This creates a loud, hollow sound as it hits the water, calling warning to every other beaver in the pond.  Because beavers are nearly invisible in the brush, and are sure to see a character tramping through the trees before they're seen, it's nearly impossible to surprise them.  Moreover, the beaver's excellent swimming ability enables it to swim 3 [[Combat Hex|hexes]] per [[Action Points|action point]].  Their lodge can only be accessed from below the waterline, through a vertical doorway. accessible through an underwater doorway.  
  

Revision as of 19:57, 27 October 2023

Detail Common beaver Castoroides
Species rodent
No. Appearing 2-20 2-12
Behaviour social lodge
Range taiga, woodland
Size 24 in. long 7 ft. long
Weight 55 lbs. 250 lbs.
Intelligence 1 3
Armour Class 7 6
Hit Dice 1 4
Action Points 4 4
Max. Stride 3 5
THAC0 20 18
Hp/Die d4 d8
Attack Form 1: bite 2: claw; bite
Damage bite (1-6) claw (1-6); bite (3-12)
Special Attack tail slap deafness, tail slap

Beavers are nocturnal, semi-aquatic rodents renowned for their skill in constructing dams, canals and lodges. They carefully select well-watered habitats to establish their colonies, reshaping the environment by felling trees, forming expansive ponds and canals, and eventually transforming low-lying areas into sizable lakes. This behavior poses a significant challenge and source of frustration for those seeking to navigate through areas inhabited by beavers.

Their fur is highly prized for its exceptional warmth, durability and remarkable ability to repel water. Trappers and settlers in many parts of the world engage in the hunting and trapping of beavers to obtain their valuable pelts, which are in great demand, primarily for clothing. The desire for beaver fur is so intense that it's driving the exploration of North America by Europeans.

Common Beaver

Common beavers possess stout bodies with large heads, chisel-like incisors and coats of brown or gray fur. Their front paws resemble human hands, while their hind limbs are webbed; they possess a flat, scaly tail. These distinctive attributes equip them exceptionally well for thriving in a habitat that combines land and water.

Beaver.jpg

Behaviour

The ponds they create typically reach depths of 10 to 12 feet and span hundreds of feet in width. Beaver families typically consist of an adult male and female, along with their young kits and yearlings. Offspring may either remain in the same beaver pond as their parents or construct adjacent ponds that share water sources. In the absence of disturbances, entire beaver "communities" can emerge, covering areas that extend up to two miles in diameter.

Beavers are not known for being aggressive or engaging in active fighting with each other. They're generally social animals that live in family groups, tending to cooperate in building and maintaining their dams and lodges. Encountered out of water, they can become defensive if they feel threatened or cornered. Beavers are expressly made uncomfortable by dogs, with such interactions being unpredictable.

Advantages

If in water when encountered, the beaver slaps its tail on the water. This creates a loud, hollow sound as it hits the water, calling warning to every other beaver in the pond. Because beavers are nearly invisible in the brush, and are sure to see a character tramping through the trees before they're seen, it's nearly impossible to surprise them. Moreover, the beaver's excellent swimming ability enables it to swim 3 hexes per action point. Their lodge can only be accessed from below the waterline, through a vertical doorway. accessible through an underwater doorway.

Local trappers and hermits count on beavers to give warning if some other stranger or monster enters an area — as beavers grow used to humanoids they see every day. Trappers settle in areas and set up traps, as beaver pelts are valuable; but skilled trappers are careful to take only one skin per beaver family.

Castoroides

Casteroides are bear-sized beavers that are much more able to lope over land. In appearance, they are similar to their smaller brethren, except that they have longer forearms and more powerful jaws. There are sources that claim these creatures have a higher intelligence than usually reported, but this has yet to be firmly established; they are certainly more intelligent than the common form. Casteroides have been seen chittering with one another and organizing themselves when attacking outsiders.

They are very aggressive, chasing and attacking outsiders to drive them off. The tail slap of a casteroides is so loud that it breaks a spellcaster's concentration, actually ruining the casting of a spell. Those within 40 ft. of the slap must save against magic or be deafened for 1-4 rounds, while disoriented so that they're also -2 to hit with weapons.

Some believe the casteroides knows the effect of this slap, and that they time it deliberately. It's clear they use the slap to call others of their kind to join an attack.


See Bestiary