Friday, February 22, 2013

Frightful Fridays! Saber-Toothed Squirrel

Hello and welcome to this week's Frightful Fridays! This entry is courtesy of my good friend, Brian, who figured I'd like this very cool prehistoric rodent. Since I wrote up the squiger not too long ago, I've been sitting on this squirrelly terror, but I have wanted to put something out there as a druid animal companion.

I hope you enjoy this Frightful Friday! offering. I will be off next week preparing for something special in April regarding this feature, but my friend Paris Crenshaw is making sure you won't go without. I got a sneak peek at his monster, and I think you'll really like it.

Thanks for reading!


This large rodent turns away from its kill and bares surprisingly long fangs.
Saber-Toothed Squirrel CR 1/2
XP 200
N Small animal
Init +3; Senses low-light vision; Perception +6

Defense
AC 14, touch 14, flat-footed 11 (+3 Dex, +1 size)
hp 5 (1d8+1)
Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +2
Resist cold 5

Offense
Speed 30 ft., climb 20 ft.
Melee bite +2 (1d4+1/X3)

Statistics
Str 12, Dex 17, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 9
Base Atk +0; CMB +0; CMD 13 (17 vs. trip)
Feats Skill Focus (Stealth)
Skills Climb +9, Perception +6, Stealth +6
SQ dense fur, vicious teeth

Ecology
Environment cold or temperate forests
Organization solitary, pair, or scurry (3–12)
Treasure incidental

Special Abilities
Dense Fur (Ex) A saber-toothed squirrel has exceptionally dense fur, which helps it survive in colder climates. While the fur does not provide any natural armor for the squirrel, it does give the squirrel cold resistance 5.
Vicious Teeth (Ex) A saber-toothed squirrel has sharp teeth that deal triple damage on a critical hit.

A saber-toothed squirrel is highly territorial, and equipped with razor-sharp, 4-inch long teeth that allow it to protect its territory from animals twice its size. The squirrel is 3 feet long, including its twitchy tail, and it weighs 25 pounds.

The foul-tempered saber-toothed squirrel makes its nest in a sturdy tree, and the squirrel will launch itself from the tree’s lower branches at animals or humanoids that approach too closely. This rodent is carnivorous, and if it becomes hungry enough, it will attack prey much larger than itself, including unwary humanoids. Fortunately, the squirrel is easily distracted by shiny items, so someone faced with this fanged menace can avoid a confrontation by dropping a copper piece and running away.  Saber-toothed squirrels remain active throughout the year, thanks to the protection provided by their thick fur, which the squirrel sheds in great clumps when the temperature warms up.

Saber-Toothed Squirrel Animal Companion

Starting Statistics: Size Small; Speed 30 ft., climb 20 ft.; Attack bite (1d4); Ability Scores Str 12, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 1, Wis 14, Cha 8; Special Qualities cold resistance 5, low-light vision, vicious teeth.

4th-Level Advancement: AC +2 natural armor; Attack bite (1d6); Ability Scores Str +2, Dex +2, Con +2; Special Qualities cold resistance 10.