Beaver (CR 1/2)
Small Animal
Alignment: Always neutral
Initiative: +2 (Dex); Senses: low-light vision, scent, and Listen +2
AC: 15 (+1 size, +2 Dex, +2 natural), touch 13, flat-footed 13
Hit Dice: 1/2d8 (2 hp)
Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +1
Speed: 10 ft., swim 30 ft.
Space: 5 ft./5 ft.
Base Attack +2; Grapple -3
Attack: bite +2 melee
Full Attack: bite +2 melee
Damage: 1 pt damage
Special Attacks/Actions:
Abilities: Str 13, Dex 14, Con 11, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Special Qualities: Cold tolerant
Feats: Skill Focus (Listen)
Skills: Craft (dambuilding) +10, Listen +2, and Swim +10
Advancement:
Climate/Terrain: Termperate forests
Organization: Solitary or lodge (4-40)
Treasure/Possessions: None
Source:
Converted
Beavers are large rodents known for their ability to quickly fell trees and build dams within streams. Found in the riparian zone of temperate forests, beavers are excellent swimmers and can spend large amounts of time submerged.
Beavers are crepuscular herbivores, feeding mainly on bark, twigs, and the roots of water plants, occasionally supplemented by grasses on the banks of rivers and streams.
Beavers usually mate for life, and their young (called kits) remain with their parents for up to two years.
Beavers are hunted for both their pelts and their meat, which tastes like lean beef.
Beavers are 2 to 4 feet long and weigh 33 to 100 pounds, averaging around 45 pounds. Fur coloration can vary widely, but dark brown is the most common. Beavers have a lifespan of up to 20 years.
Beavers prefer flight to fight. When startled or frightened, a swimming beaver will rapidly dive while forcefully slapping the water with its broad tail. This slap can be heard over great distances and serves as a warning to other beavers in the area. Once a beaver has made this danger signal, nearby beavers dive and may not reemerge for some time.
Cold Tolerant (Ex): A beaver's insulating fat grants it a +2 racial bonus on saving throws made against cold attacks and environmental conditions.
Hold Breath (Ex): A beaver can hold its breath for a number of rounds equal to 6 x its Constitution score before it risks drowning.
Natural Lumberjack (Ex): A beaver ignores the hardness of wooden objects with its bite attack.
Skills: A beaver has a +16 racial bonus on Craft (dambuilding) checks. A beaver has a +8 racial bonus on any Swim check to perform some special action or avoid a hazard. It can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check, even if distracted or endangered. It can use the run action while swimming, provided it swims in a straight line.
Originally appeared in Monstrous Compendium Volume Two (1989).