The Water Shrew

Shrew, Water
Frequency:  Uncommon
NO. ENCOUNTERED:  5 - 40
SIZE:  Small
HD:  1 (d4)
MOVE:  9ft
AC:  12
ATTACK:  Bite (1d3) or by weapon type
SPECIAL:  None
SAVES:  Physical
INT:  Average
ALIGNMENT:  Neutral to Good/Evil (5%)
TYPE:  Animal
TREASURE:  1
XP:  5 + 1/hp

As adventurer:  -1 to strength/+1 to dexterity

These feisty little critters are easily identifiable by the long pointy noise, outlandish clothing, and willingness to fight! They are about the same size as a mouse and gray in color; but, unlike mice, they are only found near the water – rivers, streams, and lakes. They are excellent swimmers and divers, pursuing their favorite foods – water insects, small fish (i.e. minnows), and tadpoles. The males like to wear headbands, vests, and baggy pants (all kinds of different colors that don’t match!), and the females prefer to wear dresses. Besides being excellent swimmers, they are also very adept at handling rafts, canoes, and boats. They don’t settle in one spot, but prefer to move up and down the water system, constantly on the move looking for food. They are very suspicious of strangers and it will take some time to gain their trust. They are deathly afraid of snakes and owls.

If there are more than five water shrews in a group, one will be designated their chieftain or leader and will have 2HD. If twenty or more are present, the chieftain will have 3HD, with a lieutenant of 2HD. If forty or more, he will have 4HD and two lieutenants with 2HD. They prefer to use small rapiers, bows/arrows, and daggers.