Giant weasel

Giant weasels, also known as dire weasels, were a species of larger than normal weasels.

Description
Dire weasels had sleek, long bodies up to long and could reach a weight of. Those that dwell in the North were known to have white coats. And rarely, some giant weasels were born with an entirely black coloration.

Biology
Giant weasels had a unique agent within their saliva that, when in contact with a creature's open wound, prevented the clotting process in blood and promoted greater bleeding.

Behavior
Giant weasels were known to be far more vicious than their smaller cousins and were often just as willing to attack humanoid creatures as they were normal prey.

Combat
Once a giant weasel had its jaws locked onto a creature it was very reluctant to let go and would suck at their victim's blood. Due to the special agent within their saliva, the amount of bleeding would be excessive.

Ecology
Unlike their smaller cousins, who were rather solitary creatures, giant weasels typically lived and hunted in packs.

Habitats
A number of giant weasels were known to serve the mad druid Wyllow within her domain of Undermountain. Giant weasels were also known to inhabit the fens, salt flats, and coniferous forests of the Moonshae Isles, the forests of Cormanthor, and Semberholme.

Relationships
Much like their smaller cousins, giant weasels were often trained and domesticated to be hunting companions or guard animals. Kobolds were one of many races known for domesticating giant weasels, but unlike larger races they were known to use them as mounts.

Usage
Before the Second Sundering, giant weasel pelts were generally known to sell found around 1,000 to 6,000 gp. The white pelts of the northern giant weasel, as well as the pelts of the rare black giant weasel, both typically sold for more.

Trivia
Giant weasels were favored animals of the gnomish gods Garl Glittergold and Segojan Earthcaller.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * The Mines of Bloodstone • Dungeon #87, "The Raiders of Galath's Roost"
 * Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
 * Outlaws of the Iron Route • A Thousand Tiny Deaths