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Squirrels were common creatures found around Faerûn.

Description[]

They were small critters, but possessed large bushy tails. Squirrels, which were usually black,[3] gray,[2] red,[2] or white[4] in color, had small ears at the top of their head.[2]

Abilities[]

Speak with animals W&S

A woman speaks with a group of squirrels using speak with animals.

Squirrels were skilled at climbing and jumping.[1]

If given a few minutes, their teeth were strong enough to bite through rope, leather, or soft wood. And their hands were dexterous enough to pick and hold small objects. Though they couldn't carry such objects, due to walking on all fours.[1]

Combat[]

Squirrels often only attacked in self-defense,[2] using their claws to scratch at enemies.[4][5]

Species[]

Flying squirrel
Giant black squirrel
Marmot
a species of large ground squirrel that inhabited the central steppe of the Hordelands,[6] the steppes of Kara-Tur,[7] and the higher reaches of the Katakoro Plateau.[8]
Squirrel-2e

A squirrel eats at an acorn.

Ecology[]

Diet[]

Squirrels were typically known to eat fruits, nuts, and grains.[1]

Habitats[]

In north Faerûn they could be found in the Dalelands[9] and Cormanthyr, such as the Tangled Vale and Darkwood.[10] They were also common through northwest Faerûn and its Savage Frontier.[11]

In west Faerûn, black and gray furred squirrels could be found in the Forest of Mir,[12] in both the Eastern and Western Heartlands,[13] and in the city of Waterdeep.[14]

Beyond Faerûn, they were quite prevalent on the island of Evermeet, where they were hunted by gold elves.[15] In the Moonshae Isles, squirrels could be found throughout many of its lowland deciduous forests.[16] In the land of Anauroch, they could be found in fertile reaches of the Plain of Standing Stones.[17] In Kara-Tur they could be found in sub-arctic forests.[7]

In the Unapproachable East, squirrels could be found in the Tannath Gap, Yuirwood, and Ashenwood.[18]

Beyond Toril, squirrels inhabited the planets Chandos[19] and Radole.[20]

Relationships[]

Squirrels were often favored as pets by forest gnomes.[21]

Squirrels were a favored animal of the primary gnomish deity, Garl Glittergold, the exarch Cyrrollalee,[22] and Shaundakul. He was known to send squirrels to guide or aid his faithful.[23]

Usage[]

Squirrels were occasionally used for their meat, i.e., the Corm Orp sausage, which also included ground nuts.[24] At the Elfstone Tavern, these animals were sometimes put on skewers and cooked.[25] They were also food in the city of Sigil, where they sold for one silver piece and were considered exotic animals.[26] Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue sold squirrel hides for 2 gp a piece.[27]

Notable Squirrels[]

Trivia[]

  • In the church of Baervan Wildwanderer, "Squirrel" was one of the titles for confirmed priests, ranking directly above "Chipmunk" and below "Opossum".[30] Priests of Baeravan were also notably granted a spell called arboreal scamper, which could imbue creatures with the dexterous qualities of a squirrel.[31]

Appendix[]

See Also[]

Appearances[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Steve Kenson (February 2001). “A Little More Familiar”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #280 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 61.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Gary Gygax (August 1983). Monster Manual II 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 114. ISBN 0-88038-031-4.
  3. James Butler, Elizabeth T. Danforth, Jean Rabe (September 1994). “Cormanthor”. In Karen S. Boomgarden ed. Elminster's Ecologies (TSR, Inc), p. 27. ISBN 1-5607-6917-3.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 R.A. Salvatore (October 1991). Canticle. (TSR, Inc.). ISBN 1-5607-6119-9.
  5. R.A. Salvatore (July 2000). The Chaos Curse. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 0-7869-1608-7.
  6. David Cook (August 1990). “Volume II”. In Steve Winter ed. The Horde (TSR, Inc.), p. 114. ISBN 0-88038-868-4.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Gary Gygax, David Cook, and François Marcela-Froideval (1985). Oriental Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 115. ISBN 0-8803-8099-3.
  8. David Cook (August 1990). “Volume II”. In Steve Winter ed. The Horde (TSR, Inc.), p. 118. ISBN 0-88038-868-4.
  9. Ed Greenwood (January 1996). Volo's Guide to the Dalelands. (TSR, Inc), pp. 26, 40. ISBN 0-7869-0406-2.
  10. Steven E. Schend and Kevin Melka (1998). Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves. (TSR, Inc), pp. 100, 108. ISBN 0-7069-0761-4.
  11. Jennell Jaquays (1988). The Savage Frontier. (TSR, Inc), p. 14. ISBN 0-88038-593-6.
  12. Steven E. Schend, Dale Donovan (September 1998). Empires of the Shining Sea. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 81. ISBN 0-7869-1237-5.
  13. Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 80. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
  14. Ed Greenwood (2018-11-17). Wildlife of Waterdeep (Tweet). theedverse. Twitter. Archived from the original on 2021-05-24. Retrieved on 2021-05-24.
  15. Anne Gray McCready et al. (March 1994). Elves of Evermeet. (TSR, Inc), p. 10. ISBN 1-5607-6829-0.
  16. Douglas Niles (November 1987). Moonshae. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 17. ISBN 0-88038-494-8.
  17. James Butler, Elizabeth T. Danforth, Jean Rabe (September 1994). “Anauroch”. In Karen S. Boomgarden ed. Elminster's Ecologies (TSR, Inc), p. 13. ISBN 1-5607-6917-3.
  18. Anthony Pryor (June 1995). “Campaign Guide”. In Michele Carter, Doug Stewart eds. Spellbound (TSR, Inc.), pp. 59–60, 75. ISBN 978-0786901395.
  19. Dale "slade" Henson (April 1991). Realmspace. Edited by Gary L. Thomas, Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc), p. 37. ISBN 1-56076-052-4.
  20. Nigel Findley (July 1991). Practical Planetology. (TSR, Inc.), p. 14. ISBN 156-076134-2.
  21. Reynolds, Forbeck, Jacobs, Boyd (March 2003). Races of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 55. ISBN 0-7869-2875-1.
  22. Sean K. Reynolds (2002-05-04). Deity Do's and Don'ts (Zipped PDF). Web Enhancement for Faiths and Pantheons. Wizards of the Coast. p. 11. Archived from the original on 2016-11-01. Retrieved on 2018-09-08.
  23. Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 143. ISBN 978-0786903849.
  24. Ed Greenwood (1994). Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast. (TSR, Inc), pp. 110–111. ISBN 1-5607-6940-1.
  25. Ed Greenwood (January 1993). Volo's Guide to Waterdeep. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 24–25. ISBN 1-56076-335-3.
  26. Wolfgang Baur, Rick Swan (June 1995). In the Cage: A Guide to Sigil. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 126. ISBN 978-0786901111.
  27. Jeff Grubb, Julia Martin, Steven E. Schend et al (1992). Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue. (TSR, Inc), p. 75. ISBN 0-5607-6327-2.
  28. Nicky Rea (July 1994). “The Living City: The Hand of Mercy and Marigold's Menagerie”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #97 (TSR, Inc.), p. 12.
  29. Larian Studios (October 2020). Designed by Swen Vincke, et al. Baldur's Gate III. Larian Studios.
  30. Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 138. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.
  31. Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 140. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.
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