Sheep familiars? Dire sheep? - Respect.

[Driddle]

When you need a new animal to make your D&D game more interesting, sometimes you need only look at an old standby in a new light:

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tm...730/od_afp/britain_animals_sheep_040730172452

(Excerpt)
LONDON (AFP) - Their reputation as innovators and adventurers is thus far slim, but it appears some sheep may be smarter than you might first think.

According to astonished eye-witnesses, a particularly adventurous flock in northern England has found a way to get past supposedly hoof-proof metal grids installed across roads -- executing a neat commando-style roll over the top.

Determined to get access to the rich grazing of local gardens in Marsden, a town in the hilly Pennine region, local sheep have worked out how to get past the barriers, the Guardian newspaper reported on Friday.

"I've seen them doing it and they're clever," said an impressed Dorothy Lindley, a local councillor.

"They lie down on their side, or sometimes on their back, and roll over the metal grids until they are clear." ...

 

[diaglo]

Bahhhh... i mean... Meh

 

[Driddle]

"Well, crud. What are we going to do now? We're totally cut off from support," the paladin whined, as usual.

Lawful this and lawful that, he had observed that there was no way for the King's Guard to reach them without paying a very expensive toll at the crossroads (and waiting for a receipt, of course). Even if they somehow found it in their hearts to break the rules and rush across the intersection without looking both ways first -- may Gawd forgive them -- the security grating would catch their little toesies.

"You forget about my companion, of course," the druid said. His deeply abiding sense of patience and serenity spread over the party, like the branches of a mighty oak. The other adventurers were equally tired of his wisdom -- those branches more often than not held birds that tended to poop on the party's collective head. The barbarian mumbled something about "chopping off his mighty oak at the trunk" as the druid continued, oblivious.

"Balthazar the Unshorn has proven his value many a time," the leaf-lover said. "He is wily and woolly and wild, and none shall stand before his mighty hooves."

"He's a bleedin' SHEEP, fer Gawd's sake!" the barbarian finally exploded. "What's he gonna do? ROLL over the deadly grating?!"

The druid sneered at his twin brother. "As a matter of fact, yes..."

 

[jasper]

gives new meaning to the black sheep squadron now doesn't it?

 

[jgbrowning]

Heh, this is classic.

joe b.

 

[Dextra]

(Excerpt)
LONDON (AFP) - Their reputation as innovators and adventurers is thus far slim, but it appears some sheep may be smarter than you might first think.
...

And we shall call him, Errol.

 

[Ferret]

@Dextra: LMAO

I read this ina paper yesterday. Very clever. Here is the dire sheep for any one crazy enough to use it.

Dire SHEEP
Large Animal (dire)
Hit Dice: 4d8+16 (34 hp)
Initiative: +1 (Dex)
Speed: 30 ft
AC: 16 (+1 Dex, +6 natural, -1size)
Attacks: Bite +6 melee
Damage: Bite 1d6 +9
Face/Reach: 5 ft by 5 ft/5 ft
Saves: Fort +8, Ref +4, Will +1
Abilities: Str 22, Dex 13, Con 18, Int 2, Wis 11, Cha 4
Skills: Listen +5, Spot +5
Climate/Terrain: Any land
Organization: Solitary (1-2) Leader (1+10-100 normal sheep)
Challenge Rating: 3
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 5-9 HD (Large) 10-12 HD (Huge)
A colossal version of the sheep, whose wool has mated and tangle to such an extent that it provides protection equal to that of banded mail, its fierce eyes glow a manic red, and the occasional froth at the mouth.
COMBAT
More the usual the leader of the pack, this sheep attacks fiercely all who stand in its herd’s way, often savaging bodies that it’s fellow sheep cannot digest.

 

[Silver Moon]

We raise a small flock of sheep at our New Hampshire farm. One of them is extremely smart. She not only can get out of the gate unless we lock BOTH latches on it, but she has figured out how to turn the doorknob to get into the house and had even figured out how to turn on our old TV (it had a pull-out knob, the new one though uses a remote which I don't think she's figured out yet.)

 

[Krug]

Provides wool, milk.. it is a step up from a freaking lizard ain't it?

 

[Nebt Bhakau]

If your character happens to be small, they might also be able to use it as a mount. Medium characters might prefer a cow (or Large characters, a dire cow) because they can ride it, use it as a pack animal, drink the milk, and eat the cheese.

Sheep are also useful in combat against cyclopes, as the Odyssey demonstrates.