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A Sleek is a mammalian creature from the Spelljammer campaign setting.[1]

Overview[]

Sleeks are ermine-like mammals that commonly stowaway aboard spelljamming ships.[1]

Description[]

A sleek resembles a stoat or weasel, with bright, black eyes and silvery-white fur. Sensitive antennae on their muzzles aid them in gauging both the size and location of their prey.[1]

Behavior[]

Though they are mostly independent, sleeks may occasionally be domesticated, or may even seek out humanoid companionship.

In lean times, the sleeks inhabiting a ship may exact “tribute” from the ship's crew. Instead of filching foodstuffs, they play tricks, steal clothes and precious items, and generally make a nuisance of themselves until the crew formally offers up food. Simply leaving food for them is not good enough; the “insulted” sleeks demand a show of submission. For instance, the captain may have to roll on their back in full view of the sleeks - only then will the sleek's feel that their honor has been satisfied. This behavior has earned them the name “pirate-masters”.[1]

Combat[]

A sleek's speed and ability to move silently make it all but invisible. When in combat with a human-sized or larger adversary, a sleek uses its antennae to sense vital areas in its opponent, then attacks with its claws and razor sharp teeth. On a critical hit, a sleek may tear open a major blood vessel, causing a halfling-sized or larger opponent to suffer additional damage due to blood loss. First aid, such as a tourniquet or direct pressure, will stop the bleeding, as will healing magic. Creatures smaller than a halfling may be killed instantly, as the sleek severs their spinal cord.

A sleek's fast metabolism, coupled with an extremely powerful and efficient digestive tract, renders the creature immune to the effects of poison. This immunity allows them to safely consume toxic or exotic flesh – meaning even a flesh golem isn't safe!

Sleeks sometimes act in unison against large prey. Their ability to cooperate, combined with their berserker-like battle frenzy, make them formidable enemies of other shipboard “pests”.[1]

Society[]

Sleeks often lair within a ship's cargo hold or passageways. Their large eyes, silvery-white fur, and sensitive antennae suggest they evolved as cave dwellers early on, but they suffer no discomfort in bright light. Sleeks mate for life, producing litters of up to 4 young once a year. A family of sleeks may occupy a “territory”, but conflict between sleek territories is rare. Young stay with their parents for up to two years, whereupon they leave to establish territories of their own.

If coaxed with food, sleeks may be domesticated. Those individuals who adopt a humanoid companion often remain with them for the rest of their lives as staunch allies. Sleeks can live for about 20 years.[1]

Appendix[]

External Links[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Newton Ewell, MC9 Monstrous Compendium Spelljammer Appendix II, 1991, (TSR Inc.), Sleek entry
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