Barrow Owls

The barrow owl is a small, rare owl which has taken to living in the open barrows and abandoned Gopher tunnels of Eriador (especially in northern Cardolan). Nocturnal and exceedingly specialized, they are virtually blind when confronted with bright light (e.g., in day- or torchlight). This is important, for they startle easily and swarm like bees when confronted with a potential foe.

They carry numerous diseases, including rabies and lycanthresis, to which they are immune. (Normally 2nd-3rd level, the latter disease is a severe psychiatric infliction that affects victims in 1-10 days and leaves them with the false belief that they are wild animals.)