Description
Neither bugs nor bears, bugbears are the hulking cousins of goblins and hobgoblins. These creatures were favorite soldiers of some of the silver gods, dues to their effectiveness in combat. Intimidating, strong and surprisingly flexible, those creature were the soldiers that any evil god would like under their command. During the 1st and 2nd eras they were the dominant power in their lands, only followed by Orcs.
They are long of limb and covered in coarse hair, with wedge-shaped ears and pointed teeth. Despite their formidable build, bugbears are quiet skulkers, thanks to the hunter's god magic that allows them to hide in spaces seemingly too small for them. Bugbears are between 6 and 8 feet tall and weigh between 250 and 350 pounds.
Origins
Bugbears were created by Zeriax and Krevor, and also given supreme hunter's instincts by Oromne. Very few races had such one-sided creators, making Bugbears evil by nature. Their ruthless and bestial nature, made many other races see them as plain monsters.
Genetics
Bugbears have a predisposition towards selfishness, rule of strength and violence. Their societies feature cruel laws as their soul pushes them towards evil.
Lifespan
Bugbears reach adulthood at age 16 and live up to 80 years. Bugbears endure a harsh existence that demands each of them to remain
self-sufficient, even at the expense of their fellows, very few make it past
the age of 50, as they are often killed by stronger peers. They tend to be
lawful or neutral evil.
Homeland
Also found in
Unknown, as recruits or prisoners.
Reputation
From all the monstrous races, bugbears have the worst reputation. They are feared in every part of the world and attacked on sight in most continents except Savage Lands.
Alive/Extinct
Their population declined during the 3rd Era but they are still alive until the 4th.
Bugbear Traits
As a bugbear, you have the following racial traits.
Ability Scores: Increase your Strength by 1.
Creature Type: You are a Humanoid. You are also considered a goblinoid for any prerequisite or effect that requires you to be a goblinoid.
Size: Your size is Medium.
Speed: Your walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision: You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light and in darkness as if it were dim light. You discern colors in that darkness only as shades of gray.
Fey Ancestry: You have advantage on saving throws you make to avoid or end the charmed condition on yourself.
Long-Limbed: When you make a melee attack on your turn, your reach for it is 5 feet greater than normal.
Powerful Build: You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.
Sneaky: You are proficient in the Stealth skill. In addition, without squeezing, you can move through and stop in a space large enough for a Small creature.
Surprise Attack: If you hit a creature with an attack roll, the creature takes an extra 2d6 damage if it hasn’t taken a turn yet in the current combat.
Languages: Your character can speak, read and write (writing requires INT score 6 or higher) Goblin and one other language of your choice that you and your DM agree is appropriate for your character's backstory. A list of languages and their regions can be found in Languages.