Talonbear

The titanic talonbear is a deadly inhabitant of the wild forests and rugged mountains spanning from Ba’bonos to Sow Terra. This ferocious killer is a twisted mockery of nature. A mix of common animals combined to form one uncanny monstrosity. These mighty monsters have been the end of many countless and unwary adventurers across the lands.

Physical Appearance

A talonbear is a towering creature with the body of a dark brown grizzly bear topped with the head of a rust-brown horned owl. At eight feet tall and up to 600 pounds with a double thick hide, it makes for a ferocious foe in a formidable package.

Muscled legs end in glossy black owl talons capable of shredding lightweight armor. It’s head, like any owl, is remarkably flexible; a talonbear can turn its head a full 270 degrees around its body, providing a complete field of view against attack. This trait, coupled with their sensitive hearing and exceptional sense of smell, makes it almost impossible to sneak up on these mighty monsters.

In fact, that owl-like hearing combined with the bear’s sense of smell is key to their hunting prowess. Those traits, coupled with the ability to rotate its head nearly backwards, enable them to listen for, or sniff out, a victim from any direction with ease. But these amazing advantages come with a cost.

Their eyesight, despite being an owl’s eyes, is not that strong. During the day, a talonbear’s vision is no better than that of the average Terran. At night, this improves with a sharper nighttime vision. But it is only slightly better than most adventurers. Also, the talonbear cannot move just their eyes; instead, they have to move their entire head.

But the most unexpected ability is the beast’s flaming spit. This stunning saliva ignites after a few seconds’ contact with air, creating a sticky burning projectile. Talonbears launch this at prey or potential threats, providing a stunning surprise that staggers a victim while they burn alive. This fiery attack adds another lethal layer to the talonbear’s amazing arsenal of dangerous talents.

A Burning Question

That unexpected type of attack begs the question of why doesn’t the talonbear burn from its own spit? The answer is the oils in their feathered fur. Talonbear fur naturally produces a special oil that makes it immune to any fire, including its own. Meanwhile, the saliva in its beaked mouth is dormant until spit at a target.

Talonbears develop fire immunity from a tender, young age. It’s not uncommon for their cubs to suddenly catch fire while learning to use their talents for hunting.

Behavior

Talonbear by JJ Kirby

Type

Monstrocity

Environment

Forests and mountains

Lifespan

80 years

Average Height

8 to 8.5 feet tall

Average Weight

510 to 600 pounds

Geographic Distribution

Most often on

Earth

Sow Terra

Ba'bonos

Kazik'tar

This massive monstrosity exhibits a blend of curiosity and cunning in its general behavior, a peculiar product from its dual nature of owl and bear. But wise travelers keep in mind, these taloned terrors are famous for their foul tempers. They can be easily provoked into a rage.

These solitary hunters are territorial to a fault. They only form alliances when caring for cubs in the spring. At that time, they reluctantly share hunting grounds with their mate.

Ecology

The talonbear is well-suited to life in dense forests or mountainous regions. Its remarkable abilities allow it to navigate these harsh environments with ease. But these beasts don’t roam the wilds all year. In winter, they hibernate through the cold months in secluded dark, dry caverns and later emerge at the first sign of spring.

Diet

When it comes to diet, these beasts come with plenty of appetite. Talonbears hunt prey smaller than themselves, which are often fish, deer, and even reckless adventurers. To supplement these meaty meals, talonbears enjoy a colorful collection of fruits, berries, and the occasional honeycomb.

Uses

Most wary travelers give these titanic terrors a wide berth, but some brave or foolhardy adventurers risk life and limb to profit from the danger. They seek to turn the hunter into the hunted.

The talonbear’s amazing abilities make them a valuable target. Clever crafters use the natural oil from their fur as an ingredient for potions of fire resistance. This famous elixir is vital if any adventurer plans to confront a fire elemental or talonbear.

Then there is the talonbear’s saliva. This fiery slime is sought after by crafters as a key ingredient for potions of fire breathing. It makes for an added surprise by adventurers looking to catch their foes unprepared.