Bugbear
Introduction
Naturally gifted in the art of stealth and with an affinity for hunting and brute strength, bugbears are said to be selectively-bred shock troops by their hobgoblin progenitors. They are the 'tanks' of the goblinoid war machine, yet these animalistic goblins hold a wisdom beyond first glances. Employed by hobgoblins to infiltrate enemy lines and take out key targets, or soften enemy armies before a greater force is dispatched to deal with them head-on, bugbears sometimes face a tenuous struggle with hobgoblins for control, with bugbears often landing in the middle of the pecking order between hobgoblins and goblins.Race Information
Race Guidelines
- Often has a short temper, and is quick to anger.
- Do they speak of their home and why they left? (Required)
- Often prefers violence over diplomacy.
Society
While not hunting or raiding, a bugbear is usually sleeping or lazing about in the open. They sometimes prefer games of athleticism and brutality, as a friendly spar between two bugbears often looks like a fight to the death. No holds barred, they do not typically restrain their strength, and as they hold a great capacity for rage, they are known to brutalize their opponents and use guerrilla tactics to exploit them. These skills make them excellent shock troops and naturally adept in the art of intimidation, often hired as mercenaries throughout the lands with rather simple contracts: fight and be fed.Regions
Versatile Nomads
Bugbears, like most goblinoids, could live just about anywhere in Toril. They are unbothered by the sun as it warms rocks to lay on, and the frigid north cannot cut through their natural fur coats. Every militant encampment a hobgoblin raises will surely have a sleeping quarters large enough for a bugbear, and every goblin cave will soon find space for their larger cousins should one find the urge to nap.Undermountain
The famous dungeon below Waterdeep is home to several bugbear enclaves, including those belonging to the Xanathar Thieves' Guild and Azrok's Hold. Through the warlord Azrok’s recent failings a great many of his followers have fled his domain seeking either work in the thieves guild or traveling further to make a life in the nearby area.The Cragmaw Tribe
Known primarily for its goblins and bugbear chiefs, the Cragmwaw Tribe of the Neverwinter Wood once boasted many goblinoids about the forest. Once known to work for Nezznar the Black Spider, these goblins, known for having fanged teeth (like a maw of crags), have employed their services as scouts and mercenaries, and rove the Triboar Trail as bandits. A player may whitelist as part of a break-away sect of the Cragmaw Tribe, following the slaying of King Grol in 1491.Appearance
Built for War: With tall, broad builds, bugbears are naturally muscular, with long claws at their fingers and toes to aid them in climbing. They have thick, wide jaws and necks that absorb blows from weapons and fists with ease, and sharp eyes beneath pronounced brows. Their appearance comes as a promise of violence, with thick, hide-like skin and a keen sense of smell.Bearlike: Bugbears receive their name for their animalistic qualities. Their noses are often black and wet like a bear's, and they possess claws and a layer of shaggy fur on their bodies. Their skincolor typically ranges from yellow to reddish brown, as do their eye color. As such, bugbears consider large noses and ears an attractive trait for mates.
Spiked Armaments: They often don scraps of scavenged gear and decorate themselves with bones from hunted game as a trophy, and spikes to decorate their armor. This affinity for spikes also lends to their favored weapon, a morningstar, which is the symbol of their patron deity, Hruggek.
Skin tones: Yellow to Reddish Brown.
Eye Colour: Yellow, Red, Orange, Brown or Greenish White. Can use Reptilian Eyes.
Eye Glow: 0 - 0.03
Warpaint Glow: N/A
Eye Sclera: Black or Yellow Sclera (Yellow Sclera must have black eyes)
Hair Colour: Brown or Dark Reds.
Attributes:
- Flat Faced (Required)
- Small fangs
- Pointed Ears.
- Sloped Forehead
- Broad Noses. (Required)
- Brown/Black Fur throughout body. (Required)
Faith
Wolves, rats and carnivorous apes are revered animals by goblinoids. Like wolves, they are pack fighters, strong in numbers - like rats, they scavenge, hide and burrow tunnels beneath the ground - and like carnivorous apes, they fight savagely.Hruggek
Once the chief deity of bugbears, Hruggek exhibits violence, combat ability, and the skill needed to plan and execute ambushes. Such traits are often embodied by bugbears far and wide, and once savagery has been committed in their god’s name, their victim's head is taken as a dark offering to Hruggek. Hruggek holds a friendship with Khugorbaeyag, and is the brother of Grankhul. The two follow Maglubiyet, thus bugbears often honor this ancient agreement.Maglubiyet, the Battle Lord
Maglubiyet is the chief deity of the goblinoid pantheon. Maglubiyet is a god of conquest and war, bringing all other gods of the goblinoid pantheon beneath his heel. Maglubiyet tolerates no dissent among the goblinoid people, and claims their souls after death, binding them to serve in the Infernal Battlefield of Acheron in his eternal war against Gruumsh, god of the orcs.Grankhul
Grankhul is the god of hunting, who is said to grant bugbears their natural affinity to stealth. He is also a god of watchfulness, responsible for the keen sense and survival skills of bugbears. He is the brother of Hruggek.Khurgorbaeyag, the Overseer
Khurgorbaeyag is the goblin god of slavery and oppression. While Nomog-Gaeya and Maglubiyet focus on matters of war and conquest of non-subjugated peoples, Khugorbaeyag focuses on the expansion of the goblinoid race and the domination of currently-subjugated foes. A worshipper of Khugorbaeyag would prefer to capture enemies and force them to undertake menial tasks, so that goblinoid fighters could focus on war.Bargrivyek, the Peacekeeper
Bargrivyek is the god of unity and peace among goblinoids. He mediates and negotiates between Khurgorbaeyag and Nomog-Gaeya in their rivalry, and guides the goblinoids in the upkeep of their dominated territories. Though he encourages cooperation between goblinoids, Bargrivyek does not do so for other races.RP Guide
Hunters at Heart
To bugbears, hunting is a cultural pastime and deep necessity. True to their animalistic traits and seen as a gift from their deity of hunting, Grankhul, these hulking goblinoids prefer to stalk and ambush their prey, be they wild game or blissfully ignorant humans. This natural love of hunting comes with a love to eat, with an almost entirely carnivorous diet, in which they will eat all manner of animals, humanoids, and even other goblinoids, should their need for food be dire enough.Rugged Survivalists
Bugbears are always considering who the strongest in the room might be, and they need not be told that within nature lies an inherent competition for food and territory. The bugbear understands that the wolf needs to eat just as much as the rabbit does, and are thus constantly sizing up those around them, to see who is strongest, and analyze all of their weaknesses. Even in games of sport among friends, the bugbear takes note of their physical prowess, should they ever come to serious blows in the future. Otherwise, they are hardy and resourceful creatures; if ever you are stranded in the wilderness, a loyal bugbear is no companion to sneeze at.Predator Cunning
At first glance, bugbears are an animalistic and savage species, motivated by unending hunger and periods of long hibernation. Yet, with animalistic tendencies comes the ability to perceive that might impress or embarrass those who would underestimate them. Natural sneaks with ambush tactics and overwhelming force, they are capable and cunning assassins, and if they can control their temper and poor impulse control, they can even learn disciplined schools of magic and become scholars.Relations
Rivals of the Orcs
Goblinoids in their afterlife are doomed to fight in eternity with that of the orcs in the Infernal Battlefield of Acheron, in which the goblinoids are destined to lose every conflict. It is for this reason that goblinoids work to preserve their life rather than embrace death, and fear the wrath of their gods - and summarily, seek to compete with orcs in the current life. However, a bugbear in the Lost Hills would often be better off forming an alliance or truce with an orc, as together, they face a common enemy within the humans, dwarves and elves of the land. In particular, bugbears often find kinship with other creatures who enjoy violence and games of strength, and thus may see competition with the orcs as friendly, in its own twisted way.Goblinoid Executioners
While hobgoblins serve as leaders of the goblinoid race, bugbears serve as enforcers and shock troops. A hobgoblin issues a command - a bugbear executes it. While they often defer to a hobgoblin's cunning, bugbears also respect strength of the physical sort. Summarily, they do not tolerate weakness, and if their enemy shows it, they will typically exploit it.Mercenary Lifestyle
While a bugbear typically delights in dominating their foes in combat, they do not possess a particular hatred for other races. They typically act out of greed or self-preservation rather than structured hatred for others, similar to goblins and hobgoblins, but this is especially true for bugbears. While hunger is a driving factor for their aggression, a bugbear who is sated does not always see a need in attacking wayward humans, and may converse or trade with them. To a bugbear, violence is not an act of hatred, but a way of life and a necessity to get what one wants. This is especially true for the bugbears who work alongside humans in the Redbrand Bandit Gang in the Neverwinter Wood.Characteristics
Kit Items
Darkvision
smolears1
elfears smallmk1
elfears smallmk2
elfears smallmk3
Goblin Ear A [R][ToT]
Goblin Ear A [L][ToT]
Goblin Ear B [R][ToT]
Goblin Ear B [L][ToT]
Goblin Ear A [R]
Goblin Ear A [L]
Goblin Ear B [R]
Goblin Ear B [L]
(JCACC) Goblin Ears Left
(JCACC) Goblin Ears Right
Fangs Inside (Attached)
Fangs (Attached)
(JCACC) Pointed Fang Left
(JCACC) Pointed Fang Right
[C] Tooth 1
[C] Tooth 2
Pointy Fangs [A]
Tusks I [A]
Tusks II [A]
Tusks III [A]
Tusks IV [A]
Long Tusks [A]
Tusks (Attached)
Neck Fur Black [A]
Neck Fur Grey [A]
Neck Fur Brown [A]
Feral Nails (L)
Feral Nails (R)
smolears1
elfears smallmk1
elfears smallmk2
elfears smallmk3
Goblin Ear A [R][ToT]
Goblin Ear A [L][ToT]
Goblin Ear B [R][ToT]
Goblin Ear B [L][ToT]
Goblin Ear A [R]
Goblin Ear A [L]
Goblin Ear B [R]
Goblin Ear B [L]
(JCACC) Goblin Ears Left
(JCACC) Goblin Ears Right
Fangs Inside (Attached)
Fangs (Attached)
(JCACC) Pointed Fang Left
(JCACC) Pointed Fang Right
[C] Tooth 1
[C] Tooth 2
Pointy Fangs [A]
Tusks I [A]
Tusks II [A]
Tusks III [A]
Tusks IV [A]
Long Tusks [A]
Tusks (Attached)
Neck Fur Black [A]
Neck Fur Grey [A]
Neck Fur Brown [A]
Feral Nails (L)
Feral Nails (R)
Height:
180 - 215cm
Lifespan:
80 Years
Starting Language(s):
Common, Goblin
Suggested Alignment:
Chaotic Evil
Racial Tension(s):
Nothing Specific
Stats
Ability Scores:
+1 to Strength or Constitution attribute
Saving Throws:
+1 Dexterity
Damage Resistance:
None
Skills:
+2 Stealth, +2 Athletics
+1 to Strength or Constitution attribute
Saving Throws:
+1 Dexterity
Damage Resistance:
None
Skills:
+2 Stealth, +2 Athletics
Perks
Darkvision
This creature can see in the dark.
+2 Against Charm Effects
This creature gets +2 on saves against charm effects.
Surprise Attack
Once per short rest, this creature can deal 1d6+Mastery extra true damage as a free action after hitting a target for the first time in combat. This ability can be used with sneak attack.