Werebear Lycanthropy

Werebears are powerful lycanthropes with the ability to temper their monstrous natures and reject their violent impulses. In humanoid form, they are large, muscular, and covered in hair matching the color of their ursine form's fur. A werebear is a loner by nature, fearing what might happen to innocent creatures around it when its bestial nature takes over.
When a werebear transforms, it grows to enormous size, lashing out with weapons or claws. It fights with the ferocity of a bear, though even in its bestial forms, it avoids biting so as to not pass on its curse. Typically, a werebear passes on its lycanthropy only to chosen companions or apprentices, spending the time that follows helping the new lycanthrope accept the curse in order to control it.
Solitary creatures, werebears act as wardens over their territory, protecting flora and fauna alike from humanoid or monstrous intrusion. Though most werebears are of good alignment, some are every bit as evil as other lycanthropes.

Type

Magical

Parent

Lycanthropy

Origin

Divine

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired & Congenital

Rarity

Uncommon

Affected Species

• Desert Elves
• High elves

Werebear Lycanthropy

Bitten by a Werebear

A character who becomes a lycanthrope retains his or her statistics except as specified by lycanthrope type. The character gains the lycanthrope's speeds in nonhumanoid form, damage immunities, traits, and actions that don't involve equipment. The character is proficient with the lycanthrope's natural attacks, such as its bite or claws, which deal damage as shown in the lycanthrope's statistics. The character can't speak while in animal form.
A humanoid hit by an attack that carries the curse of lycanthropy must succeed on a Constitution saving throw (DC 8 + the lycanthrope's proficiency bonus + the lycanthrope's Constitution modifier) or be cursed. If the character embraces the curse, their alignment becomes the one defined for the lycanthrope.
Werebear. (Neutral Good.) The character gains a Strength of 19 if their score isn't already higher, and a +1 bonus to AC while in bear or hybrid form (from natural armor). Attack and damage rolls for the natural weapons are based on Strength.
Speed. 40ft in bear or hybrid form, climb 30 ft in bear or hybrid form
Damage Resistances. Bludgeoning, Piercing, And Slashing Damage From Nonmagical Weapons That Aren't Silvered
Shapechanger. The werebear can use its action to polymorph into a Large bear-humanoid hybrid or into a Large bear, or back into its true form, which is humanoid. Its statistics, other than its size and AC, are the same in each form. Any equipment it. is wearing or carrying isn't transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies.
Keen Smell. The werebear has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Multiattack. In bear form, the werebear makes two claw attacks. In hybrid form, it can attack like a bear or a humanoid.
Bite (Bear or Hybrid Form Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: (2d10 + 4) piercing damage. If the target is a humanoid, it must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or be cursed with werebear lycanthropy.
Claw (Bear or Hybrid Form Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: (2d8 + 4) slashing damage.