Bugbear
A bugbear is a massive humanoid distantly related to, but larger and stronger than, goblins and hobgoblins. Like many goblinoids, bugbears speak Goblin. They are one of the only goblinoids to be covered in fur. Like the other goblinoids in Eberron, bugbears were once part of the dominant civilization of Khorvaire thousands of years ago. Today, they are found across Eberron, but are most likely to be found as part of the Ghaal'dar, Marguul, or the Dhakaani.
The biggest and strongest of the goblinoids (weighing on average 200 pounds), bugbears are more aggressive than their smaller relatives. They live by hunting any creature weaker than themselves.
The bugbear’s nose is the cause of its name, though the creature is not related to bears. Its hide and sharp claws also resemble those of bears. A bugbear’s hands are far more dexterous than a bear’s paws, however, and its claws are too small to make effective weapons.
They speak Goblinoid and Common.Bugbears prefer settlements and structures to be dark and convoluted, with many hiding places and dead ends. This gives them the home turf advantage and allows them to use the guerrilla tactics they prefer.
Basic Information
Biological Traits
Bugbears have a reputation for being dim-witted and brutish. This claim is not unfounded and bugbears have easily provoked tempers and are prone to fitful rages. In their own tribes, bugbears tend to prize self-sufficiency and violence among themselves
Additional Information
Social Structure
In general, bugbears live a life based around survival and become rogues, though many also make excellent barbarians. Bugbears in Eberron often live in one of four different groups, as follows.
Like other goblinoids, bugbears can be found in small numbers in the major cities across Khorvaire. These bugbears live peacefully in these cities, but often live in the poorer areas of the cities and are treated as second-class citizens. Outside of the cities, bugbears are often found in tribes, either in the Ghaal'dar tribes or their own Marguul tribes.
The final place where bugbears tend to live is with the heirs of Dhakaan, where the bugbears continue to serve the remnants of the Dhakaani as elite warriors.
Civilization and Culture
History
Bugbears are believed to have originated during the rise of the Dhakaani Empire, bred by the hobgoblins to serve the empire as slaves and elite soldiers.
After the dissolution of the Dhakaani Empire, the bugbears continued to be ruled primarily by the hobgoblins in tribes known as the Ghaal'dar. However, some bugbears rebelled against their tribes, seizing the lands by the Seawall Mountains and forming their own tribes, known as the Marguul, or "warrior kings". The Marguul tribes became notorious raiders, and would often clash with the Ghaal'dar and the gnomes of Zilargo.
After the conquest of Darguun during the Last War by Lhesh Haruuc, the Marguul mostly pay homage to him and his court. However, some of the Marguul refused to bow to a hobgoblin, and continue to fight with Haruuc's forces.
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