Bugbear

For more information on all races, see: Races

Neither bugs nor bears, bugbears are the hulking cousins of goblins and hobgoblins. With roots in Faerûn, early bugbears resided in hidden places, in hard-to-reach and shadowed spaces. Long ago and from out of the corner of the eye, they came to the Material Plane, urged to spread throughout the multiverse. Centuries later, they still bear a fey gift for lurking just out of sight.
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 a fey magic that allows them to hide in spaces seemingly too small for them.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Bugbears resemble hairy, feral goblins standing about 7 feet tall. They take their name from their noses and claws, which are similar to those of bears. Their claws are not long and sharp enough to be used as weapons, so bugbears often armor and arm themselves with a variety of purloined gear, which is normally second-rate and in poor repair.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Bugbears, like other goblinoids, have a reputation for being dim-witted and brutish. This claim is not unfounded, and like their kin, bugbears have easily provoked tempers and are prone to rages. Few bugbears overcome this flaw and their culture's brutal nature. Many bugbears favor stealth and surprising their opponents.
Bugbears are often found in the company of other goblinoids, particularly goblins, since tribes made up mostly of hobgoblins and bugbears tend to be wiped out quickly by other races as a precaution. Some bugbears also operate independently, though tribes ruled by hobgoblins are better organized and less savage. This is in part because bugbears have little patience for diplomacy or negotiation, preferring violent solutions to conflicts unless obviously overpowered.
Bugbear heroes, though rare, have been heard of and can acquire significant renown if successful. Often the motivation for this change of heart comes from the rewards earned from virtue, which in the long term are more pleasing than the short-term pleasures of evil behaviors.

Alternate Racial Traits

Replaces Stalker

Goblinoid Kinship

Though incredibly rare, goblinoids across all spectrums may unite for a common cause, likely to cause as much damage as possible. Bugbears in these coalitions often pick up on the traits of other fellow goblinoids. A bugbear with this trait may select either a hobgoblin or goblin racial feat as a bonus feat. This racial trait replaces Stalker.

Replaces Brutal Opportunist

Predator

Some rather exceptional bugbears are fierce hunters. These bugbears gain a +1 racial bonus to damage rolls with ranged and melee weapons, but only towards beasts. This racial trait replaces Brutal Opportunist.

Replaces Carrion Sense, Languages

Unlikely Diplomat

Bugbears that sometimes find themselves in civilization find themselves feared and targeted. Such bugbears must instead speak craftily to avoid certain death. Bugbears with this trait start off with a bonus language appropriate to their home town / city, and gain a +2 racial bonus to Diplomacy rolls. This trait alters languages and replaces Carrion Sense.

Replaces Fey Ancestry

Wicked Gnashers

Bugbears with this trait gain a primary 1d3 natural bite attack. This racial trait replaces Fey Ancestry.

Racial Traits

+2 Strength, +2 Dexterity, –2 Charisma
Bugbears are strong and excel at ambushing, but suffer the same social ineptitude as many other goblinoids.

Goblinoid
Bugbears are humanoids with the goblinoid subtype.

Medium
Bugbears are Medium creatures and have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.

Normal Speed
Bugbears have a base speed of 30 feet.

Darkvision
Bugbears can see perfectly in the dark up to 60 feet.

Brutal Opportunist
Bugbears gain a +2 racial trait bonus on attack rolls against an enemy that is cowering, frightened, panicked, or shaken, as well as doing an additional 1d4 damage to a target suffering those conditions.

Carrion Sense
Bugbears have a natural ability to sniff out carrion. They have a limited scent ability, which only functions for corpses and badly wounded creatures (50% or fewer hit points)

Fey Ancestry
Bugbears gain a +2 racial bonus on saving throws against enchantment spells and effects. In addition, without squeezing, bugbears can move through and stop in spaces large enough for a Small creature.

Stalker
Bugbears gain a +2 racial bonus to Perception and Stealth checks.

Languages
Bugbears begin play speaking Common and Goblin. Bugbears with high intelligence scores can choose from the following: Dwarven, Elven, Giant, Gnoll, Gnomish, Halfling, and Orcish.

Average Lifespan
40 years

Average Height
6 ft. 0 in. – 8 ft. 0 in.

Average Weight
250 – 350 lbs.