Crystal Wood Black Bear

Black bears are among the most dangerous naturally-occuring creatures in the Crystal Wood. These seasonal, diurnal omnivores are notoriously durable and agressive - especially when hungry, sleepy, or protecting their young - but have not yet evolved strong defenses against magic like some other creatures have.
Most black bears in the Crystal Wood are, like most of their kind, of a size where they could be practically fought and killed by a human hunter or guardsman with the proper equipment, albeit at great personal risk. There are, however, variants of these beasts that have grown to truly epic proportions as a result of fae trickery, arcane experimentation in eras long past, accidents of breeding, or even the intervention of greater supernatural powers. These larger variants have proportionally larger appetites and territorial ranges, making them fearsome - and thankfully rare - opponents for hapless adventuring parties.

Geographic Distribution

• Crystal Wood

Black Bear, Common (16 xp)

S: 3 | D: 1 | E: 3 | I: 1 | P: 1 | C: 1 | A: 1
HP: 48 | PD: 1 (4) | AD: 1
MA: 3 (6 plus skill) | RA: 1
Skills: Grapple & Trip 1 (4/1)
CF: Hybrid Physical Defense (D/E)(2), Hybrid Melee Attack (S/E)(2)
Syn: S D

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Equipment*

Pelt: 500 coin resale value

Description

This surly-looking bear is covered in a coat of dense, black fur.

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Tactics

In terms of tactics, Crystal Wood black bears are different from normal bears in the sense that have developed a taste for obvious spellcasters. Though not themselves resistent to magic in any meaningful way, these bears see the armored melee combatant, the firearm-wielding hunter, and the guy dressed in pajamas and decide that the last will make the easiest prey. A hungry or enraged Crystal Wood black bear rushes any lightly-armored target in a group and initiates a grapple with them, hoping to eliminate them quickly before moving on to other targets. Felled opponents may be buried alive or, alternatively, stashed high up in a tree for later consumption.

Black Bear, Epic (26 xp)

S: 6 | D: 1 | E: 5 | I: 1 | P: 1 | C: 2 | A: 1
HP: 130 | PD: 1 (6) | AD: 1
MA: 6 (11 plus skill) | RA: 1
Skills: Grapple & Trip 1 (7/1), Presence 1 (7/1)
CF: Hybrid Physical Defense (D/E)(2), Hybrid Melee Attack (S/E)(2), Skill Conduction (Grapple & Trip)(2), Size (Up)(2),
Syn: SS DD E I P C A

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Equipment*

Pelt: 1000 coin resale value

Description

This surly-looking bear is covered in a coat of dense, black fur. It stands at more than twelve feet tall and ripples with muscular power even under its baggy, fat-lined skin.

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Tactics

In terms of tactics, Crystal Wood black bears are different from normal bears in the sense that have developed a taste for obvious spellcasters. A hungry or enraged Crystal Wood black bear rushes any lightly-armored target in a group and snatches them up in the same action as an attack, using its many synergies as required to close distance and put significant damage onto the target in as short a time as possible before turning attention to anyone left standing. Epic Crystal Wood black bears tend to be very hungry creatures due to their unnatural mass and, thus, generally eat downed prey as soon as the opportunity presents itself.
An epic Crystal Wood black bear may have a group of up to three regular black bears (see left) accompanying it as cubs. Its incredible presence and intimidation factor may prevent charisma -based effects - including beguiling magics - from taking hold altogether.