Bearfolk

All bearfolk share an inherent iron resolve, but none more so than those who call Shadesmere their home. The bearfolk who hail from the Moonlit Glades are hardened by a life of constant peril—the ever-present battle against shadow corruption. Only by banding together in tight-knit communities dedicated to fulfilling their noble purpose have the bearfolk miraculously continued to thrive.
Since Mesikämmen the Bear King issued his fateful decree, the bearfolk have fought as a source of light in the Shadesmere. While most of the region is deadly to even the most capable of travelers, the bearfolk have carved out pockets of safety guarded by druidic magic.
Hard-won wisdom has taught the bearfolk the secrets of resisting and purifying shadow corruption. As their mission to drive back the darkness has grown over the centuries, generations of bearfolk have been born in the Shadesmere. And the longer they stay, the more of each new generation shows an innate power to shape the darkness that surrounds them.

Bearfolk Traits

Your bearfolk character has certain characteristics in common with all other bearfolk.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2.
Age. Bearfolk come of age in their late teens and live around 80 years.
Size. Bearfolk can reach a height of over 7 feet, with thick, muscular builds. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Bite. Your powerful jaws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If it hits, you deal 1d6 + your Strength modifier piercing damage.
Natural Armor. Your hide is thick and tough, granting you a natural AC of 13 + your Dexterity modifier.
Powerful Build. You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.
Ursine Talent. You have proficiency in the Athletics and Perception skills.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write either Common (if you hail from the mortal lands) or Umbral (if native to Shadesmere.

Variant. Shadowborn Bearfolk

As a shadowborn bearfolk, you are one of the cubs born in the Shadow Realm with a proclivity for the darkness. Shadowborn are marked by gray coats from infancy and sometimes possess strangely arcane black markings. Shadowborn not only seem to resist the darkness more easily than other bearfolk but are also often drawn to its presence.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Cloak of Night. While in dim light or darkness, you have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks and can take the Hide action as a bonus action.
Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet as though it were bright light and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Bearfolk Names

Bearfolk are given cub names by their parents, and when they come of age, they earn a new name, either bestowed upon them by an elder or one they choose themselves. This name befits a deed undertaken during their rite of passage into adulthood, describes some honorable or prominent trait of the bearfolk in question, or honors an ancestor.
Male Names: Beorst, Cauldvyr, Cirdhan, Dorngal, Erlundt, Gurralt, Hrosvir, Lhod, Nodhr, Yrn.
Female Names: Anga, Burli, Daegna, Durtta, Farla, Ingyrd, Johanna, Padhra, Sivaer, Tuli.
Deed Names: Fireheart, Ironhide, Lightblade, Moondancer, Razorclaws, Shadowbane, Stonebones, Valgerdsdottir, Yellowfang, Yrnsson.