Bear

Bear are large, ursine Awakened who combine raw strength with deep cultural traditions.
Sometimes called Ursu or Bearons, bear are strong, fur-covered people who often live in forests,
mountains, or tundra, depending on their sub-type. They are generally proud and value
self-sufficiency, yet also have a strong sense of honor and family. Many bear live as solitary
hunters or in small family groups, meeting with larger clans only occasionally. Among outsiders,
bear can seem gruff or stoic, but they are deeply emotional and spiritual.. Bear tend to be slow to
anger, but fearsome when provoked. They are known for their hearty appetites, physical
prowess, and sometimes their temper – though a content bear is as likely to be gentle and jovial
as they are to be fierce.

Bear Traits. Your bear character has the following species traits:

Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Constitution score
increases by 1.

Age. Bear have relatively short lifespans. They reach adulthood by 15 and rarely live beyond
60 years (though in peaceful, comfortable environments some might reach 70 or so).

Alignment. Bear can be of any alignment, but many tend toward chaotic neutral. They
often live as outsiders (“outcasts”) and value personal freedom. Individual bear might be
quite noble and good or fiercely territorial and more neutral or evil – their code is often
their own.

Size. Bear are massively built. Males and females alike range from about 7 to 8 feet tall and
can weigh 300–400 pounds or more. Your size is Medium (even though you are as big as
some ogres).

Speed. Your base walking speed is 20 feet. Bear are powerful but move with a lumbering
gait.

Rugged Hide. Your thick, furred hide provides natural armour. While you are not wearing
any armour, your armour Class is 13 + your Constitution modifier. You can use a shield
and still gain this benefit.

Powerful Build. You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and
the weight you can push, drag, or lift. (Bear are extraordinarily strong, treating
themselves as Large for carry/lift purposes.)

Keen Smell. You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell. (Your
bear-like nose can sniff out food, predators, and other scents easily.)

Natural Weapons (Claws). You have heavy claws that you can use to make unarmed strikes.
If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier,
instead of the normal bludgeoning damage.

Subspecies. There are two primary bear subspecies: Grizzly Bear and Polar Bear. Choose
one of the following sub-options for your character:

Grizzly Bear. Grizzly bear are forest or mountain dwellers with brown or black fur.
They are known for their raw power and ferocity. Trait: When you are reduced to
0 hit points but not killed outright, you can drop to 1 hit point instead. You can
use this ferocious endurance trait once, and you regain the ability to do so after
a long rest. (In other words, you have a similar resilience to the half-orc’s
Relentless Endurance.)

Polar Bear. Polar bear hail from arctic regions and have white fur and an insulating
layer of fat. They are adapted to freezing climates. Traits: You have resistance to
cold damage, and you have a swim speed of 30 feet (polar bear are strong
swimmers in icy water). Polar bear tend to be slightly larger on average and even
more solitary than their grizzly kin.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Beast Speech. Bear have their own
dialects and clan signs, but Beast Speech serves as a bridge between all beast.