Bugbear
A Bugbear? What, you mean those massive furry goblin guys who like to sleep in caves all day? They won't get in here. This place was made to keep out wizards and their magic. There's no way some dumb, lazy goblinfolk are ever going to get in this fortress.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Bugbears are large, furred goblinoid people with two long arms and a set of legs as well. They often have the attributed goblinoid nose and ears as well.
Additional Information
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Most Bugbears are located on the Jade Coast of eastern Edrinia, stretching across the northernmost edge all the way down to the southern shores. However, they are also common in the southern section of the mountains in Alus of the western continent. The Alusian Bugbears prefer to stay in caves and mountains while Edrinian Bugbears prefer the forests, plains, and swaps of the coast.
Civilization and Culture
Major Organizations
- The Jade Tribes: Countless tribes scattered across the Jade Coast. The Bugbears make up a healthy chunk of the population of these tribes.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Bugbears take to Common and Goblin the best, though they often dislike the fact that their mother tongue is named after one of the more pitiful species in their land. As a result, they will often change the name of the language to Barrash if they are tribal. Otherwise, they keep the name for the sake of simplicity.
History
The Bugbears evolved alongside the Goblins and Hobgoblins on the eastern shores of Edrinia and the mountains of Alus. Across different groups, they often relied on the other races for food and security due to their unique talents. The goblins were scared of them and their sneaky nature while the hobgoblins saw them as useful saboteurs and scouts. However, their homelands eventually didn't give them enough opportunities for their talents and so they looked outside to the other lands.
Bugbears became thieves, spies, and assassins in the land of others, quickly gaining a reputation. Stories began to spread about the infamous guilds and Bugbear individuals. For the ones who actually had those talents, they found a steady supply of work and coin to go along with it. The ones who didn't often found themselves on the receiving end of fear and persecution from people who saw them all the same. Scholars believe that's why there's such an increase in bandits and marauders with Bugbears in them. Since they can't find stable work without being seen as criminals, why not become criminals?
Regardless, the Bugbears were helpful allies during the war against the Elders, sabotaging their camps and staging grounds in the night across Avestra. It's why the Elders took such a liking to them. At least that is a plausible explanation why two Aberration-infested zones are close to locations where goblinoids live. Regardless, the Bugbears live in a world where they can either succumb to the stereotypes of powerful and cutthroat criminals or carve a new path for themselves, either in their homeland or in a strange, new world.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Tribal Bugbears often see the Goblins as a nuisance or a good subject to bully into taking care of them. Due to the laziness most tribal Bugbears share, this sometimes sours relationships between the two groups. However, the bouts of excellence they do are able to keep them in the goblins' good graces. And it helps that goblin craft and ingenuity can make their lives easier. Outside the tribes, the two species look at each other as strangers though, a Bugbear is more likely to look to a Goblin as a chance for aid or relief than say a human or elf.
Tribal Bugbears see Hobgoblins as harsh taskmasters, often forcing them out of their caves to do chores or do assignments before they've had their rest for the day. It's no surprise that the two groups loathe each other and tribes that contain both don't last that long unless there is a mutual understanding. Yet for all that negativity, there are tribal Bugbears who get along great with them, especially ones who take to warfare tactics or magic. Outside of tribes, the two are strangers to each other but they are likely to seek them out for aid same as Goblins.
The Humans of the Aerin valley have two views of Edrinian Bugbears: they are either raiders who kill and pillage innocent villages or they are useful mercenaries and cutthroats to watch and employ. The Humans of Crystalia often make use of them as the latter but are willing to accept Bugbear settlers into their lands same as any goblinoid.
Depending on the region, Bugbears often see their mortal enemy as Elves and Dwarves. Often this is simply because they fight over the same territory. Or there is a history of grudges between the two groups. Whatever the case, raids against these groups are common but can vary in intensity between settlements. Because one Bugbear group may see them as enemies while another sees them as worthy trade partners or people to live with.
The Alusian Bugbears are absolutely terrified of the Arachni as they were often delicacies back when the Arachni ate people. While some Bugbears are willing to risk living amongst them, there are still stories told to misbehaving children of the monsters in the night who will come to take them and turn them into Bugbear jerky.
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