Bugbears

Almost certainly an offshoot branch of the larger goblinkin family tree, bugbears are somewhat deceptively named as they are not particularly similar to bugs nor bears in appearance. They are large, often standing well over six feet tall, and exceedingly furry, so perhaps that is where the “bear” aspect comes from. Other races will often refer to bugbears as just bugs or fuzzies but it is not advisable to do this to one’s face. They share the pointed ears and protruding teeth with their orc and hobgoblin brethren, but have exceptionally long arms for a biped their size. Their fur is typically a red or orange shade of brown, somewhat darker than the skin beneath, though a striking blue furred variant also exists. Their eyes range from yellow to red to black. Perhaps surprising for creatures of such stature is their ability to sneak silently through different types of terrain to sneak up on their enemies. Cerelea has bred and refined their culture around this infiltration aspect, using them as assassins and shock troopers to sow discord in enemy forces. While orcs look down upon and often mistreat goblins, bugbears tend to separate themselves from this hierarchy. Physically able to contest with orcs one on one, they can typically avoid direct confrontation through intimidation. Bugbears seem to similarly view goblins as inferior but do not go out of their way to oppress them like orcs. They possess similar life cycles to hobgoblins, reaching maturity in their teens and living around fifty years if given the opportunity. As the least populous of the goblinkin, their other cultural aspects are the least understood by outsiders, though it is known that their particular subset of Orcish is called Buggish by goblins, orcs, and even hobgoblins and darkborn.