Bugbear
Bugbears are born for battle and mayhem. Surviving by raiding and hunting, they bully the weak and despise being bossed around, but their love of carnage means they will fight for powerful masters if bloodshed and treasure are assured.
Goblinoids
Bugbears are often found in the company of their cousins, Hobgoblins and Goblins. Bugbears usually enslave Goblins they encounter, and they bully Hobgoblins into giving them gold and food in return for serving as scouts and shock troops. Even when paid, Bugbears are at best unreliable allies, yet Goblins and Hobgoblins understand that no matter how much Bugbears might drain a Tribe of resources, these creatures are a potent force.Followers of Hruggek
Bugbears worship Hruggek, a lesser god who dwells on the plane of Acheron. In the absence of their goblinoid kin, Bugbears form loose war bands, each one led by its fiercest member (Chief). Bugbears believe that when they die, their spirits have a chance to fight at Hruggek's side. They try to prove themselves worthy by defeating as many foes as possible.Venal Ambushers
Despite their intimidating builds, Bugbears move with surprising stealth. They are fond of setting ambushes and flee when outmatched. They are dependable mercenaries as long as they are supplied food, drink, and treasure, but a Bugbear forgets any bond when its life is on the line. A wounded member of a Bugbear band might be left behind to help the rest of the band escape. Afterward, that Bugbear might help pursuers track down its former companions if doing so saves its life.Basic Information
Anatomy
Humanoid (Goblinoid) Bugbear: A bugbear is a bipedal goblinoid, rising to the the same height as a human, though preferring to hunt and stalk with a stoop that makes it look considerably shorter and more bestial. Short, dark fur spreads all across its powerful, hulking frame. Its large ears hang loosely from its skull, and its eyes are unnaturally large—almost alien. It is not unusual for bugbears to reach nearly 7 feet in height, and they weigh more than most humans, some even reaching 400 pounds.
Ecology and Habitats
Bugbears are consummate hunters, their every waking moment devoted to it. Rather than hunting creatures, bugbears hunt fear, going to excruciating lengths to wring every drop of fear from their victims; for them, terror is an intoxicant more addictive than any drug. Bugbears are the largest of the goblinoids, and while hobgoblins are a tyrannous evil and goblins are selfish and capriciously evil, bugbears seem to enjoy evil for evil's sake, relishing every agony they can inflict on their victims.
Bugbears are incredibly stealthy for their size, and in using this to their advantage they play mind games, causing bumps and noises in the night, and opening doors and windows in settlements. They normally escalate these games by abducting a target's loved ones out from under their noses, then leaving bloody hints of their fate, like knocked-out teeth or a bloody finger. The bugbear then watches the ensuing terror before leaving the victim's mangled body someplace where it will soon be found.
After a particularly vicious and successful hunt, bugbears take trophies. Sometimes the only trappings of civilisation they have are their weapons, armour, and bloodied trophy collection. Another common bugbear memento is a grisly necklace fashioned from the severed ears of their favourite victims.
Bugbear life is merciless, short, and violent. Most bugbears only live 20 or so years, though the deadliest among them can kill hundreds in this short span. Obsessed with the hunt, bugbears rarely mate, judging their partner's worthiness by the scars they mark themselves with, each telling the unique tale of their most impressive hunt. When a bugbear gives birth, it is usually to twins or triplets, and sometimes more, although the births grow more dangerous with each additional child. Mothers frequently die during childbirth, but this proves little hindrance as their children's bloodthirsty instincts are strong from birth, and most happily hunt humans within two years and reach their full size in five. Even if their mother survives childbirth, young bugbears are soon abandoned, and only the most fearless and brutal survive to adulthood.
Bugbears can be found anywhere their favourite prey huddles away from the dark in fear. Bugbears originally stalked the woodlands that once covered much of Kelldoria and were dominated by the ancient elves. That race used to be bugbears' favoured prey, and bugbears used to be particularly populous in the ancient elven regions of Pelosia. Now bugbears lurk near humans, from darkened forests at the edge of villages to shadowy abandoned houses nestled in busy city districts. Bugbears are particularly common in the barely settled wilderness areas of Kelldoria, where they prey on lonely homesteads or poorly protected caravans.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Omnivore.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Bugbears tend to be loners, utterly devoted to the hunt with no time for anything else. Bugbears, most of whom natively speak the goblin language, seem to loathe the company of all other creatures and are not even that keen on other bugbears. While they sometimes form groups, these strained communities that rarely last. Still, these small groups have given way to some odd social practices.
Scarification is almost universal amongst bugbears, and after particularly impressive kills a bugbear gives itself a unique scar, which other bugbears can "read" to learn of the bugbear's achievements.
Bugbears also produce a unique alcohol called Bramble-Sick Brandy made from a bramble called Tomb Herald. The concoction, which is nauseating to humans, enhances a bugbear's ability to hunt. As the largest of goblin-kind, bugbears sometimes force their smaller relatives into servitude, especially the easily cowed goblins. The bugbear's violent nature tends to make these groups short-lived. Some smarter hobgoblin commanders try to utilize the bugbear's savagery as front-line fighters, or failing that as a terrifying diversion to release against an enemy.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
- Darkvision 60ft, and
- Passive Perception 10.
Civilization and Culture
Major Language Groups and Dialects
- Goblin, and
- Kelldorian (Common) or
- Amorian (Northern Common)
Common Myths and Legends
The first bugbear was supposedly born to goblin parents. Soon after birth, the bugbear proved too dangerous even for goblins, torturing fellow children and murdering many members of the tribe, and so it was banished. Some claim these mysterious births still happen, with adventurers finding entire goblin villages completely deserted but showing hints of atrocious violence.
A Bugbear by dndbeyond
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Genetic Descendants
Origin/Ancestry
Humanoid (Goblinoid) Bugbear
Lifespan
10 years To 60 Years (most don't live beyond 20 years of age)
Average Height
5ft 5 To 7ft (Averaging 6ft Tall)
Average Weight
250lbs To 450lbs (Averaging 300lbs)
A Savage Bugbear by Javier Perez
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