Owlbears

You think it is bad luck to hear about an owlbear? Nah, it is nothing more than a superstition. Bad luck is to MEET an owlbear.

— Old hunter and his son

Owlbears, being not the most dangerous creatures living in the Endless Forest, are the most feared. Most of the humans, including even many educated ones, believe that owlbears have a supernatural ability to sense the upcoming blood. They say that owlbears from the Endless Forest to the places of future bloodshed to feast on the dead and stalk upon those who survive. The history of that species only confirms the myth.
Owlbears do, indeed, often attack unprotected villages and travellers. Their sharp claws can tear through the mail armour as it was nothing but a simple shirt, and few have survived a sudden attack of an owlbear. They indeed seem to be attracted by blood due to their keen senses, but it is hard to find out whether they can really predict the future as it is a deed no one can credibly claim to do even in the simplest form of it. Still, many places pay solid gold for the head of an owlbear depending on its size.

Additional Information

Social Structure

The owlbears are loners by nature, but they would sometimes form groups in times of big blood, especially during the human invasion of the Great Plains and subsequent War in the Forest.

Domestication

The domestication of owlbears is considered to be quite impossible. The scholars from the Imperial Academy were only able to capture and study some of the adult ones, but none of them has shown any sympathy to the members of any race despite being fed well. They also resisted the charm magic, shaking off its control in a matter of minutes.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Any forest dense enough for an owlbear to hide in it, but they can go out on a hunt in undefended areas as well.

Average Intelligence

Very intelligent. An average owlbear can remember and recognise sounds and actions and note the changes such as new traps in the area. They are also good at organising ambushes and estimating the strength of their prey.

Lifespan

30-40 years

Average Height

2m

Average Weight

400kg

Average Length

2.4m