Panserbjørn

"When bears act like people, perhaps they can be tricked. When bears act like bears, perhaps they can't.”

-Philip Pullman, Northern Lights

Historically solitary and primitive in nature, panserbjørn have, under recent leadership, begun forming increasingcivilizationbegun adopting social norms and morals much closer to those found within ‘civilized’ cultures, such as in human and elven settlements. Indeed, various magical universities now include panserbjørn amongst their alumni, and remote mountain-top temples highly prize these bear-people as monks and clerics. Even the more solitary panserbjørn are sought after as guides for trading caravans or adventurers that delve into the tundra.

Fluffy and Fierce

As quarry, panserbjørn are prized for their thick, water- proof, insulating fur. However, as predators, they are un- matched amongst the hunter-folk of the northern wastes. It is not unusual, during the deep northern winters, to hear tell of Jötunnkyn clansmen disappearing, the only trace of their fate a deep, clawed footprint in the snow.
Panserbjørn place great store beside honorable conduct. Disagreements between the bear-folk are often decided in single combat, a trait inherited from their days of innate territorial conflict. However, unlike their bestial cousins, the polar bears, panserbjørn duels are never to the death. To kill another panserbjørn is to invite exile. In fact, many exiled panserbjørn can be found working jötunnkyn forges in exchange for liquor to numb the pain of their loneliness.

Awakening

Legend says that panserbjørn were awakened from a race of opposable-thumbed polar bears by the giant ordning. Initially kept as companions by frost giants, interest in this malleable, yet ferocious beast was quickly piqued in the other giant races. Stone giants taught them the way of carving and spirituality, so that they might carve their own homes within the ice mountains, and connect with the divine. Fire giants taught them the ways of the forge and fostered within them a sense of reverence for the holy sky- iron armor they now wore.
Cloud giants saw them only as play things, and tricked them with liquor and false words into fighting for their own entertainment. After the panserbjørn king was exiled after being so tricked into slaying another of his kin, the bear-folk broke with the giants. However, a storm giantess name Aixocolotl, angry at her kin, took pity on them and blessed them with speech and the ability to sense deception, such that they might reason and not be tricked again.

Workers of Metal

Meteoric sky-iron, found in the northern ice mountains, forms the principle material with which panserbjørn hone their craft. From weaning, panserbjørn are taught how to fold and forge this unique metal into plates of bespoke ararmorarmorthat can often take a lifetime to perfect. 

Panserbjørn Traits

Your panserbjørn character has certain characteristics in common with all other panserbjørn.

Age

Panserbjørn mature at the same rate humans do, and are expected to become independent in their mid- teens. They can live to 80 years.

Alignment

Panserbjørn, by nature, care mostly about their own survival, and tend towards neutral alignments. Wild pansebjørn gravitate towards chaos and value their freedom above all else. Cultured panserbjørn, conversely, lean towards lawful habits, seeking to become a member of wider civilized society.

Size

average in excess of 300 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Claws

Your claws are as long as a child’s hand, and a natural weapon you can use to make unarmed attacks. If you hit with them you deal slashing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage for an unarmed strike. In addition, if not wearing footwear, ice and snow is not difficult terrain for you.

Darkvision

Accustomed to spending half the year in near-perpetual darkness, panserbjørn have evolved superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 30 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern colour in darkness, only shades of grey.

Forgers of Sky-iron

armor plating, which is as important to you as your own armorequals 10 + your Dexterity modifier + your proficiency bonus whilst wearing it, and it has no weight for you. In addition, you have proficiency in blacksmith’s tools.

Powerful Build

You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.

Languages

You can speak read and write Common, Beastfolk and Giant.

Subrace

civilizedpanserbjørn. Choose one of these subraces.

Cultured Panserbjørn

As a cultured panserbjørn, you seek to ingratiate yourself in civilized society through study and communication. As a rarity anywhere but in the tundra, common folk have heard only tales of the ferocious and primitive beasts of the ice. Challenging this misconception is a constant task.

Studious

You gain proficiency in two of the Arcana, History and Medicine skills, as well as a tool of your choice.

Linguistic Assimilation

You can speak, read, and write another language. Additionally, you can cast the spell comprehend languages at first level with only vocal components and without expending a spell slot. After you cast this spell using this feature you may not do so again until you complete a long rest

Wild Panserbjørn

As a wild panserbjørn, you are a naturally gifted survivalist, and are often suspicious of conurbations, only visiting them when needs must. Historically more numerous, wild panserbjørn have seen a steady decline in the number of young panserbjørn adhering to the old ways. It is said you cannot trick a wild panserbjørn.

Arctic Explorer

You are adapted to travel in sub-zero conditions. You have resistance to cold damage, gain proficiency in the Survival skill, and have advantage on Dexterity (stealth) checks in snowy/icy terrain.

Eye for Deception

You have advantage on Wisdom (insight) checks.(insight) checks.