Owlbears, fascinating creatures that they are, belong to the Quasigriff Order, alongside their renowned counterparts, the griffins and hippogriffs.
Owlbears possess powerful feathered frames, terrible claws, and a violent distrust of other creatures. The world has come to hate the owlbear, and the owlbear despises the world—a fact they violently express to any creature who crosses their path. Owlbears gain the upper hand by pinning their prey between their powerful appendages and massive form, then they mercilessly rip apart trapped victims with their honed natural weapons.
This behemoth of fur and feathers aggressively patrols their territory. They tend to lead a solitary existence, but during mating season, they den as pairs with their bitter broods.
Characteristics
Physical features
What sets Owlbears apart is the unique blend of avian and ursine characteristics that define their remarkable form. However, it is important to note that the specific avian and ursine halves of an Owlbear can vary depending on the region they inhabit.
In the northern regions, where the climate is colder, Owlbears often exhibit a combination of owl and bear traits. Their avian half may resemble the magnificent snow owl, known for its white plumage and piercing gaze. Conversely, in hotter regions, Owlbears may possess a fusion of hawk and bear attributes.
Diet
When the sun hangs low at sunset, the owlbear commits to kill. They wander tirelessly for countless miles in search of prey, regardless of the threat that prey might pose to them. They seek to hunt and kill not merely because of hunger or desire to defend their territory, but because of an overwhelming drive to display physical dominance. After a victory, the owlbear drags their victim back to their territory, feeding on flesh and discarding bones in sloven and draggletailed fashion.
Beyond their wanton killing, these monstrosities quickly upset the local food chain when they settle in an area. As they crowd out other apex predators, this soon leads to an overabundance of vermin. And even when they’re not on the hunt, owlbears knock down mature trees with their long claws, collecting the wood into massive piles to harvest termite mounds.
Mental traits
Despite the owlbear’s vicious tendencies, they’re naturally wise and intelligent creatures. Owlbears have shown surprising empathy for the grieving and forsaken outcasts who journey into wild places. Taming an owlbear takes a fearless heart and a commitment rivaling the creature’s need to kill.
Comments