Spirit Bear
The Oakwood is often called "the Haunted Forest" by those who dwell near it, or find the need to traverse it in their travels between the free cities and the settlements of the Feywood frontier. One of the denizens of that forest responsible for this alternative naming is the Spirit Bear. Cousin to the common black bears found in almost every temparate woodland on Cartyrion, the otherworldly appearance of these creatures strikes terror in those who have the misfortune of encountering one.
Laurels & Loot Statblock
The Spirit Bear is so named because of the eerie visual effects that surround them. When seen alive in the wild, they appear as pale white, faintly glowing, translucent creatures that do not appear to be fully corporeal. Only the staring black eyes and sharp-toothed mouths of the creature appear as solid objects. The few who have lived to tell of encounters with the beasts describe watching a vaporous cloud with two black holes for eyes and the red and white flashes of a roaring mouth and gaping jaws charging at them through the trees.
Sages at first presumed that the strange visual effects were, like those of the Phase Mink, a property of the creature's fur. But after the first instance of a band of adventurers successfully slaying a Spirit Bear, it was discovered that when the creature dies, the effects disappear, leaving only the carcass of what appears to have been a common Black Bear.
Name
Spirit Bear
Alternate Name/Nickname
Ghost Bear
Type
Beast
Size
Medium
Speed
40ft
Habitat
Rare: Oakwood Forest
Sages at first presumed that the strange visual effects were, like those of the Phase Mink, a property of the creature's fur. But after the first instance of a band of adventurers successfully slaying a Spirit Bear, it was discovered that when the creature dies, the effects disappear, leaving only the carcass of what appears to have been a common Black Bear.
Gamemaster Notes
Spirit Bears will not attack unless provoked, or unless they are accompanied by a juvenile cub. They will, however, stare menacingly, and may even rear onto hind legs to appear larger and more menacing, roaring as they do. When encountering them in the wild, adventurers who remain calm, do not attack, and avoid direct eye contact with the creature will often result in a solitary bear's eventually moving on without attack.Laurels & Loot Statblock
Stamina Points: 32
Injury Points: 12 (Creatures will attempt to flee combat if they sustain 4 Injury Points, unless it is a parent defending a cub. In that case, the bear will fight to the death.)
Claw: 2d8
Bite: 2d8 After a successful bite, the target is Grappled, and any subsequent claw attacks when Grappled do an extra d8 damage.
Injury Points: 12 (Creatures will attempt to flee combat if they sustain 4 Injury Points, unless it is a parent defending a cub. In that case, the bear will fight to the death.)
Claw: 2d8
Bite: 2d8 After a successful bite, the target is Grappled, and any subsequent claw attacks when Grappled do an extra d8 damage.
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