Water Bear

A water bear possesses the strange capacity to change it's size between medium and tiny seemingly instantly, fooling many scholars and adventurers from thinking that it is teleporting or phasing. While capable of full movement at both tiny and medium sizes, their ability to attack and damage their enemies is drastically different.

Water bears originate from the Plane of Ooze, also known as the Swamp of Oblivion, situated between the planes of Water and Earth where they normally exist at a microscopic size, unable to grow larger due to the constant flux of the plane. Occasionally water bears are able to hitch a ride on other creatures that visit the Plane of Ooze, such as Phase Spiders, and end up in safer and more stable environments. When this happens, they tend to develop abilities to take advantage of their environment. A common adaptation is the ability to drastically and quickly change their size to aid in both resource procurement and evading predators.

Water bears are omnivorous, and resort to carrion if necessary. While they can become large and imposing, they are typically shy and gentle creatures and will often avoid confrontation if at all possible. Water bears are consummate survivors. When there is a lack of food, they revert themselves into their tiny size and enter a hibernation state that allows them to wait out long periods where conditions improve. This hibernation state can also be brought about by intense cold, triggering internal processes that protect them on inner planes such as Frostfell, or the Plane of Ice.