Homebrew Bearfolk Species Details

Covered in shaggy fur, bearfolk resemble common bears not only in their appearance but in their ability to survive and even thrive in the wilderness. Their keen senses and physical prowess make them formidable enemies, but their practical nature and protective instincts make them fantastic allies.  Those who do often find themselves pulled into excitement and adventure.

Solitary Hunters

Bearfolk have thick fur, long snouts, massive paws and a musky odor that makes them stand out in any crowd. Bearfolk usually stand between 5 and 6 ft tall and often weigh upwards of 300 pounds. Like regular bears, bearfolk may choose to put on extra weight and hibernate for months at a time if they so desire. The color of their coat usually depends on the region they inhabit, and most are either black, brown, or white.

Bearfolk typically live alone or in small groups. Some visit or settle in nearby cities and towns to trade handmade goods, food, or stories. Their dwellings can be anything from a comfortable cave to a cabin of sturdy construction. They are obligate omnivores, and spend most of their time hunting game and gathering edible plants to satisfy their massive caloric needs. They are known to take good care of the land they inhabit, using controlled burns to prevent wildfires and choosing which animals to hunt in order to ensure ecological balance and prosperity.  

Bearfolk Traits

Your Bearfolk character has certain traits deriving from your ancestry.

Bear Claws

You have claws that you can use to make unarmed strikes. When you hit with them, the strike deals 1d6 + your Strength modifier slashing damage, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Keen Smell

You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception), Wisdom (Survival), and Intelligence (Investigation) checks that involve smell.

Powerful Build

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

Size

Bearfolk are larger and bulkier than humans, ranging from 5 to over 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium.

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet, and a climbing and swimming speed of 15 feet.

Darkvision

Thanks to your lineage, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Survival of the Fittest

You gain proficiency in one of the following skills of your choice: animal handling, Intimidation, nature, perception, survival.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language of your choice.