Homebrew Beartaur Species Details

In the far reaches of many worlds, deep in unexplored forests and frozen glaciers, live the mighty and majestic beartaur tribes. Small in number but large in body, the proud beartaurs form tight-knit clans and tribes, defending their territory as fiercely as regular bears. As many beartaur clans and tribes settle in caves to keep warm in their typically cold environments, they often have close or combative relationships with dwarves and others who dwell in the depths. Some who live in less frigid climates build villages above ground, and so come into contact with other surface-dwelling races.

Much like centaurs, beartaurs have a four-legged lower body. Also like centaurs, they have a two-armed upper body extending from where the neck of the lower body would be on a normal animal. Unlike centaurs, however, both "halves" of a beartaur resemble large bears, with thick fur, powerful limbs, and big bear paws instead of hooves.

Beartaurs come in many colors and varieties, from polar beartaurs to grizzly beartaurs to the sleeker brown and black beartaurs and more. All tend to share similar characteristics, however, and so their shared traits are described below.

Beartaur Traits

As a beartaur, you have the following racial traits.

Between Two Worlds

You are considered both a Beast and a Humanoid for all effects that would target or are limited to either.

Size

Your size is Large.

Speed

Your walking speed is 40 feet.

Darkvision

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 discern colors in that darkness only as shades of gray.

Ursine Build

Your massive non-humanoid body comes with its benefits and drawbacks. You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push or drag, and have advantage on all Strength (Athletics) checks.

Unfortunately, being so large has its drawbacks. Your big, bulky body gives you disadvantage on all Dexterity (Acrobatics) checks.

Bestial Heritage

Being a fusion of Beast and Humanoid gives you an intuitive connection to the natural world and the animals within it. You therefore have proficiency in one of the following skills of your choice: Animal Handling, Medicine, Nature, or Survival.