Homebrew Awakened Polar Bear Species Details

And so our benefactor created the amulet, knowing that we would not last long on his magic alone. The amulet is what separates us from our wild kin; it gives us culture; it gives us feeling; it gives us strength unparalleled. Without the amulet, we are nothing, and for this chance to experience the world as beings capable of appreciating it, we give the benefactor our eternal thanks, though we know we can never repay him. We must not, however, forget our foundation. Though we are no longer the wild bears that stalk the ice and snow, without them there would be nothing for our amulets to rest upon.

Blessed be the polar bear, for they gave us our body.

Blessed be our benefactor, for he gave us our strength.

— The Village Elder

 

Literally polar bears, mysterious amulets gifted from their equally mysterious benefactor has given them a semi-permanent awakened status. Their culture is shaped by a pseudo-religion built around their respect for the bear they originated from, and the man who has given them their 'strength'.

The Awakened

The awakened have all the same physical attributes of ordinary polar bears. They have thick, white fur covering their bodies, muscular builds, and powerful jaws. They are able to manipulate things with their hands, but have a hard time holding smaller tools that humanoid races would typically find useful. They stand 3 1/2 to 5 feet while on all fours, and 8 to 10 feet while standing, and can weigh anywhere from 800-1500 pounds.

A Tight-Knight Community

As of now, there are fewer than a hundred awakened individuals. They all live together in a Inuit-style tribal system, traveling the icy north in search of carabou, fish, and the infrequent plant. They do not need to wear clothing, but many have adopted accessories inspired by their benefactor, who often comes to them bundled in warm robes. For the awakened, family is more important than anything else, and though they have not yet had to use this law, if a bear compromises the safety of their family, they are to remove their amulet and be cast out from the tribe forever.

When a young bear is born, the village elders call upon their benefactor, who always arrives just when a young bear is weaned with a new amulet to place around their neck. The amulets grow with them, and appear to serve no other purpose than giving them their awakened status. Only the bear the amulet was placed upon can remove their amulet. Though no bear has attempted to put this to the test, the benefactor has assured them any who attempt to remove it forcefully will experience harsh consequences.

The benefactor is considered in many ways to be a god, but he has encouraged the awakened to avoid treating him as such. He may have given them their 'strength', but he is by no means a god, and they should act on their own accord. Because of this, while he often visits to check up on the tribe's well being, the bears have created a culture all of their own, and have several familial traditions that even he is not allowed to be a part of as he is not formally a part of their family.

Awakened Names

Upon birth, awakened bears are given a personal, or family, name. Only those who are a member of their immediate family - including those related by blood, close friends, and lovers - may use it. Out of respect, even the benefactor does not use this name, but the 'awakened name' given to them when they are first given their amulet.

Male Names: Alorniq, Amaruq, Denahi, Iqiaq, Kenai, Koda, Pana, Panuk, Sitka, Tarqiq, Tulok, Yotimo, Tuka, Yutu, 

Female Names: Aput, Elisapi, Hiti, Kalliq, Kimmiq, Kirima, Meriwa, Nanuq, Nunouk, Nita, Sikniq, Tanana, Taqtu

Childhood Names: Snow, Fluffy, Soft, Bright Eyes, Small Claw, Coo

Awakened Polar Bear Traits

Being a bear, you can call upon your bear instincts to deliver a fatal blow

Polar Bear Jaws

You're a bear just bite it

Stealth Inhibition

Due to your massive size and stark white fur, you cannot stealth unless in a snowy environment.

Stance Swap

It takes time and care to shift from one stance to another to get used to the shift in gravity. When you have shifted your stance, you can only move 20ft during your turn regardless of the stance you're shifting to.

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength score increases by 3.

Languages

Due to your awakened status, you automatically know how to speak, read, and write in common.

Age

Young polar bears take nearly two years to be weaned, but once they are they grow quickly, reaching maturity by age five. With their awakened status, they appear to live longer than the average bear, the village elders now reaching close to fifty years of age.

Alignment

The awakened's morals are still young, and tend to not follow with most of the Faerûn races. If you had to place them on an alignment chart, most tend to be good or neutral, though their lawful alignment may not follow along with the laws of the outside world.

Size

The awakened are polar bear size, standing 3 1/2 to 5ft while on all fours and 7-10ft tall on their hind legs. They can weigh upwards of 800lbs, the heaviest reaching 1500lbs.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 20 feet on two legs, and 40ft on all fours.