Homebrew Bee's Bugbear Species Details

This field journal sets out to document my findings about the rare race that populates [REDACTED], known as “bugbears.” Neither a bug nor a bear, these furry humanoid creatures are more closely related to Goblins and lycanthropes than ursine or insects. Although little is known about this reclusive species, my personal recordings are listed below.

— Unknown Author

• Fur: Bugbears are covered in fur, lacking it only in spots on the face, the palms of their hands, and the soles of their feet. Their fur ranges in color, but predominantly appears in neutral tones: brown, blonde, and black. However, their fur is often tinged by something the bugbears call ‘jewel tones’: highlights of bright color similar to a corvid’s feathers. The most common fur is brown with golden streaks, the rarest being black with green and blue. A lack of jewel tones often signals to other bugbears that something is wrong with a member of their pack— possible sickness or falsehood. Curly haired bugbears often wear their fur in protective styles-- locs, braids, and knots that keep the fur well hydrated and free of tangles. Patterns are rare, but spots and stripes are seen amongst different tribes.
• Eyes: Bugbear eyes also come in jewel tones— you will not find brown, black, or grey eyes within the species. The most common color is green, the rarest being red. Purple, gold, and blue exist within the eye color spectrum.
• Tails: Though rumored, bugbears of this world do not possess tails.
• Lifespan: Bugbears reach the same physical and mental adulthood that humans do, around 18-21. However, their life spans are often slightly shorter, halting in their 70’s to 80’s.
• Size: Bugbears can range from 6 to 8 feet tall, and weigh between 250-375 pounds.
• Aging: When bugbears are first born, their fur is very short and light; both in color and texture. Very little facial hair will be present yet, but mane and body fur will already be existent. As the child ages, the fur will darken and grow thicker. In adolescence, both sexes will see an increase in facial hair and a marking we call a “zipper”— a darker line of hair running from their throat downward. Towards the end of their life, aging alters the bugbear in many ways: bulking muscles, lengthening arms, and greyed fur. They lose their more humanoid appearance, becoming hunched, often using their long arms in a primal, quadrupedal way to get around.
• Characteristics: Both sexes have a number of shared traits. For example, all bugbears have large, tufted ears. While these ears are not always perceptive at hearing, the tufts work as an extra sensor for sensing rock walls and reverberations deep underground. Additionally, their size helps cool the bugbear in hot situations, similar to a rabbit. Bugbears have sensitive fur on many parts of their body— especially on their chest and arms— that are theorized to aid their ears in navigation. In fact, many bugbears feel trapped by conventional clothing, feeling it dampens their senses. As a result, members of their tribe often feel less shame about being less dressed, despite societal norms.  In addition, they detest shoes and never wear them, similar to halflings. Bugbears also possess cat-like noses that have a fantastic sense of smell. Though primed for caves and caverns, the bugbear body has become incredibly adaptable over the years, their bodies well-suited for forest or tundra climates.
• Males: Distinguishing the sexes is not entirely too difficult, even aside from primary sexual characteristics. Male bugbears  have predominant lower fangs (tusks) that begin to grow and protrude during adolescence. In more ancient times, these tusks would dictate leaders among the pack; for now, it often correlates to sex appeal within the population. In addition, they are often larger and bulkier than their female counterparts, and less likely to possess the rarer jewel tones.
• Females: Female bugbears, like humans, receive more fat storage in the hips, chest, and stomach area. Both sexes grow their hair long, but the feminine style tends to have longer hair that is often arranged in very particular styles. The females will also tend to have facial hair before their male counterparts, and have their own unique styles they apply to it.
• Diet: Despite their ferocious fangs, bugbears have a diverse diet— they can eat generally anything! Their caloric need is incredibly high, often doubling or even tripling that of a human the same age. They thrive best when consuming foods high in Vitamin E— traditionally found in the salmon and other fish that swim through rivers and caves. This intake helps keep their coats lustrous, strong, and appealing to other bugbears.
• Featured Traits: Bugbears are known for being incredibly stealthy, and this is contributed to a number of factors. Although their evolutionary background is unknown, bugbears can be traced to the fae wilds and appear to have magic coursing through their veins. This fey ancestry increases the stealth of this race immensely, their steps almost silent and their fur appearing rock-like when against cavern walls. In addition, despite their towering height, their bodies are easily contractable. Bugbears possess double-jointed arms that help them navigate places smaller than one would expect. In addition, bugbears possess herculean strength, being able to easily haul up to 500 pounds, and with difficulty, 800 pounds! Their claws can easily crack glass.
• Miscellaneous Information: Bugbears are rarely sighted, so information on culture, preferences, and other topics is limited. Here’s what I have gleaned:
• Bugbears aren’t often fond of large quantities of water. Their fur appears to be lightly water resistant, but they often avoid swimming or fully submerging themselves within bodies of liquid.
• Their culture appears to place heavy significance on braids, and their relation to friends and family. Smaller beads often have hair or trinkets relating to their family and friends; while a large braid often uses their partner’s fur/hair to create a braid signifying a bond or marriage.
• Bugbear ears seem to relate some emotion, similar to a cat or wolf. Their ears will often ‘airplane’ in anger, or tuck back in fear or sadness.
• Bugbears purr involuntarily in extremely happy states. While it can be stifled, it’s difficult to do so.

 

Bee's Bugbear Traits

Your bugbear character has the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Bugbears reach adulthood at age 16 and live up to 80 years.

Size

Bugbears are between 6 and 8 feet tall and weigh between 250 and 350 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 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 can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Long-Limbed

When you make a melee attack on your turn, your reach for it is 5 feet greater than normal.

Powerful Build

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

Sneaky

You are proficient in the Stealth skill.

Surprise Attack

If you surprise a creature and hit it with an attack on your first turn in combat, the attack deals an extra 2d6 damage to it. You can use this trait only once per combat.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Goblin.

Fey Ancestry

You have advantage on saving throws you make to avoid or end the charmed condition on yourself.