Homebrew Awakened Owl Bear Species Details

Awakened Owlbears have the same resemblance as their ancestral counterpart, the Owlbear. The wizard's spell from their origin story, however, had its side-effect, which slightly shortened the race's size by a minuscule amount (cutting off about 3 to 5 inches from their normal build) when the second generation of Awakened Owlbears were conceived. This small blunder, however, doesn't change their ferocity and aggression, making them perfect fighters within skirmishing situations. Their origin race's reputation for being violent and mindless makes them heavily feared by many.

About a hundred years ago within the Wilds, a down on his luck Wizard tried to create a spell to raise his own intellect. Unfortunately, a mother Owlbear alongside her cubs stumbled into the clearing he had made. In a panic, he cast the unfinished spell, and a bright flash gleamed from his point of origin; the wizard was gone. The Owlbears, however, had become intelligent and self-aware.

The magic had fundamentally altered the beasts and her kin, retaining their intelligence. Over the course of the next century, they formed a tribal society, learned to walk upright, wield simple weapons, and craft crude materials and implements. They learned how to understand common, but have yet to fully become proficient when speaking it.

Awakened Owl Bear Traits

Half bear and half owl, whats not to love?

Clumsy

Due to the infantile state of this race, you are considered clumsy and are unable to wield weapons you are not proficient with.

Innate Savagery

Your beak and talons are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal piercing or slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Natural Instincts

You are proficient in the Nature skill, and you are considered proficient in Wisdom (Perception) checks that require seeing or smelling due to your keen sight and smell.

Languages

You can understand, and read Common, but have a hard time speaking it proficiently and your long talons make it impossible to write.

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 colour in darkness, only shades of gray.

Age

They mature around 12 and can live until about 50

Size

Awakened Owlbears stand a little over 7 feet tall. Your size is Medium.

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength score is increased by 2 and your Wisdom is increased by 1.