Homebrew Garbjorn Species Details

The endless icy expanse of Tugeheimr has long been home to solitary creatures, one such is the Garbjorn. During the Exalted age, these proud and powerful bear people gained form from the machinations of a powerful Ice giant sorceress called Is'hjermir. Imbibing surrounding bears with magic, she granted the Garbjorn intelligence and apposable joints to create soldiers to help her protect herself.

Their ursine ancestry has given them great physical power. Since the death of Is'hjermir, the Garbjorn have grown into their own society. They are naturally solitary creatures that live under a common society that is ruled by a queen, this queen is called the Bjornmor. 

Prideful and Stubborn

Garbjorn place self-sufficiency and individual skill as a hallmark of a strong society. Leadership goes to the most fit to lead and respect is only won through deed. They take great pride in their own ability. Be it in combat, or artistry, the only way to be of use is to strive to be the best. Garbjorn love competition, due to their pride they rarely see defeat as a shame but a push to learn and improve their skills.

With their pride, comes stubbornness. Should you find your self in an argument with a Garbjorn who's dug their heels in, it is usually better to negotiate around whatever hill they chose to die on. While they don't see shame in defeat it is only after defeat is obvious that they capitulate. It is very difficult to hit a knock out in a verbal debate. Their stubbornness is both one of their greatest strengths and weaknesses, and is why most disputes among Garbjorn are settled through Aerlig Bardaga.

Aerlig Bardaga

For Garbjorn, when leadership is disputed, there is only one way to settle such a dispute. The Aerlig Bardaga is a competition that settles disputes over leadership in a clan between potential queens or mates. The Aerlig Bardaga can take many forms depending on the dispute, some can be trial by combat others a battle of wits. There is no shame in losing, only in refusing the challenge.

It is common for the leadership to frequently turn over in a Garbjorn clan. The needs of a clan changes like flow of water, and the leadership needs to change with the current. Those who lose an Arlig Bardaga, simply find a new role in the clan until their skills are required to lead again. At this time, the former Bjornmor will make their own challenge. Leadership is considered a responsibility over a preferred position for the Garbjorn. As such, their pride often takes the place of greed, where some might believe themselves more capable than they my actually be.

These cultural beliefs show strongly when Garbjorn interact with other folk. The relationship between peasants and nobles puzzles Garbjorn. If a king lacks the intelligence or leadership to lead, then clearly the most talented person in the kingdom should take his place. Garbjorn rarely keep such thoughts to themselves, and mock those who rely on society’s structures or rules to maintain their own power.

The Trial of the Maj'nbjord

Garbjorn believe that if you cannot be self reliant, you cannot be of service to the clan. Father's play a minuscule role in raising the children. Woman are believed to be better suited to lead in most all facets of life, including the raising of children. men spend most of their lives on the fringes of the clan, protecting it's boarders, completing missions given by the Bjornmor, and occasionally joining in discussions and decisions.

Upon a Garbjorn reaching maturity, they are cast out by their mothers to face the trial of the Maj'nbjord. The young Garbjorn must survive the wilderness for at least 5 years before returning to their clan to complete the trial to become a "Iringur" adult. When a Garbjorn is Iringur they are allowed to participate in the discussions of the clan and can respected enough to be able to declare an Aerlig Bardaga.

Garbjorn Names

Every Garbjorn has two names: a birth name assigned by the newborn’s mother, and a family or clan name. Male names are often but not always finished with a "jorn" or "jord", while female names often end with a "la" or "ja"

Male Names: Algjorn, Gofjorn, Heldur

Female Names: Elsker, Frigja, Gisla Kjorna, Modjir, Nalla, Veoja

Clan Names: Frostclaw, Arcus, 

Garbjorn Traits

Garbjorn share a number of traits in common with each other.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Garbjorn have augmented lifespans from what bears would commonly have. They reach physical maturity around the age of 10, however reach mental and emotional maturity around 20. Gabjorn live up to as old 120 years, the naturally oldest being recorded to be 147.

Alignment

Garbjorn are proud and noble creatures. They gravitate towards Lawful or Neutral alignments though it is not unheard of to come across chaotically aligned Garbjorn.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Giant. You also have the ability to naturally commune with the common bear.

Size

Garbjorn grow to be between 7 and 9 feet tall and weigh between 400 and 800 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet. This becomes 40 feet when on all fours.

Acute smell

You have advantage on Perception (Wisdom) checks that rely on smell.

Bear Claws

You have bear claws and a powerful maw, you are proficient with unarmed attacks that deal 1d6 slashing damage plus your strength modifier for claw attacks and 1d6 piercing damage plus your strength modifier for bite attacks.  

Powerful Build

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

Thick fur

Due to your thick fur, you’re acclimated to to cold climates, you are immune to the effects of extreme cold and friged water. As described in chapter 5 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide.