Homebrew Cresmar Forest Bear Species Details

At first glance the bears of the Cresmar Forest may appear to be normal brown bears but in fact they are something more. They are sentient and live as protector's of the forest from those that wish to corrupt it and cause it harm.

How the bears of the Cresmar Forest became sentient is largely debated amongst the scholars across the world. Some believe they are descendants of werebears that mated with normal bears. Some believe their lineage is traced back to Ursinals, a type of celestial guardinals. The Cresmar Forest bears believe they are the chosen of Silvanus, blessed with thought and their own will to protect the forest. They believe that the forest is Silvanus' most holy place and his connection to the world.

Cresmar Forest Bear Society

The bear's society is a relatively simple one, their lot in life is to protect. Their numbers are never large and it is extremely rare for them to stray from the Cresmar Forest. The village elder, usually a cleric of Silvanus or a druid, is both the spiritual leader and commander of the tribe. The rest of the tribe is then split between those that serve the home and those that serve the forest. Those that serve the home will tend to day to day activities of the tribe and raise the young. Those that protect the forest are mighty warriors, trackers and hunters. There is no segregation of the genders and any bear can take on any role. As long as a bear serves, a bear has honour. 

Cresmar Forest Bear Names

A bear is given a name when they are born and it will stay with them as a cub, it is usually a name that has been in parent's family for generations. When a bear reaches maturity and they decide how they will serve, they will choose a new name for themselves. These names can range from anything simple as Iron Claw to that of a bear of legend but usually revolves around how they view themselves and their place in the tribe. 

Cresmar Forest Bear Traits

Bears of the Cresmar Forest all share common abilities relating to their ancestory.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Cresmar Forest Bears age differently to normal bears. They usually reach maturity at around 14 or 15 years old and can live up to 100 years old.

Alignment

Cresmar Forest Bears tribal society is grounded in the need to serve. The majority of bears are of Lawful Good. The very few that leave the forest are likely to be of a different alignment, depending on why they left in the first place. 

Size

An adult Cresmar Forest Bear can weigh up to 1300 - 1400 lbs and is as tall as a standard human when on all fours. Your size is large. 

Speed

You have a walking speed of 40 feet and a climbing speed of 30 feet.

Keen Smell

Like normal bears you have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.

Claw and Bite

Your claws and bite are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. These count as weapons worth at least 1gp for the purposes of any spell or ability that requires a weapon to activate. Your claws does 2d6 + your Strength modifier slashing damage. Your bite does 1d8 + your Strength modifier piercing damage.

Bear Form

Due to your bear form it is difficult for you to manipulate non-bear created equipment, items etc. You have disadvantage on any ability checks that would usually require fine motor control or an apposable thumb.  

Languages

You can speak Common and Sylvan. Cresmar Forest Bears do not write, due to the nature of bestial forms, and so cannot read either. They will draw pictures depicting their history and will use symbols to leave messages to other bears, such as indicating a dangerous foe is ahead. Bears that live outside the forest may have learnt to read and write, depending on their individual circumstances.