Homebrew Awakened Bear Species Details

Awakened animals retain the physical characteristics they had before being uplifted to sentience, apart from their intellect being dramatically increased. Wild Bears are clever, powerful and robust. Though they fit the standard definition of an Apex Predator, in that they are at the top of the food chain, and virtually nothing can, or would eve try to hunt an adult bear for food, there is a great deal of contextual information needed before accurately applying the term 'apex predator' to them. Most bears are relatively aloof when faced with confrontation, and while they will eat other predators given the chance, their somewhat unspecified digestive tract makes them fairly good at digesting most food things. Their diets often widely varied, including plants, fungus, and meats, and as such they can comfortably exist in a wide number of biomes and environmental conditions,  which makes them ideal companions for wide-ranging Rangers and Druids. 

Once Awakened to sentience, they gain human-or-better level intelligence, which when coupled with their robust physiques and natural cleverness, make them prized allies. Though very dexterous for their size, and possessing a pseudo-opposable thumb, they often lack the fine motor skills to properly use most artisan tools. Their powerful claws and strong front limbs make for formidable weapons, even when otherwise unarmed. 

Awakened Bear Traits

Goliath

Brave

You have advantage on saving throws against being frightened.

Ability Score Bonuses

Awakened Bears receive a +2 bonus to Strength and +1 Constitution

Powerful Forelimbs

You have proficiency with your claws and teeth. Your claws deal 2d6+Str slashing damage and your teeth deal 1d8+Str piercing damage. Due to your clumsy paws, you can’t use any artisan's tools, musical instruments, or weapons with the light or finesse properties. Furthermore, you count as one size larger when determining your carrying weight, which includes the weight you may push/pull/lift.

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.

Thick Fur

Your thick fur gives you resistance to Cold Damage and protects you from environmental cold of up to -40c

Languages

You can speak, read, write Common and Sylvan or Druidic