Homebrew Beornings Species Details

The origins of Beornings are not known, save that they dwelt in the Vales of Anduin between Mirkwood and the Great River in the late Third Age. Unlike other Men, they had the ability to change into bears. They were named after Beorn, their patriarch. They seemed to have the same life-span of mortal men, and could speak in both the tongue of men and of bears. They did not seem very fond of Dwarves, and were bitter enemies of the Goblins. The people of Rohan shared kinship with them. They hunted neither bird nor beast, their diet consisting mostly of cream and honey. The only known leaders of this people were Beorn and later his son Grimbeorn.

The Beornings were well known for their honey-cakes, which they likely made in their bee farms and sold openly to others, at least until the return of Sauron, for then the Beornings no longer trusted strangers and their trade stopped. Gimli considered the Beornings the best bakers he knew, though they were not so willing to give out their cakes to travelers during the days of the War of the Ring.

Gandalf thought the Beornings might have originated in the Misty Mountains. During the Third Age they guarded the Ford of Carrock from the Orcs and Wargs (in The Lord of The Rings, Gloin complained that their tolls were high) and they also aided the Elves in defending their kingdom in northern Mirkwood. During the War of the Ring, while wearing the One Ring at Amon Hen upon the seat of seeing, Frodo Baggins saw many things from afar, including the land of the Beornings aflame. This hints at an attack by Sauron's forces upon the Beornings, though the outcome of this attack is unknown.

Beornings Traits

As other Northmen, the Beornings descended from Men of the First Age who were related to the Edain, perhaps akin to the Third House. As such, the Beornings were close kin of the Éothéod, the Woodmen of Mirkwood and the Bardings. Beorn is a fictional character created by J. R. R. Tolkien, and part of his Middle-earth legendarium. He appears in The Hobbit as a "skin-changer", a man who could assume the form of a great black bear. His descendants or kinsmen, a group of Men known as the Beornings, dwell in the upper Vales of Anduin, between Mirkwood and the Misty Mountains, and are counted among the Free Peoples of Middle-earth who oppose Sauron's forces during the War of the Ring.

Martial

The Beornings sustain themselves by breeding cattle and horses and keeping hives of great bees. Recently, Beorn is considering requesting a safe-passage toll from all travelers crossing their lands. For the moment, though, the Beorning culture ranks as martial. 

Travelers

Beornings start with bonus equipment. A brightly colored traveling cloak, traveling gear for the current season, a backpack or saddlebags, a belt dagger, boots, 3d6 silver pennies, plus choose any one: Fine woolen blanket, ancient bear claw dagger, necklace of orc-teeth, bundle of honey cakes. 

Adventuring age

16-30. Beornings don't usually become adventurers before their 16th year of age, and rarely continue beyond their forties, when they retire to serve their family and folk.

Size

Most Beornings are fairly stocky and often stand 6ft tall or more. Your size is medium. 

Angry

You gain proficiency in the intimidation skill. 

Languages

You can speak the Vale of Anduin Tongue--an archaic version of common speech, closely related to Dalish. 

Beorning Culture

You gain one Beorning Culture Virtue of your choice. 

ASI

Your strength score increases by 1 and you may choose two additional scores to increase by 1.