Homebrew Ursine Species Details

In general, ursines are bear-like humanoids with white, brow, or black fur and grayish-black skin beneath. They are very muscular, but also mentally developed. They can don armor and run on all fours or on their hind legs.

It is possible the Ursine descended from bears, but the truth has long since been lost. They do show great respect for the ‘cousins’ and you will never hear of an Ursine taming or putting a bear in captivity. However they can commune with bears and may ask them for favors and kindnesses.

The Ursine are known to be a reclusive race and often hard to find. Some even believe they are just legends. This belief is aided in they do not have a political structure. Ursine travel as small and tight knit family groups called Sleuths. These groups will typically stay in one geographic area and be familiar with other sleuths living in the region.

Because Ursine don’t have any large social groups they aren’t generally lawful. The family comes first and each family will have their own rules. They believe that right and wrong is something the family decides and laws are left for races that don’t have as strong a family connection as they do.

Animalistic

Though many see the Ursine as intelligent bears, there are many differences between the Ursine and their savage cousins. A fully grown Ursine is smaller than a bear and are as nimble on their hind legs as they are on all four. Outsiders may find it hard to believe, but the rough Ursine have much more restraint and self-control then the beasts they are often mistaken for, though some suspect this is a result of their lack of need to hibernate.

Noble and Fierce

Ursine tend to be tall compared to humans and move with a boldness that suggests their physical might. Black, Brown or White fur cover their bodies, their facial fur can be particularly long and shaggy, occasionally giving them the grizzled beard appearance which can be a visual sign of their age and wisdom. While their hands prove as nimble as those of other humanoids, Ursine have claws, which they can expose instantly. This, along with their ability to produce bone-shaking roars, gives most Ursine an air that readily shifts between regal and fearsome. Ursine often act with confidence, which can come off as imperiousness. While this can reassure their allies, it can also suggest defiance in the face of what they perceive as imposed authority or unworthy experts.

Honorbound

The Ursine place a high value on honesty, trust, hard work, and community. These are the virtues that bring a bearfolk honor, and the same attributes make an outsider welcome. Laws governing bearfolk life are simple and loose. They trust in their core values to guide them wisely when disputes arise. In the rare instance when a disagreement can’t be settled according to custom, honor, and common sense, the elders become involved. Defying the judgment of elders for personal gain is a source of great shame that can ruin a Ursine in the eyes of his or her tribe and family.

Strong and Tough

Generations of living in various harsh environments have made the Ursine tough. Many of these environments often lead to multiple occasions where there is a lack of food available, causing the Ursine to live of the tough plant life and any critters they can find.

Though many of the other races have trouble with the cold tempretures of the Northern lands, The Ursines fur manages to protect and negate them from the extreme effects of the cold.

A Nomadic Race

Other peoples often perceive Ursine as quick to take offense, intolerant of criticism, or belligerent. The truth is that many ursine simply enjoy peace and quiet, whether alone or with company. They take pleasure in facilitating peace and avoiding unwanted conflict, enjoying any opportunity to exercise their minds and bodies. Even though they prefer the path of less conflict, many Ursine have spent years studying and mastering different techniques to defend themselves and their people should the need arise.

It follows, too, that ursine aren’t inclined to carry grudges. An Ursine might react with sudden violence in defence to an insult or slander, but when the fight is over, the insult is forgotten—along with the vanquished foe.

Homeland Traditions

Many Ursine choose to wander the world at some stage of their formative years, curious about the state of the rest of the world. However, most of which who go out often return to their home, either because they miss their home or their curiosity has been sated. Although most adventure out on their own, there are those who prefer life in their home and are instead sent out on a journey akin to a coming of age tradition.

Some Ursine may also leave their home in exile or to seek a way to redeem themselves in the eyes of the elders and their clan by completing a great feat or a worthy task that was assigned to them.

Ursine Names

As many ursine are part of one of few clans, they rarely use a clan name excpt for when interacting with other clans and people.

Male bases may have suffixes of "-in," "-on," or "-an." Female names can have suffixes of "-a" or "-o." Either may be left alone. Letters in parentheses are only to be used if no prefix is added.

Male Bases: Thor, Fin(n), Mat(t), Log(i), Karl, Kaer, Lan(n), Beorst, Erlund

Female Bases: Frey(n), Astri(d), Karoel, Laer(l), Frigg, Ang(a)

Clan Names: Ironhide, Razorclaws, Shadowbane, Stonebones, Yellowfang, Fireheart, Greyson

Ursine Traits

Your Ursine character has the following racial traits.

Tough Fur

You have great durability. Your hit point maximum increases by 1, and it increases by 1 every time you gain a level.

Powerful Build

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

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Ursine mature and age much slower then Humans. They reach adulthood at 20 years and have been known to live up to 250 years.

Alignment

Due to their hatred of tyranny, Lawful Evil is almost unheard of, with Lawful Neutral and Lawful Good being semi-rare. All other alignments are typical within Ursine culture. Adventurous ursine can be any alignment, due to their long term exposure of the world around them.

Size

Ursine are typically between 6 to 8 feet tall, with some standing over 8 feet. Your size is Medium.

Ursine Typically weigh 300-500 lbs.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Your base speed on all fours is 45 feet.

Darkvision

Your ancestors have long since become used to being active in the night, becoming accustomed to little source of light. You have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see up to 60 feet in dim light as if it were bright light and darkness as if it were dim light. You cannot detect any colour in darkness, only a grayscale.

Sharp Claws

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

Hunter’s Instincts

You have proficiency in one of the following skills of your choice: Athletics, Intimidation, Perception, or Survival.

Ferocious Roar

As a bonus action, you can let out an especially frightening roar. Creatures of your choice within 10 feet of you that can hear you must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or become frightened of you until the end of your next turn. The DC of the save equals 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Constitution modifier. Once you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Ursine. In addition, you can communicate with bears, as well as bear-based creatures.