Homebrew Awakened Polar Owlbear Species Details

"As we were walking through the brushes of the Wilds, I saw a hulking mass come towards me. I turned my head, and I saw an Owlbear on two legs if you can believe it! As our traveling party readied their weapons to attack, The Owlbear began waving his arms in front of him as if to say "I mean no harm!" That's when Merl noticed he had a satchel on his back, and called for us to hold our weapons. The Owlbear took the Satchel off and displayed some crude bowls and trinkets along with a small amount of coins. We asked him questions, and he seemed to understand, but said nothing and made gestures in response. We traded some food for some necklaces, then we went on our way."

-Merchants report to the King of Neverwinter

 

Physical Description

 Similar to their unawaken brethren, they are large bears with feathers for fur and owl faces, descending from the story of the wizard which played with the natural order in their creation. The main difference is both their awaken state, allowing them the both converse with other humanoids and stand on their hind legs. The biggest difference is their snow white, fur adapted from their surroundings, which they share with other Snow Owlbears. 

Soceity

 

As these odd of the oddities exist, they are even rarer then a regular encounter with an Owlbear. Most retain their savage and aggressive traits and only use their sentience to construct traps and weapons, but those who are willing to put aside their previous lives a beasts often become high ranking city guards or explorers, some even creating their own small society of hunters and self sustaining members. Their society, like their intellect, is coarse and unrefined. It is entirely centered around surviving the wilderness, and as such, the biggest and strongest amongst the tribe the is usually considered the Chief. They are, however, beginning to learn through the trickles of information they get from the outside world. They aspire to become a great civilization, yet only time will tell if they can learn to build and carve out a kingdom within the Wilds.

Names

Awakened Owlbear are not given names, they earn them. Titles such as "Defender of village", "He who killed the Crocodile", and "He who spilled the soup on the Chief" are common names. Chiefs are invariably named "Chief, protector among us" Those who immigrate into into other societies are often given names such as "Snowy", "Feathered One" or even things as simple as "Big Scary Bear Guy."

 

Awakened Polar Owlbear Traits

With their natural raw strength and the intelligence of a awaken spell, these beasts have become the perfect creature.

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength Score Increases by 2 and your Constitution Score Increases by 2.

Age

They mature around 12 and can live until about 50

Size

Owlbears are usually 7 to 10 ft. tall while standing. Your Size is Large.

Speed

Due to your more intelligent movements, when you take the dash action you instead gain a bonus 10 ft. of movement and as a bonus action can use the Owlbear Unarmed Strike. Your movement speed is 30 ft.

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.

Itimdidating Stature

With your gigantic height, you can easily persuade people to do thing for you with fear, in addition to the bonus of having a well known fact of being very aggressive and never backing down. You have advantage on Intimidation rolls and are immunity to the Frightened effect. 

Thick Hide

Due to your thick white feathers you have an AC of 12 + your Dexterity Modifier. In addition, living in cold has given you a resistance and your natural white feathers grant you an Advantage in the Snow. Overrides no armor AC

Monstrous

When determining your characters creature type you count as a Monstrosity. 

Nature Born

You can understand Owls, Bears, and Owlbears and you are considered proficient in Wisdom (Perception) checks that require seeing or smelling due to your keen sight and smell.

Clumsy

Due to the infantile state of this race, you are considered clumsy and are unable to wield weapons you are not proficient with.

Languages

You can understand, and read Common and Giant, but have a hard time speaking it proficiently and your long talons make it impossible to write.