Getting to Know - the Bugbear

Perhaps this will be a regular series. No promises.

One of the hallmarks of the Avremier setting (and its offshoots) is monster variants. Or, at least, monsters with origins and details that differ from, or flesh out, the official entries or stat blocks. In fact, just about every monster found in Avremier is different in some way - to better fit it into the setting.

Some of the differences are cosmetic, or subtle. Not everything needs an entirely new coat of paint. Some of the changes might be surprising for some...such as goblins being dark fae, or sphinxes encompassing a broad creature type that includes manticores, lamias, lammasus, and shedus.

For no particular reason, this series will start with the bugbear. Sometimes, there will be full monster descriptions and/or stat blocks. This time, there will just be a sharing of the official archive notes for the Bugbear in the Avremier setting.

·        Bugbear: Known variously as the Wildegoblin, Wodegoblin, or Diregoblin, the bugbear is a stealthy figure found often on the border between the wilderness and civilization. In Avremier, it is not too unusual to see a bugbear hunter/trapper shambling into a small town for  supplies and trade. There are bugbear rangers, druids, barbarians, hunters, trappers, guides, and assassins. They are exceptional trackers. Some bugbears may emit a pungent musk when roused, causing fear in those nearby. Lycanthropy among bugbears will produce werecavebears or wereworgs, almost exclusively. A typical bugbear has exceptionally large hands and feet, helping it to walk more silently, cross soft or snowy terrain, and even wield weapons that are one category larger as if normal size. Their keen senses of hearing and smell make bugbears difficult to surprise, and allow them to notice nearby hidden or invisible creatures. They can see in the dark up to 60’. Some bugbears may have a monk-like unarmed strike attack. Not all bugbears are Evil, but they will mostly be of Chaotic alignment, and are hardly ever Lawful. There is a particularly cruel and ancient religion or cult that worships a demonic figure strongly resembling the Krampus. These cultists often wear hideous wooden masks, and carry birch rods or lashes of chain or leather as symbolic weapons.  A bugbear defeated alive by another in combat will usually have a notch taken out of its ear as a badge of shame.