Owlbear

An **Owlbear** was a large magical or shadow beast that looked like a cross between an owl and a bear. Notoriously aggressive and ferocious, they were among the most feared predators in the wilderness.

## Description

Owlbears were monstrous beasts with the bodies of bears covered in thick shaggy coats of both bristly fur and feathers, ranging in coloration from yellowish brown to a brownish black. Fur was predominant on their bodies, while feathers became more common at their heads, and they had thick hides. Their heads were avian, like those of owls, with large round eyes with limpid pupils and rimmed in red. Their beaks were hooked or serrated and had a yellow to dull ivory hue. Their claws were fleshy and, being avian, could be counted as talons. Their terrible screeches were known to split the night and echo across the land as a warning to others. Those who'd had run-ins with them and lived often described bestial insanity in its eyes. A little larger and heavier than females, a fully grown male specimen stood 8 feet high and weighed 1,300​ to ​1,500 pounds, had 2‑inch claws, and darker coats than females.

## Behavior

Little more intelligent than most animals, with more cunning than an owl, these creatures were incredibly aggressive and obstinate and were famous for their ferocity and foul temper. They would go so far as to attack almost anything that moved—anything larger than a mouse and anything they thought they could kill—on sight and without any provocation. They hunted so heavily because of their insatiable appetites, more than that of a giant owl and a bear combined. A hungry owlbear feared nothing, not even superior strength and size or any other discouragement or obstacle or impediment, and with little instinct for self-preservation, they would fight to the death. Only when they had already fed well was disinclined to attack a superior foe or risk its life. However, an owlbear's ferocity was also its key weakness—they could be easily lured into a trap or tricked into charging off a cliff, if available.

## Abilities

An owlbear naturally had a bear's keen sense of scent that it could use to track prey as well as an owl's sharp eyesight for finding prey in the dark, with specimens even reported to possess low-light vision and infravision. They also had acute hearing able to locate a sound with pinpoint accuracy. As a result, it was nigh impossible to sneak past an owlbear, let alone sneak up on one, and they were not hampered by complete darkness or against invisible foes. Their nictitating membranes also protected their sensitive eyes from blinding lights.

## Combat

An owlbear fought with both its beak and its claws. They would try to slash and grab prey with one or both their claws, crush it in a bear-hug, and bite it and rend it in twain. While in a bear-hug, an owlbear often could not use its claws, and so favored biting with its beak and using its brute strength to crush its victim. In a fight, they simply targeted whatever was closest.

## Ecology

Living in temperate climes and forested areas, owlbears established their lairs in tangled woods, in near-surface caves, and within large hollow trees and stumps, and in ruined structures. These lairs soon became littered with broken bones and gizzards, and the treasures of its victims, for those who dared look. Their favored hunting grounds were often dense wooded areas that they were familiar with and that prey could not escape through. A mated pair had a territory of 1​ to ​2 square miles, and would of course fiercely defend it against trespassers. They clawed at certain trees, leaving vertical grooves, to both mark territory and sharpen claws.

## Usage

An owlbear egg could be sold for $200 to $2,000 and a hatchling or young owlbear could be sold for $500 to $3,000–$5,000 in civilized places where the market existed for them. Wizards were the main buyers, for use as guardian creatures.