Panserbjørn

*Historically solitary and primitive in nature, panserbjørn have, under recent leadership, begun forming increasing ly larger communities. This burgeoning civilisation has begun adopting social norms and morals much closer to those found within ‘civilised’ cultures, such as in human and elven settlements. Indeed, various magical universi ties now include panserbjørn amongst their alumni, and remote mountain-top temples highly prize these bear-peo ple as monks and clerics. Even the more solitary panser bjørn are sought after as guides for trading caravans or adventurers that delve into the tundra.*

## Panserbjørn Traits

*Your panserbj*ø*rn character has certain characteristics in common with all other panserbj*ø*rn.*

***Ability Score Increase.*** *Your Constitution and Strength scores increase by 1.*

***Age.*** *Panserbj*ø*rn mature at the same rate humans do, and are expected to become independent in their mid teens. They can live to 80 years.*

***Alignment.*** *Panserbj*ø*rn, by nature, care mostly about their own survival, and tend towards neutral alignments. Wild pansebj*ø*rn gravitate towards chaos and value their freedom above all else. Cultured panserbj*ø*rn, conversely, lean towards lawful habits, seeking to become a member of wider civilised society.*

***Size.*** *Panserbj*ø*rn are over 7 feet tall, when erect, and average in excess of 300 pounds. Your size is Medium. **Speed.** Your base walking speed is 30 feet.*

***Claws.*** *Your claws are as long as a child’s hand, and a natural weapon you can use to make unarmed attacks. If you hit with them you deal slashing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage for an unarmed strike. In addition, if not wearing footwear, ice and snow is not difficult terrain for you.*

***Darkvision.*** *Accustomed to spending half the year in near-perpetual darkness, panserbj*ø*rn have evolved supe rior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 30 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern colour in darkness, only shades of grey.*

***Forgers of Sky-iron.*** *As you mature, you fashion bespoke armour plating, which is as important to you as your own soul. You are deemed proficient in this armour, your AC equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier + your proficiency bonus whilst wearing it, and it has no weight for you. In addition, you have proficiency in blacksmith’s tools.*

***Powerful Build.*** *You count as one size larger when de termining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.*

***Languages.*** *You can speak read and write Common and Giant.*

***Subrace.*** *Two subraces of panserbj*ø*rn are found in the world: nomadic wild panserbj*ø*rn and civilised cultured panserbj*ø*rn. Choose one of these subraces.*

## Cultured Panserbjørn

*As a cultured panserbj*ø*rn, you seek to ingratiate yourself in civilised society through study and communication. As a rarity anywhere but in the tundra, common folk have heard only tales of the ferocious and primitive beasts of the ice. Challenging this misconception is a constant task.*

***Ability Score Increase.*** *Your Intelligence score increases by 1.*

***Studious.*** *You gain proficiency in two of the Arcana, History and Medicine skills, as well as a tool of your choice.*

***Linguistic Assimilation.*** *You can speak, read, and write another language. Additionally, you can cast the spell com prehend languages at first level with only vocal components and without expending a spell slot. After you cast this spell using this feature you may not do so again until you com plete a long rest*

## Wild Panserbjørn

*As a wild panserbj*ø*rn, you are a naturally gifted survivalist, and are often suspicious of conurbations, only visiting them when needs must. Historically more numerous, wild pan serbj*ø*rn have seen a steady decline in the number of young panserbj*ø*rn adhering to the old ways. It is said you cannot trick a wild panserbj*ø*rn.*

***Ability Score Increase.*** *Your Wisdom score increases by 1.*

***Arctic Explorer.** You are adapted to travel in sub-zero conditions. You have resistance to cold damage, gain profi ciency in the Survival skill, and have advantage on Dexterity (stealth) checks in snowy/icy terrain.*

***Eye for Deception.*** *You have advantage on Wisdom (insight) checks.*