Bugbear

## On Bugbears

*"Every race within The Dominion serves a purpose; has a divine calling. On the surface our cousins the bugbears seem like they lack one. Their rough demeanor and violent temperament seems to put them at odds with the rest of goblinoids. Yet that is not so. Indeed, without the subtlety of their particular brand of brutality I doubt The Dominion would survive. We are soldiers, our lesser kin are subjects and bugbears? Bugbears are raiders, cutthroats and the unsung heroes of our Dominion."-Zrarkurz the Razor, hobgoblin noyan, in correspondence with a trusted friend.*

*"They're more fun at parties than hobs, that's for sure."-Nol, goblin chef, to her assistant chef during idle conversation.*

*"They don't look anything like bears, that's certain sure."- Velazora Shorthorns the Fair, piper bard, in her classic book* Witticisms on all Sentient, and not so Sentient, Life.

*"Seem a little like hairier orcs to me. You telling me they're not?"-Edd, human farmer to his mates at the tavern, after a company of bugbear headhunters moved through town.*

Bugbears are raiders, sneaks and killers. They're also the third member of the Triumvirate that makes up leadership of the Goblin Dominion. Larger and bulkier than hobgoblins, bugbears are remarkably stealthy creatures and, unlike hobgoblins, aren't afraid of scorched earth policy and backstabbing. They understand their purpose within the Dominion, even if it's unpleasant. Outside the Dominion, wandering bugbears are often mercenaries, bandits or adventurers, found in small tribes or warbands. They keep food in their stomachs the only way they know how. Unfortunately for the bugbears, many also end up as slaves to the drow or duergar, which is a thoroughly unpleasant life.

## Physical Description:

Bugbears have a superficial resemblance to other goblins though there is no mistaking them for anything but bugbears. They stand between six and seven feet tall, though lanky and not overly muscled. Despite the evidence of one's eyes, bugbears are deceptively strong. They are covered, head to toe, in fur that ranges from sandy-blonde to a dark brown or black, with longer tufts of fur on their heads of differing colors in much the same way other species have hair. The name bugbear comes from the shape of their noses and claws, which appear similar to those of bears. The nose of a bugbear is brightly colored and quite sensitive to smell. Though the claws are too brittle to attack with, bugbears keep them sharp to appear intimidating. Their ears are large and floppy and their mouths are full of oversized fangs. Bugbears dress in simple clothing, most of which is looted or barely constitutes clothing. Regardless of its origin, items worn or used by bugbears are barely maintained, falling apart at the seams. Tattoos are not popular among the bugbears for obvious reasons but piercings, dyeing their fur and various jewelry is. Scars are prized and showcase the capability of the bugbear.

## History:

Bugbears are the least developed of the goblinoid races. Nearly feral bands of bugbears have been squatting in caves or ruins since the dawn of time in Apia, particularly in modern day Taskanda where they used to have petty kingdoms. They plundered and stole, raided and pillaged without thought, led by warchiefs that ruled through cunning and strength of arm. The bugbears were a savage race, in service to a savage pantheon of gods, led by the brothers Hruggek and Grankhul. These gods reveled in pillage and slaughter and instructed the bugbears to do the same. After some time, Maglubiyet came to power and defeated the other goblinoid gods. Hruggek and Grankhul surrendered and became minions of Maglubiyet. Following the example of their gods the bugbears did the same.

Like most races, bugbears were enslaved by mind flayers and later beholders and fought against them during the rebellion of Latrell. However, the tribal nature of bugbears meant they were among the first to resume their raiding after the beholders fell. Bugbears remained unremarkable with no deep history to drive them. They built no monuments or large communities, save in the east where they have both. Ezrava the hobgoblin prophet, saw the potential in the bugbears as soldiers and scouts during the Apian Blood War and thus was the first to truly use them for more than just fodder. Due to the role of of bugbears during the war against the fiends, they earned a place within the new Goblin Dominion. Bugbears became the third member of the Goblin Dominion's Triumvirate and thus, remain one of the ruling races. While bugbears are still crude and savage compared to hobgoblins or goblins, they are used as reavers, scouts and assassins, putting their natural stealth and cunning to use in the service of the Dominion. Today bugbears are proud members of the Dominion, serving the will of mighty Maglubiyet however they can. While they may not be as numerous as goblins or as glamorous as hobgoblins they are vital Dominion citizens in their own ways. Outside of the Dominion, they live as they always have, raiding and pillaging.

## Geography:

Bugbears, like other goblinoids, can be found all across Apia, typically squatting in caves or ancient ruins. They roam in clans or war bands, taking whatever the can from the surrounding villages and towns. Of course, the greatest concentrations of bugbears are found in The Goblin Dominion where the worst of their raider tendencies are curtailed.

## Personality:

Bugbears affect their environment with an impact between that of tribal humanoids and a pack of large predators. Strongly instinct-driven, bugbears are territorial creatures that stake out holdings in caves, ruins or underground complexes, which they use for shelter. As almost entirely carnivorous, bugbears will eat the flesh of anything they can kill, including other sapient creatures. Common goblins hate and fear their bigger cousins precisely because the bugbears will just as soon roast or stew a goblin as it will a frog, hare, pigeon or wild boar. Combined with their primitive love of shiny objects, bugbears are natural marauders, seeking to prey on anything around them for food and loot. Bugbears have a reputation for being dim-witted and brutish. This claim is not unfounded. Bugbears have easily provoked tempers and are prone to rages. Few bugbears overcome this flaw and their culture's brutal nature. One major difference between bugbears and other goblinoids is the bugbear's relatively low fertility rates. Because there are less of them bugbears are far more cautious with their lives and retreat quicker than hobgoblins. Because of their size and strength bugbears are quick to bully goblins, kobolds or other weaker creatures into their service. However, they quickly fold in the service of others, serving drow and other races as minions or slaves. Bugbear heroes, though rare, are heard of and can acquire significant renown if successful. Often the motivation for this change of heart comes from the rewards earned from virtue but some as just genuinely good people, particularly if they've lived in The Dominion.

## Society:

Bugbear society is primitive at best, at least when made up entirely of bugbears. However, bugbears are often found in the company of other goblinoids, particularly goblins, since tribes made up mostly of hobgoblins and bugbears tended to be wiped out quickly by other races as a precaution. Some bugbears also operate independently, though tribes ruled by hobgoblins are better organized and less savage. This is in part because bugbears have little patience for diplomacy or negotiation, preferring violent solutions to conflicts unless obviously overpowered. Most of the "chores" that need to be accomplished around a bugbear's lair are preformed by goblins or slaves. While the cavernous bugbears will happily eat any animals, trying to "herd" pigs, goats and sheep doesn't go well so it is again left to goblins or slaves. Bugbear chiefs are typically the strongest or cleverest and rule through force of arms, beating any rivals into submission. While they heed the council of a wiseman of Maglubiyet, grudgingly, they won't listen to any other being. Bugbear chiefs also demand a share of loot and spoils from all their minions, which breeds resentment and rivals. They also claim breeding rights ahead of the others, again, causing resentment.

Within the Dominion, bugbears live in small family units, typically inside their own districts. Because of low bugbear birthrates, each bugbear has a life-mate and they are expected to produce children from the good of the Dominion. Despite the fact that these life-mates are arranged, bugbear pairs can actually become fond, even love one another. This sets them apart from those relationships formed outside the Dominion which are mostly driven by lust or necessity. Dominion bugbears are typically warriors or reavers and proud of their role.

## Religion:

Most bugbears worship Maglubiyet above all other gods. Their own ancient gods, Hruggek and Grankhul, are also a popular choice for worship. A few go so far as to worship demon lords or evil gods. Those good aligned bugbears offer prayers to Xoldaar, Asus or Emdera Ruggedfist.

## Alignment:

Many bugbears are chaotic evil. A good portion are chaotic or true neutral. A few are chaotic or even neutral good.

## Relations:

Bugbears work willingly with the other goblinoids and have good relationships with them. They bully goblins and serve hobgoblins. They hate orcs and drow and will attack them if they can reasonably kill them. Orcs for religious reasons or territorial disputes and drow because they have a habit of enslaving bugbears. Most bugbears care little for elves, humans or dwarves either. They do get along well with ogres and trolls as well as other similar beings. They're unpleasant to most creatures, even other bugbears, in general.

## Names:

Bugbear names are unisex and are thus suitable for both male and female bugbears. Some example names are listed below.

**Example bugbear names:** Hrunk, Sterdirr, Chruk, Gank, Ghegumkk, Voddin, Zotink, Hradduk, Thuk, Zherron

## Adventurers:

Many bugbears take up the adventuring life, either because they desire food, wealth and fame, and are willing to go to any length to acquire it, or they are exiles. Some good aligned bugbears, having no friends within the clan that share their outlook, seek out allies more in keeping with their temperament. Dominion bugbears can be sent out to preform missions or reconnaissance. Those adventuring bands which include bugbears discover they move remarkably quietly despite their size and strength. They serve as excellent fighters and rogues.

## Traits:

Bugbears have the following traits...

  +2 Strength, +2 Dexterity, -2 intelligence, -2 wisdom, –2 Charisma.

Humanoid (goblinoid): Bugbears are humanoids with the goblinoid subtype.

A bugbear’s base land speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision out to 60 feet.

+4 racial bonus on Move Silently checks.

+1 natural armor bonus.

Scent (Ex): A bugbear has a keen sense of smell. He can detect opponents within 30 feet given range (60 feet if the scent is upwind, 15 feet range if it is downwind) and may take a move-equivalent action to determine the direction of a scent. If an odor source is within 5 feet, the bugbear can pinpoint that source. Bugbears can use the scent ability to track an enemy by smell.

Automatic Languages: Common, Goblin. Favored Class: Rogue.

Favorite Class: Rogue, Fighter