Ursine

## Background

The Ursine or Bearfolk are a race of bestial humanoids who possess a bearlike appearance. They have had many names throughout history, most inspired by the fear they inspire into the hearts of those that enter their mountain tribes uninvited. And yet whilst many are right to fear them, most do not see them as the hearty and proud race that they are. They love the solitude and serenity that comes with their lives in the mountain. Rarely do these people leave the eastern mountains beyond Asshan and the Henzhau unless they do so by circumstance. There are three main subraces of Ursine, these being: Arctic Ursine, Forest Ursine, and Mountain Ursine.

Arctic Ursine are strong and hardy, able to withstand cold climates and seas as a matter of course. Their white fur, resplendent in civilized areas or warmer climates, can provide useful camouflage in the tundras they often call home. These areas do not provide much in the way of permanent shelter, so a nomadic lifestyle is common.

Forest Ursine are at home among the trees and traverse them with expertise. Other races often view forest ursine as the most approachable of the three types, a trait that is likely the result of their gentler surroundings. Of all their race, forest ursine are the most likely to have permanent villages and to want to stay near them.

Mountain Ursine embody the fortitude and magical spark of their homeland. Although villages of mountain ursine are not uncommon, just as many choose to live their lives on the road or as members of some traveling company or order.

## Properties

### Ursine, Arctic

* **Average Lifespan.** 50 to 60 years.
* **Size.** Medium.
* **Ability Score Increase.** Your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Strength score increases by 1.
* **Speed.** Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
* **Bite & Claws.** You are proficient with your unarmed strikes, which deal 1d6 piercing damage (for bite) or 1d6 slashing damage (for claws). If you have grappled a creature, you may use your bonus action to bite them.
* **Powerful Build.** You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.
* **Ice Born.** You are naturally adapted to cold climates, as described in chapter 5 of the *Dungeon Master’s Guide*, and you have resistance to cold damage.
* **Marine Hunter.** You have a swimming speed of 30 feet, and you can hold your breath for up to 15 minutes at a time.
* **Languages.** You can speak, read and write Common and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for your character.

### Ursine, Forest

* **Average Lifespan.** 50 to 60 years.
* **Size.** Medium.
* **Ability Score Increase.** Your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Charisma score increases by 1.
* **Speed.** Your base walking speed is 30 feet and you have a climbing speed of 20 feet.
* **Darkvision.** You have a bear’s keen senses, and 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.
* **Bite & Claws.** You are proficient with your unarmed strikes, which deal 1d6 piercing damage (for bite) or 1d6 slashing damage (for claws). If you have grappled a creature, you may use your bonus action to bite them.
* **Powerful Build.** You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.
* **Woodland Adept.** You are most at home in forests and woods, and gain advantage on Stealth and Survival checks made in this type of terrain.
* **Languages.** You can speak, read and write Common and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for your character.

### Ursine, Mountain

* **Average Lifespan.** 50 to 60 years.
* **Size.** Medium.
* **Ability Score Increase.** Your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.
* **Speed.** Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
* **Bite & Claws.** You are proficient with your unarmed strikes, which deal 1d6 piercing damage (for bite) or 1d6 slashing damage (for claws). If you have grappled a creature, you may use your bonus action to bite them.
* **Powerful Build.** You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.
* **Ursine Toughness.** Your hit point maximum increases by 1, and it increases by 1 every time you gain a level.
* **Unnatural Resistance.** You know the *resistance* cantrip. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability.
* **Languages.** You can speak, read and write Common and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for your character.