Bearfolk Names
Bearfolk are given cub names by their parents, and when they come of age, they earn a new name, either bestowed upon them by an elder or one they choose themselves. This name befits a deed undertaken during their rite of passage into adulthood, describes some honorable or prominent trait of the bearfolk in question, or honors an ancestor.
Male Names: Beorst, Cauldvyr, Cirdhan, Dorngal, Erlundt, Gurralt, Hrosvir, Lhod, Nodhr, Yrn.
Female Names: Anga, Burli, Daegna, Durtta, Farla, Ingyrd, Johanna, Padhra, Sivaer, Tuli.
Deed Names: Fireheart, Ironhide, Lightblade, Moondancer, Razorclaws, Shadowbane, Stonebones, Valgerdsdottir, Yellowfang, Yrnsson.
Bearfolk Traits
Your bearfolk character has certain characteristics in common with all other bearfolk.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2.
Age. Bearfolk come of age in their late teens and live around 80 years.
Alignment. Bearfolk are predominantly good, mistrusting and shunning evil. While they hold rich traditions, they value their freedom and tend toward chaotic alignments.
Size. Bearfolk can reach a height of over 7 feet, with thick, muscular builds. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Bite. Your powerful jaws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If it hits, you deal 1d6 + your Strength modifier piercing damage.
Natural Armor. Your hide is thick and tough, granting you a natural AC of 13 + your Dexterity modifier.
Powerful Build. You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.
Ursine Talent. You have proficiency in the Athletics and Perception skills.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common, and either Northern or Umbral.
Subrace. Two main subraces of bearfolk exist: grizzlehides and purifiers. There is also the shadowborn subrace. Choose one of them.
Grizzlehide
As a grizzlehide bearfolk, you are thicker and hardier than your cousins. Grizzlehide fur ranges from black to golden, often with light gray or blonde tips. Tough and ferocious grizzlehides are the original bearfolk stock native to the colder northern climes.
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 1.
Bear Hug. When you take the Attack action, you can make an unarmed strike as a bonus action. If you hit, you can grapple the target in addition to dealing damage to it. You can use this ability a number of times equal to your Constitution modifier (minimum of 1), and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.
Thick Coat. You are resistant to cold damage.
Purifier
As a purifier, you are slighter of build, with reddish or pale fur and with a strong affinity for nature. Purifiers often serve as spiritual anchors in their communities. Purifiers are a recent branch of the bearfolk race.
Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 1.
Nature’s Gift. You know one cantrip of your choice from the druid spell list. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability score for it.
Stalwart Will. When you make an Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma saving throw, you can roll a d4 and add the result to your total. You can do this after the roll but before any effects occur. Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
Shadowborn
As a shadowborn bearfolk, you are one of the cubs born in the Shadow Realm with a proclivity for the darkness. Shadowborn are marked by gray coats from infancy and sometimes possess strangely arcane black markings. Shadowborn not only seem to resist the darkness more easily than other bearfolk but are also often drawn to its presence.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Cloak of Night. While in dim light or darkness, you have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks and can take the Hide action as a bonus action.
Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet as though it were bright light and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.