Bugbear

Bugbears were a massive humanoid race distantly related to, but larger and stronger than, goblins and hobgoblins.

Description
Bugbears resembled hairy, feral goblins standing tall. They took their name from their noses and claws, which were similar to those of bears. Their claws were not long and sharp enough to be used as weapons, so bugbears often armored and armed themselves with a variety of purloined gear, which was normally second-rate and in poor repair.

Personality
Bugbears, like other goblinoids, had a reputation for being dim-witted and brutish. This claim was not unfounded, and like their kin bugbears had easily provoked tempers and were prone to rages. Few bugbears overcame this flaw and their culture's brutal nature. Many bugbears were chaotic evil in alignment, favoring stealth and surprising their opponents.

Bugbear heroes, though rare, were heard of and could acquire significant renown if successful. Often the motivation for this change of heart came from the rewards earned from virtue, which in the long term were more pleasing than the short-term pleasures of evil behaviors.

Society
Bugbears were 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 operated independently, though tribes ruled by hobgoblins were better organized and less savage. This was in part because bugbears had little patience for diplomacy or negotiation, preferring violent solutions to conflicts unless obviously overpowered.

Religion
Bugbears once had their own pantheon, led by Hruggek. Bugbears often decapitated their enemies as a way to honor Hruggek, who was said to do the same. From the Spellplague to the Second Sundering, the power of Hruggek was diminished and the god served as an exarch of Bane, the god of tyranny. However, after the Second Sundering, bugbears began to follow bugbear-specific deities such as Hruggek once more.

Other bugbear deities included Grankhul, the bugbear deity of hunting, senses, stealth, and surprise; and Skiggaret. Local pantheons often included a god of earth, a god of fertility, and a god of death.

Language
Like many goblinoids, bugbears spoke the Goblin language.

Biology
Unlike most creatures, bugbears were particularly susceptible to the effects of Bowen's flowers, which would knock them out within minutes.

History
Many scholars of the late 14 century DR believed that bugbears and goblins were both bred by the hobgoblins as slave races, with bugbears serving as elite soldiers.

Nine bugbears working for the Xanathar Thieves' Guild dwelt upon the Dungeon Level of Undermountain.

Four bugbears working for Yek dwelt in the Arcane Chambers Level of Undermountain, as well as twenty bugbears who served the Xanathar Thieves' Guild.

Eight bugbears dwelt in Azrok's Hold, on the Sargauth Level of Undermountain.

Notable Bugbears

 * Bolgus and Bulkar, two bugbears who acted as guards at the entrance of a Xanathar Guild level on the Arcane Chambers level of Undermountain.
 * Grol, leader of the Cragmaw tribe in the late-15th century DR.

Appearances

 * Adventures:
 * Waterdeep • Dungeon #29: "Nymph's Reward" • Hordes of Dragonspear • The Accursed Tower • The Dungeon of Death • City of the Spider Queen • Expedition to Undermountain • Pool of Radiance: Attack on Myth Drannor • Reclaiming Blingdenstone • Scourge of the Sword Coast • Storm King's Thunder • Tales from the Yawning Portal • Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
 * Novels
 * Homeland • Exile • Canticle • In Sylvan Shadows • War in Tethyr • Sword Play • The Summoning • The Siege • Realms of Shadow: "The Fallen Lands" • Dissolution • The Sorcerer • Condemnation • Forsaken House • Neversfall • Charon's Claw
 * Comics
 * The Bounty Seekers Of Manshaka • Legends of Baldur's Gate 3
 * Shackles of the Past • Shell Game
 * Gamebooks
 * To Catch a Thief
 * Video Games
 * Pool of Radiance • Curse of the Azure Bonds • Hillsfar • Secret of the Silver Blades • Eye of the Beholder • Gateway to the Savage Frontier • Menzoberranzan • Dungeon Hack • Icewind Dale • Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance • Icewind Dale II • Neverwinter Nights • Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone • Neverwinter Nights 2 • Neverwinter Nights 2: Mysteries of Westgate • Sword Coast Legends • Baldur's Gate: Siege of Dragonspear
 * Board Games
 * Temple of Elemental Evil Board Game
 * Card Games
 * AD&D Trading Cards • Dragonfire ( Chaos in the Trollclaws )
 * Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
 * Defiance in Phlan • Eye of the Tempest
 * Defiance in Phlan • Eye of the Tempest