Snowy owlbear

Snowy owlbears, also known as arctic owlbears and polar owlbears, were a kind of owlbear native to arctic regions. Similarly to their cousins from more temperate climes, they looked like hybrids of snowy owls and polar bears.

Description
Much like regular owlbears, these were monstrous beasts with the bodies of bears covered in thick shaggy coats of both fur and feathers, both of a snowy white hue. Their heads were rounded and avian, like those of owls, with large round forward-facing eyes that glowed yellow. Both their beaks and claws were black. A fully grown specimen stood high.

Behavior
Little more intelligent than most animals, snowy owlbears were, like their forest kin, aggressive and obstinate and famous for their ferocity and foul temper. They would go so far as to attack almost anything that moved on sight and without any provocation. They hunted so heavily because of their insatiable appetites, more than that of a giant owl and a bear combined. A hungry owlbear feared nothing, not even superior strength and size, and was not discouraged by any obstacle or impediment, and with little instinct for self-preservation, it would fight to the death. The people of polar regions swore that were nothing worse than having an arctic owlbear hunting on one's trail.

Unlike their cousins, snowy owlbears were primarily diurnal and thus hunted largely during the day, in contrast to regular owlbears, which could be wholly or partly nocturnal.

Owlbears communicated via hooting and screeching, at high volume and with a range of pitches and durations. They hooted or screeched to signal their territory, to drive prey into their hunting grounds and to attract a mate.

Arctic owlbears were entirely carnivorous. While they would prey on any kind of creature, they favored seal most of all, and as they were capable swimmers, they would pursue their prey even into the freezing cold water. Otherwise, they would take foxes, hares, walruses, mules, axe beaks, and humanoids.

Abilities
A snowy owlbear naturally had a bear's keen sense of scent as well as an owl's sharp eyesight for finding prey in the dark, with specimens even reported to possess darkvision.

The multiple layers of fur and feathers in an arctic owlbear's coat protected it from the cold, even when wet. Moreover, it was immune to magical cold and other frigid effects, though not to other kinds of magic. They were little bothered by blizzards or extremes of cold. Moreover, their pure-white coloration meant they had good camouflage in arctic environments, greatly aiding them in ambushes.

Furthermore, an arctic owlbear's paws had rough leathery pads, which helped it remain stable on slippery ice. They were also swift and capable swimmers.

Combat
Snowy owlbears fought much like standard owlbears, using both their beaks and their claws. They would try to slash and grab prey with one or both their claws, crush it in a bear-hug, and bite it and rend it in twain. While in a bear-hug, an owlbear often could not use its claws, and so favored biting with its beak and using its brute strength to crush its victim. In addition, their superior ability to blend into their environment, thanks to their white fur and feathers, made them more successful at ambushing prey. Even at the point of death, an owlbear would fight as vigorously as it would when healthy.

Ecology
Snowy owlbears inhabited the most frigid regions of the arctic and generally laired in natural caves or dens dug out of snowbanks where they slept or hibernated. Yet they did not stay in these for any great length of time, as they were always wandering across the ice in search of new prey.

Adult owlbears dwelled together as mated pairs. Their clutches consisted of up to six eggs, and both parents cared for their young well past infancy. They young remained in their lairs while they went hunting. Despite this, owlbear chicks were still relatively dangerous. They lived up to 20 years.

When out hunting, as they always were, owlbears could be encountered alone, in mated pairs, or in packs of up to eight.

Habitats
These creatures lived in the wilds of Icewind Dale.

Usage
Snowy owlbear feathers were used in dreamcatchers and other artworks crafted in Icewind Dale.

The Reghedmen inhabitants of the Cave of the Berserkers hunted snowy owlbears by luring them into their cave and killing them. They then butchered them for meat.

A tamed snowy owlbear required about three pigs' worth of food, usually costing 6 gp, to keep it fed and content.

History
Even in the mid–14 century DR, arctic owlbears were still only a subject of rumor and speculation. No specimens had ever been caught to verify their existence.

However, they were evidently familiar to the Reghedmen of Icewind Dale by the late 15 century DR.

Notable Snowy Owlbears

 * Frostclaw, an awakened snowy owlbear

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
 * Video games
 * Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms
 * Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
 * In Dire Need • Ice Road Trackers • The Frozen North • Divining Evil • Cold Benevolence • A Blight in the Darkness