Bugbear

A bugbear was a massive humanoid distantly related to, but larger and stronger than, goblins and hobgoblins. Like many goblinoids, bugbears spoke the Goblin language.

Description
Bugbears resembled hairy, feral goblins standing 7 feet (2.1 meters) 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. Most often, this gear was second-rate and in poor repair. Many bugbears were chaotic evil in alignment, favoring stealth and surprising their opponents.

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. 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-lasting pleasures of evil.

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

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 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. Since the Spellplague of 1385 DR, the power of Hruggek was diminished and the god served as an exarch of Bane, the god of tyranny.

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.

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.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * City of the Spider Queen • Defiance in Phlan • Expedition to Undermountain • Eye of the Tempest • Hordes of Dragonspear • Nymph's Reward • Reclaiming Blingdenstone • Storm King's Thunder • Tales from the Yawning Portal • The Accursed Tower • The Dungeon of Death • Waterdeep • Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
 * Card Games
 * AD&D Trading Cards
 * Comics
 * Legends of Baldur's Gate 3 • The Bounty Seekers Of Manshaka


 * Shackles of the Past • Shell Game
 * Novels
 * Canticle • Charon's Claw • Condemnation • Dissolution • Exile • Forsaken House • Homeland • In Sylvan Shadows • Neversfall • Realms of Shadow: "The Fallen Lands" • Sword Play • The Summoning • The Siege • The Sorcerer • War in Tethyr
 * Video games
 * Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance • Baldur's Gate: Siege of Dragonspear • Curse of the Azure Bonds • Dungeon Hack • Eye of the Beholder • Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone • Gateway to the Savage Frontier • Hillsfar • Icewind Dale • Icewind Dale II • Neverwinter Nights • Neverwinter Nights 2 • Neverwinter Nights 2: Mysteries of Westgate • Pool of Radiance • Secret of the Silver Blades • Sword Coast Legends