Page 8 - Ultimate-Bestiary-Revenge-of-the-Horde-5E

Culture

B
Bugbears are ruled by ugbears are ruled by
r
ritual and superstition. itual and superstition.
ey see auguries in all
ey see auguries in all
things, and will refuse
things, and will refuse
action unless the signs
action unless the signs
are right.
When a bugbear is
born, they are ascribed
born, they are ascribed
a totem animal by the
a totem animal by the
tribe’s elders, perhaps
an eagle was seen ying
an eagle was seen ying
over the birthing tent,
over the birthing tent,
or the hunt had just
returned with a boar.
e individual aspires
e individual aspires
to the attributes of their
to the attributes of their
totem - the strength of
totem - the strength of
the bear, the swi ness
the bear, the swi ness
of the deer, the ferocity of
of the deer, the ferocity of
the badger - and is forbidden
the badger - and is forbidden
from killing the creature. e one
from killing the creature. e one
notable exception to this is when
notable exception to this is when
a bugbear dedicates their life to a
a bugbear dedicates their life to a
cause, such as vengeance, retribution, or war. Here, they will make
cause, such as vengeance, retribution, or war. Here, they will make
a declaration of their intent, and a sacri ce of their totem animal,
a declaration of their intent, and a sacri ce of their totem animal,
symbolizing their death and rebirth as an instrument of the cause.
symbolizing their death and rebirth as an instrument of the cause.
One creature revered by all is the owl, as the embodiment of the
silent hunter. Any who kill an owl may, indeed must, be killed Environment
without repercussion. Bugbears are most at home in forested areas or rocky grasslands,
A bugbear will carve small amulets of stone or wood representing places they can easily nd cover to aid a stealthy approach.
its totem, along with other animals and more abstract designs. Fairly advanced by the standards of monstrous races, bugbears
ese it will weave into its longer strands of hair, along with construct simple dwellings from wood or stones and mud,
mementos of signi cant hunts and trophies from worthy foes. It is covering the exteriors with natural materials so an unobservant
believed that these will curry favor with whatever spirits determine traveler might mistake them for a feature of the landscape.
fate and will protect them from harm and misfortune. Taking Bugbears, as a rule uncomfortable in the gaze of others, prefer the
another’s totem is a grave insult, made worse if the thief goes on option of privacy these dwellings give them, but won’t snub the
to wear it openly, but being given another’s is the sign of a lifelong, option of bedding down in a cave if needs be.
unbreakable bond and o en goes hand in hand with swearing
oaths in blood. With natural stealth and cunning, bugbears are able to make a
living as parasites on other, more advanced races. Sometimes,
Bugbears also place great importance on collecting the heads of the tribe lives within a settlement itself, secreting themselves in
enemies they have slain. Some believe that the spirits of the dead catacombs, cellars, and back alleys. Smaller settlements, where it
remain in the heads, and will become the bugbear’s slaves in the would be more di cult for the bugbears to pass unnoticed, might
a erlife, others simply enjoy the respect and fear their collections have a hidden tribe of the creatures at the town limits without their
inspire. Regardless of the intent, the sight of a bugbear warrior’s knowing. While some tribes adapt to a more ‘civilized’ way of life,
hut with dozens of smoke-dried heads (each of which he will keeping their the s to food and supplies, others, particularly those
proudly tell you the story behind) nailed to the walls is enough to inhabiting the so-called ‘shadow towns’ on the outskirts, keep to
make an impression. Bugbears will engage in night raids against their old, savage ways. It is not uncommon for these tribes to treat
rival tribes and other monstrous races to add to their collections, a settlement as nothing more than another forest, and the people
and gain extra esteem if they can sneak in and return with a head within as game. eir habit of stealing folk away in the dead of
without raising an alarm. night for food, sacri ce, or slavery has given them a dark, almost
As well as their predisposition for ambushes and raids rather than mythical, reputation.
battle, bugbears’ reliance on signs makes it rare for them to actually
make war or engage in any sustained con ict; an ill-omened ight
of birds or prophetic dream could easily put a halt on a military
campaign. Despite this, those removed from traditional bugbear
culture are commonly found as mercenaries in the civilized world,
and o en ply their trade as assassins.

7
Chapter 1: Bugbears