Owlbears¶
Unnaturally Territorial Predators
An Owlbear is a fearsome hybrid creature, combining the powerful frame of a bear with the hooked beak, feathers, and piercing eyes of a giant owl. These creatures are fast-moving, flightless predators with terrifying physical strength and a savage temperament. With razor claws and a crushing beak, they shred anything that strays too close to their lair.
While originally created through arcane experimentation, owlbears have long since spread across the wilderness, becoming dominant predators in forests, caves, and rocky mountain regions. Their senses are as sharp as their talons, and their aggression is legendary.
Owlbears embody the wild fury of the frontier in Dungeons & Dragons, 5E, Pathfinder, and other fantasy RPGs; a fusion of feral bear strength and the primal instincts of a hunting owl.
Owlbear Lore¶
- The true origin of Owlbears is lost to time, though some scholars blame wayward arcane experiments.
- Owlbear dens are typically found in forests, rocky outcrops, or deep caves, often marked by clawed trees and littered bones.
- Some druids and wilderness folk have been known to form bonds with owlbears, but they cannot truly be trained or domesticated.
- Owlbears are nocturnal hunters who will track prey over miles and rarely give up once they’ve locked on a target.
- Some villages prepare offerings to an Owlbear in order to benefit from its territorial protection.
- Albino Owlbears are extremely rare and are sought out by practitioners of the occult as particularly powerful sacrifices.
Owlbear Tactics¶
Owlbears are fiercely territorial and will defend their cubs to the death. If a dangerous-looking foe enters their territory, they will first attempt to frighten the foe away before risking an engagement. However, if the foe appears frail or weak, an Owlbear will prepare a vicious ambush from elevated terrain, dense underbrush, or partially collapsed ruins. Owlbears retreat as soon as they have downed a potential meal or if they appear to be outmatched. However, unlike natural predators like the Dire Wolf, many Owlbears enter a frenzied rage when injured and fight viciously to the death.
Owlbear Statblocks¶
Owlbear¶
Owlbear
Summoned with Foe FoundryLarge Monstrosity (Owlbear)
AC 13 Initiative +1 (11)
HP 59 (7d10 + 21)
Speed 40 ft., climb 40 ft.
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Str | 20 | +5 | +5 |
| Dex | 13 | +1 | +1 |
| Con | 16 | +3 | +3 |
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Int | 3 | -4 | -4 |
| Wis | 13 | +1 | +1 |
| Cha | 7 | -2 | -2 |
Skills Perception +5
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 15
CR 3 (700 XP; PB +2)
Actions
Multiattack. The owlbear makes two Vicious Rend attacks. It may replace one attack with a use of its Pounce.
Vicious Rend. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit 15 (3d6 + 5) slashing damage.
Pounce. The owlbear jumps 20 feet toward a creature it can see, attempting to knock it prone. The target must make a DC 15 Strength save or be knocked Prone.
Bonus Actions
Cleaving Blows (Recharge 4-6). Immediately after the the owlbear hits with a weapon attack, it may make the same attack against another target within its reach.
Reactions
Rampage. When a creature within 30 feet is reduced to 0 hitpoints, the owlbear may move up to half its speed and make an attack.
Owlbear Cub¶
Owlbears are fiercely protective of their cubs, despite their individualistic tendencies. Many a fool has perished attempting to capture and tame an Owlbear Cub.
Owlbear Cub
Summoned with Foe FoundryLarge Monstrosity (Owlbear)
AC 11 Initiative +0 (10)
HP 22 (3d10 + 6)
Speed 40 ft., climb 40 ft.
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Str | 16 | +3 | +3 |
| Dex | 11 | +0 | +0 |
| Con | 14 | +2 | +2 |
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Int | 3 | -4 | -4 |
| Wis | 11 | +0 | +0 |
| Cha | 7 | -2 | -2 |
Skills Perception +4
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 14
CR 1/2 (100 XP; PB +2)
Traits
Brutal Critical. The owlbear scores a critical hit on an unmodified attack roll of 19-20. Additionally, a critical hit from the owlbear deals an additional 3 (1d6) slashing damage (do not apply crit modifier to this damage), and the creature dies if this attack reduces its hit points to 0.
Actions
Multiattack. The owlbear makes two Vicious Rend attacks.
Vicious Rend. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit 6 (1d6 + 3) slashing damage.
Savage Owlbear¶
A Savage Owlbear has extended its territory sufficiently the only thing matching its massive size is its unbridled aggression.
Savage Owlbear
Summoned with Foe FoundryLarge Monstrosity (Owlbear)
AC 16 Initiative +5 (15)
HP 123 (13d10 + 52)
Speed 40 ft., climb 40 ft.
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Str | 22 | +6 | +6 |
| Dex | 14 | +2 | +2 |
| Con | 18 | +4 | +7 |
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Int | 8 | -1 | -1 |
| Wis | 14 | +2 | +5 |
| Cha | 9 | -1 | -1 |
Skills Perception +8
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 18
CR 7 (2,900 XP; PB +3)
Traits
Brutal Critical. The owlbear scores a critical hit on an unmodified attack roll of 19-20. Additionally, a critical hit from the owlbear deals an additional 17 (5d6) slashing damage (do not apply crit modifier to this damage), and the creature dies if this attack reduces its hit points to 0.
Actions
Multiattack. The owlbear makes three Vicious Rend attacks.
Vicious Rend. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit 16 (3d6 + 6) slashing damage. On a hit, the target gains Bleeding [7 (2d6) piercing]. A bleeding creature suffers 7 (2d6) ongoing piercing damage at the end of each of its turns. A creature may use an action to attempt a DC 10 Medicine check to end the condition. The condition also ends if the creature receives any magical healing. The attack deals an additional 5 (2d4) slashing damage if the target is at or below half-health.
Bonus Actions
Overrun (1/day). Immediately after the owlbear hits an enemy with an attack, it may move up to half its movement without triggering opportunity attacks. If it ends its movement next to another creature, it may make an attack against that creature.
Owlbear Encounters¶
- A gigantic Owlbear feasts contentedly on a dead Giant Elk. The monstrosity is momentarily distracted by its kill.
- The PCs stumble across a mother Owlbear guarding her young cubs (1d4 Owlbear Cubs) as they learn how to fish. The river's current is swift and this is the nearest ford for miles.
- A lone Owlbear is holding its own against a small pack of wolves (1d4 Wolves led by a Dire Wolf) that are howling for reinforcements from the pack
- The PCs encounter a caravan led by a seedy merchant named Bortosh who has a chained Owlbear as a sort of trophy. The beast is clearly mistreated and angry.
- The light of the full moon glimmers off countless shiny trinkets woven into the nest of a nearby Savage Owlbear atop a crumbled tower. Rhythmic hoots echo from within the crumbled tower...
- The PCs stumble into a clearing whose trees are shredded with deep gouges, the designated combat arena of two rivals (2 Savage Owlbears). The two rivals mistake the party's approach as a challenge from the other.
Owlbear Adventures¶
- An ancient heirloom was stolen from a local temple or merchant. Tracking magic leads not to a thief, but to a huge Owlbear nesting deep in the woods. The relic is tangled in the owlbear's nest and acts as a shiny mobile for her newborn cubs (1d4 Owlbear Cub).
- An unscrupulous poacher and his crew (Scout Captain and 2d6 Scout) have captured a rare albino Savage Owlbear. They plan to auction it to the highest bidder. Two vile cults, led by a Death Cultist and a Fiend Cultist are competing to sacrifice the beast in a dark ritual. The players are hired to liberate the beast from the auction house, but can they transport the furious owlbear across a crowded city?
- After someone desecrated the local village's shrine to their Owlbear protector, the beast has become furious and is attacking the village itself.
- An adorably cute, yet troublingly unpredictable, Owlbear Cub is lost in the party's camp. It imprints on one of the players... and now its furious Owlbear mother is tracking the party wherever they go.