Bear

Big, strong and common across the temperate and colder parts of the world, bears are omnivores that generally keep clear of humans unless provoked, and the exceptions can be grim. Thick fur shields them from the weather and great claws from other beasts, making them the true lords of the wild wherever they range.

Every bear hears and smells superbly but sees poorly. The listed size is an average; bigger individuals are correspondingly stronger. Bears do not truly hibernate: they sleep through much of winter with no slowing of their metabolism, and often wake and wander out during warm spells. They live in small family groups, and mothers defend cubs fiercely; more than one person has been mauled for teasing or playing with seemingly harmless cubs. Clever animals, especially if caught young, bears can be trained to dance in circuses or travel with mountain men. All are omnivores, though the cave bear leans toward meat.

Despite the name, its coat may be anything from black to pale brown. Smaller than its brown cousin, it is far more widespread. Black bears are seldom aggressive but fight capably when pressed. Rolling 18 or higher on a paw attack lets it hug for 2d4 extra damage.

Brown bears, the grizzly most famous among them, are ill-tempered and more carnivorous than black bears, and grizzlies often take deer and elk. Any paw attack rolled at 18 or above also grants a 2d6 hug. Brought to 0 to -8 hit points, a brown bear fights on for 1d4 more rounds; at -9 or below it dies at once.

Huge and belligerent, cave bears will charge well-armed parties unprovoked. A paw roll of 18 or more adds a 2d8 hug. They keep fighting for 1d4 rounds at 0 to -8 hit points and die instantly at -9 or worse.

Strong swimmers, polar bears hunt mostly seals and other sea creatures. On a paw roll of 18 or above they also hug for 3d6. These aggressive bears fight for 2 to 5 rounds after dropping to 0 through -12 hit points, and any further damage kills them.