Description
Bugbears are neither bugs nor bears, but the hulking cousins of goblins and hobgoblins, sharing the same Feywild ancestry. Standing around seven feet tall, they are long-limbed and covered in coarse hair that ranges from brown to brick red. Their hides are typically light yellow to yellow-brown, their wedge-shaped ears rise from the tops of their heads, and their greenish-white eyes with red pupils lend them a feral, unsettling presence. Their noses and claws, reminiscent of bears, are what gave them their name.
Despite their formidable build, bugbears are renowned for their stealth. Thanks to innate fey magic, they can slip into spaces that appear far too small for them and move with uncanny quiet. Early bugbears made their homes in hidden, hard-to-reach places, and that instinct for shadowed lairs remains strong. They also possess exceptional senses, able to see in pitch darkness and hear with remarkable clarity.
Culture
The way bugbears live depends largely on whether they remain on their own or dwell alongside other goblinoids or even other races.
Tribal bugbears usually organize themselves under the leadership of a chief. They survive through hunting or, if their territory lies near a road, by raiding caravans - often preferring to rob other bandits when possible.
The majority, however, live in Anfyn, where they are more “civilized” and integrated into goblinoid society. Still, their natural laziness means hobgoblins and goblins often need to coax or persuade them into work, usually by promising greater rewards than the bugbear might achieve alone. This can be especially challenging in Anfyn’s communal, anti-capitalist economy. As a result, bugbears are most often employed in heavy labor such as construction, or in raids against wealthy guild caravans. Hobgoblin officers prefer them to goblins, as bugbears - though slow to act - are more reliable once motivated. They dislike sea raids, however, since their preferred ambush tactics are far harder to use on water.
Some bugbears find their way into the wider cities of Kildar, usually joining either military guilds or criminal bands. Military guilds value them for their ambush skills, raw strength, and relatively low cost of service. With training, their size and endurance also make them effective in regular operations. However, their stubborn independence means missions are sometimes refused outright. Sometimes bugbears go into hibernation and do not warn their commandment about that. For this reason, they are often placed under hobgoblin commanders who know best how to handle them.
Those who turn to crime are typically more individualistic and ambitious, sometimes seeking real wealth. Their stealth and sheer size make them terrifying assassins, enforcers, and burglars. Many gangs use them to intimidate victims: there are chilling stories of bugbears emerging from cupboards or wardrobes to pin someone down and growl, “Your payment day is close.”
Ultimately, bugbear society is fluid. While most follow the expected paths of tribal life, Anfyn communalism, or mercenary and criminal work, exceptions always exist. Some break free of their nature and become surprisingly respected figures - such as the rumored bugbear forest guide of Arland, said to be unmatched in navigating the perilous woods.
History
Before their enslavement, bugbears either lived as wild hunters and roadside raiders or served within goblin warbands. Once the goblinoids were subjugated, captured bugbears were forced into grueling physical labor. Yet their pent-up fury erupted during the rebellion, where they often proved to be the decisive force in battle. During the siege of Anfyn, bugbears distinguished themselves through sudden, devastating ambushes and by holding the lines where orc pressure grew too great. Overall, they supported goblins and hobgoblins wherever raw strength and size were most needed.