Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Savage Menagerie: Klondike B'ar

No. Enc.: 1 (1d4)
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 150' (50')
Armor Class: 5
Hit Dice: 7
Attacks: 3 (2 clubs, 1 bite)
Damage: 5d6, 5d6, 2d8
Save: L4
Morale: 9
Hoard Class: VII

The Klondike B'ar is a mutated polar bear that is found in mountainous regions, but not necessarily in arctic or sub-zero temperatures. They can live quite comfortably in cooler climates (yearly average of 50 degrees maximum). Klondike B'ars walk upright as a humanoid would, and their front paws have mutated into human-like hands. Despite its humanoid appearance, a Klondike B'ar only has an animal intelligence and instinct. Klondike B'ars are huge due to their gigantism mutation, standing between 9 and 12 feet tall. They also have enhanced strength, giving them a crushing bonus in combat.

The Klondike B'ar attacks by clubbing a defender with its two powerful forearms, which it uses to bludgeon its victim. The Klondike B'ar does 5d6 hit points of damage when it clubs a victim with these devastating blows. It will additionally bite with its powerful jaws for 2d8 hit points of damage. The B'ar's mouth can also spew a cone of frost that is close to absolute zero. This frosty energy ray does 4d6 hit points of cold damage to anyone within 50 feet who fails a save versus energy attacks.

One insidious attack the Klondike B'ar has is the use of its possession mutation. During an attack, the B'ar will identify the biggest threat or strongest warrior. It will suddenly grow still as its eyes roll into its head. If the B'ar makes a successful mental attack, it will suddenly find itself in the body of that targeted individual. The attackers may be surprised to find one of their own party members shooting at them from behind! Or perhaps the possessed individual will take out a grenade and pull the pin, just before the Klondike B'ar "jumps back" into its own body. When sitting around the campfire late at night, mutants often discuss the creature's ability to manipulate minds by rhetorically asking each other, "So, what would you do for a Klondike B'ar?"

Mutations: gigantism, increased strength, energy ray (cold), possession

NOTE from Sniderman: It's 90-friggin'-degrees here in Ohio today. While enjoying a cool, refreshing vanilla-ice cream-coated-in-chocolate treat, inspiration hit.

3 comments:

  1. Brilliant! This seriously sounds like something out of Inuit myth.

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  2. I love this. The name alone is win.

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  3. This one is snazzy.

    And the name made me guffaw. Cool!

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