Shadowborne Bugbear | 1st Subspecies / subrace

Within the bugbear population, there is a secret subrace, the Shadowborne Bugbear.

The well known subrace, in line with the D&D official rules, represents the ferocious and barbaric Bugbear, while the second subrace embodies the secretive, manipulative, and protective tendencies of their kind. The most elustrius of their kind is Miriam she leads Druids and Shamans. Here, I present the statblock rules for the second subrace, known as the Shadowborne Bugbears:

Shadowborne Bugbear

Ability Score Increase:

Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Darkvision:

Thanks to your shadow-touched lineage, you have superior vision in dim conditions and darkness. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Stealthy Step:

You have proficiency in the Stealth skill.

Mask of Deception:

You have advantage on Charisma (Deception) checks when attempting to appear as a typical, brutish bugbear, reinforcing the facade of ignorance and barbarism.

Manipulative Nature:

You have proficiency in the Charisma (Persuasion) skill.

Shadow Veil:

As an action, you can magically wrap yourself in an ephemeral veil of shadows. For 1 minute, or until you dismiss it as a bonus action, you gain the following benefits:

• You have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks.
• You have resistance to all damage from attacks made by creatures that rely on darkvision to see you.
• Once during this duration, when you make an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw, you can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to the result.

Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Description

Shadowborne Bugbears possess an inherent affinity for secrecy, manipulation, and protecting their kin. With their heightened Dexterity and Wisdom, they are agile and perceptive, adept at maneuvering through the shadows and discerning the motives of others. Their natural charm and persuasive abilities grant them an advantage when it comes to deceiving and manipulating those around them. They do not have the ferocious look of their kin.

The Shadowborne Bugbears’ lineage manifests in their darkvision, allowing them to see with clarity even in the depths of darkness. Their stealthy nature, reinforced by proficiency in Stealth, enables them to move unnoticed through the world. Additionally, their resistance to necrotic damage reflects their connection to the shadowy realm.

The signature ability, Shadow Veil, empowers these bugbears to envelop themselves in an ethereal shroud of shadows. While under its effects, they gain enhanced stealth capabilities, resistance to attacks from creatures reliant on darkvision, and the ability to tap into their innate connection to the shadow realm, providing a small boon to their rolls in moments of need.

These Shadowborne Bugbears personify the secretive and manipulative side of bugbear society, serving as protectors of their kind and guardians of their hidden civilization. Their unique abilities, combined with their innate intelligence and cunning, ensure that the secrets and advancements of their society remain concealed, perpetuating the myth of the bugbears’ supposed barbarism and safeguarding their brethren from external threats.