Owlbears in Dungeons and Dragons made their first appearance in the Greyhawk Supplement to Dungeons and Dragons published in 1975. It is described as a horrid creature that hugs like a bear and bites with it’s beak. Although Gary Gygax had the initial idea for this while developing creatures to use in Chainmail.
The creature was instantly a hit with players and dungeon masters alike. The creatures were described as carnivorous. They are aggressive and ferocious. And they live in mated pairs in caves. They are eight to ten feet tall and are a cross between a bear and an owl.
The inspiration for the creation of this creature is said to be monsters from Japanese Godzilla films. According to the story Gary Gygax obtained a bag of plastic figures of Godzilla type monsters. From this bag of plastic creatures he drew the inspiration for the Owlbear as well as the Bulette and the Rust Monster.
According to the various monster manuals the Owlbear’s in game origins have never fully been revealed. However, it is suggested, that perhaps some magical experiment gone badly might be responsible for their creation. In a later edition adventure a Lich claimed responsibility for creation of these creatures. But this particular Lich was known to be more than a little insane and very egotistical. The claims of his creation of the Owlbear are considered highly unlikely to be true. The Fifth Edition Monster Manual adds that some Elves have claimed that Owlbears have existed for thousands of years.
Owlbears in Dungeons and Dragons through the years
Virtually all editions of the game have included the Owlbear at some point in development. First edition describes the creature as living in tangled forests and warns of it’s dangerous hug. Second edition featured two variants of the Owlbear: Winged Owlbears and Artic Owlbears. Edition 3.5 added a new variant called the Skeleton Owlbear. Fourth Edition added the Winterclaw Owlbear. Fifth Edition included the Owlbear as well in the Monster Manual for that edition.
Pathfinder also included the Owlbear as well as a number of variants. Some of these variants sound pretty interesting (except for the fact that they belong to Pathfinder). These variants include:
- Darklands Owlbears
- Truss Owlbears
- Spectral Owlbears
- Great Hook-Clawed Owlbears
- Screaming Owlbears
- Sleeyk Owlbears
- Slime Owlbears
- Sloth Owlbears
I have no problem stealing monsters from other editions or other game systems to confuse and confound my adventurers. Some of these might be worth looking into for that reason.
The Hug of Owlbears in Dungeons and Dragons is deadly
One feature of these creatures, in every edition, is that they have enormously powerful arms. When either of these arms strikes an opponent (with a high enough to hit roll) the creature will draw the victim close and squeeze. This hug does a great deal of additional damage to the victim. This hug is deadly.
Use of range weapons against this creature is highly advisable. Getting close to it might result in a bit of crushing. Magic use from a distant is equally suggested.
Owlbears in Dungeons and Dragons come in pairs
When one encounters an Owlbear during their travels one should be mindful that there is a high possibility that another is nearby. There might also be children. In fact, an Owlbear nest, might well have eggs waiting there to be hatched. Young Owlbears are still quite dangerous. The eggs, however, can be quite valuable. In 1st Edition the eggs were worth 2,000 gold pieces each. Captured young could be worth as much as 5,000 gold pieces.
Owlbears in Dungeons and Dragons are huge
These creatures are massive. And this makes them terrifying when encountered. When met they always fight to the death and never run away. Males can weigh as much as 1300 pounds. Their beaks are made of yellow ivory. Their fur can range from brownish black to yellow brown. Males tend to be darker colored. Their eyes are red rimmed. And in addition to fur these creatures have feathers.
Owlbears in Dungeons and Dragons can be found in a lot of places
The Monster Manuals for each edition expand a little on where these dangerous beasts might be met. First Edition states that tangled forests in temperate climes are places to encounter these creatures. But also states that they can be found in subterranean labyrinths. This opens up a great deal of places where they could be met….including just about any underground dungeon. Second edition adds that sometimes they lair in hollowed out stumps. Fifth Edition adds that they often live in ruins littered with the bones of their prey.
The Life Span of an Owlbear
The Second Edition Monstrous Manual suggests that the average life span of an Owlbear is about twenty years. This, of course, assumes that they die of natural causes. But the Owlbear is a hunter. They are always on the prowl. And they are ferocious and fearless in combat. Ultimately they live until they find someone capable of killing it in battle. And there are but a few who can.
Ecology of Owlbears in Dungeons and Dragons
Owlbears eat just about anything that they can kill. They are carnivores. And they love fresh meat. They are warm blooded animals despite being part owl. They are a hybrid between two different creatures. And this affects their hunting habits. They are most active from about noon until well after midnight. They hunt during the day and well into the night.
Owlbears met underground or in ruins have probably been placed there by some wizard or villain as a guardian. These creatures are a exceptional at convincing others to stay away from places where they are not wanted.
Weakness of the Owlbear
These creatures are powerful. They are ferocious. And they are fearless. But these things can be their undoing. They are not overly intelligent. And they can easily be tricked into running off a cliff or into a trap. But of course…..these things would need to be nearby when the creatures are encountered. And this is highly unlikely.
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I hate to be the Pedant, but birds of all types and species are warm-blooded, Owls included.
“They are warm blooded animals despite being part owl.”
Um. . . owls are birds; birds are warm blooded. Ergo, owls are warm blooded.
And so are bears. Just saying.