Bear, Arcturin

This creature looks like a wiry polar bear wearing white-scale armor.

Arcturin Bear CR 4

XP 1,200
Skilled
N Large magical beast
Init +1; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +8

DEFENSE

AC 16, touch 10, flat-footed 16 (+2 armor, +1 Dex, +4 natural, -1 size)
hp 38 (4d8+20)
Fort +6, Ref +5, Will +2
Defensive Abilities ferocity; Resist cold 10

OFFENSE

Speed 40 ft., climb 20 ft.
Melee 2 claws +6 (1d8+4 plus grab) Size 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attacks–blood rage (+4 Strength and Constitution)

STATISTICS

Str 19, Dex 13, Con 21, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 14
Base Atk +3; CMB +8 (+12 grapple); CMD 19 (23 vs. trip)
Feats Furious Focus, Power Attack
Skills Acrobatics +8, Climb +27, Heal +8, Intimidate +9, Knowledge (geography, nature) +9, Perception +8, Stealth +4 (+16 in snow); Racial Modifiers +16 Climb, +12 Stealth in snow
Languages Common, Draconic, Dwarven
SQ expert climber, snow vision, terrain stride (mountain)

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Expert Climber (Ex)

An arcturin bear’s claws can cling to walls and even ceilings as long as the surface has hand- and footholds. In effect, the bear is treated as constantly being under a non-magical version of the spider climb spell, save it cannot cling to smooth surfaces. This ability doubles the normal +8 racial bonus to Climb checks normally afforded creatures with a climb speed to a +16 racial bonus.

Snow Vision (Ex)

An arcturin bear sees perfectly well in snow, and never takes Perception penalties from snowy conditions.

ECOLOGY

Environment cold mountains
Organization solitary, pair, band (3-10), tribe (11-30 plus 3 hunters of 3rd level and 1 leader of 6th level)
Treasure standard (plus masterwork leather armor)

The arcturin are an intelligent race of polar bears dwelling in unforgiving arctic mountains. They survive by hunting a dangerous, but rewarding prey, white dragons. Entire tribes of arcturin act in concert to drag one of the mighty beasts down, and the arcturin’s life revolves around the great seasonal hunts. A male or female tribal member is not considered an adult until they take part in a fight against a dragon (successful or otherwise).

The arcturin are amazing climbers, making special carved modifications to their claws that aid in digging into ice or rock. They prefer to attack prey from ambush, setting traps using decoys and bait. As a society, the arcturin are insular and untrusting of outsiders, but often trade with mountain-dwelling dwarves whose craftsmanship they admire. Likewise, they hold dragon killers in high esteem, regardless of race.