Owlbear
Encyclopedia
The owlbear is a type of fictional monster for player character
s to encounter in the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
role-playing game
.
An owlbear is depicted as a cross between a bear and an owl, which "hugs" like a bear and attacks with its beak, and was considered a magical beast
in the game's third edition.
Gary Gygax
created the owlbear, which was inspired by a plastic toy made in Hong Kong
, and introduced the creature to the game in the 1975 Greyhawk
supplement; the creature has since appeared in every subsequent edition of the game, including the game's first edition, second edition, third edition, and fourth edition. Owlbears, or similar beasts, also appear in several other fantasy role-playing games.
and the rust monster
, was inspired by a Hong Kong
-made plastic toy purchased by Gary Gygax
for use as miniature in a Chainmail
game.
(1975). It is described as a horrid creature which "hugs" like a bear, and deals damage with its beak.
(1981 & 1983). The owl bear was also later featured in the Dungeons & Dragons Game
set (1991), the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991), the Classic Dungeons & Dragons Game set (1994), and the Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Game set (1999).
The owlbear appeared for the Dark Sun
setting in the adventure Black Spine (1994).
The owlbear was detailed in Dragon
#214 (February 1995), in "The Ecology of the Owlbear", which also included the arctic owlbear and the winged owlbear. These variants were later reprinted in the Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Three (1996).
The greater owlbear appeared in an adventure in Dungeon
#63 (July 1997).
The owlbear appeared on the Wizards of the Coast website for the Chainmail game, in 2000.
The winged owlbear appeared in Dungeon #84 (January 2001).
The ancient owlbear appeared in Dungeon #107 (February 2004).
The Ankholian owlbear appeared in the Dragonlance Bestiary of Krynn (2004) and the Revised Bestiary of Krynn (2007).
and bear
. Owlbears are carnivorous
creatures famed for their aggression and ferocity; they live in mated pairs in cave
s and hunt in packs, attacking any creature bigger than a mouse
.
The actual origin of the owlbear has never been definitively revealed, but the various Monster Manual editions indicate it is probably the product of a wizard's experiments. The lich
Thessalar claims to have created them, but his insanity and egomania put the accuracy of this claim in doubt.
in the MMORPG
s EverQuest
and EverQuest II
.
Owlbears can be found in the roguelike computer games NetHack
and ADOM. It also appears in a text-based MMORPG BatMUD
.
An enemy named OWL BEAR appears early into the Sega Master System
game Phantasy Star
.
In Wildtangent's FATE,Owlbears were enemies in the game's first version.However,they were replaced by a similar monster called Shrike
.
In PlayStation 2
game Wild Arms 5
Owl Bear appears as a common enemy.
There are also Owl Bears as enemies in Final Fantasy XII
.
universe in two forms:
Player character
A player character or playable character is a character in a video game or role playing game who is controlled or controllable by a player, and is typically a protagonist of the story told in the course of the game. A player character is a persona of the player who controls it. Player characters...
s to encounter in the Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
.
An owlbear is depicted as a cross between a bear and an owl, which "hugs" like a bear and attacks with its beak, and was considered a magical beast
Magical beast (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, magical beast is a type of creature, or "creature type". Magical beasts are similar to animals in many ways, but usually have a higher intelligence, and possess supernatural or extraordinary abilities....
in the game's third edition.
Gary Gygax
Gary Gygax
Ernest Gary Gygax was an American writer and game designer best known for co-creating the pioneering role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons with Dave Arneson. Gygax is generally acknowledged as the father of role-playing games....
created the owlbear, which was inspired by a plastic toy made in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, and introduced the creature to the game in the 1975 Greyhawk
Greyhawk (supplement)
Greyhawk is a supplementary rulebook written by Gary Gygax and Robert J. Kuntz for the original edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game...
supplement; the creature has since appeared in every subsequent edition of the game, including the game's first edition, second edition, third edition, and fourth edition. Owlbears, or similar beasts, also appear in several other fantasy role-playing games.
Publication history
The owlbear is among the earliest monsters in Dungeons & Dragons and like the buletteBulette
A bulette or landshark is a fictional heavily-scaled carnivorous monster from the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, a huge ravenous creature that burrows through the earth and attacks unsuspecting victims from below...
and the rust monster
Rust monster
A rust monster is a fictional creature from the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game that seeks out and consumes metal, often the armor and weaponry of players' characters...
, was inspired by a Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
-made plastic toy purchased by Gary Gygax
Gary Gygax
Ernest Gary Gygax was an American writer and game designer best known for co-creating the pioneering role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons with Dave Arneson. Gygax is generally acknowledged as the father of role-playing games....
for use as miniature in a Chainmail
Chainmail (game)
Chainmail is a medieval miniatures wargame created by Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren. Gygax developed the game with fellow Lake Geneva Tactical Studies Association member Perren, a hobby-shop owner with whom he had become friendly, and the game was first published in 1971...
game.
Dungeons & Dragons (1974-1976)
The owl bear was introduced to the game in its first supplement, GreyhawkGreyhawk (supplement)
Greyhawk is a supplementary rulebook written by Gary Gygax and Robert J. Kuntz for the original edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game...
(1975). It is described as a horrid creature which "hugs" like a bear, and deals damage with its beak.
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)
The owlbear appears in the first edition Monster Manual (1977), where it is described as a horrible creature that inhabits tangled forest regions, and attacks with its great claws and snapping beak.Dungeons & Dragons (1977-1999)
This edition of the D&D game included its own owl bear, in the Dungeons & Dragons Basic SetDungeons & Dragons Basic Set
The original Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set boxed set was first published by TSR, Inc. in 1977, and comprised a separate edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, distinct from the first edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons game, which was initially published in the same...
(1981 & 1983). The owl bear was also later featured in the Dungeons & Dragons Game
Dungeons & Dragons Game (1991 boxed set)
The New Easy to Master Dungeons & Dragons Game is an accessory for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, published in 1991....
set (1991), the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991), the Classic Dungeons & Dragons Game set (1994), and the Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Game set (1999).
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)
The owlbear appears first in the Monstrous Compendium Volume One (1989), and is reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).The owlbear appeared for the Dark Sun
Dark Sun
Dark Sun is a Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting featuring the fictional desert world of Athas. The original Dark Sun Boxed Set campaign setting was released in 1991....
setting in the adventure Black Spine (1994).
The owlbear was detailed in Dragon
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#214 (February 1995), in "The Ecology of the Owlbear", which also included the arctic owlbear and the winged owlbear. These variants were later reprinted in the Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Three (1996).
The greater owlbear appeared in an adventure in Dungeon
Dungeon (magazine)
Dungeon Adventures, or simply Dungeon, was a magazine targeting consumers of role-playing games, particularly Dungeons & Dragons. It was first published by TSR, Inc. in 1986 as a bimonthly periodical. It went monthly in May 2003 and ceased print publication altogether in September 2007 with Issue 150...
#63 (July 1997).
Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 edition (2000-2002)
The owlbear appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2000).The owlbear appeared on the Wizards of the Coast website for the Chainmail game, in 2000.
The winged owlbear appeared in Dungeon #84 (January 2001).
Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition (2003-2007)
The owlbear appears in the revised Monster Manual for this edition (2003).The ancient owlbear appeared in Dungeon #107 (February 2004).
The Ankholian owlbear appeared in the Dragonlance Bestiary of Krynn (2004) and the Revised Bestiary of Krynn (2007).
Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008-)
The owlbear appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2008), along with the winterclaw owlbear.Description
Owlbears are approximately eight to ten feet (2.5–3 meters) tall and resemble a cross between an owlOwl
Owls are a group of birds that belong to the order Strigiformes, constituting 200 bird of prey species. Most are solitary and nocturnal, with some exceptions . Owls hunt mostly small mammals, insects, and other birds, although a few species specialize in hunting fish...
and bear
Bear
Bears are mammals of the family Ursidae. Bears are classified as caniforms, or doglike carnivorans, with the pinnipeds being their closest living relatives. Although there are only eight living species of bear, they are widespread, appearing in a wide variety of habitats throughout the Northern...
. Owlbears are carnivorous
Carnivore
A carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of animal tissue, whether through predation or scavenging...
creatures famed for their aggression and ferocity; they live in mated pairs in cave
Cave
A cave or cavern is a natural underground space large enough for a human to enter. The term applies to natural cavities some part of which is in total darkness. The word cave also includes smaller spaces like rock shelters, sea caves, and grottos.Speleology is the science of exploration and study...
s and hunt in packs, attacking any creature bigger than a mouse
Mouse
A mouse is a small mammal belonging to the order of rodents. The best known mouse species is the common house mouse . It is also a popular pet. In some places, certain kinds of field mice are also common. This rodent is eaten by large birds such as hawks and eagles...
.
The actual origin of the owlbear has never been definitively revealed, but the various Monster Manual editions indicate it is probably the product of a wizard's experiments. The lich
Lich (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the lich is an undead creature; a spellcaster who seeks to defy death by magical means.-Dungeons & Dragons :...
Thessalar claims to have created them, but his insanity and egomania put the accuracy of this claim in doubt.
In other media
- The owlbear was card #107 of 750 in the 1991 TSR trading cards factory set, and card #117 of 495 in the 1993 TSR trading cards factory set.
- The owl bear was also a card in the DragonQuestDragonQuestDragonQuest is a fantasy role-playing game originally published by Simulations Publications in 1980. Where first generation fantasy role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons restricted players to particular character classes, DragonQuest was one of the first games to utilize a system that...
game (1992).
- The owlbear was depicted in the webcomicWebcomicWebcomics, online comics, or Internet comics are comics published on a website. While many are published exclusively on the web, others are also published in magazines, newspapers or often in self-published books....
The Order of the StickThe Order of the StickThe Order of the Stick is a comedic webcomic that celebrates and satirizes tabletop role-playing games and medieval fantasy through the ongoing tale of the eponymous fellowship of adventuring heroes...
, where it was presented as a pointless cross between an already dangerous creature (the bearBearBears are mammals of the family Ursidae. Bears are classified as caniforms, or doglike carnivorans, with the pinnipeds being their closest living relatives. Although there are only eight living species of bear, they are widespread, appearing in a wide variety of habitats throughout the Northern...
) and a harmless animal (the owlOwlOwls are a group of birds that belong to the order Strigiformes, constituting 200 bird of prey species. Most are solitary and nocturnal, with some exceptions . Owls hunt mostly small mammals, insects, and other birds, although a few species specialize in hunting fish...
).
- An owlbear also appeared in the webcomic GoblinsGoblins (webcomic)Goblins - Life Through Their Eyes is a Dungeons & Dragons webcomic written and illustrated by Tarol "Thunt" Hunt. It is set in a humorously stereotypical fantasy setting, and follows the lives of a party of goblin adventurers who started as monsters and declared themselves player characters...
, a adventure taking place in the Dungeons & DragonsDungeons & DragonsDungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
universe, but from the perspective of the creatures that inhabit it, not the players.
Other games
Various kinds of owlbears appear as mobsMob (computer gaming)
A mob, mobile or monster is a computer-controlled non-player character in a computer game such as an MMORPG or MUD. Depending on context, all such characters in a game may be considered "mobs", or usage may be limited to hostile NPCs and/or NPCs vulnerable to attack.-Purpose of mobs:Defeating...
in the MMORPG
MMORPG
Massively multiplayer online role-playing game is a genre of role-playing video games in which a very large number of players interact with one another within a virtual game world....
s EverQuest
EverQuest
EverQuest, often shortened to EQ, is a 3D fantasy-themed massively multiplayer online role-playing game that was released on the 16th of March, 1999. The original design is credited to Brad McQuaid, Steve Clover, and Bill Trost...
and EverQuest II
EverQuest II
EverQuest II is a 3D fantasy massively multiplayer online role-playing game developed by Sony Online Entertainment , based on EverQuest, and shipped on 8 November 2004...
.
Owlbears can be found in the roguelike computer games NetHack
NetHack
NetHack is a single-player roguelike video game originally released in 1987. It is a descendant of an earlier game called Hack , which is a descendant of Rogue...
and ADOM. It also appears in a text-based MMORPG BatMUD
BatMUD
BatMUD is a medieval fantasy MUD, established in 1990. BatMUD is Finland-based and operated and owned by a non-profit organization, ry , officially registered 1994 in Helsinki, Finland....
.
An enemy named OWL BEAR appears early into the Sega Master System
Sega Master System
The is a third-generation video game console that was manufactured and released by Sega in 1985 in Japan , 1986 in North America and 1987 in Europe....
game Phantasy Star
Phantasy Star
is the first installment in Sega's renowned series of the same name. It was released for the Sega Master System in Japan on December 20, 1987, and then in North America and Europe in 1988. It is considered one of the pioneers amongst console role-playing games, both for its advanced graphics...
.
In Wildtangent's FATE,Owlbears were enemies in the game's first version.However,they were replaced by a similar monster called Shrike
Shrike
Shrikes are passerine birds of the family Laniidae. The family is composed of thirty-one species in three genera. The family name, and that of the largest genus, Lanius, is derived from the Latin word for "butcher", and some shrikes were also known as "butcher birds" because of their feeding habits...
.
In PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
game Wild Arms 5
Wild Arms 5
Wild Arms 5, released in Japan as , is the fifth video game in the Wild Arms series of role-playing games. The game celebrates the series' 10th anniversary by featuring cameo appearances of characters from the previous games. Produced by Media.Vision for the Sony PlayStation 2 platform, it was...
Owl Bear appears as a common enemy.
There are also Owl Bears as enemies in Final Fantasy XII
Final Fantasy XII
is a console role-playing video game developed and published by Square Enix for the PlayStation 2. Released in 2006, it is the twelfth title in the Final Fantasy series and the last in the series to be released exclusively on the PlayStation platform...
.
Owlbears in the Warcraft Universe
Adaptations of the Owlbear appear in the WarcraftWarcraft
Warcraft: Orcs & Humans is a real-time strategy game , developed by Blizzard Entertainment and published by Blizzard and Interplay Entertainment. The MS-DOS version was released in November 1994 and the Macintosh version in late 1996. Sales were fairly high, reviewers were mostly impressed, and the...
universe in two forms:
- As NPCNon-player characterA non-player character , sometimes known as a non-person character or non-playable character, in a game is any fictional character not controlled by a player. In electronic games, this usually means a character controlled by the computer through artificial intelligence...
s known as wildkin in Warcraft III - As both NPCNon-player characterA non-player character , sometimes known as a non-person character or non-playable character, in a game is any fictional character not controlled by a player. In electronic games, this usually means a character controlled by the computer through artificial intelligence...
s (known as owlbeast or wildkin) and players of the Druid class (known as moonkin) in World of WarcraftWorld of WarcraftWorld of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game by Blizzard Entertainment. It is the fourth released game set in the fantasy Warcraft universe, which was first introduced by Warcraft: Orcs & Humans in 1994...