Chances are you’ll never see this creature but if you do, it will be the last thing you’ll ever see. Owlbears are extremely vicious, ravenous, and bad tempered creatures; born from the greed and cruelty of a sick wizard. Legend has it that this wizard tortured and combined the animals of the forest, defying the laws and wishes of Nature. She, a cunning goddess, granted him his wish, but cursed him to be the very animal he created ; plagued by the pain and wickedness he inflicted on others and the creatures of her lands.
Owlbears have the body and ferociousness of a bear and the beak and stealth of an owl. They stand 8-10 feet tall (on hind legs) with brownish-black fur, feathers, and with beady eyes the colour of rotting bananas. They live in dense and lush forests in parts of North America and The United Kingdom : Squamish, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are popular breeding grounds for them. Wary travelers beware, Owlbears make their nests in secure and secluded caves ; so, “If you need a place to rest, always check for an Owlbear nest!” (Party Rule #4) Owlbears are relentless fighters and protectors of their young. They will kill prey on sight and fight to the death using razor sharp claws and a crushing serrated beak. Like all creatures, they become particularly aggressive during mating season (May-July) so avoid adventuring into the aforementioned territories lest you wish to find yourself between 2 males competing for brooding rights.
If you stumble upon an Owlbear, don’t run. At full sprint they can reach speeds of up to 60km/hour and you, an average human, can only go 13.62km/hour. Even if you can manage to hide from it… don’t : it will eventually find you with its adept sense of eyesight and hearing. Just as modern day owls and hawks, Owlbears can see even the smallest detail in the dark and hear your heart beat from 400 meters away. The odds of you engaging this creature and coming out alive are practically zero. Your only option is to pray, pray to your God and pray it gives you a quick death.
Image Citation : Gygax, Gary. Dungeons & Dragons | Monster Manual. 5th ed., 2008.