One bear is well known and feared among the people of Natalan. The woodland dwellers call him Er Hend (One Eye), but most call him Old Ephrus. He stocked the Northern Natalan Forest and terrorized the farmers and herders in the areas nearby. Many hunters attempted to kill the beast. None were successful. Those that escaped with their lives said Old Ephrus could not be killed.
Disregarding the advice of local residents, Clara Fraxly, a young trapper, set out to put a stop to Old Ephrus’ rampage. Instead of killing Old Ephrus, she devised a cunning plan to trap the bear. She lured him into a dense grove and ensnared him using vines, fallen trees, and a bit of magic. While Old Ephrus trashed and bellowed in the snare, Clara carved a magical figurine and locked the bear’s eternal spirit inside.
While Old Ephrus’ soul lives on, it is just as untamable and fierce as ever. Those foolish enough to release him temporarily from his enclosure do so at considerable risk.
Mechanic
You can use an action to throw the figurine of Old Ephrus to a point on the ground within 60 feet of you, the figurine becomes a living creature. If the space where Old Ephrus would appear is occupied by other creatures or objects, or if there isn’t enough space for him, the figurine doesn’t transform.
Whenever Old Ephrus transforms, roll a DC 10 Animal Handling (Wisdom) Check. On a success, Old Ephrus is friendly to you and your companions. He understands your languages and obeys your spoken commands. On a fail, Old Ephrus obeys no commands and viciously attacks any creature (friend or foe) in line of sight.
Old Ephrus exists for 1 hour. After 1 hour, he reverts to figurine form. He reverts to a figurine early if it drops to 0 hit points or if you use an action to speak the command word again while touching it. Once the figurine has been used, it can’t be used again until 7 days have passed.
Old Ephrus Stat Block
Large beast
Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
Hit Points 125
Speed 40 ft., climb 40 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
| 23 (+6) | 12 (+1) | 20 (+5) | 10 (0) | 16 (+3) | 5 (-3) |
Skills: Athletics +9, Perception +5
Senses passive Perception 15
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)
Endurance. The bear has Advantage on Constitution saving throws against exhaustion.
Keen Smell. The bear has Advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Actions
Multiattack. The bear makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (1d8 + 6) piercing damage. If the target is a Large or smaller creature, it is grappled (escape DC 20). Until this grapple ends, the bear can’t bite another target.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d6 + 6) slashing damage. A creature that is hit with two claw attacks in the same turn takes an extra 16 (2d6 + 9) slashing damage.
Rarity: Legendary