Location The Forest Path: Following the clues gathered from Greendale (Campaign), the party finds themselves on an ancient deer trail that winds through the dense northern forests toward Thornvale Glen. The path is barely visible, overgrown with brambles and fallen logs that haven’t been cleared in years. Ancient oaks and pine trees tower overhead, their canopy so thick that even midday feels like twilight.
Signs of Disturbance (Survival DC 12):
- Boot prints from multiple individuals, relatively fresh (2-3 days old)
- Broken branches and disturbed undergrowth suggesting hasty passage
- Unusual scorch marks on tree trunks, as if from poorly controlled campfires
- Animal tracks heading consistently south, away from the party’s northern route
The Cub’s Cries: About two miles into the forest, the party hears a series of pitiful, keening sounds coming from ahead on the trail. The noises are clearly from an animal in distress—a mixture of bird-like screeches and mammalian whimpers that tug at the heartstrings.
Nature/Animal Handling DC 15: Identifies the sounds as coming from an owlbear, but unusually high-pitched—likely a juvenile
Investigation DC 13: The cries are coming from approximately 100 feet ahead, slightly off the main path
The Owlbear Cub
Initial Scene: In a small clearing just visible through the trees, a young owlbear cub lies trapped beneath a fallen log. The creature is clearly in pain, one of its front legs bent at an unnatural angle and its feathers matted with dried blood. Fresh scratches and burns mark its tawny fur, and a crude rope snare still hangs around its rear leg—evidence of humanoid interference.
The Cub’s Condition:
- Age: Approximately 6 months old, still dependent on its mother
- Injuries: Broken foreleg, burns from torches or fire magic, rope burns from snares
- Temperament: Terrified but too weak to be immediately aggressive
- Intelligence: Young enough to potentially be calmed, but still a dangerous wild animal
Evidence of Bandit Activity: Closer examination of the area reveals:
Investigation DC 14:
- Multiple snare traps, some triggered and abandoned
- Boot prints matching those seen earlier on the trail
- Charred remains of a hastily extinguished campfire
- Pieces of rope that match the snare around the cub’s leg
- Human food scraps scattered around (dried meat, bread crusts)
Survival DC 16:
- The cub’s injuries are 2-3 days old, matching the timeline of bandit scout activity
- Track patterns suggest the bandits were using this area as a temporary camp
- The fallen log appears to have been deliberately triggered as a trap
Medicine DC 13:
- The burns are from torches, not natural fire
- The cub was deliberately injured, not caught accidentally
- Without treatment, the creature will likely die within a day
The Mother’s Approach
Stealth Mechanics: While the party investigates the cub, the mother owlbear is approaching from deeper in the forest. Her movement is deliberately stealthy as she stalks what she perceives as threats to her offspring.
Passive Perception 16: Notices the sound of heavy breathing and careful footsteps in the underbrush
Passive Perception 18: Spots glimpses of brown fur and the glint of eyes watching from approximately 60 feet away
Wisdom (Perception) DC 14 (Active Check): Fully identifies the adult owlbear positioning herself for an attack
The Mother Owlbear:
- Size: Large, fully grown adult female
- Condition: Desperate, protective, and enraged by her cub’s condition
- Behavior: Will not initially attack if the party doesn’t threaten the cub
- Intelligence: Animal-level cunning, but driven by maternal instinct
Encounter Dynamics
Initial Approach Options:
Aggressive/Careless Approach:
- Moving directly toward the cub triggers the mother’s protective instincts
- She emerges from hiding with a thunderous roar and attacks immediately
- Combat becomes unavoidable unless the party retreats
Cautious Approach:
- Staying at distance and observing allows time to notice the mother’s presence
- Opportunity for Animal Handling or other peaceful resolution attempts
- Mother remains hidden but ready to attack if threatened
Healing/Helping the Cub:
- Medicine checks to treat the cub’s injuries
- Animal Handling DC 16 to calm the frightened creature
- Success may influence the mother’s reaction
Combat Statistics
Adult Owlbear (Mother):
- AC 13 (Natural Armor)
- HP 59 (7d10 + 21)
- Speed 40 ft.
- STR 20, DEX 12, CON 17, INT 3, WIS 12, CHA 7
- Keen Sight and Smell: Advantage on Perception checks
- Maternal Fury: +2 to attack rolls when within 30 feet of her cub
- Multiattack: One bite and one claw attack
- Bite: +7 to hit, 1d10 + 5 piercing damage
- Claws: +7 to hit, 2d8 + 5 slashing damage
Resolution Options
Combat Resolution:
- Defeating the mother owlbear solves the immediate threat but leaves the cub orphaned
- The cub will likely die without its mother’s protection
- Combat noise may alert distant bandit scouts to the party’s presence
Peaceful Resolution Options:
Animal Handling DC 18: Successfully communicate non-threatening intent to the mother
Druidcraft/Speak with Animals: Allows direct communication explaining desire to help
Medicine + Animal Handling (Combined DC 25): Treat the cub’s injuries while keeping the mother calm
Retreat Option: Leave the area and find another route to avoid the encounter entirely
Creative Solutions:
- Using food to distract or calm the mother
- Magical healing to demonstrate helpful intent
- Removing the snares and rope to free the cub
- Creating a temporary shelter while the cub heals