Rage-Infected Bugbear

Family: Bugbear

Medium humanoid (goblinoid), chaotic evil

Armor Class 14 (hide armor)
Hit Points 39 (6d8 + 12)
Speed 35 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
16 (+3)	14 (+2)	14 (+2)	7 (–2)	10 (+0)	8 (–1)

Saving Throws Str +5
Skills Athletics +5, Intimidation +3, Survival +2
Senses darkvision 60 ft, passive Perception 10
Languages Goblin
Challenge 2 (450 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +2

SPECIAL TRAITS

• Brute. A melee weapon deals one extra die of its damage when the rage-infected bugbear hits with it (included in the attack).
• Keen Smell. The rage-infected bugbear has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
• Rampage. When the rage-infected bugbear reduces a creature to 0 hit points with a melee attack on its turn, the bugbear can take a bonus action to move up to half its speed and make a bite attack.
• Blood Rage. A rage-infected bugbear becomes chaotic evil and deals an extra 2 (1d4) damage on Strength-based attacks (included in the attacks). Also, at the start of its turn, the bugbear can gain advantage on all melee weapon attack rolls it makes until the start of its next turn, but attack rolls against it have advantage until the start of its next turn. Any bugbear that comes into physical contact with the rage-infected bugbear must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or contract this disease. Only greater restoration, similarly powerful magic, or a special herbal concoction (see Salvage) can cure this disease.

ACTIONS

• Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (2d4 + 3) piercing damage and, if the target is a bugbear, Tormach’s Rage.
• Greataxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (2d12 + 1d4 + 3) slashing damage.

ABOUT

Bugbears infected with Blood Rage experience a powerful, instinctive urge to spread their illness. Infected bugbears have enhanced olfactory senses that allow them to smell whether a creature  nearby carries Blood Rage. When they discover a creature without the disease, they fly into a frenzy. The sickness is virulent enough that even if a bugbear survives the fight or kills the infected aggressor, it’s unlikely to do so without contracting Blood Rage.

Staged Changes. Rage-infected bugbears have only recently gotten the disease. A bugbear who contracts Tormach’s Rage can’t expect to live long as the illness compels the victim to acts of aggression that ultimately end in the bugbear’s destruction. The infection lasts until death, although magic and rare herbal knowledge can counteract it.

Very rarely, an infected bugbear lives long enough that Blood Rage exhibits advanced symptoms. At this stage, the disease further accentuates the bugbear’s muscular system, granting increased strength and speed.

Bugbears who live this long have little impulse control and ability to reason.

• DC 10 Intelligence (History or Religion): Bugbears once fought against the Arch Daemon Tormach’s efforts to dominate goblinoids. He concocted a disease to thwart their efforts and those of any who would join them.
• DC 10 Wisdom (Medicine): Tormach’s Rage grants its infected superior resilience and strength but causes drastic, violent personality changes.
• DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine): Combined with herbal reagents, the viscera of a deceased bugbear infected with Tormach’s Rage can be used to spread the disease or create a cure.