The "Monsters & Treasures" booklet from the original 1974 D&D set contained a striking and rather unexpected illustration of a bugbear: a literally bear-like creature with a frightening pumpkin head. By the time the AD&D Monster Manual appeared in 1977, this curious rendition was superseded by familiar images of huge, hairy goblins with pointed ears and morning stars.

However, some RuneQuest players must have been taken with that original picture, because that game featured the Jack O'Bear, a vile creature of Chaos that looked remarkably like that old D&D illustration of a pumpkin-headed bear. And now the circle is complete with this D&D conversion of a RuneQuest monster that was based on a D&D monster.

This frightful creature is a shaggy, wiry monstrosity with a bloated orange head that resembles a pumpkin.

Jack O' Bear CR 2

Usually CE Medium aberration

Init +0; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Listen +2, Spot +2

Languages Abyssal

AC 15, touch 10, flat-footed 15
(+5 natural)

hp 16 (3 HD)

Fort +2, Ref +1, Will +5

Spd 30 ft. (6 squares)

Melee 2 claws +5 (1d8+3)

Space 5 ft; Reach 5 ft

Base Atk +2: Grp +5

Special Atk paralyzation (DC 16)

Abilities Str 17, Dex 10, Con 13, Int 7, Wis 14, Cha 16

Feats Ability Focus (paralyzation), Stealthy

Skills Hide +5, Move Silently +5

Environment any mountain or forest

Organization solitary

Treasure standard

Advancement 3-6 HD (Medium), 7-9 HD (Large)

Paralyzation (Su) As a swift action the jack o'bear may target a single opponent within 30 feet. The target must succeed on a DC 16 Will save or be paralyzed with fear for 1d8 rounds. Whether or not the save is successful, that creature cannot be affected again by the same jack o'bear's paralyzation for 24 hours. This is a mind-affecting fear effect. The save DC is Charisma based.

A jack o'bear is a bizarre creatures of chaos, both intelligent and carnivorous. It is greatly feared for its strange ability to paralyze its unfortunate prey.