I tried building something like a Panserbjørn - basically an intelligent bear. It proved fairly tricky - the different ability modifier packages are somewhat odd, and the straight bonuses too pricey. I just based the build on the stats for a brown bear in the SRD. But, there's no Magical Beast type available, and no way to limit the use of weapons, armor and tools - the MB type indicates only proficiency with natural weapons (which is appropriate), but there's no option to use this as a point-balance weakness. I'd like to be able to do awakened/intelligent/magical animals as playable balanced races. That's a pretty strong fantasy trope.
