First Campaign - What monsters to use?

[Tazer_The_Yoot]

A black bear is actually HD4. It's still only worth 240xp and has no treasure.

It's relatively high risk, low reward, all factored in.

The OP made it sound as if the reward is from someone who wants a bear dead, so in this specific case choosing to engage with said bear in a life or death situation may be more profitable than a typical encounter with a bear would be. And my point remains. A 4hd animal can be trapped or poisoned as easily as a 3hd animal. Why would anyone march up and fight a bear head on? I sure wouldn't. I don't play that way if I can help it. You don't last long.

[Seven]

Right. The opening mission in my campaign is similar, but higher risk/higher reward.
Just to make things interesting.