So the position of the pillars seem rather random, so it's amazing they found the right six one to make a relatively even hexagon.
Aww, how nice of the bear to give them a hug. Perfectly explains why they didn't dodge, despite being very telegraphed.
I thought that bear paw looked a bit strange, but it's maybe just a bit more even than I expected. They do have five toes pointing forward, though.
Has a sword. Kicks.
A couple small throwing daggers stuck in grass shouldn't really be enough to trip a bear that size.
Now that's more like the real cause of the lack of monsters.