Nordland Bears

Bears of the Tundra

Hollow fur shows white against the backdrop of snow and ice, keeping the creature who wears it warm as frozen winds and deep blizzards carve and mark the surface of their homeland. These creatures prefer the coldest reaches of the north, farther than most predators not prepared for the weather dare to roam. One may confuse them for their similarly colored cousins in the south, but there are no other bears that are truly the same as those that live where the air is as dangerous as the creatures.
Nordland Bears are the only bears found in the northernmost reaches of Isekai, frequenting the frozen lands of the Neither Tundra. Completely white in color, these bears blend into their habitats, making them dangerous predators for all but the megafauna that roam the tundra. A large predator, these bears live off the land or hunt the waters, catching all manner of aquatic creatures with their large paws. In many cases, seeing a Nordland Bear is a mark of danger, one that should be heeded by all.
Those who have crossed paths with a Nordland Bear often regret doing so. While many say that the Dusties, or the Dust Bears of the Great Plains are the most aggressive, this is only a half-truth. Nordland Bears are threatened by little, their size dictating that only megafauna exist higher up the food chain than them. Seeing one, especially one with a cub, is a dangerous situation that can only end in escape or death for the person who crossed the bear’s path.

Basic Information

Icy Swim

Polar Bears Swimming by Eva Blue on Unsplash

While many bears can swim, only the Nordland Bears have distinctions in their anatomy that allow them to swim in the cold water of the tundras. Their fur keeps them warm but they can also close off their ears and nose to dive and swim for long periods.

Anatomy

Nordland Bears are large bears, often ranging from six to nine feet in length and roughly four to five and a half feet at the shoulder. These bears, no matter the time of year, can weigh anywhere from three hundred to over seventeen hundred pounds. Other than megafauna, Nordland Bears are considered the largest predators in the Neither Tundra.
Because of the climate in which they live, Nordland Bears have very different fur from other bears. Their coat consists of a dense underfur that is roughly two inches long and guard hairs that can be close to six inches long. These guard hairs are hollow, allowing the bears to trap heat and float easily in water. Most of their fur is transparent, allowing light to be scattered between their underfur and skin, also keeping them warm.
These bears also have a number of features that set them apart from other bears. Their eyes are set closer to the top of their head and are smaller to help with blowing snow and snow blindness. Their ears are smaller to maintain heat and can be folded against their head when swimming or diving. These bears can also smell their prey up to twenty miles away, even through ice.

Genetics & Reproduction

Nordland Bears are one of the few bear species that do not hibernate unless pregnant. Mating occurs often in the spring months and by early fall, expectant mothers will begin building a

maternity den, often buried beneath the snow or in deep caves. A mother will emerge from her den with her cubs in the late spring or early summer months.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Nordland Bears have a limited range within the Northern Continent, but this does not stop them from roaming far and wide within the Neither Tundra. These bears can travel areas as small as 1400 square miles up to 15,000 square miles in a single year, with an average of seven and a half miles a day. Because of their energy-rich diet, they prefer walking or galloping, reaching speeds of up to twenty-five miles per hour. Nordland Bears are also extremely capable swimmers.
Populations of Nordland Bears range in similar areas to Faelund Bears, which they are often confused for. Faelund Bears are much smaller and are less confident out in the open, meaning that a solo bear found in the wilds with no protection is most likely a Nordland Bear. If a white bear is seen swimming, then it is definitely a Nordland Bear and not any other type of bear.

Nordland Bear

Polar Bear by Hans-Jurgen Mager on Unsplash

Nordland Bears are the largest bears in the world that are not considered megafauna. These bears have a variety of distinctions from other bear species that allow them to survive the harsh climate of the tundras.

Scientific Name

Ursus nordei

Origin/Ancestry

Ursus

Lifespan

20 to 40 years

Average Height

4 to 5.5 ft at the shoulder

Average Weight

300 to 1700 lbs

Average Length

6 to 9 ft

Geographic Distribution

• Giant Steps Three
• Neither Tundra

Unusual Likeness

Ursakin are the Animal Kingdom race that most closely resembles the bears of the world. While many of the subspecies of Ursakin share similarities with a variety of bears, such as the Vertebrae and the Ailuro, the Nether only share similarities with a single type of bear.
The Nether only resemble Nordland Bears, sharing their extreme sense of smell and their special fur that is accustomed to the chilly temperatures of the Neither Tundra. It is believed this is why most Nether make their home in the Neither Tundra as they can easily blend in with the fauna if anything happens to need that level of safety.