Bearfolk
Bearfolk are massive people of iron resolve and deep nobility, resembling bears that walk upright rather than all fours. bearfolk put their trust in family and tribe to stand against the world. In defiance of their brutish appearance, they are deeply spiritual and artistic.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Bearfolk resemble Bi-pedal bears often having a humanoid shape with Ursine features.
Biological Traits
Bearfolk are broad-shouldered, bipedal humanoids. Although they strongly resemble upright bears, they have longer legs than any bear and their massive hands are more like a human’s hand than a bear’s paw. They lack the bear’s sharp claws, but they’re as dextrous as any human craftsman’s. Their muscles develop early in life, and most bearfolk look it. Their physiques tend toward great bulk beneath shaggy fur. Even the slenderest bearfolk are quite strong. Bearfolk are over 7 feet tall when they stand at their full height, but they often appear shorter because of a natural forward roll to their shoulders. Bearfolk often come of age around the same time humans do and usually live into their late 80s
Ecology and Habitats
Bearfolk often prefer colder climates
Additional Information
Social Structure
The core of bearfolk society is the immediate family. Parents care for their cubs until the young reach the age of 5 or 6 years, when a precocious shift takes over. Although they aren’t yet fully grown, the cubs are drawn by a powerful urge to explore. They begin spending time away from their family, treating their entire village (or smaller neighborhood in a larger settlement) as a sort of extended family. This can be surprising or even annoying for non-bearfolk neighbors, who might discover a bearfolk child rooting through their pantry for a snack, inviting itself to dinner, or even adopting them as its new family temporarily. This isn’t necessarily as inconvenient as it sounds, since young bearfolk are also more enthusiastic learners and harder workers around the house than most other children their age. Beyond immediate family, the tribe forms the majority of bearfolk culture. Once bearfolk cubs start venturing beyond their own homes, families intertwine. Each cares for the cubs that happen by that day, welcoming the wayward children to meal tables as their own. There’s no choice but to know one’s neighbors in a bearfolk tribe, and that brings them all closer together. Trade apprenticeships
and budding talents are identified early thanks to this intermingling, and it helps find a suitable niche for a young bearfolk’s path in life. Elders are highly respected for their experience and greater perspective, but practicality carries weight as well. Being old doesn’t afford one unlimited leeway if one makes questionable decisions or has a reputation for foolishness. Building on this respect, bearfolk venerate their ancestors at a nearly demigod level and believe the spirits of their ancestors guide them. The tribe also holds
druids and clerics (particularly those that serve nature deities) in high respect and looks to them for guidance.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
The Majority of Bearfolk hail from either Eastern or Western Frostreach
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Bearfolk are given cub names by their parents, similar to names found throughout the Northlands. When a bearfolk comes of age, they earn a new name, either bestowed uponthem by an elder or one they choose themselves. This name befits a deed undertaken during their rite of passage into adulthood, describes some honorable or prominent trait of the bearfolk in question, or honors an ancestor.
Male Names: Beorst, Cauldvyr, Cirdhan, Dorngal,
Erlundt, Gurralt, Hrosvir, Lhod, Nodhr, Yrn
Female Names: Anga, Burli, Daegna, Durtta, Farla,
Ingyrd, Johanna, Padhra, Sivaer, Tuli
Major Organizations
in the Frozen and desolate lands of Western Frostreach, there are reports of a large coalition of bear tribes whom gather at the Citadel of Frost.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
The Bearfolk of the North Speak Beorning an ancient language with little to mo alphabet as much of their history is spoken orally. the "alphabet" of Beorning that does exist is more hieroglyphs then actual alphabet
Culture and Cultural Heritage
The bearfolk place a high value on honesty, trust, hard work, and community. These are the virtues that bring a bearfolk honor, and the same attributes make an outsider welcome. Laws governing bearfolk life are simple and loose. They trust in their core values to guide them wisely when disputes arise. In the rare instance when a disagreement can’t be settled according to custom, honor, and common sense, the elders become involved. Defying the judgment of elders for personal gain is a source of great shame that can ruin a bearfolk in the eyes of his or her tribe and family.
Common Myths and Legends
Ancestor Worship sits at the center of Bearfolk society when a totem representing and honoring their ancestors sits at the center of any bearfolk settlement.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Bearfolk value honesty, trust, hard work and community; this mindset has lead to favorable relations with the many other races of Kalarda.
Genetic Descendants
Lifespan
85 years
Average Height
7'0-8'5 feet
Average Weight
170-240 for females 280-365 ibs for males
Average Physique
Even the thinner Bearfolk are wide and muscular compared to many of the races of Kalarda
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Fur colors vary from blacks, browns, whites and reds
Comments