Raiding

The practice of Bear raiding comes from a desperate and dangerous history of the Bear clan. For many generations after the fall of the empires of Einulf and the Brightsword, there were few that could eke out life in the northern valleys. Their inhabitants often turned to raiding and pillaging prosperous towns in lower and more fertile lands for survival. As the Bear adapted to their lands, raiding mostly changed from practical necessity to youthful entertainment. To the chagrin of most Bear, however, there are still some brutish and backwards folk who hold firm to the old ways.

Contemporary raiders are typically young, bored Bear folk, looking to let off steam or test themselves. They slip out during the cover of night and go running through the streets and alleys of neighboring towns. While not officially condoned by the urds, minor vandalism and theft in these raids is overlooked - after all, what is taken one night can be retrieved the next.

Some neighboring towns have even developed coordinated “teams” that can rush in and pull off a more complicated prank in the space of a few minutes. Painting an entire town a bright new color, swapping all the livestock, or a quick ruckus in the center of town before they can be chased out; these are but a few of the favorite pranks.

These raids return to their more grim and desperate origins when the harvests are bad or herds are thin. During the lean months, if a family or village is on the verge of starvation, a quick raid to a more bountiful neighbor can stave off unpleasant and heartbreaking deaths. Bear traditions of regular social gatherings between towns and of boasting contests help neighbors keep an eye on each other. The family that boasts the loudest can expect a visit in future weeks, and will often leave out specially-prepared meals for the less fortunate.