Ursine
The proud "Standing Bears" of The Pale are like a relic of the past. They are bold, aggressive, and lead simple lives amongst their tribal communities. Even then, the Dwarves well know that the Ursine are a force to be reckoned with. The Ursine are perhaps more known for having slept throughout all of the Elder Age (1,000 years) in a communal hibernation that they claim lasted so long due to their patron Guardian Spirit, Ïs, to protect them from the Long Winter. Long ago, the Ursine used to be the rival of the Ikwiikwii, who they claim were once tall and burly like themselves. When they arose from their sleep, they found their rivals so changed that a friendship between races eventually bloomed.
Ursine live a life in two stages; a mostly sheltered childhood where cubs are raised in community amongst homes built in caverns and tunnel systems that interconnect and a life spent mostly outside in the wild as an adult. This first part of life features schooling and training; preparing the Ursine for the harsh world that awaits them. Sometimes the adults will take the cubs on hunting or foraging expeditions, but not much more than that. The cubs will usually hibernate through the winter, along with the elderly, the sick, or the wounded. Once they come of age, they venture outwards, where they will learn from the veterans about which paths to take, which game is best at which season, and how to survive the winters. Life outside is lived in long hearths built of rock and wood harvested right before rotting. Adult Ursine then prefer to spend their days alone or with only one or two companions, to then come together with the whole community in large banquets where Ursine swap stories.
The Ursine are rabid enemies of the Dwarves, who awoke them from their slumber when they first began to settle in The Pale. Since then, whether out in the fields, or in guerilla scuffles in the bowels of the mountain, or skirmishes in wailing mountainsides, the Ursine almost never cower away from facing the Dwarves. The Dwarves respond in kind, always carrying their gunpowder weapons in order to contend against their towering rivals. Animist blessings allow the Ursine to survive what might've been deadly encounters for other races, which has given them great survivability against the Dwarves. The Ursine can also rely on their knowledge of the land, of which the Dwarves still know surprisingly little (they've mostly settled the mountains, venturing into the wilds cautiously and when needed).
The Ursine are deeply Animist, holding the faith of the Spirit Guardians as a pillar of their lifestyle. In particular, they revere Ïs, the lonely, white Fox who guards the realms of ice. This emphasis on a 'patron Spirit' is common in the more traditional forms of Animism, which is understandable for the Ursine considering they were absent from the occurrences of the Elder Age, and thus have more traditional as far as the religion is concerned (this contrast more modern Animist sects, which are more pantheonic, worshipping all Guardian Spirits equally). They value the morals of Ïs, which encourage self-discovery, peace, and patience, as these tenants stand in contrast with the aggressive, battle-hungry culture of days past that still lingers in Ursine life. Prowess, strength, and resilience are seen in high regard, which can often lead to poorly planned battles against Dwarven patrols that result in many casualties. Ursine are therefore notorious for being bold, fearless, and sometimes even suicidal.
Ursine are governed by Archdruids, who function as enlightened, near-timeless elders who hold great knowledge of the natural world.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Alison, Brice, Carey, Dierdre, Feena, Haley
Masculine names
Avonmore, Bram, Calder, Dallin, Mallow, Owen
Family names
Byrne, Moore, Gallagher, Healy, Regan, Walsh
Culture
Common Etiquette rules
An Ursine is expected to be uninhibited. He must belch when he eats, laugh when he finds something funny, smash when he is angry.
Coming of Age Rites
The True Spring:
This is when a cub is considered to be an adult and must leave the comfort of the caverns to face the outdoors. This usually takes place in spring, hence the name, and is often accompanied by marriages and romantic encounters that breed new families.
Ideals
Gender Ideals
Males are expected to be proud, strong, and bold. Showing physicality as the greatest of traits and proving their honor in brave and violent deeds.
Females on the other hand are expected to be resilient, patient, and kind. The Animist teachings break away from these expectations somewhat, favoring instead enlightened and self-realized individuals over 'strong' ones.
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