Ursini

The mighty bearfolk of the east, ferocious warriors and honorable samurai all

Base Racial Traits

Ability Score Modifiers: (+2 Constitution, +2 Charisma, –2 Dexterity): Ursini are hardy and charming but not too nimble - their large, muscular bodies preventing them from moving too quickly or nimbly.
Size: Ursini are Medium creatures and have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
Type: Ursini are creatures of the Humanoid type and the Ursini subtype.
Speed: Ursini have a base speed of 30 feet.
Vision: Ursini have low-light vision, allowing them to see twice as far in conditions of low-light.
Languages: Ursini begin play speaking Common and Maeish. Ursini with high Intelligence scores can choose from the following: (Ursi, Sylvan, Dwarven, Old Dwarven, and Draconic)
Terrifying Strength: Ursini gain a +2 racial bonus to their Strength, and are under the constant effects of an extraordinary Ant Haul effect. They gain Awesome Blow as a bonus feat ignoring prerequisites that they can use on creatures up to their size instead of creatures smaller than themselves, and dealing damage as if they had a slam attack appropriate to their size. They also may ignore Strength and Size-based prerequisites on subsequent Awesome Blow Feats.
Thick-Furred: Ursini, heavily adapted to the cold, are immune to the harmful effects of Cold-Weather Environments and can count as Cold-Weather gear for one creature each day by carring them on their backs to be warmed by their fur. These thick layers of fur also grant them a +2 racial bonus to their natural armor. Additionally, Ursini fur is so thick that they are treated as always having access to a pathfinder pouch by storing objects in a small section of their fur.
Ursine Ferocity: Imbued with a legendary savagery, Ursini can continue fighting even when others would perish - they gain the Ferocity(Ex) Universal Monster Rule, and may ignore racial prerequisites on the Deathless feat tree. They also gain Diehard and Endurance as bonus feats.
Noble Samurai: Naturally affable and trained from a young age in survival techniques, Ursini gain both Diplomacy and Survival as class skills and gain a racial +2 to both.
Atlen Hypersensitivity: For reasons not exact clear, Ursini tongues and mouths are so sensitive to Atlen that they often experience phantom sensory impulses when eating simple meals - by spending one full round carefully tasting organic or inorganic material, they can get the appropriate information as described below.

• Living Creature: When tasting blood or another suitable patch of biological material from a living creature, an Ursini can glimpse the creature's lineage and learn vague details about what type of socioeconomic background it came from, what its parents were like, whether the creature is largely honorable or dishonorable or neither(By the Ursini's own standards), and whether it currently harbors traitorous intent towards someone that considers the target a friend. This ability is often triggered in disjointed, nonsensical bursts when an Ursini consumes food made from animals too slowly.


• Inorganic Material: When tasting dirt, stone, or another inorganic material, Ursini can learn from the land which the sample originated from - they learn the key 'laws' or 'rules' of the area(Either Legal, Spoken, or Unspoken) and get vague impressions of the strongest or most notable creatures that dwell within it or have dwelled within it(With greater priority being given to currently living creatures). For weapons and armor and the like, the becomes a simple psychometry effect and allows them to glimpse the item's creators and past users.


• Nothing: If the Ursini in question tastes nothing specific but still spends the full round tasting nothing but the air, they can get a general, vague reading of Atlen levels in the area, the overall "vibe" of their surroundings(Hostile, Friendly, Corrupted, Etc), and a somewhat specific read on any noble or courtly etiquette that those nearby may abide by or believe in(If any).

Flashblade Style: Though not as quick and nimble as other species, Ursini have become masters at taking advantage of small moments of opportunity to offset this - they determine bonus Attacks of Opportunity from Combat Reflexes based off their Strength Scores instead of their Dexterity scores(If they take the feat), and gain 1 bonus attack of opportunity each round whether or not they take Combat Reflexes. Ursini also gain a +4 on attack rolls when making attacks of opportunity, and may substitute a normal AoO for one of the following actions instead:

• Defensive Shift: Launching forward on powerful legs, the Ursini moves to an open square within 15ft. This movement does not provoke.


• Tendon Slice: If the triggering AoO was provoked for movement, the Ursini may instead attempt to halt their target - if the AoO hits the target, the Ursini can forgo damage to prevent the opponent from moving any further with that action.


• Unbalance: If the AoO successfully hits the target, the Ursini deals no damage but renders the struck target flat-footed against the next attack an ally makes against them.

Race Flavor:

The only race that has ever braved the journey to the west from the mysterious lands of the east due to reasons unknown, these hulking slabs of muscle stand universally above eight feet tall, possessing massive bodies seemingly cut from rock itself. Staunch, unbending warriors of great honor, these wandering creatures resemble massive bears standing on two legs, with thick fur that can range from black to silver and normal fur colors in between, long snouts, and powerful legs and arms, they make wonderful companions, even better warriors, and superb drinking companions due to their infectious, cheery laughter. While most have naturally magnetic, amicable and raucous personalities that lead them to pursue the pleasures of the flesh as they travel the lands to hone their blade, there are exceptions to the rule, and some are seen dour and downcast, silent and unbending warriors.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Ursini anatomy is by and large similar to other humanoids of medium size, possessing two arms and legs attached to a central torso with a furred Ursine head attached atop the torso. They have a skeletal and muscular structure similar to other races such as humans, though unlike humans their muscular system is incredibly strong and efficient, granting them nearly twice the strength of normal humans and allowing for incredible feats of strength that many other species would not normally be capable of.
Thanks to these muscles that are wound tight and strong like bands of steel, they are also quite durable as even sharp bladed weapons have a hard time piercing or slashing through their muscles and furred skin. They have largely the same organ structure, and their bones are slightly thicker on average to support their large bulk, such that their legs more resemble tree trunks or elephantine legs than anything else, especially on those Ursini who grow to Large Sized and stand nearly 16 feet tall.

Genetics and Reproduction

Ursini reproduce through sexual reproduction, with their females carrying live young once male Ursini have impregnated them for several months before giving birth to infant Ursini.

Growth Rate & Stages

Once infant Ursini are born, they grow to adulthood at a similar rate to humans, and reach biological adulthood around age 18-20. They are almost universally raised as warriors, being trained in combat techniques by their mother and father as they grow up, and once they hit adulthood they reach middle age around age 40, become old around age 58, and become venerable around age 75, dying shortly thereafter.

Ecology and Habitats

Ursini have an adaptability rivaled only by Humans, and can survive and thrive in most any environment.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Ursini are omnivores, and can eat most anything.

Biological Cycle

As they age, Ursini find their fur going grey and eventually white as they begin to lose muscle mass, and sometimes develop mental issues such as memory problems. Their bodies begin to physically decay until they reach extreme old age, becoming very infirm though sometimes lucky Ursini or ones obsessed with fitness can somewhat mitigate the effects of old age upon their bodies.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

Ursini have bear-like heads, with fierce jaws and powerful noses with ears atop their heads. They are furred and shaggy, with ferocious appearances.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Ursini are found almost exclusively in The Eastern Imperium, but this is more due to it being their homeland than any other reason. They are rarely found outside of it in any large capacity.

Average Intelligence

Ursini are just as intelligent as other sentient creatures such as humans, and while intelligence can vary wildly between Ursini to Ursini, they are generally at least as intelligent as humans and other sentient humanoids.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Ursini eyes are highly adapted to Darkness, and they can see in darkness out to sixty feet.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Ursini names are very eastern in their influence, and almost always contain one or more parts, sounds, and syllables that emulate eastern speech,, such as '-suke', '-suki', '-ai', '-shi', '-ao', '-ming', '-uo', '-ian', '-iang', etc. Heavily influenced by specifically Chinese Verbiage and Naming conventions, while secondarily containing influences from Japanese and minorly, Korean conventions.
Male: Bensuke, Kurosuke, Bao Ming, Chao, Heishan, Jing, Jao-Long, Wang, Tao-li, Yusuke, Gongming, Harashi, Kubo, etc...
Female: Mutsuki, Ai, Mei, Ling-Ling, Chen, Jushu, Zhen, Nua, Yuki, Mitsui, Yuna, Seo-yoon, Huang Feng, etc...

History

Ursini history is a thing shrouded in mystery, as their origins are mostly unclear. Their history on the eastern side of Corexus and in The Eastern Imperium is well-documented, and a tale of warring states, feudal clans, and rival warlords...but as to where they came from, none can say. They arrived from places unknown eons ago, and though many Ursini speculate and even adventure out into the world to find the place they came from, none have been successful...were they creations of the High Humans of The Aurelian Hegemony of Man, like the stone-warped? Did they come from places unknown, like the Tortle? None can say...since they appear in the Historical Record during a period of history that has been lost to time, with no records surviving from it.

Alternate Racial Trait List:
No longer accurate to the racial block. Undergoing Rework.
Ursini Alternate Racial Traits

Racial Feat List:
No longer accurate to the racial block. Undergoing Rework.
Ursini Racial Feats

Lifespan

75 Years

Conservation Status

The Ursini were once a rarity on Corexus millennia ago, but in the modern day they have spread and repopulated and are now plentiful and populous, though still a rarity in western Corexus.

Average Height

1.7 - 2.3 Meters, Can get as high as 5.6 Meters

Average Weight

65 - 100kg

Average Physique

Ursini are truly impressive creatures, and are immensely strong thanks to their increased muscle mass that they are often herculean monsters compared to other more tame races, capable of fantastic feats of strength and endurance thanks to their peak physique. They are tough and tall, muscular and strong, and hard to move.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Ursini fur can vary wildly in color and tint, and generally relates to their environment. Ursini fur can thus range from white, brown, black, and many other natural colors.

Related Reading