Coaldust Bears

Bears of the Northern Continent

Wherever trees and caverns can be found, the soft lumbering paws of these creatures will fall as they wander across thousands of miles of territory. Nowhere in Vóreios is unwelcoming to them as their thick fur and dexterous feet allow them access to the most difficult of terrains. Some may call them unassuming due to their size, believing them to be the safest of the predators, but their small size and cuddly nature should not deceive you.
Coaldust Bears are by far the most common bear found throughout Vóreios. Mostly black in color, it is possible to find varieties of these bears scattered across the land, Faelund Bears and Silverdust Bears to the north and the Spicedfur Bears that roam the lands of the Dwarves. A medium-sized predator, these creatures live off the land, away from the prying eyes of larger predators that may take offense to hunting in their territory. In many cases, seeing a Coaldust Bear is a sign of good hunting and foraging in the area.
Those that have crossed paths with a Coaldust Bear are often surprised by their timidness as they tend to run and hide when they sense people of any type. It is rare for these creatures to come into close contact with people, but when threatened, the true nature of these bears comes out, bearing their teeth and claws at those that dare threaten them. While their size and ferocity are not as great as that of the Dust Bears, few would choose to cross paths with a Coaldust Bear when angered.

Basic Information

Deep Colors and Speckles

Black Bear by Marc-Olivier Jodoin on Unsplash

In most instances, Coaldust Bears are extremely dark in color, often being mostly black. Their noses and areas around their eyes may be shades of brown and it is common to find small flecks of lighter colors throughout the majority of their fur.

Anatomy

Coaldust Bears are medium-sized bears, often ranging from forty-five to eighty inches in length and roughly twenty-five to forty inches at the shoulder. Depending on the season and gender, one of these bears can weigh anywhere from slightly over one hundred pounds to upwards of three hundred pounds. They are not considered the largest predators in the areas they inhabit, but few predators are larger than the Coaldust Bears.
Throughout the year, these creatures will grow thicker hair to prepare themselves for the colder winter months where they will often find a place to shelter and hibernate for anywhere from three to eight months depending on seasonal changes as well as the availability of food and whether or not a female bear is pregnant.
These bears are extremely dexterous and have extremely keen eyesight. This allows them the ability to climb trees and some cliff faces that most other bears would not be able to. Their keen eyesight makes them deadly hunters that can quickly find prey even in the most adverse of conditions.

Genetics & Reproduction

Coaldust Bears are known for being one species that has a wide variety of sub-species due to a number of genetic mutations that change coloration. Faelund Bears, Spicedfur Bears, and Silverdust Bears are essentially Coaldust Bears with a simple mutation that only changes their fur color. It is possible for any of these sub-species to be born from a pairing of Coaldust Bears, but more on the genetics of this happening is yet known.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Coaldust Bears are one of the only species that can be found in nearly every area of the Northern Continent, excluding most areas of the Great Plains. Content to roam across most of the continent, these bears will make their homes in caves, under rocks in burrow-like areas, and in hollowed out trees in the forests across Vóreios. Because of their timid nature, they rarely cause issue with people and are therefore left alone to roam unchecked.
Populations of Dust Bears have ran small numbers of Coaldust Bears from portions of the Timbers of the Furnace and the Great Furnaces, but it is still possible to find Coaldust Bears living in fringe territories that had not been claimed by Dust Bears. Other types of bears tend to share territory with Coaldust Bears as their varied diet allows for multiple bears to live comfortably in a small area.

Coaldust Bear

Black Bear by Davvid Iannace on Unsplash

Coaldust Bears are the most common species of bear found throughout Vóreios. Their small size, dexterity, and keen eyesight make them suited for a wide variety of terrains and habitats.

Genetic Descendants

• Faelund Bears
• Spicedfur Bears

Scientific Name

Ursus nordei

Origin/Ancestry

Ursus

Lifespan

20 to 40 years

Average Height

25 in to 40 in at the shoulder

Average Weight

100 lbs to 300 lbs

Average Length

45 in to 80 in

Geographic Distribution

• Vóreios

One does not run so quickly when the prints of a Coaldust Bear are spotted or a flash of black fur crosses the vision. As long as one does not wish to cause harm or bring a great threat, the bears will continue on their path, just as you should.

— Unknown