Bear
The bear wanders freely among the forest undergrowth, challenged by no one. It is a noble king of beasts, strong beyond measure and yet in harmony with the nature around it. To protect one's family without destroying the innocent are among the values of ancient ruňans, to whom otsa is a sacred symbol of strength, protection and defense.
Origin of the Bear
Long before the end of Silence, when humanity was a mere sapling blinded by innocence and the deep, dark woods, a corner of a cloud fell from the sky during a particularly strong storm. The cloud's fragment fell through the canopy and landed at the root of an ancient pine tree. Sylvänär, guardian mother of the pines, found the cloud struggling to climb back to the sky, entirely painted brown by the muddy ground. The proud guardian mother of pines pitied the cloud and offered to help. But when it asked to be let back into the sky, she refused. Only humans could get the cloud back home after it had passed the forest canopy, she said. But she could mold teeth and claws from the heart of a silvery pine tree to help it survive in the wilds. The cloud accepted the offer and received beautiful claws and fangs like silver. The mud turned to long, warm fur to protect against the winter winds, and the cloud had become the first bear. From then on the cloud could never leave the forest. It was bound to the pines by heart and root, and so could only live where pines did. Under the shadows of trees it would forever be locked from the skies of its home. Only humans could free the bear from its mortal bonds and free it to continue its journey across the sky. Thus whenever a bear was killed, the people of Ruňa held a feast for its honor and to convince its spirit to return home. For this there was a hallowed tree where the bear's skull was placed to help it along its path.Home in the Forest
Bears are seen exclusively in areas where pine trees grow. Most of the population is located in Ruňa, but they are a rare sight in northern Minnaug as well. They thrive near and around lakes, rivers and coastal areas, where some individuals may sometimes grow up to double in size compared to the average bear.
Bear bones, except for the skull, are a powerful ingredient in many ruňan magics. The skull is lifted up to a pine tree to allow the bear's spirit to return to the sky.
Physical Characteristics
Average Weight: 350 kg
Average Length: 2,1 m
Average Height (shoulder): 1,12 m
Colors: ranging from blackish to golden or reddish brown, may have white or black spots in the tips of ears or around the nose and eyes.
The fur and blood of a bear are both highly sought after for their properties by ruňans.