Crystal Bear
The Crystal Bear is the apex predator for the foothills of the Iron Spine, where there are still many trees and lots of food for it to catch. These large white bears are covered with a shaggy coat of fur. As they age, they tend to grow crystals that are as hard as those from stone. Often, they will break these crystals by rubbing against rocks to avoid letting them get too sharp or inconvenient. However, during the mating season, the males will go for one or two months without breaking the crystals, as the bear with the largest and most impressive crystal formations along their back often is the one that finds a mate from the females.
The Crystal Bear is very territorial and aggressive, often attacking tribesmen when they encroach on what it deems its area. The crystals on its back make it difficult to properly net it to slow it down and its size and muscle make it difficult to bring down. Many parents will name their children with names that involve the word for bear, to channel the strength of the creature into their child.
Normally solitary creatures, the Crystal Bear only gather in groups when attempting to find a mate or if its a mother and her cubs. Otherwise, they are just as likely to fight one another as they are anything else.
