Kossavk Bear

There is no greater symbol for Kaldari might than that of the Great Bear of Kaldaria, the Kossavk. Domesticated in the formative years of the kingdom, the Kossavk bear serves both as the main banner for both the great houses of Lesnik and Koslov, and as the symbolic animal of the kingdom itself.
Seen of the kingdom's banners, shield, and seal, its role is more than just symbolic, as the bear serves as an iconic foundation for the kingdom's legendary bear-riding heavy cavalry.

Basic Information

Anatomy

A massive specimen, the Kossavk bear has been specially bred by the Koslov family for it's size and power. Towering over other bears and dwarfing their human riders, Kossavk bears are massive powerhouses of animal fury, capable of tearing through all but the strongest steel.

Genetics and Reproduction

With similar gestation periods to the more common bear species in Altwaus, the actual genetics and mate selection of Kossavk is managed by generations of careful breeding programs managed by the Koslov family.

Additional Information

Domestication

A form of bear bred for domestication and warfare, the creatures are considerably more affectionate and predictable than their wild cousins. While nowhere near as servile as a common hound, the bears are known to bond with sapient species, in particular their Kaldari handlers. 
When deployed in combat, the bears are known to break into berserker rages in the event their bonded handler is wounded or injured, with a particularly noteworthy case having witnesses report that a single Kossavk bear destroyed three heavy ironclads before finally succumbing to it's injuries.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Used as an alternative auxiliary for heavy cavalry, the Kossavk bears are well0suited to the cold scrag and mountainous cliffs of The Kaldari Highlands(location:fc276e89-7140-48a7-b704-2963d522b7d7). While they lack the long range speed and endurance of a trained @[R - Cavalry Warhorse, they make up this difference with their incredible strength and durability, as well as their heavy fur and fatted bodies permitting them to serve in all but the coldest nights of the Kaldari winters.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Kossavk Bears were originally bred by the Koslov noble family in Kaldaria, in the near-wilderness of their ancestral home in Central Highland Region(location:d2960312-f1ef-4a84-8b24-a2400dd402dd) and @[The Port City of Rystanburg.
At its peak, the Koslov had family had four separate breeding programs across their family's extensive properties, with another eight breeding programs being managed externally from the family (however under their watchful supervision.) The presence of a Kossavk Bear outside of [The Kaldari Highlands is a rare one indeed, and typically a sign of Kaldari military operations in the area.

Average Intelligence

Relative to a common horse

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Taught from a young age to rely on the their handler's guidance to navigate their environments, Kossavk bears none the less retain a formidable sense of smell - something their handler is always wise to rely on.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Since nearly all Kossavk bears are bred in captivity, it common for them to be given names by their handlers. Kaldari in origin, they typically are given names in the old Kaldari Vulgar. The names are typically literal translations or modified to the vulgar terms they are intended to manifest, such as "Belokon" for "White Death" or "Zaschitnik" for "Bulwark".

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Bear

Lifespan

30 years

Average Height

Approximately 5-6 feet at the shoulder, 7-9 feet standing.

Average Weight

Approximately 1200 pounds

Average Length

Approximately 10 feet

Average Physique

Significantly larger than a common bear, with higher muscle and bone density.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Blue-white fur covering the entirety of the body, with dark black skin along the nose and pads of the feet. Kossavk bears are commonly seen saddled and armored in hardened leather or even plate.

Geographic Distribution

• The Kaldari Highlands (Region)

Related Ethnicities

• Koslov