Bearfolk

Bearfolk are massive people of iron resolve and deep nobility, resembling bears that walk upright rather than all fours. Hailing from either the cold climates of the Shimmering Planes in the north. or from a nation of light carved out of the Shadow Realm itself, bearfolk put their trust in family and tribe to stand against the world. In defiance of their brutish appearance, they are deeply spiritual and artistic.  

Fearsome and Strong

  Bearfolk ar e braod-shouldered, bipedal humanoids. Although they strongly resemble upright bears, they have longer legs than any bear and their massive hands are more like a human's hand than a bear's paw. They lack the bear's sharp claws, but they're as dextrous as any human craftsman's. Their muscles devlop early in life, and most bearfolk look it. Their physiques tend toward great bulk beneath shaggy fur. Even teh slenderest bearfolk are quite strong. Bearfolk are over 7 feet tall when they stand at their full height, but they often appear shorter because of a natural forward roll to their shoulders. They weigh between 250 and 350 pounds.   They're covered in shaggy fur that can have a range of colors. The most common colors are black and brown, often with a lighter frosting or tip on the chest, shoulders, and upper back. Coppery red, honey-colored, and even pure white fur occur rarely. The color gives a clue to the particular bearfolk's heritage, but it's not an exact indicator. As they age, bearfolk tend to go silvery around the muzzle, giving them a distinguished look.  

Tribe and Family

  The core of bearfolk society is the immediate family. Parents care for their cubs until the young reach the age of 5 or 6 years, when a precocious shift takes over. Although they aren't yet fully grown, the cubs are drawn by a powerful urge to explore. They begin spendign time away from their family, treating their entire village (or smaller neighborhood in a larger settlement) as a sort of extended family. This can be surprising or even annoying for nonbearfolk neighbors, who might discover a bearfolk child rooting through their apntry for a snack, inviting itself for dinner, or even adopting them as its new family temporarily. This isn't necessarily as inconvenient as it sounds, since young bearfolk are also more enthusiastic learners and harder workers around the house than most other children age.   Byond immediate family, the tribe forms the majority of bearfolk culture. Once bearfolk cubs start venturing beyon their own homes, families intervine. Each cares for the cubs that happen by that day, welcoming the wayward children to meal tables as their own. There's no choice but to know one's neighbors in a bearfolk tribe, and that brings them all closer together. Trade apprenticeships and budding talents are identified early thanks to this intermingling, and it helps find a suitable niche for a young bearfolk's path in life.   Elders are highly respected for their experience and greater perspective, but practically carries weight as well. Being old doesn't afford one unlimited leeway if one makes questionable decisions or has a reputation for foolishness. Building on this respect, bearfolk venerate their ancestors at a nearly demigod level and believe the spirits of their ancestors guide them. The tribe also holds druids and clerics (particularly those that serve nature deities) in high respect and looks to them for guidance.  

Home and Honor

  When establishing homes, bearfolk gravitate toward striking a balance with nature and their impact on it. Even the most urban-minded of them prefer parks and greenery, and take pains not to disrupt the surrrounding countryside any more than necessary. Where possible, they love to incorporate existing caves and rock formations into their architecture. Settlements always hold a totem, statue, or some other representation honoring an ancestor of virtueat their center.   The bearfolk place a high value on honesty, trust, hard work, and community. These are the virtues that bring a bearfolk honor, and the same attributes make an outsider welcome. Laws governing bearfolk life are simple and loose. They trust in their core values to guide them wisely when disputes arise. In teh rare instance when a disagreement can't be settled according to custom, honor and common sense, teh elders become involved. Defying the judgement of elders for personal gian is a source of great shame that can ruin a bearfolk in the eyes of his or her tribe and famiily.  

Passion and Wrath

  Their intimidating mien is no veneer. Bearfolk have a deep and impressive capacity for violence when roused to anger or in defense of their own. Bearfolk passions run a strong as their bodies, and banter that pushes the boundary into insults and bruised honor often leads to more bruises. Their great physical strength means they excel at battle, and even relatively minor physical altercations can inadvertently become serious. Many bearfolk wear scars from physical contests, both simple competition and more serious matters of wounded honor, that went a little too far.   Thanks to their phsycial prowess, many bearfolk follow the path of the warrior. Barbarians and fighters are common, with rangers and druids following closely.   When bearfolk go to war, they do so with the clear goal of protecting their people in the moment and in the future. If that means the destruction of a foe, then to be it. They are adept at weaving their talents together in the same manner they blend families into tribes. Spellcasters favor turning the natural world against their foes with conjured beasts and manipulating battlefield conditions through weather, controlling plants, and even shaping the earth itself.  

Bearfolk Traits

  Bite. Your powerful jaws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If it hits, you deal 1d6 + your Strength modifier piercing damage.   Natural Armor. Your hide is thick and tough, granting you a natural AC of 13 + your Dexterity modifier.   Powerful Build. You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.   Ursine Talent. You have proficiency in the Athletics and Perception skills.   Subrace. Two main subraces of bearfolk exist in Midgard: grizzlehides and purifiers. Choose one of them.  

Grizzlehide

  As a grizzlehide bearfolk, you are thicker and hardier than your cousins. Grizzlehide fur ranges from black to golden, often with light gray or blonde tips. Tough and ferocious grizzlehides are the original bearfolk stock native to the colder northern climes of Midgard.   Bear Hug. When you take the Attack action, you can make an unarmed s trike as a bonus action. If you hit, yoiu can grapple the target in addition to dealing damage to it. You can use this ability a number of times equal to your Constitution modifier (minimum of 1), and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.   Thick Coat. You are resistant to cold damage.  

Purifier

  As a purifier, you are slighter of build, with reddish or pale fur and with a strong affinity for nature. Purifiers often serve as spriritual anchors in their communities Purifiers are a recent branch of the bearfolk race. The majority of them originate in the Moonlit Glades as opposed to Bjeornheim in Midgard.   Nature's Gift. You know one cantrip of your choice from the druid spell list. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability score for it.   Stalwart Will. When you make an Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma saving throw, you can rolla d4 and add the resul to your total. You can do this after the roll but before any effects occur. Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.