Bearfolk

**Bearfolk** were the original inhabitants of Thaums before the Thaumaturge Empire. It is often said that Eustis Thaum, "drove the bears out of Thaums" which is a saying that is used for both reverence and criticism.

Making their home in wild, untouched corners of Thaums, bearfolk thrive on their own independence. Covered in shaggy fur, bearfolk resemble common bears not only in their appearance but in their ability to survive and even thrive in the wilderness. Their keen senses and physical prowess make them formidable enemies, but their practical nature and protective instincts make them fantastic allies. Bearfolk rarely approach the civilized world without good reason.

## History

Before it became a human settlement, what is now Alberich was a large community of Bearfolk. It was an interconnected community of different peaceful tribes - grizzlys, black bears and polar bear folk all lived in relative harmony together in a place they named Growles. At some point, an army of humans led by Eustis Thaum led a disadvantaged but successful attack on the region, driving all of the bearfolk out and making Growles their new home. Much of this history is muddied and unknown but it is thought that their motives lied in racial superiority and desperation for a good home. The year long campaign ended in The Battle of Growles which saw the bear folk completely defeated and driven away.

The bear folk were scattered after this, delegated to smaller communities which were later also ransacked by humans of different generations. Now the three bear folk races are completely separated and reside in different areas of Aurelius and Kabaw. This war spawned the song Ballad of the Bears and Lambs.

## Society

There are at least three bearfolk societies in Aurelius, seperated by the colour of their fur. White, Brown and Black. They all, more or less, hold the same laws and values.

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 surrounding 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 virtue at 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 the rare instance when a disagreement can’t be settled according to custom, honor, and common sense, the elders become involved. Defying the judgment of elders for personal gain is a source of great shame that can ruin a bearfolk in the eyes of his or her tribe and family.

## Race Relations

Bearfolk tend to keep themselves to themselves and live in very tight-knit communities. They don't beleive in racial purity or that their race is better than others - they just wish to be left alone and do not tend to welcome other peoples or take kindly to other bearfolk leaving them.

 Goblin | Negative
 Elf | Positive
 Harengon | Positive
 Thanoi | Positive

#### Grizzly and Black

Grizzly and Black Bearfolk are mostly the same and occupy the same regions (Thaums, Northern Emberus and Wisteria) although they never mix and often fight. The main difference between the two is fur colour.

#### Polar Bearfolk

Polar Bearfolk are much more rare and nomadic, often living as a family unit rather than a tribe. They live in the northern, unpopulated parts of Thaums as well as Kabaw.

#### Pandafolk

Pandafolk separate themselves from bearfolk and, for the most part, they do not awknowledge each other's existence - some even considering them separate races. They call themselves the Panderen and live in small communities in the bamboo forests of Ghadames. Stereotypically, they are extremely lazy and love to eat.