Alvarus

The battle between influences upon the forest and jungle have been as continual as the rising trees. A battle of constant ecological attrition ongoing since the eldest elven record thensome. In that conflict the barriers of territory were drawn, the sapient races against the ununified beastial world. In that era of exploration and chaos, pressures mounted against the individual creatures. It would break them alone- but maybe they could stand against it together. The Alvarus is the unification of two unlikely allies and stands symbolically as a vestige of cooperation.  They’ve seen much success in recent years as the less cooperative predators have waned.

#### Physiology and Anatomy

The Alvarus is technically two organisms: bear, and bee. Each is reliant on the other and cannot survive for long in each other's absence. At a cub’s birth a new Alvarus or ‘Alva’ bee queen will settle from an established colony, ensuring that the cub already has access to Alvas as soon as they are able to move. Alvas establish their colonies on their bear hosts via a hairless pad of flesh against the throat. Layered with fat, the bear can hardly feel the nest against their skin. The Alva can then extend the nest outward to accommodate themselves and their supplies. One may ask; what benefit does this relationship have? To which they’re many. The two organisms exchange food resources they collect to stimulate cooperation. Unique to the bear-as they’re comparatively slow compared to their cousins- the Alva bees provide a barrier against larger predators. Alvas will respond violently to distress exhibited by an Alvarus, attacking the perceived threat with the same aggression exhibited in protecting their own nest. Alvarus are able to move an established colony around and equally protect their Alva allies against threats fearful of its wrath.

Morphologically, the bear part of the Alvarus is closely analogous to contemporary bears. They have a strong sense of smell with a strong preference toward sweet and or sugary substances. Alvarus don’t eat these substances but instead allow the Alva bees a closer reach by moving toward them. Alvarus are largely omnivorous, feeding on the vegetation often attached to the sweet odors they follow. They may equally prey on small game like fish and rodents, with sharp foreclaws allowing them to unearth burrows. Their forelimb strength is immense, able to tear into gambeson and rend flesh. Equally strong are their jaws, able to crush wooden objects to free the sugary sap inside for their insect friends.

Alva bees are similar to their host in that they are much alike to other bees. Their striped patterns warn predators of their stings. Their sting is painful but unlikely to cause lasting harm by itself, however intense swarming may lead to severe injury and sores. An Alva may only sting once before its abdomen is torn loose, killing it. Alva bees have but a single queen who resides deep within the safety of her nest. She can live just as long as the Alvarus and thus continue to keep her colony alive. Her subjects are not as fortunate and may only last a few months- but she can readily make more.

#### Psychology

Alvarus are nomadic creatures that follow the food and the flowers. They make periodic migrations across the forests and jungles in line with the changing flowering plants. Alvarus are generally gentle to their Alva colonies and exhibit a strong level of social attachment to them. Though for the majority of their lives they live alone, Alvarus may briefly form groups as juveniles after they leave their mother. Alvarus aren’t territorial but don’t appreciate being approached. Alva are particularly aggressive toward loud or alien disturbances- often engaging a foe before the Alvarus can. Alvarus can’t be tamed but show no expressed aggression toward sapient races unless their personal space is intruded upon.