Ursine

The Ursine are a race of muscular bear-like Humanoids. The fur of an Ursine varies depending on their ancestors, Beneath the fur is smooth black skin. Males height ranges from 7-10 feet while females average 6-8 feet. Rumors speculate that there is a tribe from the Great Peaks where the females tower over all of the males in the area. When running on all fours Ursine tends to reach speeds of 35 miles per hour. Once an Ursine reaches 20 years old they can partake in a series of rites. Once completed they are officially an adult and are given a title that represents who they are. Ursine have remarkable longevity and it's not uncommon for them to live several centuries.

Culture
The history of Ursine has been lost and forgotten. Centuries of persecution and genocide from the humans has dwindled the race to a handful or small tribes. Each tribe is led by a Chieftain and a Seer. Chieftains are responsible for overseeing the upkeep of the village, leading the military, managing the day to day activities and delivering justice. The Seers are responsible for speaking the tribe's history, taking care of the tribe’s wellbeing in spiritual and medicinal matters. A Seer is the head of all village shamans and will lead all rituals including the rites of adulthood.

The tribes are typically neutral with other races and cultures but there have been times where the Ursine had to intervene or were provoked. This neutrality has allowed the tribes to facilitate peace between warring groups and has granted insight on situations where an unbiased party helped mediate. However if one tribe is ever attacked a rallying cry courses through the tribes. Armies and resources are immediately sent to the area.

Ursine clothing varies from tribe to tribe. Some tribes prefer wearing as little as possible while others prefer covering their whole body in leather or cloth. Regardless of tribe, all Ursine will wear some type of footwear. Jewelry and piercing are very common. Hair is sacred to the Ursine people, each one takes great care of their hair. Many choose to decorate their hair with intricate design, braids even adding gemstones and jewels. Tattoos are so abundant among the race that seeing an Ursine without some form of tattoos is near impossible. Tattoos can be broken down into four types each representing an important core of Ursine culture; rank/status, profession, tribe/clan and self representation. Rank and status tattoos are the most prestigious. To get one of these means you completed some sort of legendary feat. Profession tattoos are the most common with many professions having specific tiers and styles unique to them. All Ursine have their tribe's symbol tattooed and at least one clan tattoo ranging from the clan’s crest to symbols important to the clan. Finally are tattoos which represent one’s self. These are the most unique and diverse but are typically one of the first tattoos one gets. Due to Ursine’s thick fur and skin, traditional methods were ineffective. An Ursine will go to a shaman who will intricately paint the tattoo using a special blend of paint. Once the design is finished the shaman will cast a spell turning the paint into a permanent tattoo. This process is only painful during the spell and once it's completed the pain immediately stops.

Religion
The Ursine worship The Den Mother Ursolus, Goddess of Change and Desire. In her Great Den she gave birth to the Ursine race. After she recovered from delivery, it is said that she gave the people of the world desire. Regardless of race as long as one chases their deepest desire the world advances forward. Ursolus is indifferent to the desires, whether it is helping the poor or murdering innocents, she does not care as long as one is following their desire. She encourages her followers to worship other gods in hopes that more change is created.

Many of the Ursine tribes and villages have diverse pantheons or wild gods that they honor. Shamans are the spiritual experts of the race who have special and secret knowledge of incantations, rituals, sacrificial acts and prayers. It is believed that Shamans are the bridge between the physical and spiritual realms. Becoming a shaman is one of the greatest honors to an Ursine. Little is known about the militaristic shaman order. Only the most revered shamans are chosen. Foreign adversaries have named them Bone Priests due to the bone armor they wear but the Ursine have no known title for them.

Bones are a key component to Ursine culture. When one passes, shamans carefully remove all flesh from the deceased bones and keep them in sacred vessels. The bones are only taken out for two reasons. The first is when someone is paying their respects to the deceased. Tradition dictates that one must be touching the bones to be connected with the dead. The second reason is when a shaman is using the remains to bring the spirit back. Death is not the end for the Ursine. When an Ursine passes they pick up the mantle in the afterlife to assist the living.

A contract between a shaman and the deceased were vital for allowing the bridge between realms to work. Contracts could be passed down in a family, as long as the shamans honor the original rules of the deceased. The skull of the deceased would be engraved with intricate runes. The skull would now become a conduit and vessel. Allowing the shaman to bring back the deceased. This “second” life given to the deceased gave them a purpose, continuing their vigil in the afterlife. They would be a sentient being with free control of their “renewed” body, with the condition that once the shaman stops giving the reanimated power the spirit will go back to the afterlife until it is called back again. Because of this it is very common for shamans to carry sacred vessels containing skulls.

Throughout history shamans have been known to help out other races by bridging the spirit and physical realms. Seeking out lost ancestors to help give guidance and clarification. Shamans who constantly interact with the spirit realm usually will lose an eye. This “blinding” is actually a blessing which causes the lost eye to gray over and allows the shaman to constantly view and interact with the spirit realm.