Black Bear

Type

Animal

Base HD

2

Terror

0

Height (cm)

170 cm (length)

The black bear is a forest-dwelling omnivore. Despite its name it can be pure black, blond, or cinnamon in colour. Although the black bear is generally smaller than a Man, it is much stronger than one and a paw swipe from a black bear can break ribs and cave in doors. However, the temperament of a black bear betrays its awesome strength and most black bears are cowards and thieves rather than warriors. Met in the wood, a black bear will usually flee or rear and bellow to frighten off a Man without ever meaning to close the distance. But a wounded bear is a different animal from the one that fled you the day before.

The dangerous bear is the one that does not run. Now and then this is a mother with cubs or a starving bear, but most often it is one that has robbed the same smoke shed unopposed for a season and learned that Men are merely the soft things that keep the food. A black bear that has unlearned its fear cannot be taught it again, and must be killed rather than driven off, because black bears are clever and will return in the night to continue its pilfering, and mere locks and latches will not keep it out. The fat of a black bear is worth more rendered than the meat is whole, for grease and lighting, and a pelt in good condition is a prestige item that commands prestige prices.