Bear Cult

The Bear Cult is a sect of people from the village of Bitterfork who have an unnatural obsession with the savannah grizzly. This is evident by the black granite fountain in the village square that features four bear heads in bas-relief upon its surface.

In the year 918AF, the cult briefly allowed outsiders to glimpse some of their ritual practices and glean insight into their origins after a young villager sought entrance into the cult.

Around 1000BF, their Ashtani ancestors, under the fleet command of Polemarch Amphites and the direct command of Lochagos Damokles, became shipwrecked upon the unfamiliar shores of what is now known as Bitterfork Village. Initially, the crew looked to their regular chain of command for direction and leadership, with Lochagos Damokles left in charge of a mission he never intended to command: the long-term survival of his people in an unfamiliar land. Vulnerable to the savage wilderness, the crew began to fall victim to the creatures who roamed the area. Of particular brutality were the bear maulings.

A low-ranking healer had had enough. Using her knowledge of medicinals and plants, she was able to coat a blade in a potent toxin and courageously stood up to the next bear that prowled into the encampment, and successfully slew the fearsome animal. Crew quickly divided in allegiance-- some remained true to the Lokhagos, others became increasingly loyal to the Bear Woman, who vowed to protect the people from the dangers of the wilderness; the powerful prowling bears became symbolic of both the pinnacle of danger and the fearless spirit to embody for the sake of survival.

In time this faction became increasingly fanatical and the cult was formed. Villagers found a sense of belonging and hope within the cult, and gained respect as the village's Protectors. However, like any militant extremist group, they became increasingly demanding that the village live according to their rules.

In modern times, Bitterfork's Shaman, Belen, acts as the "Arch Arktos", or cult leader, of the bear hunters. Their initiation rite demands that would-be bear hunters complete the same task as their founder, who is now referred to only by the title "Sotera." Initiates are given only a small dagger coated with the same toxin concocted by that young healer centuries ago and are sent into the wilderness to grapple with a fearsome grizzly. If the bear spirit finds them worthy, and they return alive having vanquished the beast, they are permitted entry into the cult and undergo the Initiation Ritual.

A sacred ceremonial hide is prepared from the slain bear and is bestowed upon the initiate after their vows as a symbol of the bear spirit being made manifest in them, and welcoming them into the fold of the mighty bear hunters.