The Bears are comprised of the peoples from Caledonia and some of Orkneyjar. They are made up of groups and clans, some of whom wear kilts and little or no armour. Some years ago, the Bears chose three women to be their Queens. They are the mortal hosts of the three aspects that the Bears value most.
The Morrigan embodies strength, the Cerridwyn, wisdom and the Blodwyn is the embodiment of compassion.
The Bears have a reputation of being a faction of celebration and enjoyment. They love drink, songs and games. They are fun loving people who enjoy the finer things in life, and will fight to defend them.

"We are feared as fighters because while others cower behind shield walls, we charge!"
- Unnamed, deceased warrior of the Bears.

Lord General Thorfinn MacBeth, the Norse Jarl of Orkneyjar, formed the Bears Faction in 1092. Having Caledonian blood in his veins, he heard the call of his ancestors and left Norsca, returning to Caledonia to pull together the mass of warring clans. He was quickly established as the undisputed leader of the new Bears Faction, partly because he was clearly good at the job.
Thorfinn set about finding common ground between the vastly different clans. He took the common hatred of the Dark Elves as a means to unite the various clan-based military forces of Caledonia and Orkneyjar. Thorfinn established the Ri-Thanes and Thanes to control the Bears armies and fleets - a system that remains in place to this day.

Thorfinn will be best remembered though for taking 3 common lasses and making them Queens. An election was held and the 3 lasses that demonstrated their suitability to represent their ancestors and lead Caledonia with the knowledge of the Cerridwen, the might of the Morrigan and the compassion of the Blodwyn. Despite some changes since then, the Queens have ruled the Bears ever since. They have had a succession of Nobles and War-leaders over the years, but remain a unifying force.
The 3 Queens each embody a different aspect of the All-Mother Ancestor Anu. The Morrigan is the Warrior Queen with the strength of 10 men and has never been bested in combat. The Blodwyn is the Healing Queen and has unequalled healing powers and the Cerridwen is the Wise Queen with the power of foresight and the combined knowledge of all the dead.
While their will always be 3 Queens, they haven't always taken a direct hand in the running of the faction and others have been known to run the faction in their name.

The Bears lands historically comprise all of mainland Caledonia, it's Western Isles, the south west of mainland Orkneyjar and the remote Black Isle.
The lands of Southern Caledonia are covered with gently rolling hills across the entire border with Cymrja and Albion. In the centre of the southern border, tucked among the southernmost tip of Cairngorm mountain range, lies the independent trading town of Rockholme.
Most of western Caledonia is covered by the Great Forest populated almost exclusively by goblins and it is not a safe area for most non-greenskins to enter.
Most of northeast Caledonia is blasted heathland and fertile areas suitable for arable farming are few and far between.
The habitable Western Isles number nearly 20, within many more simply barren uninhabitable rocks. The isles are mostly windswept, but fertile and home to some of the best Whisky in all Erdreja.
The largest western isle of Sudreyjar was split into two in 1101 when the Lions' Holy Isle passed overhead spilling vast amounts of seawater into the largely unpopulated valley.
The Isle of Orkneyjar has been jointly owned by the Bears and the Wolves factions for some years, with the Bears owning the more fertile southwestern part.
The Black Isle is the traditional home of the Druids but is a sovereign part of Bears territory. Located some days sailing off to the north west of Caledonia, the isle is essentially an ancient volcano with the most habitable areas being to its east.

The bulk of the Bears are clansmen and clanswomen. That is to say they are natives of Caledonia who predominantly wear kilts in all weathers, and are proud of the fact. Kilts are surprisingly warm in the winter, cool in the summer and extremely practical. Each clan has their own unique tartan and so is instantly recognisable.
Over the years visitors have come to Caledonia and stayed. Well why wouldn't they? Caledonia has the friendliest people in all of Erdreja, the drink is the most plentiful and their warriors the most feared. It takes a very brave (or very stupid) man to stand and face 200 charging clansmen, their faces and bodies adorned with woad, screaming at the top of their voices. Bears are not afraid to die. It doesn't take long before newcomers adopt a new tartan and form their own 'clan' or join an existing clan.
Naturally, the age-old habit of charging every shield-wall in sight, without wearing armour, would mean a rapid decline in population. The Bears therefore have some of the best healers in the known world, the most famous of which is the Blodwyn. Her healing powers are practically limitless, but even she can't be everywhere at once, so the Head Healer ensures that all fallen warriors live to fight another day.

The Bears faction own web site can be found at
www.bears.org.uk/lair
or you can email them at