Bear

Bears were a family of mammals, typically of a predatorial nature, that inhabited many of Toril's continents.

"If you want to know what berries are good to eat, you can't always rely on the birds because birds can eat poisonous berries, but people can usually eat what the bears eat. Bears also know how to dig for roots. If you're not sure about eating something, you should find a bear. But be sure the bear doesn't find you.''"

- Emilo Haversack

Description
Among the most commonly encountered bears were human-sized, with larger species existing.

Behavior
The disposition of these creatures varied by species. Brown bears were often aggressive, cave bears even more so, while black bears usually displayed little aggression.

Biology
Bears possessed a powerful sense of smell and hearing. Physically, they were incredibly powerful creatures, possessing near superhuman strength as well as a formidable durability. With larger specimens being comparatively more powerful.

Species of bears
Some of the more commonly encountered bear species are listed below.
 * Black bear
 * A variety of bear that is not usually dangerous unless provoked.


 * Brown bear
 * Among the largest common bears, brown bears are ill-tempered and aggressive when compared with other bears.


 * Cave bear
 * Vicious predators adapted to living underground.


 * Dire bear
 * Enormous bears with a powerful capacity for strength and who view human-sized creatures as simply another form of food.


 * Polar bear
 * Native to arctic regions, polar bears are slightly larger than brown bears and are also partially adapted for an aquatic lifestyle.

Diet
All species within this family of mammals were omnivores, though cave bears tended towards meat.

Habitats
Bears could be most often found in forested regions or caverns.

In north Faerûn, bears were common place throughout the forests of the Vast.

Beyond Faerûn they could be found in Evermeet, where they were non-hostile towards elves and occasionally hunted by gold elves. In the Hordelands, they could be found at the lowest levels of the Katakoro Plateau.

Relationships
Bears were a favored animal of several deities, including Bahgtru, Eldath, Geb, Malar, Rillifane Rallathil, and Solonor Thelandira. The dwarven god Clangeddin both favored cave bears in particular, while slumbering Ulutiu preferred polar bears.

Usage
Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue sold bear hides for 5 gp a piece.

Appearances

 * Novels
 * Tymora's Luck
 * Tymora's Luck