LunarTotems/Bear
Introduction
Leaning on his spear, Officer Tanel watched the village burn, a small smile beneath his helmet. The pacifacation was going well, and with a few more villages, the area would be completely under their thumb. No more raids to worry about.
A soldier pushed a woman to her knees before the officer, and, setting his spear aside, Tanel gripped her chin with thumb and forefinger, examining her pale, slightly freckled features, the tear tracks through the soot on her cheeks, the pleading blue eyes, and he nodded.
"Put her with the rest. We'll get a hefty price for all of them."
The soldier did not respond, his eyes on something beyond his commanding officer. Tanel turned, growling under his breath. "What is it..."
Those were his last words, punctuated with a roar, and the sound of crumpling armor.
Gerben stood on a hill some distance away, the villagers at his feet as they watched the smoke of their village. His towering bulk shifted slightly as he watched it, the last of his wounds from the battle already long gone. A child curled into the giants thick hair, whimpering slightly, and Gerben comforted him with a massive hand.
These people would have a hard winter, but he would see to it that they survived. Then he would return to his war on the Realm that had destroyed his own tribe, and ensure that such a fate never befell others.
Gerben Chain-Breaker
Symbology : Healing, divinity, invulnerabiliy
The bear has symbolized divinity and healing in many cultures. The Ainu people of the norther islands of Japan believed the bear was a mountain god; in India, bears were believed to prevent disease (children are allowed to ride on a bear's back to avoid sickness); and among the Finno-Ugric peoples, the bears was the god of heaven. The bear has figured prominently among Native American peoples, who regard it as a spirit helper.
This painting of a bear woman dancing with a rattle recalls the Pawnee Indian story of a Bear Medicine Woman, in which a girl born with a bear spirit has the power to heal.
Charms
Finding the Spirit's Form: Bear
Deadly Beastman Transformation (3)
Infection Resisting Method
Bruise Relief Technique
Halting the Scarlet Flow
Ox Body (4 x -2s)
Ox Body (4 x -2s)
Bear Form : Strength 7, Stamina 5, can hibernate.
Beastman Form : Str +7, Dex +1, Sta +4, Horrifying Might, Terrible Beast Claws, Resilience of Nature, Wound Knitting Power
Tell : Huge. Gerben doesn't get any bigger in Hybrid form or in totem form. Also has thick mane of fur.
This is actually an old concept I had. He's partially been created to show how NASTY a starting Lunar can be. While you have to pay the freebie points for essence 3, he's nearly unstoppable in normal battle. By converting HLs of damage to bashing, he heals them all in one turn, and one Lethal to boot. Thus the only charm he uses in battle is Halting the Scarlet Flow, and the only action he needs to do is to hit people, which he does VERY hard.
He symbolizes, very well, the concept of the gentle giant, and the invulnerable "bear spirit", mighty, and nearly impossible to kill. He's also a mere step away from being a powerful healer to boot.
Gerben contrasts very well with Nasketew. While both are barbaric, and both would be considered a threat by the Realm, Gerben is what most players would see as a hero, Nasketew as a villain.
Finally, the Bear totem is absolutely rife with ideas. A quick flip through the werewolf supplement "Gurahl" alone will give you plenty of ideas. From the raging Grizzly, to the wise, gentle spirit bear shaman, the possibilities of a Bear is nearly endless.
