Cave Bears are common predators on Aklann in the Tidespace Crystal Sphere.  They range along the main mountain ridge and far out into the plains, nearly the top of the food chain.  An interesting occurance however is the rampant profusion of true lycanthropes amongst their population.  Some whisper that Aklannish barbarians were experiments by Vodoni mages and others whisper of other things, however the fact remains that it is rare but not unheard of for Aklannish children to be born Were Cave Bears.  The people react in two ways at once to this event.  Parents tend to be sad, knowing their children will be sent away when their alter form grows too large to deal with.  This tends to be around age 7-9 at which point the children are taken to the foot of the mountain chain and left.  This is not meant to be cruel, and quickly the child is taken in by true Cave Bears, raised by them for another 7 or  8 years, at which point the child hopefully possesses mastery of his or her lycanthropy and can change at will (both ways).  Some stay, but most return to their clans and are ALWAYS welcomed home with open arms and gifts.  This condition considered a curse on many worlds is a boon here and those with it are treated well and often rise to positions of power.  The desolate nature of this land makes living hard on everyone and having someone capable of assuming the shape of the mightiest indigenous predator is a great aid to villages and tribes alike.

Combat:  Generally shunning combat, when provoked into transforming, the Cave Bear will seek to grapple and crush an opponent of Large or smaller size.  Roll normal THAC0 with a penalty of 1 for each size class under Medium.  If a hit is scored, the victim is crushed immobile within the Bears grasp and neither can do anything until they are released.  Every round the Bear can choose to release its prey or crush without roll.  The mighty paws of the Bear can each do 1-8 damage in a round as well as its bite for 2-12.  Up to two targets can be attacked in this way, but it can only attack with one paw on each target.
Habitat/Society:  There is no society to speak of, these Lycanthropes are either found in the company of Cave Bears (2-8) or humans.  Both treat them with deference.  They can summon 1-4 Cave Bears who are near once per day.  If in a city or village with humans, they will often hold positions of power, such as huntmaster or even tribal elder.  They are always Chaotic by nature, but can be good, neutral, or even evil.  Most are good, but some resent their forced banishment and hate people totally.
Ecology:  Mainly found on Aklann in the Tidespace Crystal Sphere, they affect the ecology only slightly.  If in the company of Cave Bears, they will be in that form, when with humans likewise their form will be human unless provoked.  Often their human form is quite fair and it comes as quite a shock to most when the lycanthrope emerges.  Very few have opted for ways of war and these are generally marines in the Imperial Navy.  The one exception to their benevolent nature is other lycanthropes.  They suffer a total hatred of all non cave bear were creatures (cursed and true alike) and only the Chaotic Good can resist outright attacking them.  This is perhaps the greatest proof that The Vodoni are their creators and somehow through the generations they remember this, taking it out on all lycanthropes (a symbol of Vodoni evil).