Kuma

          Over a fifteen hundred years ago in the declining days of Narfell and Raumathar a small village existed on the extreme border of the land. This village, Deparnor was home primarily to shepherds who would watch their flocks in the hilly lands during the warm season, then bring them home to shelter in the village during the cold weather. The land was too barren to grow crops, so the people of Deparnor were forced to trade with the southern reaches for grains and vegetables, not to mention other necessities, such as steel tools and the like. Indeed the people of Deparnor had no resources save for sheep and wool. Even the trees in the land were stunted and twisted by the harsh winters and of little use except as fire wood.

          When the war broke out between Narfell and Raumathar, Deparnor was largely ignored. Even though the village was located on what was technically the border of the two lands, it was so far north and out of the way, as to be of little military value and was therefore largely ignored. But the village could not ignore the consequences of the war. As Narfell and Raumathar depleted themselves in combat with one another, the trade goods that Deparnor depended on began to become scarce. Many of the young men went south and joined the armies of Narfell, hoping to bring a quick end to the conflict and thus return a semblance of normality to things. But to no avail.

          Both Narfell and Raumathar collapsed as a result of the war. This led many of the village to worry, for without the civilized communities of the south to trade with, life in Deparnor would be impossible. Those families that still had the resources packed up and left. But many stayed. They either lacked the means to relocate, or were too tied to the village to wish to move. Without trade from the south however, the villagers lacked many of the necessities for facing the harsh winters.

          The first winter, many of the villagers perished from starvation and disease. The next spring they tried planting gardens, but the barren soil yielded little in the way of edible crops. A few who still could left, deciding to seek their fate elsewhere. The next winter many more villagers perished.

          The following spring the surviving villagers looked forward to another bleak spring, and fully expected their village to be dead the following year. None the less again they tried planting gardens and gathering food. Then the stranger arrived.

          He was a large man, hairy and feral looking. He wore only a crudely cured animal hide tied around his waist with a length of leather thong. He introduced himself as Ursamar and claimed that he had been watching the village for some time. Those who remained and yet survived he had found worthy. If they would accept him, he would teach them how to survive in the harsh new world they had been thrust into.

          The desperate villagers accepted his offer. Thus was born the tribe known as the Ursamar, for their founder. For Ursamar was more then a man, he was a werebear, a man with the ability to become a bear, or perhaps a bear with the ability to become a man. Over the course of the summer, Ursamar “infected” the inhabitants of the village with his strain of lycanthropy. That summer and fall, he taught the villagers to live and survive as the bear did. That winter few villagers died, and that spring, he continued.

          Ursamar also sired many children. Like him these children were natural lycanthropes, not needing to be infected they were born with the ability to change forms. Ursamar lived with the village for over fifty years. All children who were born without the ability to change were “infected”. And Ursamar continued to sire children to ensure that his blood would run strong in the village. By the time of his death all of the members of his tribe were born natural lycanthropes.

          For centuries the Ursamar kept to themselves, unnoticed by the peoples of Narfell or Rashemen. The orcs in the northern mountains soon learned to give the tribe a wide berth. With both men and women capable of becoming great bears, virtually resistant to non-silver weapons, and intimately familiar with the terrain, the orcs decided that it was not worth it to provoke them. For their part the Ursamar ignored the orc, except when they wandered into the territory the tribe claimed for themselves.

          Then about three hundred years ago, another stranger arrived. This one looked like a big demonic human with green skin, dark hair and a pair of short ivory horns protruding from it’s forehead. He called himself Balindashe and claimed leadership of the tribe.

          The current leader, such as there was disputed this. For the most part the tribe each went his own way. The leaders job was primarily to settle disputes and coordinate group activities. And to this end he generally followed the advice of the council of elders.

          Balindashe easily bested the current leader in combat and killed him. After some discussion the elders declared Balindashe as the new leader of the tribe, more to prevent needless deaths in the tribe then because Balindashe seemed a good choice for leader.

          However deaths soon followed. The tribe was used to going there own way for the most part, whereas Balindashe sought greater control over the tribes every day activities. After Balindashe had slain several of the more vocal opponents of his leadership in single combat, the remainder of the tribe for the most part accepted his rule under his terms. The few remaining stand-outs quietly slipped off into the wilderness never to be seen again.

          Under Balindashe’s leadership the tribe became more militaristic and expansionist claiming more and more territory, and making active war on the nearby orc tribes killing and enslaving many. Before too long whispers of rumors began to filter down to Narfell and Rasheman of the tribe of bear warriors. The rumors were for the most part ignored, because Balindashe had yet to turn his gaze southward.

          Balindashe was of a race of creature known as Ogre Magi. His homeland was far to the east in the northern reaches of the nation known as Shou Lung. He had been exiled because his ambitions threatened his brothers and would potentially bring the wrath of the Shou army down upon them, upsetting many carefully laid plans.

          Balindashe wandered westward seeking a place to establish his new kingdom. When he stumbled upon the Ursamar he saw potential. Already formidable warriors, he imagined what they would belike in a few generations with his leadership and an infusion of his own blood.

          To the former end, he began a strict and regimented training program guided by charmed orc slaves. Already powerful warriors owing to their nature, the Ursamar quickly became phenomenal. After a few generations the charmed orc trainers were dispensed with as the tribe had enough seasoned warriors to train there own. At a young age children (male and female) were tested to see which order the best belonged in. The toughest and most savage were trained as Lutators (barbarians), those with a more regimented nature became Razbonic (fighters), those with an affinity for the wilderness and solitude became Hoinars (rangers), those who demonstrated skills at stealth and infiltration were trained as Ukigash (rogues/assassins) finally the rare individuals who displayed an natural talent for spellcasting Balindashe undertook to train himself as Vrajitor (sorcerers). Thus were the peaceful and individualistic Ursamar transformed into a regimented army under the control of a tyrannical ogre mage.

          But that was only half of his plan. The other half of his plan called for the tribe to be infused with his own blood. To this extent, every year Balindashe would take a maiden from among the females of the tribe to serve as his consort. Those who bore him children were held in high regard, of this he made sure. By the current day fully half of the Ursamar are blooded, which is to say, have some degree of ogre mage blood in them. Those with ogre mage blood generally gravitated towards positions of leadership in the tribe, being more powerful then their “non-blooded” kin.

          Balindashe also began breeding orcish and human slaves, training the hybrids as warriors to serve the tribe as cannon fodder in their aggressive battles against the neighboring orc tribes.

          It was into this environment that Kuma was born. Kuma as a youngster had the physical toughness needed to be a Lutator, but lacked the killer instinct. Simply put Kuma was too nice. A trait that might have condemned him to the lowest caste of the tribe, the Omdin (commoner). What saved him from this was his affinity for the wilderness and solitude, which marked him as suitable for training as a Hoinar, and the fact that he was blooded, which allowed his gentle nature to be overlooked. His trainers figured they could instill the killer instinct in him.

          To a degree they were successful. Kuma became a savage fighter, when properly provoked.. The problem was provoking him. Kuma was what was known, somewhat derisively, as an atavic. Despite his ogre mage blood, he possessed a temperament and personality more in line with the Ursamar before Balindashe’s arrival. However this also was overlooked, because he showed potential as a Hoinar.

          The training of the Hoinar includes much time spent alone in the wilderness. It was during one of these forays that something happened that would forever change the course of Kuma’s life.

          While out hunting Kuma happened across the tracks of a creature he had never seen before. Curious he decided to follow the tracks to see what had left them. He followed the tracks for hours, deeper and deeper into the northern wilderness. He finally caught up with the creature that was making the tracks in a small glade, as the sun was approaching the western horizon. While it bore a resemblance to other animals he had seen, it looked unlike anything he was familiar with.

          His first thought was that this unusual creature would make an impressive trophy. But before he could move the creature looked up and turned it’s had towards him, as if seeing him, despite his concealment. Kuma knew it had not heard him, as he had not moved a muscle for several minutes, and the wind had not shifted as he was still downwind of it. Yet though he was concealed as well as he had ever been, he knew the creature was looking at him. And gazing into the creatures eyes, Kuma found that he could not bring himself to harm it, no matter how impressed his people would be with him.

          Tear of shame came to his eyes, and he blinked them away. But in that moment the animal had disappeared. Depressed at his own weakness, he turned to leave only to discover that while he had been observing the creature, another hunter had crept up on him.

          She was easily the most attractive woman he had ever seen. She was clad in leather armor, dyed green, and carried a finely crafted and ornate long bow. At her side hung a curved blade, and she covered herself with a deep green cloak. On a silver chain around her neck was a sylver pendant in the shape of the profile of the one-horned animal he had just seen. Locks of russet hair peeked out the edges of her hood, and brown eyes regarded him curiously.

          To say that he was surprised was an understatement. He had not heard her approach, had not even sensed her presence. He had no idea, how long she had been there. He merely stared at her for what seemed a long time before she smiled and greeted him in his native tongue. Startled, Kuma returned the greeting.

          The mysterious woman began to engage him in conversation, casually inquiring about himself, his training, and his people. He walked along with her, while they talked, and tried to ignore his confusion. While he had never seen her before in his life, he felt as if she were an old an trusted friend, and that to stroll through the forest chatting with her was the most natural thing in the world. She seemed most interested in his own thoughts and feelings, and questioned him endlessly about his personal philosophy.

          To this strange beautiful woman, Kuma found himself pouring out his heart. All his doubts and fears. The aching pain of not fitting in with his tribe. The questions about Balindashe, and his ultimate intentions. His desire to aid his people, but the certainty that he was too different to ever be accepted by them.

          In turn he asked her questions. Some she answered, others she adroitly evaded with questions of her own. He did learn her name, Padure Dama, and that she was a ranger, very much like the Hoinar of his tribe. She also revealed that she was servant of The Lady of the Forest, the goddess Mielikki and that the silver(actually mitheral) medallion was a symbol of her devotion.. Of Mielikki, the woman was more then willing to speak. As night closed in, she built a fire, and they shared their trail rations, while she explained to him the philosophy of Meilikki and what following The Forest Queen entailed.

          More and more Kuma felt drawn to this great goddess Padure told him about. It seemed that amidst her followers, he might find a place he could belong. He began to ask Padure more and more questions about the Forest Queen. Padure in turn told him more and in greater detail about the tenets of Mielikki. That night as they camped together, Kuma took the first watch. In the silence of that night he said his first prayer. He called upon Mielikki to accept him as on of her followers.

          To his dismay he felt nothing. He saw no signs, heard nothing, the night continued on as if his prayer had never been uttered. When Kuma woke Padure for her watch he asked her if she thought he might be unworthy of the great goddess. Padure just smiled and told him to get some sleep. She was sure that he was more then acceptable to the Forest Queen, and things would be clearer in the morning.

          When he awoke, Padure was gone. But laying near him was the mitheral pendant in the shape of a left facing unicorn head. Kuma reverently took it and placed it around his neck, careful to conceal it beneath his clothes.

          When he returned to the village of his people, he told no one of what had happened. If his trainers suspected something they gave no clue. Kuma attempted to fit in as best he could, but in his heart he had resolved to obey the tenets of Mielikki. For the most part he found little difficulty in this. But as his training drew near an end, his resolve was tested.

          He also began to surreptitiously began to speak to the other Hoinar of the Forest Queen. Most proved unreceptive, but a handful displayed interest. Emboldened he began to speak to the members of the other castes as well. That proved to be a mistake.

          One of the vrajitor informed Balindashe. Kuma was dragged before Balindashe bound and hobbled and hurled to the ground prostrate before the angry ogre-mage. In front of the tribe, Kuma was accused of sedition, for attempting to spread the worship of a foreign goddess. Balindashe declared that the Ursimar needed no other deity beside himself, and Kuma was ordered to recant his faith in Mielikki and swear fealty to Balindashe before all others, or face the consequence.

          Kuma was at a loss, fear rose up in him. The as his gaze lifted to the sky he saw a cloud drift into view. As he watched enraptured, the cloud took on the form of a unicorn’s head, a left facing unicorn’s head. In that moment Kuma knew that Mielikki would see him through no matter what.

          Defiantly he rose to his feet and looking Balindashe in the eyes, he declared that he was Ursimar, and the Ursimar were a free people, and that he would rather die in the service of a true goddess, then live as a slave to a pretender. Balindashe was furious at this defiance. He rose to his feet his face dark, his black eyes full of wrath. Calling on his inborn powers he hurled a bolt of arcane lightning at Kuma.

          The Ursimar stared in horror. Where the defiant young Hoinar had stood was now just a scorched crater. Of Kuma there was no trace.

          Kuma opened his eyes to discover he was standing in a forested glade. Soft grass was under his feet, and tall trees surrounded it like a castle wall. Where he was he had no idea. It looked like no place he had ever been and from what he could tell it seemed that no humanoid had been there before. Curious he paced around the glade, and discovered nothing of interest. Finally after what seemed like hours he left the glade.

          The forest outside the glade was a trackless tangle of underbrush. Kuma made his way through it as best he could. But soon he lost all sense of direction. Outside the glade the forest was in twilight, as little sunlight managed to filter through the dense canopy. At times Kuma found himself barely able to squeeze between the trunks of trees. Other times, trees formed impassable barriers before him, near solid walls of trunks and branches. After what seemed like hours Kuma stumbled into an open space. A glade with a carpet of soft grass and thick moss.

          It took Kuma only a few minutes to determine this was the same glade he had started out in. Frustrated he sat down to ponder his situation. But thinking was difficult as Kuma realized he was both thirsty and hungry. As he contemplated this, he heard a bubbling sound. A quick search revealed the source was a small spring fed pool. At first he was suspicious, but his training allowed him to discern the pool showed none of the characteristics of a poisonous source. Hesitantly he tried a small sip, and found the water cool and refreshing but with an odd tang hew could not place. Grateful he said a silent prayer to Mielikki and quenched his thirst drinking deeply of the water.

          No longer thirsty he now cast about for something to assuage his hunger. Near one edge of the clearing he discovered a tangle of brambles was full of ripe blackberries. Nearby a tall oak tree had a scattering of nuts on the ground around it. Sprouting up amongst the nuts were a species of mushroom he recognized as edible. With another silent prayer of thanks to Mielikki he began feasting at the forest buffet and soon his hunger like his thirst was satisfied.

          With his immediate physical needs satisfied he again began to ponder his situation. But before long drowsiness began to overcome him. Looking up he realized that it was late in the day. He shifted to his bear form and found a comfortable place to sleep. His sleep was restful and dreamless.

          He awoke the next morning and again prowled his forest prison. After a breakfast of nuts, berries, and mushrooms washed down by spring water, he again began to contemplate his situation. This day passed much as the next. Kuma lost track of how many days he was trapped in this forest glade. More then a tenday he knew, but how much more he was unsure. Then one morning things began to happen. It began when his contemplation was interrupted by a cheery yet familiar voice.

          “Hello Kuma.” He whirled around to find himself looking into the familiar face of Padure. “I imagine you have some questions.”

          “Where am I? How did I get here? Was it you?” He found the questions pouring forth. Padure held up her hand and smiles sadly.

          “First let me apologize. It was not my intent to leave you hear so long, but other things occurred to occupy my attention, and it was only now I could get back to you. As to your questions . . .” She smiled a little more positively now. “You are in a place that is, and is not. It exists by my will. And yes, I was the one who brought you here. And before you can ask I brought you here to save your life.”

          Kuma’s head was spinning from this information, and dozens of questions sprang to his mind. Before he could sort through them and verbalize them Padure shook her head..

          “Actually let me start at the beginning and tell the tale from there. It will be faster then answering questions..” She sighed and sat down on a small moss covered boulder.

          “The Ursimar once lived in harmony with the wilds. Much like the bear side of their heritage, they took what they needed, wether food or territory, and no more. That is until the coming of the ogre mage, the one you know as Balindashe. Under his control the Ursamar became rapacious. They forgot the lessons they learned from Ursamar and were beginning to exhibit the worst traits of both the civilized races and the humanoids, such as the orcs your people fought.”

          “I have long wished to guide the Ursamar back into the paths of nature, but I could not act openly for sensed the hand of the beastlord in the going ons. So I had to wait until I found someone who would follow me of his own accord.”

          “You chose to follow me of your own free will Kuma. You also sought to spread my word amongst your people, which was a plus. But most importantly you would not deny me even though it meant your own death. That was what convinced me that in you I had found the one I sought. So to save your life I brought you hear, bodily, to this corner of my realm in the house of nature.” Before she could continue Kuma found himself interrupting.

          “Who are you?” She seemed almost stunned for a moment, then broke into merry laughter.

          “Why Kuma, haven’t you guessed? Who do you think could converse with a bear as easily as with a human?” With a start Kuma realized that he was indeed in his bear form, having decided a few days into his stay that there was no point in shifting out of it. And further that Padure had been conversing easily with him. So easily he had not realized she was speaking the tongue of bears. This realization hit Kuma like a thunderbolt. He could barely believe the conclusion he found himself coming to.

          “You mean . . you’re . . .”

          “Yes Kuma, I am the one you follow, The Lady of the Forest, the Forest Queen, Mielikki. And I have a purpose for you. I have called you to free your people from Balindashe. But this is not a task you are yet ready for. You need time and experience. Only when you are a seasoned warrior and strong will you be able to stand before him.” She sighed. “I had not expected things to progress so quickly. Again I suspect the hand of the beastlord in this. For your own protection, I had to remove you from your people. I will be sending you far away. When you are ready you will return to your people, and free them.”

          “What shall I do in the meantime? Where will I get this experience I need?” Kuma’s head was spinning with the information coming at him. Padure/Mielikki smiled again.

          “There is a group of adventurers preparing to do great things. I now set you a quest: Aid them in anyway you can, for in so doing you will be doing my work.” As she spoke the last sentence her stature seemed to increase in some indefinable way. Kuma looked on her with a new understanding. Before he had followed her because she was a name to put to the beliefs he had held in his heart. But now face to face with the goddess herself, he found a curious mixture of emotions rising in his heart.

          He bowed before her and declared, “I will do as you bid Forest Queen. But how will I know these adventurers of whom you speak?” He dared to glance up at her face, and again Padure/Mielikki smiled her enigmatic smile, as her stature returned to what it had been before

          “The enemies you have fought in the past will lead you to them.” With this she leaned forward and kissed him on the forehead. “Serve me well Kuma, and you will earn my favor. The favor of a goddess is not something to be lightly dismissed.” With those last words she disappeared.

          It was getting towards midday so Kuma began to hunt up some lunch. He was surprised to discover the pool he had been drinking from for several days now had a small stream leading from it disappearing into the forest. Curious Kuma followed the stream. For several days he continued to follow it, foraging and occasionally hunting for food. He encountered numerous creatures, some were hostile, but most backed down from his bear self. However none would he describe as enemies he had fought in the past..

          He traveled mostly in his bear form, finding it more suited to wandering in the wilderness. After another tenday or so, he happened upon a set of somewhat familiar tracks. After studying the, for a time, he identified them as orcs. Creatures he had fought in the past. Although from what he could tell these were different from the ones he had faced in the past. None the less he remembered the words of his goddess and began trailing the group. Eventually they would lead him to the next part of his quest.

Mielikki, Narfell, Rashemen, Raumathar & Shou Lung are copyright Wizards of the Coast everything else is Copyright 2006 by George Embley.