Beorns

Beorns are a fictional ethnic group that appears in various fantasy settings. Named for their totemic association with bears, Beorns are depicted as forest-adjacent peoples bound by kinship and practical skill. They are commonly used in world-building for role-playing games and fantasy novels.

Geographically, Beorns are described as inhabiting northern forests and highlands in the realm of Eldara. They occupy fortified lodges and clan villages along river valleys, moving seasonally to harvest honey, timber, and game. Artifacts include carved bone pins and beadwork.

Socially, Beorns are organized into clans led by chieftains, with councils of elders guiding major decisions. Lineage determines land rights and ceremonial duties. Bear lore features in rites of passage, winter festivals, and hospitality codes. Craftsmanship emphasizes woodwork, leatherwork, and metalwork, often with totemic symbols of bears and trees.

Beornic is depicted as a northern language with a runic-inspired script for inscriptions. Common motifs include bears, forests, and rivers. Oral storytelling and songs preserve history, bear lore, hunting ethics, and rules of hospitality.

Economically, Beorns rely on forestry, beekeeping, hide processing, and barter trade with neighbors. They emphasize sustainable harvesting and seasonal migration. Relations with adjacent powers range from trade alliances to mutual defense pacts, depending on the portrayal.

As a flexible element in fantasy, Beorns vary across works, serving as a distinct but diverse cultural identity rather than a single canonical group.