Bear race

Race bear

Bears -- large, shaggy, good-natured right up until the good nature ends. Strong, hardy, slow to wind up, but once wound up -- best step aside.

The thick hide deflects crushing blows and holds the cold -- even in winter a bear doesn't freeze. Wounds close on the move. They swim well. In battle they often fall into berserk rage, knock the weapon out with a paw, and in a hug can crush even a larger foe.

They turn up in Mirkwood, in The Continuity of Parks, and other places where the forest is thicker than the patches on a traveller's trousers.