There are a great many whispers and stories told of the mysteries surrounding Beorning folk. Whether these stories of old have merit or are but smoke and shadow, Beorning folk themselves often give little to clarify which only adds to the enigma surrounding them.
What is known of the Beorning are that they have long dwelt in the Vales of Anduin between the great forest that is the Mirkwood and the serpentine track of the Great River. Due to their coloring and mixed bag of cultural quirks, it is believed that the Beorning share kin and history with the Eotheod and Men of Dale, they are another branch of the Men of Rhovanion.
Their name is said to have come from the numerous legends told about Beorn - their "Great Chieftain." The Beornings reverent ursine references to their Great Chieftain has given birth to a plethora of legends about a hairy man as big as a mountain, who is a bear in mannish guise, can turn into a bear, can wrestle bears, and any other incarnation depending on how drunk
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- Tend to explain concepts to outsiders in terms of bears, bees, and other animals and natural phenomenon they understand. The bee and the bear are the animals they praise and try to emulate. To "be the bear" is to be a great warrior, to "be the bee" is to be a productive and useful worker.
Beorning Folk Culture Reference
- Beorning are commonly of a tall (ranging from 6872-74 inches 80 inches in height), stalwart, and large physique as hard labor is the day in and day out survival for their isolated farms and woodland homesteads. Some of the mixed bag of cultural influence in the Beorning is oft most noted in even the smallest of superstitions. An example is that some Beorning believe red hair to be an ill-wrought omen and others to be a blessing. There are a great many hedge-wife tales spun in various means about this subject.
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- There are rumors and whispers of Beorning have issue with dwarves for their metal-and-stone natures as well as rumors of a fondness for Woodland Elves for a shared love of nature and life. As per usual with the mysterious ways of Beorning and their varied cultural veins, it is supposed that there might be conflicting views of that within and differences of opinions over the matter in general. It could all, again, just be smoke and shadows.
What Would Other PCs Know About Beorning Folk?
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- Beorning do not keep forges and are thus known to on rare occasion make trade for weapons and armaments, though with the uncommonness of such it would be believed that warriors are not so common amongst their numbers.
Suggested Backgrounds and Roles
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Background: You hale from one of the isolated farms of Beorning folk and whether by craft or happenstance, you’ve earned a little bit of a reputation amongst your kin and neighbor-kin as an herbalist. While womenfolk outnumber the men rather heavily, male or female, you’re known as a Hedge-Witch amongst your kin. Whether isolated further yourself in a woodland dwelling or living amongst others in a cluster of hedge-fenced farms – you’re the one sought for aches, pains, wounds, sickness and more; from the littlest of bothers to the most grave. You are fond of herbs and know much about them as well as medicines from balms to tonics and teas to your sworn-by cure-alls. You may even have a hand at growing your own little herb garden.
Beorning Farmer or Shepherd
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Background: Whether by farmstead or forest-dwelling, by your parents, or other kin, you’ve learned some about keeping a farm or keeping a flock. Used to heavy, strong labor, you’re no newborn to working for your supper and keeping long hours with a very watchful eye out for winter. You, like your kin, have a deep fondness for animals and are very protective and caring of your flock, whether farm-bound or ranging through the woods with you. Growing things and tending things is what you do.
Beorning Cook or Baker or Brewer
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Background: Whether your delight is cooking, baking or brew-making, whether farm or forest-bound, you delight in using what farm or forest provides and delight your close kin and neighbor-kin with only the very best of foods and drinks. You find great delight in feeding those around you and ensuring that good food is enjoyed by all.
Beorning Timberwright
Requires 1 RPP
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Background: You hale from either farm-stead or forest-dwelling, from isolated hedge-rows, stumps or a cluster of farms that buzz with bee-life. Whatever your beginnings, you’ve long since joined others of your kin in the trees, roaming the great woodland realm of the Mirkwood in pursuit of felled trees or those ripe and ready to give way to the younger saplings struggling for a taste of sun and sky. You are good with your hands, keen of eye and have a knack for building things of the wooden ilk.
Beorning Warden of the Wood or Farm
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Beorning folk are quite fond of songs and stories, especially those of the forest, bears and the legends of Beorn himself.
Players are encouraged to submit songs and stories for Beorning folk as they’re playing. Please respect all Copyright Laws. If it is someone’s work, heavily or loosely based on someone else’s work, or even that of work too old to maintain a maker’s name – give the source, when submitted, due credit.
Further Reading
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To read the general background of the forest-village of Veidreborg, click here.