This is the tale of Ursa Great–Mother Bear, the Mother of all Bears and Creator of the Ursa lineage. As it goes, Mother Bear came to our world in search of a home for her soon-to-be born children.

         Mother Bear searched all through the galaxy till she chose a place far from the sight of the Bears’ eternal enemy, the Aboguuza. Mother Bear created what is presently known as The Ursadom Bear Lands—home to the Ursa Brood, the Children of the Great Bear.

         Before the Ursadom Bear Lands however, the land was called The Usnamyra; conquered and before that, the Ursidae Empire, which was founded from an ancient territory ruled by Mother Bear, simply called “The Motherland.”

         In the beginning, Ursa Great, Mother Bear landed in this beautiful land and all that she saw, she claimed. This territory extended to the edges of the entire continent and the surrounding sea, originally.

         Mother Bear claimed this young land uncontested by the inhabitants who had yet to learn to fight or hate each other. When Mother Bear surveyed the land, she found these early Humans posed little threat and both feared and revered her as a deity. She left them in peace. She had no quarrel with these creatures.

         With her mind eased, Mother Bear made her home in this new land and named it The Motherland. She birthed her children here—all six thousand sons and four thousand daughters; all who came in all sorts of different colors and sizes. Some of her children could walk on two legs and take the form of Man while others preferred being the four legs their bear forms gave them.

         Mother Bear raised her children in the manner of her home world, teaching them earthly matters and magical things. They learned of nature, life, and death and of parallel worlds, different realities, and most importantly, their inner bear and shapeshifting. They were made to build towns and cities and great halls the housed their ancient knowledge and magicks. Mother Bear taught her children to fight and how to work together to form great armies.

One day, Ursa Great told her many children that someday she would leave, and they would inherit the land. This land would be led by their eldest.

         “It will be your duty to protect yourselves from the Great Nemesis, the Aboguuza,” said Mother Bear. “Remember, the people here may be your allies or your enemies.”

         She continued. “I have taught you kindness and how to fight and how to protect yourself. You must use your cunning to survive the enemy that hunts you,” she said. “For the Aboguuza will never stop as long as a Bear breathes.”

         As foretold, Mother Bear chose leaders from her eldest son and daughter to lead the rest. Her daughter, Arkaa and her son, Ilidec. Following Mother Bear’s example, the daughters were mighty and compassionate but like their father, the Ursa’s sons were much more arrogant and flippant.

         “Who will rule once you leave, Mother Bear?” asked Ilidec.

         “Both,” she said. “Both of you together will lead the best. You are the strongest and most cunning together.”

         But, Ilidec did not accept this, he was arrogant and proud.

         “I think I should be named the sole ruler,” Ilidec said. “I am the most powerful and cunning.”

         Arkaa, though patient, stood her ground.

         “Mother, I believe I would make the better ruler if we don’t rule together,” Arkaa said in argument.

         With the pair set against each other, Mother Bear’s children soon began to fight among themselves, each picking a side. Those loyal to Ilidec and those loyal to Arkaa. This is how the very first bear clans formed—clans of brothers and sisters pitted against one another. Still, Mother Bear could not simply choose. All of her children were beloved by her.

         “Enough,” Mother Bear said. “I have spoken. The time for me to leave has come. When I part, you two will be in charge.”

         “But, Mother–,” Ilidec said.

“No. You are too proud and quick tempered. Your sister will balance you.”

         Mother Bear looked at Arkaa. “Your brother is sharp and full of spirit, together you are stronger,” Ursa Great said. “Now, I will leave you both with a gift.”

         Mother Bear let out a roar of singsong words that should have never come from a bear’s mouth. Reality tore open, a rip in the air that exploded with alien light. Strange green, red and purple hues danced from the cut in the air. Then there was a great booming noise and the smell of trees and musk filled the air as a rush of hot air and light rushed from the tear.

         Two things exploded from the rip in reality and rocketed across the sky like comets. Very briefly, the sky was on fire. Where the two streaks landed, the earth shook. The mind-bending tear closed and Mother Bear spoke once more.

         “To the West, Ilidec, you will find your gift, a magical axe. Use your strength and cunning to retrieve it.”

         Mother Bear looked at Arkaa. “To the East, Arkaa, you will find your gift, an ancient bear hide. Use your strength and cunning to retrieve it.”

         And with that, a rush of magick crashed through the night as Mother Bear ignited her way back into space in a flurry of celestial power. She would travel back home, a faraway distant land where Father Bear waited. For a time, her magick lit the land in a glow so bright, it seemed as though the sun had risen.

         Just as Mother Bear had wished, after she left, a new kingdom formed, ruled by the keepers of the Ursa Hide and the magical axe Artemis—they would call this place, the Ursidae Empire…but not for long.