The Bear Clan.
Once the Halpi Mountains were home to all manner of large creatures, with their proximity to the Mammoth Steppes and the Abyss, the presence of giant Wolves, Bears and Ravens was not considered unusual and the Dwarfs that lived in the mountains quickly made use of their natural neighbours. The Direwolves proved to be too savage and untameable but the Giant Bears and Ravens were more intelligent and proved to be more suited to form partnerships with Dwarfs, joining them in battle and eventually allowing the Dwarfs to ride them as mounts. The Bear Clan of the Halpi Mountains were the prime example of these partnerships, riding their Armoured Giant Bears to war whilst accompanied by groups of these massive creatures that aided them in combat.
When the Free Dwarfs were fighting against the Abyssal Dwarfs and their Ratkin slaves and goblin Allies the Bears were instrumental in holding off the hordes of attackers. However, their numbers, never great at the best of times, were not enough to turn the tide and despite heroic deeds and epic battles the Bear Clan was defeated and reduced to a Handful of the Clans best warriors riding their Bear mounts. No longer would they be accompanied by Armoured Bears fighting alongside them and the remaining Bears were now exiled from their Homelands.
Some settled in Gollochs Empire but the majority chose to remain Free and travel to the new homes granted to them by the Dwarf King Golloch. This further diluted the strength of the Bear Clan and now when the Free Dwarfs march to war they are usually accompanied by only a Handful of the mighty Lords of the Bear Clan on their Armoured Bears.
The Bears that are left are jealously protected by their riders and they will only come forth in times of outright War and in great need, it is interesting to note that those of the Bear clan that fled Northwards instead of to the South have found a home with the Northern Alliance and these Clansmen have adapted their Bear riding skills to the equally large Frostfangs that are native to the Northern reaches, thus proving that Free Dwarfs can thrive wherever they are forced to be.
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