Biology

Q: Do they start shifting the same age as Werewolves? Do they shift the same way? Do they have a pack bond? Do they have a "bear spirit" inside them or is it just turning into a bear?

A: No, Yes, No, Let me Explain

Shifting-

Werewolves usually do their first shift in their early teens where as Werebears usually do it by the age of 3 at the earliest and 6 at the latest. They have the bear spirit inside them from the begining but their body and bond have to be able to connect before it comes out. Which takes from 3 to 6 years. The first shift is the worst. They gain a fever, a temper, and act... Well... Like an animal. So usually when a child is getting that age the family takes a camping trip when the signs start to show. The camping trio isn't far from their community but far enough where the kid wont hurt someone or break anything. The trip can last from 1 week to 5 weeks. Usually no longer then that. The average amount is 2 weeks. After their first shift they stay a bear for about 3 days before turning back. They give their bear a name at the age of 10, so they can learn about them first.

Pack Bond-

Nothing here. No pack bond. The only bind they have is with their mate and their children. So more like a family Bond. A wife and a husband would have a bond. The husband and his parents would have a bond but the wife would not have a bond with the husbands parents. She would have a bond with her kids and so would the husband. Siblings would have a bond with each other but not friends or grandparents. So yes... A family bond. This bond allows them to speak to each other in their minds and sense each other's feelings. A human mate would also gain this effect and be able to feel her own family's feelings. We're bears have one kind of bond. However it's not as magical as their family bond. They can sense when other were bears are close and sense magical energy.

Bear Spirit-

Yes they have a Bear spirit in them just like some versions of werewolves. They are born with them and they can communicate with them. Their bear spirit can't necessarily talk but they feel all of the urges and emotions that the person can feel. Like the urge to go for a walk or to talk to their mate. Natural bear urges. The bears spirits do however have more human emotions then regular bears and can get hurt feelings and understand the language that the "host" speaks and knows. When the eyes pupil gets bigger (really big) it usually means the bear spirit is taking over. They can control what the "host" does and says, while the "hosts" consciousness is pushed to the back of their mind. The "host" can see feel and sense what the bear spirit is doing and seeing while the "host" is pushed back. This usually only happens when the bear doesn't get out enough or if it really wants something.

Powers/Abilities-

Werebears don't necessarily have many magic powers. Yes there's the super strength, heightened senses, transforming, and bond stuff but other then that Powers aren't common. However it's not unheard of. There are seerers, they can access the future. They usually become oracles or Elders. There are healers, self explanatory. Can heal and expel disease. These usually became the obvious, healers, or they leave the "community" to travel the world to heal anyone in need. These powers come with great empathy. Another legend spoken power is called Ausgewählt, Chosen One. There can only be four Ausgewählt at a time. It's said when all four gather in one place on purpose or by coincidence, A great evil will is near and they are destined to stop it. It's only a legend though. Ausgewählts have the power of the four elements along with some other lesser abilities. Each one of the four possess an element. Water, fire, air, and earth. The lesser abilities consist of telekinesis for air, healing for water, electricity of fire, lava for earth and other small things. The bigger the secondary power the more Rare the Ausgewählt.

Eye Color Guide-

So like Werewolves their eye color changes to match their mood. Its mainly bc the bear spirit inside them.

Enraged/Lustful/anxiety- Pure black

Sad/depressed/troubled- pale yellow

Happy/excited/shocked- bright yellow