By far, the majority of Gurahl alive today come from ursine stock. Before the population explosion that occurred after the end of the Impergium, most of the world consisted of humanfree wild lands; wisdom thus dictated that bear-born Gurahl could more easily exercise their duties of protection. The War of Rage drove a number of Gurahl into hiding in bear-form, where they continued to breed and, occasionally, beget true sons and daughters. The endangered status of bears in the modern world, however, threatens a lessening in the number of Gurahl born to bears in the wild.
Today, ursine Gurahl usually grow up within the confines of protected habitats or national parks. These individuals usually retain their birth forms until necessity demands a shift into one of the other forms, usually as a response to some sort of threat that a “mere” bear could not handle. Some ursine Gurahl actually prefer to remain in either Homid (form) or Arthren form after their First Change (WTA) out of curiosity and wonder at the capabilities of their new shapes; these Gurahl generally develop a reputation as reclusive wildlife experts or survivalists.
A number of ursine Gurahl spend their cubhood in zoos or other environmental habitats that attract large numbers of human visitors. These Gurahl have a passing familiarity with humans by the time of their First Change (usually necessitating a quick escape from their homes, often with the assistance of human Kin).
Ursine Gurahl, in particular, harbor a special grudge against humans (such as poachers, clear-cutters or sport hunters) whom they recognize as direct threats to the existence of bears.
Gurahl who begin life as bears suffer from the same restrictions as lupus Garou with regard to choosing beginning Abilities.
- Beginning Rage: 4
- Beginning Gnosis: 5