From their Mother, Ferra, goddess of the hunt and of the wilds, was the first berserker born. He was Beork, a were-skin, a shifter not wholly man nor wholly beast. It was he who carried the spirit of both man and beast and taught his followers this path. However, Beork found that the humans learning from him lacked one vital component: divinity. By taking on the guise of a creature, many followers would lose their humanity entirely as their mind would turn feral and wild. Beork was disheartened with his followers, whom he considered his own offspring, as they went mad scratching and sniffing at the earth beneath them. Discouraged by his shortcomings, he began to accept less and less followers, but one fateful hunt would bring about great change to the future of the were-skins. It was during the climax of a mighty chase where Beork, along with a handful of his most devout were-skins, that their quarry, a mighty bear exceeding all others, wounded Beork (or maybe he died), splattering his divine blood upon his nearby disciples.

With this divine ingredient infused with the magic of shapeshifting, the were-skins ascended, exemplifying strength beyond natural strength, and with their aid, Beork brought the great bear down, thus ending the greatest of hunts. Beork, though relishing in their victory, also despaired for his closest followers as he knew the force of nature within them would consume their humanity. However, the were-skins shifted back into their human form without madness or injury to their minds or bodies. With this invigorating revelation, Beork crafted for each were-skin a mantle from the immense form of the bear, clothing them in both his blood and the bear’s pelt. From that day forward, the were-skins became known as Berserkers, or bear-shirts, men and women who wore the mantle of their totem, fighting fearlessly and ferociously, but afterwards, returning to their right mind. From this first, blooded generation, Beork instructed them and blessed them and with each following generation, the berserkers would do the same, blessing the aspiring were-skin with blood to both protect and empower them. 

Today, Berserkers have many households as well as animal totems. Whenever the Old Ways are threatened, Beork is said to raise up the cries of past berserkers, who are heeded by those who carry the remnants of his divine blessing. These individuals don’t always become Berserker, as is seen with many, valiant warriors in the Hearthguard, but some have the heart of Beork beat so loudly within them that they feel compelled to devote themselves to be the resolute guardians of the Old Ways. It is a berserker who is deeply connected with nature and seeks to utilize its wonder and power for the glory of the gods. This primal embodiment has led many outsiders to think the Berserkers nothing but maddened barbarians, but this perspective is born out of fear and misunderstanding.

Only in battle do Berserkers feel necessary to shed their humanity in exchange for nature’s might, but outside of war, a Berserker would hardly be distinguishable from an ordinary person, be it a shepherd, farmer, smithy, or some other trade common to many folk. Another interesting note of these individuals is that of all beliefs and practices of the Old Ways, they cling closest to blood, believing the substance to be their very connection to the divine, which may explain why many enlist as soldiers or are avid hunters. To die peacefully is no crime in their eyes, however it is considered a pity, for when the call summons them into battle, it is then they feel most connected to the divine and where they can prove themselves a pure, most worthy vessel for the Halls of Val-Noran or better yet, to go on the endless hunt with their Mother, Ferra.

Amongst the Berserkers, each considers one another equal in might and skill. None shall order the other as a dictator commands his inferiors or a general his pawns, but there is one recognized within the group: The First. The First is an honorary title reflecting the one who bears the same attributes as Beork. The First is the one who answered the call and then summoned the rest. When matters of decision and authority must be made, The First shall lead. 

Only Berserkers wear full wolf/coyote headdresses.