 Ursol | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Title |
the Wise, Ancient, Bear Lord[1] |
| Gender | Male |
| Race | Bear (Beast) |
| Location | Various |
| Status | Alive |
| Relative(s) | Ursoc (twin brother), Orsonn (nephew), Kodian (niece), Furbolgs (mortal creations)[citation needed] |
Ursol is an Ancient Guardian, one of the several demigods that were among the first living creatures to roam Azeroth. He and his twin brother Ursoc were worshipped as gods by the furbolg tribes.[2]
Biography[]
Ursol and Ursoc are patrons of those who favor balance of nature and the living beasts of the wild. Among their most loyal followers, the furbolgs, practice their respective customs; those who follow Ursol become shamans, while the others who follow Ursoc become hunters or warriors and carve wood statues and structures. Timbermaw Hold in northern Felwood is an example, as the stronghold's entrance is a giant wood carved in the shape of a growling bear head — as an homage to the twin bears.[citation needed]
Early life[]
Many millennia ago, two inquisitive bear cubs roamed the area around the Grizzly Hills together. These brothers, named Ursoc and Ursol, had more curiosity than good sense, and they frequently found themselves trespassing in the domains of bigger predators. Danger did not discourage them, and each one never left the other behind, even when circumstances seemed dire. They caught the attention of Keeper Freya, who was traveling across Azeroth in search of exceptional wild animals. Freya recognized their potential and saw what they would become. When they matured, they grew stronger and bigger than any other bears in the Grizzly Hills, and they did not suffer the ravages of aging. In time, Freya made them into Wild Gods for their dedication to each other.[3][4]
For Ursol and other Wild Gods that were guardians of their domains, Freya crafted unique weapons, artifacts that could only become as strong as their wielder made them. Their true potential could only be unlocked with practice, nurture, and self-improvement. Some Wild Gods did not understand Freya's gifts and neglected their weapons; Ursol was not one of them. Freya gifted him a staff that eased the use of magic, and every day Ursol would train with it against his brother's own gift, the Claws of Ursoc. Ursoc's titansteel claws became an extension of his own body, and Ursol became an expert in manipulating the flows of magic.[4] Together they had become two of the most powerful Wild Gods in existence, and soon they would become known as Azeroth's staunchest defenders.[3]
Death[]
Ursol and Ursoc in the War of the Ancients.
During the War of the Ancients, Ursoc and Ursol were the first to answer the call of Cenarius to combat the Burning Legion. They clashed with the doomguard, were eventually overwhelmed by fel stalkers, and died defending the land.[5]
Legion[]
Ursol was called to his lair in Grizzlemaw to test a druid adventurer's worth in retrieving the Claws of Ursoc and aiding his brother's spirit against the Emerald Nightmare. After fighting the spirits of several furbolgs loyal to Ursol, the bear god gave the druid his blessing.[6]
When Malorne becomes trapped in an Emerald Nightmare recreation of his death at the hands of Archimonde, figments of Ursoc and Ursol are seen battling demons during the War of the Ancients.[7]
Dragonflight[]
While most furbolg tribes worship both twin bears, the Winterpelt Furbolg worshiped only Ursoc. Eventually, they decided to beseech Ursol for his blessing and worship both once again. Ursol appeared at their long-abandoned shrine to him and gave his blessing, saying that he and his brother's paths were never meant to be taken in isolation.[8]
Locations[]
| Location | Level range | Reaction | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grizzly Hills | 10-45 Elite | Alliance Horde | Part of the Druid Artifact questline to obtain the Claws of Ursoc. |
| Malorne's Nightmare | 45 Elite | Alliance Horde | Seen during   [45] The War of the Ancients scenario of the Druid Campaign.
|
| Azure Span | 70 | Alliance Horde | As part of the Winterpelt Furbolg questline. |
In the RPG[]
Ursol and Ursoc in Shadows & Light.
- The enormous bears lumber forward, scanning their surroundings with much more than animal intelligence. When they turn to watch their flanks, they reveal the dark, glyph-like markings in their fur. Raising their heads and sniffing the air, they stop suddenly and flex their claws, ready for a fight.[9]
Ursol and Ursoc were well known friends to the Ancients and night elves, and hailed as gods by the furbolg tribes. The bears held glyph markings on their fur. Ursol and Ursoc visited the villages of the night elves, especially during festivals to the Moon. Ursol carved statues made of dead trees, while Ursoc was fond of brew. Both learned this from mortals. The brother bears would spend time allowing night elven children to mount them, and also spent time drinking ale with the night elves.[9] Ursol and Ursoc befriended generations of night elves and humans.[10]
Ursol was a fighter, warrior, healer and shaman. Combining their powers they would strike as one at any enemy with efficiency, using strength and magic. Typically, they would employ teamwork in combat so that they could use both strengths simultaneously. Ursol would move into position and use his shamanistic spells, while Ursoc lept into the fray to fight with tooth and claw. They had an instinct for leadership that helped to inspire their allies, but they were ferociously dedicated to one another and would step away from an engagement if the other was in need of help.[11]
It makes sense that the pandaren either worship, worshipped, or are possibly even akin to Ursoc and Ursol in much the same way as the dwarves/earthen were to the titans. This is given much credence by the pandaren's shamanistic culture and "earthy" civilization (Ursol), combined with their feral combat skills and love of brew (Ursoc). They also appear to have a friendly disposition and seem to be similar in many other ways as well.
Though some focus on their fierce martial aspect, Ursol and Ursoc remain primarily the patrons of those who believe in a balance between nature and all living creatures. Among the night elves, the druids of the claw take on the form of bears and wander the wilderness on a never-ending pilgrimage dedicated to the ursine Eternals. Though the destruction of the ancient Kaldorei homeland destroyed much of the land traveled by the twins, those who worship them have never given up their search for any of Ursol's carvings and Ursoc's "alewells" that may have survived to the present day. The furbolg are the most fervent followers of the twins in the present day, following in their magical tradition and carving their fortress, Timbermaw Hold, in the form of a gigantic, growling bear head.[12] Timbermaw Hold is the shrine to the Ancients Ursol and Ursoc erected by the furbolgs requiring years and the labor of hundreds to construct.[13]
Furbolg follow in the path of the long-dead ursine demigods Ursoc and Ursol. Though written history says they perished, can Eternals who possess the immortality special quality truly die? Perhaps the "fallen" Eternals have simply slept away centuries while their wounds healed…[14]
Furbolgs and night elves revere the bear twins, Ursol and Ursoc. They were friendly and helpful in the early days of Azeroth's history, attending festivals and delighting children. Ursol was an artisan, carving statues from dead trees; and Ursoc was a brewer, making ales that even today the furbolgs try to mimic. These brothers fought against Queen Azshara and her demon army and fell in battle ten thousand years ago.[15]
Notes and trivia[]
A druid wild bear form with the 
[Mark of the Glade Guardian] that is placed by Ursol.
- Ursolan is an area in Azshara.
- One of the druid
[Bear Form] appearances of the Claws of Ursoc artifact is "Avatar of Ursol" that is based on the appearance of Ursol in-game. - Ursol has been known to place a powerful mark on wild bears in order to empower them as defenders of the wilds in times of need.[16] This appearance is one of the appearances of the [Bear Form] of the Claws of Ursoc artifact.
- [Ursol's Vortex] is a Restoration druid ability while [Mark of Ursol] was a Guardian ability. [Glyph of the Ursol Chameleon] is a druid glyph.
- [Ursol's Claw] drops from Vazruden in Hellfire Ramparts, [Band of Ursol] drops from Quagmirran in the Slave Pens, and [Cover of Ursol the Wise] drops from Kil'jaeden in Sunwell Plateau.
- [Relic of Ursol] can be looted from Guardian Stones in Val'sharah and allow the player to temporarily take on the form of a bear.
- Ursol and Ursoc's names are derived from ursus, the Latin word for "bear".
- Ursol is voiced by David Lodge.
Gallery[]
-
Ursol the Wise in the TCG. -
Ursol in the background of the art for Ursoc the Mighty in the TCG. -
Art of Cenarius battling Mannoroth with twin bears on the left.
Patch changes[]
- Patch 7.0.3 (2016-07-19): Added.
References[]
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1, pg. 40
- ^ [98-110] Fallen Offerings
- ^ a b Tome of the Ancients
- ^ a b Exploring Azeroth: Northrend, pg. 26
- ^ War of the Ancients Trilogy
- ^ [10-45] The Third Trial of Ursol
- ^ [45] The War of the Ancients
- ^ [70] Ursol's Wisdom
- ^ a b Shadows & Light, 84
- ^ Shadows & Light, 85
- ^ Shadows & Light, 83-85
- ^ Shadows & Light, 84-85
- ^ ''World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, pg. 382
- ^ Shadows & Light, 68
- ^ World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, pg. 251
- ^ [Mark of the Glade Guardian]