In a Scandinavian myth, a prince cursed to transform into this creature fathers a son with the lower body of an elk. This creature is the fylgja (FILL-gyah), or totem, for an ally of Hrolf Kraki whose battle-trance is catastrophically broken by his servant Hjalti (HYALL-tee). A hero who possesses the ears of these creatures, from which he draws his power, dies after battling a German crusader called the Black Knight. The Finnish spirit Otso is one of these animals, while in Norse myth, this animal's (*) sinews were a part of Gleipnir (GLAYP-neer). The national epic of Latvia, Lāčplēsis (LAHCH-play-sis), is about the “slayer” of one of these creatures. Henry Sweet suggested the name “Beowulf,” meaning “bee wolf,” was a diet-based kenning referring to, for 10 points, what animals whose hides were worn by namesake frenzied warriors called berserkers? ■END■
ANSWER: bears [accept Ursidae]
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= Average correct buzz position