The spirit deity that is known as Naluk generally prefers his corporeal shape to be that of a human warrior. Legend has it that it is in this shape that he lead the armies of the other gods and goddesses against the forces of Tirik, god of Death and the Underworld. The final deciding battle culminated in a one-on-one contest with Naluk wielding his flaming sword of black steel against one of Tirik's minions that appeared in the guise of a huge black grizzly bear.
The battle raged for days as neither could gain advantage over the other, their fight slashing clefts to form the valleys in the mountains that exist to this day. Finally, Tirik's servant could no longer withstand the god's onslaught and fell dead at Naluk's feet, the flaming sword finally burying itself deeply into the animal's chest to sear his heart from his body. Taking his trophy from the battle, Naluk cut the claw from the bear's paw to wear around his neck in triumph.
Finding the strength and battle prowess of the grizzly bear to be quite impressive, Naluk began to morph into a bear shape from time to time. In this way, he could taunt the knights and test their mettle as they would try, always in vain, to defeat this awesome foe without realizing until much later that the god Naluk had been there to put them to the test. For, you see, the grizzly would always win the contest yet walk away leaving each and every knight unscathed physically but wiser for having survived the battle.
But neither form proved to be as efficient in traveling the land as the third form proved to be. For Naluk would transform himself into a thundercloud and rumble his way across the land, the sound very much resembling the noise of the battle between Naluk and the Bear. To this day, a common comment that can be heard during a thunderstorm is: Naluk and the Bear must be fighting, again. Far off thunder is often said to be Naluk losing his temper, again.
Several other sayings have come from the worship of Naluk. A task that has proven to be much tougher than it should be is often referred to as 'a tough bearclaw to cut'. A common phrase used to swear and curse with is: by the beard of Naluk. This one is particularly used by the followers of Seris as Naluk is shunned for his treatment of their goddess.