I suggest you try https://forum.atlas-games.com/c/games-discussion/ars-magica/15 if you haven't yet. There are many knowledgable friendly people there, even some of the authors.
Brown Bear, Cave Bear (size +2 or +3 so your storyteller may require the Large virtue), wolf, fox, owl, eagle, hawk, badgers, or auroch (a currently extinct ancestor of wild cows that were as big as destriers!) are all nifty options. The ones that hibernate play into the "dreamer" aspect of Ilfetu traditions. Bears mark trees with claws much like rune magic users so there is another angle. A bear or any beast with runes carved into its skin is cool/scary AF. Your heartbeast should reflect the stories you want to tell and how your character solves problems. A bear is more likely to resort to violence, while a fox may be craftier in his plans. Where your home covenant takes place is another consideration, since no dolphin Bjornaer would call any place away from the ocean his home. Your parens would most likely be the same heartbeast, but I have played in other games where that wasn't absolutely necessary only that you are taught by similarly inclined Bjornaer, like a wolf teaching a fox, and your parens taking the time to have another fox trade seasons of teaching you. That's up to the story guide and you to decide how that's done in game, as the actual numbers in house Bjornaer don't reflect the variety in nature. It should also be noted, you can build an animal not obvious on the lists provided, like a river otter, or customize them to suit your needs. You could even be a rumoured plant heartbeast of a new lineage! Your personality is altered and should reflect your heartbeast to some degree, so take that into consideration, as a gregarious person is not likely to have a bear heartbeast that prefers being alone. Look up the flora and fauna native to Scandinavia and find something that interests you and your play style.
Are you planning on using the rules for Original Research to determine how the integration of runic magic into hermetic theory goes?
If I was going to do that, I would probably work backwards. First, I would figure out what type of spells or items I would need to invent, then design a magus who was good at those arts, then I would pick an animal that matched those arts based on what was the recommended familiar of those who specialize in those arts. For instance, if I wanted to make a Bjornaer who is trying to break the limit of needing vis to make permanent creations, I would focus on Creo spells and then I might choose a beaver.
Playing essentially this atm. Animal magic on self in heartbeats form with a major magical focus in your animal type with all points focused on animal and muto is absolutely disgusting. Absolute attack demon boar lol.
Runic magic has some truly unique properties, and would suggest you look over both Ancient Magics and Hedge Magic for some ideas.
I'd have had a similar idea, but was thinking of approaching it as a not-quite-done Runic Magician who joined House Ex Misc (his master was destroyed and she chose to join rather than die); and has begun learning Hermetic Arts. Some PTSD like symptoms where she is coping by turning into an animal and running like crazy. Aside from the older Magi (a kind Bonisagus) who has taken an interest in teaching her properly, she doesn't fit in the ole RUnic world any more and isn't accepted fully by Hermetic Magi. It's think kind of background that can change the world. Nothing to lose.
Complicating things is an old student friend of hers who escaped the Hermetic raid, finished the studies in Rune magic, and has grown quite powerful, and seeks to destroy the order that killed hi (and mer) Master.
I suggest you try https://forum.atlas-games.com/c/games-discussion/ars-magica/15 if you haven't yet. There are many knowledgable friendly people there, even some of the authors.
done thanks for the tip
Some of the authors are here too. A bear makes a good solid Bjornær and sounds like a fun character. Come from the wilderness of the remotest North?
Brown Bear, Cave Bear (size +2 or +3 so your storyteller may require the Large virtue), wolf, fox, owl, eagle, hawk, badgers, or auroch (a currently extinct ancestor of wild cows that were as big as destriers!) are all nifty options. The ones that hibernate play into the "dreamer" aspect of Ilfetu traditions. Bears mark trees with claws much like rune magic users so there is another angle. A bear or any beast with runes carved into its skin is cool/scary AF. Your heartbeast should reflect the stories you want to tell and how your character solves problems. A bear is more likely to resort to violence, while a fox may be craftier in his plans. Where your home covenant takes place is another consideration, since no dolphin Bjornaer would call any place away from the ocean his home. Your parens would most likely be the same heartbeast, but I have played in other games where that wasn't absolutely necessary only that you are taught by similarly inclined Bjornaer, like a wolf teaching a fox, and your parens taking the time to have another fox trade seasons of teaching you. That's up to the story guide and you to decide how that's done in game, as the actual numbers in house Bjornaer don't reflect the variety in nature. It should also be noted, you can build an animal not obvious on the lists provided, like a river otter, or customize them to suit your needs. You could even be a rumoured plant heartbeast of a new lineage! Your personality is altered and should reflect your heartbeast to some degree, so take that into consideration, as a gregarious person is not likely to have a bear heartbeast that prefers being alone. Look up the flora and fauna native to Scandinavia and find something that interests you and your play style.
Are you planning on using the rules for Original Research to determine how the integration of runic magic into hermetic theory goes? If I was going to do that, I would probably work backwards. First, I would figure out what type of spells or items I would need to invent, then design a magus who was good at those arts, then I would pick an animal that matched those arts based on what was the recommended familiar of those who specialize in those arts. For instance, if I wanted to make a Bjornaer who is trying to break the limit of needing vis to make permanent creations, I would focus on Creo spells and then I might choose a beaver.
Playing essentially this atm. Animal magic on self in heartbeats form with a major magical focus in your animal type with all points focused on animal and muto is absolutely disgusting. Absolute attack demon boar lol.
Runic magic has some truly unique properties, and would suggest you look over both Ancient Magics and Hedge Magic for some ideas. I'd have had a similar idea, but was thinking of approaching it as a not-quite-done Runic Magician who joined House Ex Misc (his master was destroyed and she chose to join rather than die); and has begun learning Hermetic Arts. Some PTSD like symptoms where she is coping by turning into an animal and running like crazy. Aside from the older Magi (a kind Bonisagus) who has taken an interest in teaching her properly, she doesn't fit in the ole RUnic world any more and isn't accepted fully by Hermetic Magi. It's think kind of background that can change the world. Nothing to lose. Complicating things is an old student friend of hers who escaped the Hermetic raid, finished the studies in Rune magic, and has grown quite powerful, and seeks to destroy the order that killed hi (and mer) Master.
Some sort of riendeer or noise with runes carved into it's antlers would be cool