Neverwinter Nights 2: NWN 2: MotB Sneak Peak #1 at RPG Vault

RPG Vault has a sneak peak article about Mask of the Betrayer written by Obsidian designer, Jeff Hugses discussing the Barrow of the Bear God. Here's a tidbit:

An Ancient Place
The Barrow of the Bear-God harkens back to an era when Chauntea was a young goddess, and packs of feral, sentient beasts ruled the wilds of Rashemen. The greatest among these creatures were the bear-gods, and the Barrow was the place they came to die, shedding their mortal forms and becoming powerful spirits so that they might continue to watch over the land. As the centuries passed, the number of bear-gods dwindled, many of them drifting off into eternal slumber. Not all of the great bear spirits are gone, however, and a number of them yet remain, ready to awaken to defend Rashemen from the gravest threats.

Even if the transgressor were to manage to escape the Barrow alive, word of his crime would quickly spread among the other spirits of Rashemen. He would find himself hunted, the spirits of earth, water, and air all arrayed against him. Refuge could be found in the local Rashemi towns and villages, but only for a time. Civilization is the territory of the Witches of Rashemen, and the spirits respect their authority - to a point. Should the Witches fail to hand over the criminal in a timely fashion, the spirits will eventually come in and take him anyway. In the end, the transgressor will face the judgment of the spirits, one way or another.

Read the rest at the link above.