Cervus
The Cervus tribes are Ochae'nafod bonded to large deer or elk found across North Thiskel and Kalesten. There are several distinct species of Cervus in North Thiskel, the red deer dominating the eastern side of the continent and three other species throughout the west. Elk inhabit the eastern side of North Kalesten.
Bonded Species
| Species | Region | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Red Deer | E. North Thiskel | Extra large |
| (Père David's) Deer | W. North Thiskel; Qao-Baiji lowlands | Extra large |
| (Sika) Deer | W. North Thiskel | Large |
| (Thorold's) or White-Lipped Deer | NW. North Thiskel; Lianqai Mountains | Extra large |
| Elk | E. North Kalesten | Extra large |
Appearance
The Cervus are especially tall amongst the Ochae'nafod, with most tribes standing an average of 6'5" for men and 6' for women. They tend to be lean and muscular, especially the men who frequently display broad shoulders and deeply muscled upper bodies. Women often have wide hips and large breasts, but are typically leaner than men as there is a considerable size difference between male and females of their bonded species.
Their facial structure is narrow and oval-shaped with wide-set eyes and the typical long, tapered ears. Some features are influenced by the facial structures of the local human population. Their hair color is usually brown, reflecting the dominant color of their deer-form's coat and their eyes are brown. For public functions, men of the Cervus tribe often display antlers, and the older they are, the larger, heavier, and more complex their antlers become.
Culture
The Cervus may be bonded to a grazing prey animal, but they are also quite large and imposing, so rather than being skittish, they are more frequently aloof and proud in their dealings with humans. They are also more ready to fight to defend their habitat and joined the ranks of soldiers during the War of the Gods in Thiskel. However, it is typically the men who display such aggression, reflecting the temperament of a bull elk in rut. Women are less inclined to aggression, but maintain a noble and thoughtful continence.
Their bonded species have a "harem" social style, with a single bull keeping a herd of cows for himself. This is reflected in the Cervus with a polygynous relationship style. Clans are typically headed by a man and populated with his wives and children. While this is more patriarchal than many Ochae'nafod, the women are not controlled by him and have their own social power, as well as the freedom to leave if they are unhappy. All the brides of a clan chief enter into the relationship willingly, and not only for any affection they have for the chief, but also in consideration of the other women they join. The women also decide when and if they want to have children, and the entire community shares the burdens of childrearing. At a certain age, usually around their first or second century, young Cervus clan members are expected to seek out marriage. Young men travel between clans to seek out potential brides to form their own community, while young women seek either one of these younger men or consider joining an established clan.
The Cervus are not especially inconspicuous with their communities, but they still build homes deep in the wilderness, preferring to avoid contact with humans. Rather than individual structures, they prefer to build one single large home or longhouse that the clan shares. They are largely vegetarian, considering their bonded species, as they are exceptionally large, they do occasionally include nutrient rich meat in their diet, especially in the winter.
