Deer Tribes
(Redirected from Odoco)
Deer-bonded tribes are the most common and widespread Ochae'nafod tribes. As there are many grazing/browsing species that fit the definition of "deer" this is a very broad topic and cannot be refined to a single genus. This does not include the larger Cervus and Alces tribes, which are bonded to elk and moose. The deer tribes are very similar in many respects culturally and the differences in their physical appearance can easily be dissembled from the information available on their bonded species.
While most deer species have a bonded Ochae'nafod tribe, reindeer or caribou are an exception. This is due to the fact that they are migratory and much of their range is over open tundra. The Ochae'nafod prefer bonding species that remain in one place in habitats that have cover where they can establish their settlements.
Thiskel
| Tribe Name | Species | Region | Size Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dama | Fallow Deer | E. North Thiskel | Average | Large, broad antlers with palmate shape |
| Capreolus | Roe Deer | E., SE, North Thiskel | Small | Small antlers with up to only 4 tines |
| Inermis (genus Hydropotes) | Water Deer | W. North Thiskel | Small | No antlers, small downward tusks |
| Moschus | Musk Deer | NW. North Thiskel (Lianqai Mountains) | Small | No antlers, small downward tusks |
Kalesten
Kalesten has two groups of the deer, primarily the Odococoileus in the north, and brockets in the south. The tribes bonded to Odococoileus species shorten their tribe name to "Odoco."
| Species | Region | Size |
|---|---|---|
| White-Tailed Deer | North and Central Kalesten | Average |
| Mule Deer | North and Central Kalesten | Average |
South Kalesten
| Tribe Name | Species | Region | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazama | Red Brocket (numerous subspecies) | South Kalesten | Small to Average | Small, spike-like antlers on males |
| Grey Brocket | South Kalesten | Small | Small, spike-like antlers on males | |
| Pudu | Pudú | W. South Kalesten mountain forests | Extra small | Small, spike-like antlers on males |
| Ozoto (genus Blastocerus) | Marsh Deer | N. South Kalesten grasslands, wetlands | Average | Typical forked deer antlers on males |
| Ozoto (genus Ozotoceros) | (Pampas) Deer | S. South Kalesten grasslands, wetlands | Small | Typical forked deer antlers on males |
| Taruca (Genus Hippocamelus) | Taruca | South Kalesten mountains, high altitudes | Small | Small, two-tine antlers on males |
| (South Andean) Deer | South Kalesten scrub | Average | Two-tine antlers on males |
Appearance
Most of the deer-bonded tribes tend to have long, narrow faces with large, wide-set eyes and the typical long, tapered ears of the elemental races. Features in the facial structure of the local human populations are often reflected in the local Ochae'nafod tribes as well.
It is a common practice in many deer-bonded tribes for men to shift their antlers onto their natural form for ceremonies and social events. However, the Mazama and Pudu tribes of South Kalesten have developed permanent antler growth on their brow, but their bonded species only grow single spikes, rather than forked antlers of most other deer species. The species bonded by the Inemis and Moschus tribes of western North Thiskel lack antlers, but the males instead have small tusks, which appear in their Ochae'nafod form as well, as elongated canine teeth.
The size of the deer tribes vary between the extremely small range for Ochae'nafod and human averages. The smallest tribe, the Pudu, have an average of 4'5" (135cm) for males and 4' (122cm) for females, while the larger tribes, like the Dama and Odoco range between 5'10" and 6' (178-183cm) for men and 5'5" to 5'7" (165-170cm) for women. Other tribes fall in between. Their build is often lean and willowy, though males, especially those bonded to species with large antlers, can build a fair amount of musculature.
Hair color is determined by the dominant color of their deer form's coat, which is commonly shades of brown or auburn depending on their species. Their eye color is usually brown, and some display dark eye brows and eyelashes even if their hair color is light, depend on the traits of their bonded species. Their skin color is determined by the region they live in and the nearby human (or other) populations.
Culture
Though there are many deer species across the world, there are enough commonalities to influence a general consensus of the typical social traits of the deer-bonded Ochae'nafod tribes. As deer are a herbivorous prey animal, the deer tribes are largely cautious of outsiders and prefer to flee or engage in subterfuge to discourage contact with unknown trespassers. They have a somewhat nervous nature and are reluctant to engage with humans unless they have well-established contact. They do, however, have good relations with other elemental races, especially Idayn and other Nafod, though they prefer to avoid carnivore-bonded tribes, especially those that are bound to predators of their bonded species. They are largely peaceful and pacifistic, though young men can be more aggressive like a buck in rut.
Deer tribes are of course vegetarian, eating a diet of locally cultivated vegetation, fruits, and other gatherable foods.
Most deer tribes are polygynous, with clans that are centered around a man, multiple wives, and their children. These arrangements are consensual considering all parties involved. While a man may be the official leader of a clan, decisions are made communally. Women choose when and if they want to have children, but the entire clan participates in raising children born into it. Young men seeking to start their own clan will often leave their father's clan and seek out interested young women to join him. Young women either find one of these young men starting out, or join an established clan when they wish to marry. The deer-bound tribes near Idayn tribes often share a living space with them and it is not uncommon for intermarriage between the two communities.
