Fhirefly
for your curiosity ^,^
this is what she looked like before the transformation.
____________________________________________
Mkazas are a people who live in the coastal forests of the Arcadian Content, though their appearance is similar to local species (deer) from which they take their name they are actually omnivores. Preferring fish and wild game along with maze (corn) and squash.
Each tribe is shaped by the geographic region that they have settled in, and while they lack large domesticated animals, they do use and train hunting dogs which are a favorite pet.
Together they form what the settlers from Europa call the Mkazas Federation which is lead by a council of chiefs, elders, and shaman who make large scale decisions in a democratic process at the grand lodge.
Trade routes follow the river systems or game trails, with most goods carried in a backpack or raft.
Inter-tribal politics are complex and well developed, but warfare is a largely symbolic process with warriors shouting, minor skirmishing, and showing force, then the victor acquires some of the looser's territory or goods. However where things get dangerous is when times are lean and raids occur. Raiding is not uncommon, especially if a hotheaded leader is trying to show his greatness.
This is what happened to Dezza's tribe...though the events that took place there were uncharacteristically brutal.

They do have various alcoholic beverages (like all civilizations) mostly made from fruit and honey, but do not have a binge drinking culture like the Euros on the coast. It's actually become somewhat popular as a trade item.

Lastly the tribes tend to have three leadership positions. Shaman, Medicine Man, and Chief.

The Shaman represents Odzihodo, "he who created himself" and is the only thing Tabaldak did not create. The Shaman is a shape of the elements and a caller of spirit and beast alike. They are more forceful as is their nature, but more often view themselves as craftsmen of the world and the world beyond.

The power of fertility inhabiting Dezza's body was called upon, and reshaped by a shaman.

The Medicine Man is the Spiritual center and leader of a community. Among the Mkazas he communes with Tabaldak "The Owner" and as such is a divine caster capable of restoration both supernatural and mundane. He or She speaks with a great and ancient wisdom that comes with experience. They are also the lorekeepers of the tribe and are a spiritual link to the anchent past. They seen by outsiders as professional philosophers of their people who devote their time to contemplation and deeper meaning.

The Chief is the head male in a tribe, elected, though often from a family that is competent enough to reach the upper tier within the tribe. he is the leader of warriors and hunters alike. He also handles disputes within a tribe as final judge and arbiter, advised by the other two leaders. While female chieftains are not unheard of Mkazas tradition dictates that it always be male. They are traditional but practical, the socity is largely democratic in nature, and if a chief is an idiot then he's only chief in name.

Their general belief system starts with Tabaldak whicn means "The Owner" he who created all living things but one, and the lesser spirits and life that arose over time or through the tampering of Odzihodo who shaped the land. There are a number of stories, allegories and myths in a oral vocal tradition told around campfires. It is of note that the two forces are not in conflict as in some myth cycles. But simply Creator, and Shaper of Creations.

The Mkazas as a culture have three main values:
Peace: Is this preserved?
Righteousness: Is it moral?
Power: Does it preserve the integrity of the group?



They have a long conflict with some of the more tribes to the east, but this cultural conflict rarely spills over into actual warfare.

Unlike native americans in real world history they were not devastated by urban plagues brought from europe and on the whole maintain a solid stable society that is slowly adapting to new conditions.

I found a recipe for Mead made from Wild Plumbs and Honey from the Abanaki, I wanna try it sometime. ^,^

The more you know: The Abanaki and Wabanaki peoples of the north east, unlike the more famous Iroquois of the great lakes were a patrilineal socity, with property passed down through the male lineage. Iroquois and most other native american civilizations had a matrilineal system. The Mkazas are inspired by both societies, which is why I had to do a lot of editing