Native Tarsonian Tribesmen
The descendants of the original settlers of Tarsis from before Old Night. Though still genetically human, they have evolved minor physiological differences and behavioural patterns to cope with the conditions on Tarsis.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Una, Sil, Jos, Reb
Masculine names
Joh, Jam, Qui, Der
Family names
Tribe name is used as a de facto family name with the person-in-question's same-sex lineage from two generations previous used for further identification. Eg. Jam Marshwalker, Son of Jed, Son of Wal.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Pidgin Basic, Regional Tribal Dialects,
Culture and cultural heritage
A hunter-gatherer society with both nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes.
Each tribe is lead by Chief and Chieftess advised by a council of Elders. The title of Chief is held for life but is not hereditary.
Spiritual matters are the perview of the tribe's shaman.
Shared customary codes and values
Values:
Physical/Mental Prowess on the Hunt
Fearlessness
Ferocity in battle
Codes:
Be efficient in your hunts, never take more than needed and use the entirety of your kill.
Respect the Spirits, honour your ancestors, respect your prey, pay tribute to the divine.
Hone yourself, your weapons and your tribemates, you carry the future on your shoulders.
Average technological level
Typically Paleolithic tech, some tribes retain or own old pre-scream tech though knowledge of maintenance has degraded to the point of ritual at best and none at worst.
Common Etiquette rules
Lies for personal benefit are shameful
A wounded and unarmed enemy is to be given either aid or an honourable death if too far gone
Children, Caregivers, and Elders are not to be harmed without express orders
Attack ferociously but not recklessly, victory is paid in blood but a corpse knows no glory
Common Dress code
Clothing and armour made from the skins and body parts of hunted animals. Some manufactured items from trading.
Art & Architecture
Not much art or sophisticated architecture due to Bombardment's highly destructive nature but deep cave paintings can be found in the dryer areas of the planet. Portable structures like teepees or easily built ones like wigwams are used primarily with semi-permanent structures build in relatively sheltered locations.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
Religion of Nature Spirit worship with Ancestor Veneration and minor deific worship. Spirits are attributed to both induviduals and collective groups. Eg. Everyone in a tribe has their personal spirit which is seperate but supportive of the Tribe's spirit.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
When a child is born the Shaman asks for the Spirits to bless the child and the Chief will formally accept the child into the tribe.
Coming of Age Rites
For Males they are considered fully adult after they have completed their first solo hunt or their first battle in warfare.
Females are considered adult after their first period.
Funerary and Memorial customs
Bodies are ceremonially treated before being taken to a perpared area to allow nature (be that decay or animal) to claim it.
Common Taboos
Typical Human Taboos (Cannibalism, Incest, Murder, etc.)
Common Myths and Legends
Only one shared myth between all the tribes. The Legend of the Shattered God. It's a primitive explanation of the events of the Scream. According to the legend there was once a powerful god that lived in the world between worlds (a reference to Meta-Space). This god would break pieces of his spirit from himself and impart them to special humans (psychics) that he may learn of the world from a lesser but more varied perspective. But he became angered by the irreverence and disrespect that humans treated his spirit with and so shattered with a massive scream that tore a hole in the world between worlds and called all of his spirit fragments back together (the death of the psychics during the Scream). After great hardship and the Old Night, he has reformed and is once more trying to learn about the universe through his spirit fragments, but should humanity abuse his gifts again he will once more call his spirit back and withdraw from humanity, condemning it to the oblivion.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Height, Impressive Musculature, Wide Shoulders, Youthful looking secondary sexual characteristics.
Gender Ideals
Relatively equal rights, all know how to fight and survive but certain tasks favour different genders. Eg. Child rearing delegated to women, hunting delegated to men.
Courtship Ideals
Similar to Paleolithic courtship. Males attempt to attract Females through displays of physical, emotional, and spiritual adeptness. Ultimate reproductive choice is held by induvidual females though societal pressure may influence choice.
Relationship Ideals
Relationships can vary wildly depending on specific tribe customs. Casual and formal relationships exist and can range from monogamous to polygamous, reproductive to entertainment.
Encompassed species
Comments