Religion and Customs

This is an extensive and very comprehensive outline and I am behind.  Here is some of the outline, and the Creation myth.  I will fill in the rest soon.  I like that the outlines are so thorough, but they are so information intensive that I fine myself behind.



Customs and Religion outline:
GENERAL
Do average people believe old tales, or do they dismiss some that have a basis in fact (e.g., Troy)?

In the Pawataki society, many tales are told. Grandparents are the repositories of all the myths and history and often nights are spent around the communal hearth listening to stories of battles, heroes and how the Pawataki came to be.

Do wild and rebellious young people dress any differently from anyone else? Are they allowed to?

There are sets standards of dress.  Oftentimes a little boy or girl will wear nothing in summer months  until they reach the age of seven years.  Then they are given their first plain tunic and leggings.  The female child will have her family's history embroidered onto the outside leg of her leggings. 
This embroidery is done by her mother.  If a mother is deceased then the task falls to the eldest aunt on either side (father/mother.) 
As a person grows in the Pawataki society, so does their wardrobe.  Any skins from animals they hunt may be turned into clothing, brightly embroidered scarves, much prized are made for Natal Days and WinterFest to be distributed.
Grown males wear loose fitting, embroidered tunics.  They also wear leggings or britches and soft boots, to the calf.  They may have colorful vests that tell of their deeds if they are warriors or hunters. 

How do most people make a living here?
Since the Pawataki are an agrarian society, (planters of crops), they do not have "jobs" per se.  Whatever needs to be done is willingly completed by anyone who sees the need and meets the requirements. 
IE:  There may be a widow who needs their plots plowed.  A group of male villagers will step up and do the job.
Every married couple that is physically able go on hunting expeditions.  They carry structures that are collapsible and can easily be moved.  Men do the hunting, and women do the preparations.  The couples must be married to preclude adventures with men or women outside of the family group.
Warriors have a special place in the society, although when they are not fighting, they too farm and hunt.

CUSTOMS
Does the weather or climate contribute any habits or customs, such as the mid-afternoon siesta in hot countries?

The Pawataki celebrate a WinterFest.  For two weeks before the holiday, all homes are busy with preparations.  When the holiday dawns all work ceases for ten days and only celebration and ritual are observed.


What is considered a normal family unit? How extended is an extended family? How important are family connections and responsibilities?

The normal family unit is Father/Mother/Siblings/Grand Parents.
An extended family can become quite large.  After a couple's first child is born they are obligated to add an addition to their home for the child.  Often the construction of a new chamber is the first signal that a Pawataki woman is with child. 
When parents become too elderly to properly care for themselves an addition is made to one of their children's homes to move them to a communal setting.  Which child hosts the elderly parents is determined by age and ability to care for the aged ones comfortably.
Family is of utmost importance to this race.  The elderly are revered for their knowledge and experience.  All of the schooling that they youthful members of the family need to exist in the Pawataki world fall into the domain of the Grand parents.
Should any Pawataki refuse to aid their parents or the parents of their spouse, they are ostracized and not permitted to take part in communal benefits such as food, clothing, etc.

What are the rites of passage in this culture? Are they formalized rituals, such as being dubbed a knight, or are they informal? Are they different for men and women? For nobility and peasants?
When a girl reaches the age of first menses, she is given a shawl on which the emblems of her house are embroidered.  Emblems are very important to the Pawataki.  These designs are given by a priest after deeds of extreme bravery or sacrifice for the people.  Any woman who's family has garnered one or more of these emblems is permitted to wear them after the first menses.  If there are no emblems, then significant symbols of her own life since birth are embroidered onto the scarf.

When a young man reaches the age of twelve he is led out of the village.  He is given hard Bong Shoot cakes and dried Tanbuck in a pouch just enough in quantity to get him through the first three or four days.  He will live outside of the village for three to four weeks.  In that time he will be responsible for his own life.  When he returns he must come back to the settlement with the carcass of an animal.  The youth must be able to prove that he can provide for a future wife and family and thus for the society in general.

Since there is no nobility or peasant class, there is no difference for these rites for the entire social structure.

What customs surround a birth and the introduction of a new child to the family? Is the mother sequestered for some period? Is the child? Is there a formal presentation of the new child to parents, grandparents, overlord, priest? Is a feast and celebration declared, or does everyone keep a low profile to keep from attracting demons or bad luck?

When a child is born, a piece of the natal chord is kept.  It is dried and hung near the family hearth.  It is kept for the first year of the child's birth.  It is not clear where this custom comes from.  Some say it is payment to the Holy Ones for a good life for the child.
There is no formal announcement to the society that a woman is pregnant.  Usually the only clue is a construction adjoined to a house.  Newborn's rooms are constructed in a circle to signify the never ending round about of life. 

After the child is two weeks old, both mother and child are presented in a formal ceremony before the priests.  Sprigs of wild berries and wreaths of Woman's Wort are constructed and hung at every entrance to ensure that the child will be well fed and cared for until they are able to care for themselves.  After two weeks these are taken down and kept dried as an investment for the child's future.  The berries and wreaths must be made so that one small sack of berries and one sack of Woman's Wort may be made from the decorations.  This will go into the child's personal possessions.  As long as these berries and the Wort remain the child will never be hungry.
At the age of puberty these things are consumed in a stew that is shared by the entire family.

Who is normally present for births? Is it strictly a matter for women, or are men involved, or is the only woman present the expectant mother?

A mid-wife, a priest if there is extreme difficulty, a healer and the father.  Oftentimes a mother or grandmother attends the woman in labor when a mid-wife cannot be obtained.

Who raises the children? At what age do they begin to be educated or trained? By whom? Are they considered mini-adults? Do they dress differently from adults? If so, when do they change to adult dress?
The child rearing is a communal situation.  Any elder may reprimand or discipline a youth that is not in line with the community.  At the age of seven years, when the child adopts clothing, he or she will begin their education at the hands of their grandparents.
The rest of these items are answered above.

What customs surround death and burial? Is there a special class of people (doctors, priests, funeral directors, untouchables) who deal with dead bodies? What things must be done and why (burn hair to free spirit, burn body to prevent necromancy, coins on eyes for ferryman, etc.)? Are the dead feared, revered, or ignored?

When a person dies, they family gathers for one last look at the deceased's face.  After that a ceremonial mask covers their features.  They will be buried with this mask so that the Evil One will not be able to see their true aspect.  Thus fooled he will let them pass from this plane to the next without causing undo hardship to the dead person.
There are healers in the Pawataki. They use herbs and natural remedies to treat their patients.  A healer is called when a person is near death.  If there is nothing that the healer can do, he will contact the priests.  At the point of death the priest will call the family members to view the dead person.  After that the priest places the mask over the face of the corpse.  The body is washed, oiled and wrapped in the finest of embroidered cloth.  Only blue and gold are used in this cloth.  Blue for the sky to which they ascend and gold for the stars they use for stepping stones to the Great Expanse, (Heaven as known to the Pawataki).  For one month the wrapped corpse will remain above ground on a platform called a "densk".  After the month is over, the corpse will be cremated, and all personal items such as weapons, pottery, clothing and such will be distributed throughout the person's family.

The dead are neither feared nor ignored.  They are not worshiped either.  They are simply gone to a place where no interaction between them and the living can take place.  They are remembered by their names in that children and grandchildren will carry their names forward with an extension "Q'i" such as in "Q'i Mo'mal," a great Pawataki leader who carried his grandfather's name forward as one of his titles.

What personal weapons are available to anyone who can afford them? Are some considered “for nobles only” either by custom or by law? Are there laws forbidding certain classes from being armed at all?

Everyone, even women have a knife about six inches long given to them at the time of puberty.  Weapons include, bows and arrows, spears, slings, knives and personal highly decorated daggers.
There are no laws forbidding weapons.  They are an essential part of life in the Pawataki society.  Children learn to respect and use weapons from the age of eight years old in communal classes.

EATING
Do men and women, parents and children, servants and master, eat separately, or does everyone eat together? How is status displayed at the table (seating above or below the salt, near or far from the head, etc.)?

Everything in the Pawataki community is done as a community.  There are no stations and no status can make another person better or more important than another.  Deeds are recorded in embroidered scarves and vests, but bragging about deeds is considered extremely rude.  When seated at a Pawataki table for dinner, one would not be able to discern who is head and who is foot.  All meals are taken in a circle around the communal  hearth where no head is higher than another.
The place for display of leadership is in battle or on the hunt, not in one's home.

What dishes are considered holiday food? What foods/drinks are associated with particular holidays, events (e.g., funerals, weddings) or times of the year?

Silver Goose is always a special dish and seldom eaten at any time of the year except WinterFest.  The Silver Goose is revered as the founder of the Pawataki nation and is therefore eaten sparingly and deemed the highest respect when butchered.  It is blessed by the priest, its forgiveness begged and quickly killed.  The Silver Goose is given as prizes in competitions.
Simple meals of roots, shoots, starchy vegetables and fish are eaten by pregnant women.  They refrain from Tanbuck, a Pawataki staple, because of its heaviness.  It is believed that pregnant women should eat more lightly to reduce the pain of delivery.

At the point of death in a family, all will fast unless they are ill, elderly or under seven years old for two days.  This is the most solemn time in a Pawataki family.  All sadness is banished after two days and priests bring the message that the deceased has risen to The Great Expanse and is happy.  The first meal after the fast will be comprised of the deceased's favorite foods.

If the deceased is the head of household, ie: the provider be it male or female, the spouse of the dead person takes over as head.  If there is no spouse, the male or female head's brother will take over as head of household.  If the deceased is the male head, he may ask to marry the widow.  If she consents, he will become head of her household as long as he provides for them.  If for any reason he cannot provide, the wife will become head of household. 
If the surviving member is male, the sister of the deceased may offer to aid the family.  If she is unmarried, she may be asked to marry.  If she is married, she must divide her duties between the two families.  That is why there is a third alternative to the survival regulations.  If there is no female entity available to take over the household duties, then one may be hired for the time until the male head is re-married.  Usually these women are paid in skins, food or elaborately embroidered gifts.

What distinguishes a formal, high-court dinner from an ordinary meal, besides quantity and variety of food? How do high-court manners differ from everyday ones?

At Winter Fest the types of foods change.  Most of the fare will have been made especially for the feast in age old recipes.  Silver Goose will be prepared and all fruit and grain will come from last year's supplies.  Long tables will be constructed within the Community Hall.  Families rotate attendance each year at the tables in the Community Hall.  The rest of the revelers will attend the feast at each other's homes.  Priests, Chieftains and any who have distinguished themselves and their families will be able to have a place at the Community Hall tables.
In this instance only it is not deemed polite to begin to eat until the priest has blessed all and everything in the society.

Are eating utensils are used, if any? Forks, eating knife, spoons, chopsticks?

Most of the time, Pawataki eat with their fingers, or scoop food up with their bread. 
Cooking spoons and prep knives are used only for cooking.  The Pawataki use clay bowls and pitchers.  They are not as adept at pottery as they are embroidery looking upon bowls and cups as necessities and not as show pieces.

What is the order of a typical upper-class meal — do they start with wine, then a sweet, then a stew, then a salad, or do they bring everything in at once?

The feast is a smorgasbord, whatever you wish to take to you plate you may do so.

Are special arrangements necessary for entertaining guests of different races/species — taller chairs for dwarves, raw meat for werewolves, perches for harpies, etc.? How do the eating customs of different races reflect their cultures and biology? How difficult does this make social interaction among the races?

The Pawataki entertain no outside guests.  They are strict isolationists.
However, should one be accepted into the village as a guest, they are offered food and drink immediately.  They are taken to a Priest's house where they will sleep and stay until they leave.  They are given gifts and accepted, but only tolerated for a week, at the end of which time they must leave.  The Pawataki frown on outside influences.

Is sanitation good enough for untreated water to be safe to drink? If not, what do people drink instead?

The Pawataki take great care of their surroundings.  Within their territory water from wells and springs, as well as the lake is potable.  However, the Pawataki are very fond of a fermented drink that is imbibed in at holidays, births and in some instances deaths.

What shapes are tables/eating areas (round, oblong, square, rectangular, etc.)? Where is the “place of honor” for a guest? Where do the important members of the household sit/recline/whatever?

Since the Pawataki dine as a communal whole, they sit in a circle about the hearth.  There are no tables, no chairs.  Most of the Pawataki sit on skins on the floor.  Warriors and hunters are fed first, then the elderly then the stay at home women and children.  In times of lean provisions, the hunters are fed first, then the elderly and children, with everyone else fed as supplies allow.
If there is a guest, he/she sits to the right of the head of household.

What things, while edible, are never eaten (what’s not kosher)? Why? Are some common human foods poisonous to dwarves or elves (or vice versa)?

Insects are never eaten by the Pawataki.  They are considered the workers of their world, pollinating, constructing hives, loosening soil, etc. 

What types of food or seasoning are characteristic of different races? Different cultures? Different countries?
At this point this area is not important to the Pawataki

GREETING AND MEETING
When meeting someone, how are they greeted — wave, handshake, bow, some other gesture? How did the greeting gesture originate (example: shaking hands to prove one’s weapon hand was empty)? Is there a special I-am-not-armed gesture for wizards?

When meeting each other the greetings are different for male and female.  Males will hale each other and grab each other's wrist as a sign of respect.  Females will be acknowledged, but not touched. Only married couples, or those who are engaged to be married may touch.  Men who are single will not look a single woman in the eye, but will talk in a subdued voice to show respect for  the female energy.
No one may talk in the presence of a priest unless the priest asks specific questions that may be answered.  This happens to show respect for those who are in tuned with The Great Expanse.

Is there a difference between the greeting offered to an equal and that offered to a superior or inferior? Is there a difference between the greeting offered a man or a woman? Human/non-human?
See above.  Non-Pawataki are not greeted, they are captured.

Is there a way of changing a greeting gesture to make it insulting?

Since all work is done by the hand, if a Pawataki male takes another male's hand, they are saying that the person is a do-nothing and is to be disrespected.  This is not done lightly and frivolous behavior in this regard, ie: taking someone's hand as a joke, is not only frowned upon but punishable.

How are two people who have never met normally introduced to each other? What is the order of precedence when there are several people of differing sex or social status present, all of whom need to be introduced to each other?

Since the Pawataki are a tightly knit community, the persons living in their village will be well known to all.  If the person is a captive, they are not introduced.  If the person is a traveler, they are introduced formally to the priests first who determine whether they are able to interact with the Pawataki.
Women never speak to an outsider without specific consent from either the head of their household, or the priests.

Are there classes of people/beings who are never introduced to other classes of people/beings? Are “true names” significant, and if so, under what circumstances would someone be given another person/being’s true name?

True names are of the utmost importance.  To know one's inside name is to know their power.  The Pawataki go through several names in their lives.  They are born with one name that is expanded by the "Q'i" addition which names the person's grandfather, then the name is expanded further by actions that the person commits.  For example, when a youth returns from the rite of passage into adulthood, he is given a name that is never spoken; to do so is a terrible insult and is believed to rob the man of any power he has achieved from his exploits.  Any special name given by priests is also taboo and cannot be used.
Family surnames are used most, a person may call someone Arbeth Q'i Nomander, because that is the name given to him at birth.
Women also receive secret names at the time of puberty.  This name is told only to her husband on the day of matrimony.

Are there customs involving the way in which someone is named when being introduced (for example: giving all of a person’s names and titles at the first meeting, but never repeating them afterward, so that he’s always referred to as “George” even though he’s introduced as the Duke George Edward Canterbury Gorden de la Suis-Foule, Marquis of Horsham, Whitewater and Framingham, Earl of St. Peter’s Close, and Vicount of Abernathy)?
Real names and all of a person's name is never given on introduction.  Only the family name is told.

Is there any difference in the way you greet someone you already know, compared to greeting a stranger (or does everybody just always hug or shake hands or whatever)? How does someone acknowledge seeing an acquaintance at a distance (passing on the other side of the street) — by a nod, tipping the hat, wave, smile, or not at all?

See above.  If an acquaintance is seen at a distance, a simple wave will do, unless there is business between them.  Then, one of the persons will make a gesture to ask the other to come closer.  Usually a curled, upward turned hand with the fingers extended.


GESTURES
When meeting someone, how are they greeted — wave, handshake, bow, some other gesture? How did the greeting gesture originate (example: shaking hands to prove one’s weapon hand was empty)?

See above

Are gestures and body language in this society generally subtle or not? Do people talk with their hands, or is that considered vulgar?
The Pawataki use a sign language when on the hunt or in battle.  Since they can see each other when they go to their chameleon defense, the sign language is highly important and developed.

Is there a way of changing a greeting gesture to make it insulting?  There are really no insulting gestures, insults are usually verbal and have to be proven to be effective.

What is a comfortable and polite speaking distance for people in this culture? Other cultures/countries/races? How aware are people of these differences?

A person who is well known to another will be approached closely.  Therefore the tone of speech will be softer.  Children are always spoken to with tenderness as are the elderly.  A respectful tone must always be used for one's parents or elders.
Priests are also spoken to softly and only when the person is addressed.
At time of festival, considering that their is much merry making, vocal tones are ignored for the most part.
What gestures are insulting? What do they mean? Do some gestures differ in meaning depending on the culture, race, or time (example: the American “V”-for-victory sign, which became the peace sign, and which is/was highly insulting in Europe)?

This does not apply.

How do gestures and body language differ between countries? Between species? Are there things that don’t matter in one area that are mortal insults in another (eating with the left hand, etc.)?

This does not apply

What are the ways of showing respect (bowing, saluting, etc.)? To whom is one expected to show such respect — one’s elders, superiors in rank, teachers, priests, etc.?

Priests are genuflected before.  Grandparents and parents are always approached with head bowed, until the person is acknowledged.  Superiors only occur on the battlefield.  Then they are saluted in a fashion as follows:  The right arm will be laid across the chest the hand covering the heart and the palm shown outward.  A nod of the head accompanies this and no words are exchanged.

VISITS
Are there questions that must be asked or avoided (how’s the family, how’s the business, never talk politics or religion, etc.)? Are there topics that can only be raised by the host? The guest?
It is considered impolite for an unwed man or woman to ask about the welfare of a married person's spouse.  To the Pawataki this could mean that you are lusting after the person.  It is considered impolite to mention a person's demise.  No one send sympathy statements because the Pawataki believe all souls rise to the Great Expanse.  To inquire after a dead member, or to draw attention to their passing suggests that the deceased has not gone to their rest, but is trapped here in the many caves that line the foothills of the Dragon's Spine mountain range.
When a stranger is permitted to roam the village, unmarried women may not approach or speak with the stranger. Only the male head of household may address the stranger. 
It is considered highly impolite for anyone to ask the name of the guest.  Only the guest may give his/her name.

How seriously does the culture take the responsibilities of host and guest? What rules define when someone becomes a host or guest (e.g., in mid-eastern countries, giving bread and salt to someone makes the person your guest; giving a 5-course meal without bread or salt doesn’t)?
If a guest is staying with a family, the family MUST provide the guest with a meal.  If the guest is Pawataki, the guest is responsible for replacing that meal with a hunted beast or with a sack of wild herbs or vegetables.
If the guest is not Pawataki and the family will suffer by feeding the guest, then the common store houses provide the meal.  Most times, however, the families have more than enough.
During the period of two weeks after a death no guest may be admitted.
During the week of childbirth no guest may be admitted.


What things are considered courteous to offer a guest: food, reading material, personal guards or attendants, music/entertainment, a person of the opposite sex to sleep with?

If the visitor is important, High Priest, Clan Chief, etc. Silver Goose will be eaten with the visitor given the choicest portion.
The visitor will be given his own quarters.  Most Pawataki homes have a special addition for guests.  Guests will not be entertained by newlyweds for the reason that they are not established and their larders may not be able to handle the fare.

What is considered a courteous response to a host’s offer? Are there things it is considered rude to accept? Rude to turn down? Rude to ask for? Rude not to ask for?

Considering that the Pawataki society is basically male-centric, it considered rude to ask the host's wife for anything, unless she is widowed.  Then, there is a small window of time when she may run the house.  After no longer than two weeks, either her brother or brother-in-law will step in to make the decisions for the household.  If neither of these two are available, a priest will be asked to take on this responsibility.

It is considered courteous to accept what is offered to you, whether you like it or not or, whether you can use it or not.  Refusing a gift is considered refusing a part of the person and  thus implies that the offered has no valued.

If a person is hungry, thirsty, or lost, the Pawataki consider it rude not to ask for these things.  They consider that, if a person is hungry, thirsty or lost, regardless of who he is, and does not ask for sustenance, he is stupid and therefore past consideration as rude.  He will be completely ignored.


When a guest arrives, is food or drink offered immediately, after an interval, or only on request? Is there a particular food or drink that is customary to offer a newly arrived guest?

Food is not presented immediately.  First the guest is made comfortable, basic needs seen to such as washing, changing clothing if necessary.  In past days as in present, a trail is a dusty travel.  Dust and dirt cannot be brought to the common area.  So, this tradition survives to the present as a part of protocol when guests are in attendance at one's home.

When the guest has completed his preparations then food will be served.


How do different eating customs of the various cultures and races interact and conflict? Example: a person from a culture that considers it impolite to refuse an offer of food being the guest of someone whose culture considers it impolite to stop offering food until the guest says “when.”

Since the Pawataki are isolated and have been for so long, this is a difficult thing to answer.  The Pawataki do not take more food or drink than they think is their share, so they would not want to be forced to take more i the other culture's customs dictated that not eating much was unacceptable. 

In human households, the female head may be asked for food or drink or to fill most any need.  In the Pawataki household that is strictly forbidden and an insult to the host.




LANGUAGE
Is there a “trade language” that facilitates commerce between countries that don’t speak the same tongue? Is there a “universal language” spoken by educated or noble persons, as Latin was in the Middle Ages?

Many times, the Pawataki use a sign language.  It is used when they are hunting, when they have blended into the background ( Pawataki may "see" each other when disguised) or when they wish their comments to remain misunderstood to outsiders.  All Pawataki use the same language.

Are some or all people bilingual? Is there a common second language many people know?
Yes, some people speak a human language.

Are there “secret” languages or codes known only by priests, soldiers, wizards, guild members, etc.? Why were they developed?
Yes, there are separate words and ways of speaking by priests. 

What are the variations in speech patterns, syntax, and slang from one social class to another? One occupation to another? One region to another? One race to another?
There are different terminologies for crafters, different meanings to words.  But the Pawataki are isolated so their language has evolved more or less among themselves from the Old Times.

What areas do local slang phrases come out of? (Example: in a fishing town, referring to good luck as “a good catch,” while people in a farming town refer to it as “an unexpected harvest”.) What kinds of colorful turns of phrase do people use?

Unknown at this time.

What things in this culture would their language have many specific words for (e.g., Inuit languages that have 14+ words for different kinds of snow)? What do the people in this culture consider important enough to name? What does this say about the way they look at the world?

They have variations of the word for hunt.  A good hunt is referred to in one term and a poor hunt in another way.  The same goes for their crops. 
They also have different terms for married women and men and single women and men, a child that is not the age of puberty and those who have reached puberty and are eligible for their Coming Of Age ceremony.
The Pawataki are an agrarian society and see the world through the eyes of nature and its resources.

What things would the people of this culture not have a name for, or have one word that covers numerous variations? What do they consider too unimportant to name? How does this affect the way they see the world?

The Pawataki consider a person who is reluctant to ask for help or someone who willfully hinders other from helping to be quite stupid.  They are referred to as W'eesh-ata, which simply means "one to be ignored."
If someone is guilty of this trespass, they are ignored for a period of time and therefore ostracized from the village for a length of time according to their infraction.
The Pawataki see the world as a fickle place where good and bad occurs to everyone.  To place yourself above the common good, or below it is to insult the community.  Therefore persons who commit this particular infraction are looked upon as "stupid".

Are there words that must never be spoken except at particular times, in ceremonies, or under particular circumstances? Are there words that must not be spoken in polite company? Do these words differ from culture to culture or race to race?

Of course all societies have curses.  In Pawataki society it is wrong to mention a man or woman's being single.  It is considered an insult to the person, implying that they are not worthy to reproduce. 
Most curses are not single words, but actual sayings, or sentences that once uttered cannot be reversed and therefore must be well deserved.  If a person uses this course unwittingly they can be deemed W'eesh-ata (see above)

What will people swear a binding oath by? What do people use as curse words?

The Pawataki swear oaths only under extreme circumstances.  They may swear to fight for their land, they may swear to avenge a family member or friend, or to bring back a large hunt.

Curse words unknown at this time.

How many languages are there? Which ones are related (e.g., the Romance languages) and why? Which languages borrow words or phrases from other languages? Which is likely to be most widely spoken?

Pawataki speak all the same language.  See above for more info.

Are there different languages for different races (dwarves, elves, etc.), or is language based more on geography than race/species? Is there a special language you need to learn in order to talk to dragons or other magical beasts?

None

Do wizards have a special language that is used for magic? If so, where do they learn it? Is it safe to chat in this language, or is everything said in it automatically a spell? If so, how can it safely be taught to new students?

No wizards, but priests have a special language.  They are taught the language when they are acolytes.  No one "chats" in this language.  All language used by priests in ceremonies is sacred and it is considered blasphemous to share the language with anyone not a priest.  Acolytes may be banished for sharing this knowledge.
It is not "magical" only sacred.

ETHICS AND VALUES
What will people swear a binding oath by? What do people use as curse words?

Already answered above.

What is the most desired/most valuable stuff in this society — gold, jewels, drugs, money, furs, reindeer, etc.? Why is it desired/valued? Do different races value different things? Is there a race/culture for whom non-material things (information, time) are the most valuable things? How did they get that way?

The most prized possessions are:  Silver Goose feathers, Emblems and embroidered scarves.  Some Tanbuck skulls (if the buck is over a certain size)
The Silver Goose is the "Founding Father" of the Pawataki nation.
Emblems are given for daring deeds completed, or for successful hunting in times of great need.  It has not been decided as yet if the Emblems contain magical properties.


What things are considered normal and acceptable in this society that would not be considered normal or acceptable in yours? (Examples: dueling, drugs, open homosexuality, polygamy, infanticide.)

Every race has their darker side and the Pawataki are no exception.  Homosexuality is punishable by banishment.  The Pawataki believe they are here to populate their world.  They myths all tell of furthering their nation.  Therefore one who will not settle down and produce more of the Pawataki are looked on as not natural and are banished.
The Pawataki drink Mash Bool, a fermented beverage that can be used in ceremony or just for gathering together.
There is no polygamy.  Pawataki also believe that any man or woman that steps outside their marriage for sexual reasons should be divorced and made to live with the man or woman they had their affair with.  The man in the affair must be responsible for the woman or the woman must move in with the man.  Even women who have been married for many years will be made to uphold this directive.  This is the way the Pawataki control their family lives.
Infanticide may occur if the child is badly deformed or deathly ill at birth.  The Pawataki look upon this as a blessing for the child.  Ill or deformed children place an unwanted burden on the society and family.  Although this may be a difficult choice, the Pawataki live by this.  A priest and the mother and father make the choice of a quick death in the case of an ill or deformed child.
The child is brought to the temple before they are six weeks old, when illness would be evident and sacrificed to the Powers Of Life.  The child's body will then be buried in the family graveyard.

What things are considered shocking in this society that are not considered shocking in yours — e.g., showing a woman’s ankles, eating left-handed, reading in public? What would be the reaction of an ordinary person who sees someone doing one of these things — to turn away, call the cops, draw a sword and challenge the offender to a duel, etc.?

For a man or woman unmarried to show sexual attraction in public is strictly taboo except at certain times, such as festival.  Open sexuality is not acceptable.  This is something that is between married couples and should be kept private.

Nakedness is only acceptable for a Pawataki until they are seven years of age.  After that open nakedness is frowned upon and discouraged.

A person who witnesses infractions of these rules would tell a village elder, who would in turn alert the counsel.  They would decide the proper outcome.




What are the acceptable limits to honor and/or honesty in this society? Are “white lies” acceptable socially, or is lying in any form considered beyond the pall? Is thievery an accepted, if disreputable, occupation, or is it a crime?

A lie that causes extreme problems or hardships are looked upon as taboo.  The person who enacts the lie may be banished.
It is considered skillful to be able to "steal" another mans spear or Silver Goose feathers.  This usually occurs during festival times.  If the "theif" is caught he is fined one pound of grain or one basket of vegetables.  However, if he is not caught, the owner must ransom the goods with one pound of grain or one basket of vegetables.

Is a binding oath unbreakable no matter what, or can you get out of it if the other party turns out to be evil scum or if you weren’t fully informed? What is considered the right thing to do if two oaths come into conflict — do you have to decide as best you can, hold to the most recent oath, hold to the oath to the most/least powerful person, commit suicide?

Since oaths are taken very seriously, any conflict of oaths must be decided upon by the priests and those under oath.  Oaths are held to unto death.

What are attitudes toward ownership? What constitutes “theft” and what can be stolen — gems, gold, someone’s good name or reputation? Are thieves independent criminals, members of an illegal guild, business people licensed by law, or what?

A Pawataki man owns their clothing, Emblems, weapons, gardening or farming tools,
hunting paraphernalia, embroidered scarves, and any gems in the family.  They are also the owners of  Silver Goose, if the family owns any and all trophies in the home.
Pawataki women own, the house, all goods in the house, their clothing, their children, (yes the Pawataki see them as possessions)  all food stuffs in the house or currently in the ground.  They are the owners of looms, thread, skins, beads and needles.

See above for details on theft.

Outright theft is frowned upon.  If a person is in need they should speak up of risk being
deemed W'eesh-ata, (see above for explanation and consequences.)

Who is considered a citizen, with the rights and privileges thereof? What are those rights and privileges (voting, protection from thieves, the right to a hearing in Rome) and what responsibilities go along with them (jury duty, providing funds or knights for the lord’s army?
Any man or woman who has completed their coming of age requirements.
A citizen has the right to sit in council, become a priest, become an elder, and have the right to judgment by their peers and the priests.  Every member must attend three yearly meetings to decide the state of their village.  All men of age must come to vote for elders.

Are there certain classes of people (wizards, foreigners, children, peasants, women) who have fewer legal rights or less recourse than full citizens? Why? Are they considered mentally or morally deficient, a danger to the state, or is there some other rationale?

Only those who are below the age of puberty.  Their rights are decided by their parents or in extreme cases, by the priest and village elders.
Because those below the age of proving themselves are not thought to be knowledgeable enough to make major decisions

Is there a group of people who do not have full rights in this culture? Why not? Are they considered mentally or morally deficient, a danger to the state, or is there some other rational?
Only those considered W'eesh-ata

What are the controversial subjects in this culture? What things can you start a friendly argument about in any bar? What things will automatically start an unfriendly argument?

Criticism of one's family, hunting skills or bravery will always start arguments and cause a council to be convened.




PAWATAKI CREATION MYTH

The Pawataki believe that all life came from the Pomo Tree.  That long before the Pawataki came to their home. the Pomo Tree bore its fruit four times a year.  But in one year of drought it only bore fruit once and that fruit was the Pawataki people, who were snipped off the tree by crowds of hungry Silver geese.  When the Pawataki cried and begged not to be eaten, the birds bore them away to the valley in which they have lived for generations, instructing them in the ways of husbandry, architecture and writing.  the birds then gave them permission to hunt any animal as long as it was not to excess and taught them the offering rituals that they perform after the summer hunt.

There are contending stories about the beginning of their "world".

Some say that the world was made from a great egg laid by the Silver Goose Mother, which hatched and became the land and sea.
Others adhere to a more recent version that the world was created by the Great Volcano that spewed the world out in great chunks which solidified and became the world.  Both versions are accepted, though this can cause friendly argument.