Carved "What is it"....Story stick?? Interesting

[katana]

Hi,
First of all.... A Happy New Year to one and all



bought this chip carved 'stick' ....covered with symbols, animals and human figures. Due to the fact that it does not seem 'decorative', I assumed that this was some sort of story stick ....a tally stick or even a carved 'obituary'.
Animalist carvings seem to include snakes, deer/antelope, turtle/tortoise, porcupine etc one could even be a 'dragon' ? Weapons ....seems to be a spear head, sword and a ball headed club.

The 'stick' has 5 sides (side view), which are all carved.....and a 'shaped peg' on one end similar to a carpenter's tenon joint but chamfered .....so not functional as a woodworking 'joint'.....so unlikely to be a part of a piece of furniture.

'stick' approximately 11" long, hardwood probably early-mid 20thC ....although could be older (depending on how it was stored)

So please any ideas as to function, use or origins greatly appreciated, Thank you

Kind Regards David