### **Basic Information** - **Name:** The Ghost Wolves - **Alias/Nicknames:** The Gray Pack, Shadow Stalkers, The Howling Horde - **Type:** Tribal Raider Band/Nomadic Warrior Society - **Symbol/Emblem:** A stylized wolf skull with glowing blue eyes, often painted in ash and glow-stone dust - **Headquarters/Base of Operations:** [[The Ghost Wolves' Territory]] in the eastern reaches of [[Numeria]], with primary encampments shifting seasonally - **Scale & Reach:** Regional influence across eastern Numeria and occasionally raiding into neighboring lands ### **Purpose & Goals** - **Primary Objective:** Survival and prosperity through raiding, protection of their tribal holdings, and the acquisition of technological relics - **Core Ideology:** A blend of traditional tribal spiritualism and reverence for technological power; they believe the "metal gods" (technological artifacts) grant strength to the worthy - **Methods & Operations:** Highly mobile raiding parties, guerrilla tactics, seasonal migration patterns, and strategic alliances with smaller tribes - **Notable Activities:** - Lightning-fast raids on settlements and caravans - Collection and repurposing of technological artifacts - Trading salvaged technology with black market dealers - Tribal rituals incorporating both shamanic practices and technological elements ### **Structure & Leadership** - **Leader(s):** Chief [[Redtooth Ironfang]], a battle-scarred warrior who wears a jaw prosthetic made from salvaged Numerian steel - **Hierarchy & Ranks:** - Alpha (Tribal Chief) - Overall leader - Pack Leaders - Commanders of smaller bands - Howlers - Elite warriors and raid leaders - Runners - Scouts and messengers - Pups - New recruits and young members - **Recruitment & Membership:** Primarily through birth into the tribe, but occasionally accepting proven warriors from other tribes or even worthy outsiders who pass brutal initiation trials - **Key Figures:** - [[Redtooth Ironfang]]: Current tribal chief, known for his ferocity and tactical brilliance - [[Valeska Kolaroth]]: Tribal shaman who interprets "messages" from technological artifacts - [[Ozmyn Zaidow]]: Master raider and chief's most trusted lieutenant, rumored to have cybernetic enhancements ### **Influence & Power** - **Allies & Affiliations:** - Several minor Numerian tribes who pay tribute for protection - Select black market dealers along [[The Smuggler's Circuit]] - Occasional mercenary work for whoever pays in technology or valuable resources - **Enemies & Rivalries:** - [[The Technic League]]: Constant conflict over technological artifacts - [[Organizations/Economic & Trade Organizations/The Steel Hunters]]: Competing raider band with overlapping territory - Settlements and merchants of eastern Numeria - King [[Kevoth-Kul]]'s enforcers - **Reputation & Public Perception:** Feared throughout eastern Numeria; seen as savage raiders by civilized settlements but respected by other tribal groups for their strength and survival - **Military/Magical Strength:** - 200-300 tribal warriors, with about 50 elite "Howlers" - Limited conventional magic use, but extensive incorporation of technological weapons and devices - Several repurposed technological war machines - Hit-and-run tactics that maximize mobility over direct confrontation ### **History & Lore** - **Founding & Origins:** Formed approximately three generations ago when several smaller tribes united under a charismatic leader named Varg Ghostfang during a particularly harsh winter - **Major Historical Events:** - The Great Unification under Varg Ghostfang - The Battle of Screaming Valley, where they defeated [[Organizations/Economic & Trade Organizations/The Steel Hunters]] in a major territorial dispute - The discovery of a crashed skyship, which provided them with significant technological advancement - The recent conflict with [[The Technic League]] that resulted in the death of the previous chief - **Scandals & Secrets:** - The current chief may be partially controlled by an implanted technological device - Some higher-ranking members have undergone secret body modifications using Numerian technology - The tribe keeps a hidden vault of their most powerful technological finds - **Current Struggles:** - Increasing pressure from [[The Technic League]] - Internal friction between traditionalists and those embracing more technology - Resource scarcity in their traditional territories - Rumors of a deadly technological plague affecting some tribe members ### **Culture & Traditions** - **Core Values & Ethics:** - Strength and survival above all - Loyalty to the pack - Technological prowess as a sign of favor from the spirits - Taking only what can be carried, leaving no one behind - **Rituals & Initiations:** - The Blood Run: Initiates must complete a dangerous raid or hunt - The Howling Circle: Combat trials to establish rank - The Glow Drink: Consuming a mixture containing diluted radioactive material to "see the spirit world" - **Notable Sayings/Mottos:** - "Blood feeds the pack" - "Silent as shadow, fierce as steel" - "We take what the metal gods offer" - **Symbols of Authority:** - Technological implants or modifications for leaders - Wolf pelts with glowing runes - Weapons or armor crafted from rare technological components ### **Additional Notes** - **Vibe & Inspirations:** - Post-apocalyptic tribal raiders with a spiritual connection to technology - Blend of traditional shamanic practices with sci-fi elements - Warrior culture similar to Mongol or Viking raiders but with Numerian technological influences - **Adventure Hooks:** - The tribe captures an important technological artifact that others seek - They could be hired as guides through dangerous Numerian territory - A faction within the tribe seeks outside help against [[The Technic League]] - A Ghost Wolf exile offers information about the tribe's secret vault - The technological plague affecting them threatens to spread beyond their territory