Wolves of the Shadow

Wolves of the Shadow (Myrkir Vargar) The Wolves of the Shadow are famous as ferocious warri ors, skilled in taking advantage of terrain in battle, using simple – yet effective – team tactics to strike down their enemies at the best possible moment. Among the Wolves of the Shadow there are many Úlfheðnar, warrior-shamans that fight covered only in wolves’ pelts. The Wolves use simple equipment of low quality and they wear wolves pelts and fangs as clothes or ornaments. This makes them even more feral and savage in the eyes of the other clans. The clan lives in harmony with nature, following the Nine Virtues. According to the Wolves reuniting the clans under a single ruler would weaken the lineage and would be a terrible shame in the eyes of Æsir and Vanir. They truly enjoy the natural competition between the warriors of the North. The Savagery of the Hunt The Wolves of the Shadow clan arose from the families of hunters that traditionally lived in the Svitjod region, especially the great inland forests. The Wolves lives following the ways of their ances tors, they are nomadic hunters and their encampments moves between the clearings of the great forest. Over time, these routes between fixed locations have become a true border, recognized by other clans. The Wolves consider this region a holy hunting ground: whoever hunts or disturb the forest faces a swift and silent death. Warrior Shadows True to their traditions the clan didn’t grow in num bers, nor expanded its boundaries, but the Wolves of the Shadow are still a great threat or a powerful ally to the other great clans. It’s a very well know fact that some of the fiercest, bravest and most skilled warrior of Midgardr live among the Wolves. According to the Wolves of the Shadow there’s no difference between hunting and waging a war: the youngsters are trained, since childhood, to consider both with the same attention and dedication. The life and training of these young warriors is marked by extreme tests of survival, to improve their body and mind.36 37 The Wolves of the Shadow are true masters in taking advantage of terrain and weather. yet, even on an open battlefield, the “packs” showed their mettle, fighting as coordinated units and crushing the enemies under their impetus. A true Wolf never leaves a prey behind. It doesn’t matter if it’s an animal of an enemy, both will hear only a rustle of leaves or a light step before death caught it. The Time of the Wolves Talking of peace was, perhaps, possible once, but now that the Great Winter is here the Time of the Wolves is at hand. According to the most rad ical packs the mention of wolves in the Voluspa is no mere coincidence. Many, especially among the youngest and most ferocious warriors of the clan, believe that it’s time for the Wolves of the Shadow to show the Gods their valor and secure their places among the Einherjar. At the same time the infidels usurpers of the Odhinn’s Eye have shown their true colors of blasphemous traitors, lapdogs of the witch, the whore of the Westerners. She dripped hexes and lies in their ears, turning them against the Allfather, from whom they shamelessly claim to descend. According to the “letter” of the legends, this cold climate can only be a sign of the wrath of the Gods that so many people of Midgardr denied. The constant snowfalls and the days growing shorter and shorter are a great boon for the raiding packs. They attack outposts and caravans of the Odhinn’s Eye as payback for the massacres in the villages traditionally affiliated with the Wolves of the Shadow. Despite the public excitement, the truth is very different: many families are in dreadful conditions, the clan always survived by hunting and exchanging the loot from their raids and both are now impossible with this weather. The chieftain – also known as “pack leader” – Koltønn (“ashen tooth”) – also know as Ginnungason (“son of the abyss”) – and many elders know how crit ical the situation is and, for now, are trying to calm down the warriors. Koltønn has to take some impor tant decisions, soon, for the survival of the clan, before a young and radical Wolf decide to challenge him. Koltønn Ginnungason, "Ashen Tooth, Son of Nothing"36 37 Relationships with Other Clans Bear Warriors The Wolves of the Shadow consider the Bear Warriors as the key factor in the war against the Odhinn’s Eye. Securing an alliance with the fearsome Berserkers of the northern mountains, the Wolves of the Shadow would be able to stop hiding in the forest and face the Odhinn’s eye on the battlefield. Even the army of King Asbjørn won’t be able to resist a joint attack from wolves, Bears and Jotuns. Gjallarhorn According to the scarce news from the nearby islands, it seem that the people of Jutland are too busy protect ing their borders to bother with their old allies. The Wolves fear that the Gjallarhorns might come to rescue the Odhinn’s Eye, once their problems are over. The two clans together will be unstoppable. Some Wolves of the Shadow are more optimist and believe that, when faced with King Asbjørn’s heresy, the Gjallarhorn clan would abandon its old allies and help the Wolves. Icy Crows The Wolves of the Shadow have the utmost respect for the Icy Crows. Even a rude answer to a Crow repre sent a great dishonor for a Wolf. The Crows spread the word of the Gods and they are feared and respected for this. Many wolves are in awe of the Crows because, the rumors say, they are able to cast terrible curses upon those that disrespect them. For these reasons, the Wolves’ leader has tried to persuade the crows to stand up against the Infidels of the Odhinn’s Eye. If the Icy Crow would deny King Asbjørn their favor, it’s highly possible that many families would abandon the clan, making the defeat of the heretic King much easier. Jötunn Sons The wolves consider the Jötunn Sons as potential allies in the impending war against the Odhinn’s Eye, despite their reputation as tricksters. In recent years the Wolves allowed the Jötunn Sons to stay in their villages, whereas they previously drove them off as outcasts. In spite of this grant, many Wolves – especially the older ones – consider the Jötunn Sons to be a threat and don’t trust them, but not openly. Odhinn’s Eye The Wolves of the Shadow are about to wage a true all-out war against the Odhinn’s Eye. More and more villages across the Svitjob – once faithful to the Odhinn’s Eye, now enraged by the blas phemy that corrupted the court – are leaving the clan to join the Wolves. The only reason to delay is that Koltønn knows that facing the great army of King Asbjørn without allies would cost the life of too many of his warriors, perhaps all of them. Forging powerful alliances might tip the scales in favor of the Wolves and, at that time, nothing could stop them from fighting to the bitter end.

Type

Geopolitical, Clan