History & Geography
The Coywolves were formed in the summer of 181, as an independent group whose main purpose was to build and guard a road over Mardrun’s central mountain range, known as the Great Wolf’s Hackles (see: The Coywolves).
The road built by the Coywolves in the mountains is 45 miles long as the crow flies, or roughly 60 miles on foot, and stretches from the northwestern border of Clan Nightriver territory to just north of the Clan Grimward border. A lightly encumbered War Pack could travel it in less than three days, while a trade caravan would take about a week.
What kind of structures do they build and to what style?
Eleven small outposts, varying from unoccupied single-building waystations to three- or four-building groups of dwellings, are located approximately every 5 miles along the road. These buildings are cabin- or lodge-style buildings, often made out of stone, and sometimes dug into the side of the mountain.
Two larger villages, one on either side of the range, lie near the beginning of the road. The northwestern village, consisting primarily of the Bloodskin and Hindsblood family holdings and a shared longhouse is called Edana’s Pass; the southeastern village is Griogair’s Pass, consisting primarily of the Stormherald family holdings and a central longhouse. They are named in honor of Grimward guard Edana Redscythe and Nightriver merchant Griogair* Marshwinder, who died while stranded in the mountains during the winter of 180 – the original Coywolves dedicated their mission them.
*pronounced “GRI-kuhr”
What is the population of the Coywolves?
The population varies from year to year, or even from season to season, generally belonging to one of two groups: those who are born, mated, or otherwise permanently living with the pack, and those who live with lowland packs over the winter. Around members in early summer is a reasonable population estimate, dropping to perhaps in midwinter.
Some Coywolves, after a time in the mountains, choose to later join lowland packs, but once there often continue their work by extending the road to the major trade towns of Mardrun.
How do the Coywolves relate to other Ulven?
Officially, Pack Coywolf are part of the Watchwolf Clan, and have regular contact with most other Ulven clans. Although the bulk of their members were originally from the Watchwolves and Clan Nightriver, they have had members from almost every clan on Mardrun at one point or another. While most Ulven feel the Coywolves fulfill a necessary task, and are grateful, many see the task as lacking the glory needed to face the Great Wolf. It is for this reason, especially in the early days of the pack, that more than a few members were disowned by their families when they left to join the Coywolves – a certain animosity can remain between the disowned and their former families.
Organization
Is there a particular talent, trade skill, or resource that this pack has or focuses on?
All Coywolves are expected to know some sort of trade or craft related to road-building or living in extreme terrain. Stonemasonry, carpentry, trapping/hunting, and foraging are by far the most common; blacksmithing, alchemy, and healing are highly valued, but far less frequent; storytelling and music are prized, but mostly exist as secondary skills.
What kind of leaders do they have and what is their structure and importance?
The Coywolves do not have a formal Chieftain or Priestess. Individuals will step forward into a leadership position for a specific task by merit of knowledge or skill, and there are some whose voices carry a little more weight than others, but any decision that has an effect on the entire pack is made by rough consensus of members (usually through gathering of senior family members). In the event that no consensus can be reached, but a decision must be made, then the matter is usually brought before the leader of a closely allied group (e.g., Watchwolf High Priestess, Nightriver Clanleader, etc.).
True Daughters of Gaia are quite rare among the Coywolves. Most who wish to follow that path need to leave the Pack in order to be formally trained, and very few return. Slightly more common are witches who have been informally trained, for whom magic is generally a minor secondary skill. The Coywolves have developed a strong storytelling tradition outside of traditional Lore circles (usually in the form of songs sung while working) to compensate for this shortage, as well as a tendency towards written recordkeeping.
How do they handle economy and wealth?
When the colonists introduced their coin-based trade system, the Coywolves were very quick to adopt it. Because of the narrow scope of their mission and skills, barter goods were often a burden they were not equipped to bear, so lightweight tokens of wealth allowed them to accept gifts and procure items they need without risk of accidentally becoming goatherds.
Mores & Folkways
What belief structures do the Coywolves have? (sayings, totems, rituals, superstitions)?
Most of the tradition and symbolism used by the Coywolves is descended from Watchwolf lore, with some variation according to which Clan an individual’s family came from, as well as a few additions that are semi-unique to the Coywolves.
Hospitality is the most highly prized trait among the Coywolves. If a traveler comes to the door of a Coywolf house, they are obligated to offer food, water, and a place to sleep if needed. Allowing an invited guest to come to harm in your home is one of the greatest transgressions you can commit among the Coywolves.
Are there any symbols or animals important to this pack?
Coyotes are seen as representing the cleverness and pragmatism that define the Coywolves, and are treated with respect similar to wolves. Other symbolically important animals include ravens, squirrels, and rabbits.
Is there anything considered taboo or forbidden to the Coywolves?
Some common Ulven taboos have a much lighter hold on the Coywolves, mostly for pragmatic reasons. Limited resources in the mountains has resulted in a more relaxed attitude towards taking items from the dead (particularly clothing and equipment), and risk of wildfire in summer has caused the acceptance of sky burials (leaving bodies for scavengers to eat) as a respectful funeral.
Although the Coywolves still generally observe the Ulven taboo against intentionally speaking to the dead, that belief has also decayed somewhat. Many of the founding members of the Coywolves maintained that they were haunted by the ghosts of Edana Redscythe and Griogair Marshwinder, to the point that they would describe strong intuitions as advice from their fallen companions. Whether this is a literal haunting, or an artifact of guilt is uncertain, but many Coywolves will still attribute strange noises or impulses in the pass to the ghosts.
Fighting
What kind of fighters does this pack have? Are they known for anything in particular?
The Coywolves, like all Ulven, are competent and fierce fighters, but very few are true warriors. They defend the pass from Mordok primarily by laying an extensive network of traps on either side of the road, enough to keep travelers relatively safe (from Mordok – there are stories of unfortunate folk who left the road to relieve themselves, only to end up with a bear trap clamped someplace very unpleasant).
When it comes to direct conflict, many prefer ranged weapons such as bows or slings; their melee fighters tend towards smaller swords or light fighting axes, and dual wielding is quite common. Their tactics assume being outnumbered by their foes, and as such strongly favor using speed to gain favorable terrain rather than brute force, often choosing to retreat to a point where they can gain reinforcements.
What is their stance in the Ulven Civil War?
The Coywolves are officially neutral in the Ulven Civil War. Although they are allied very closely with the Watchwolves, and generally view the colonists as guests on Mardrun (thereby deserving of protection), they do not have the military strength to fight against either side for very long and several members of the Pack have relatives within Grimward (or enemies within Nightriver). As such, their primary concern is finding a peaceful resolution, with minimal loss of life for both Ulven and Colonists. Political neutrality notwithstanding, after briefly being held by Grimward forces, the Coywolves’ road over the mountain is currently controlled by Longfang and Watchwolf warriors. The Coywolves themselves are going about their business, shoring up the road against spring floods.
Important Figures
Ylsa Stormherald (235 – present) PC
Prominent heir of one of the largest Coywolf families, she is currently living outside of the Pack, and is mated to the brother of the Watchwolf ambassador.
Ioan Hindsblood (?? – present) NPC
Leader of a Coywolf hunting party, he is currently a prisoner of war somewhere in Grimward territory.
DECEASED: Branwen Stormherald (159 – 241)
One of the original founders and de facto leaders of the Coywolves, she was the first to assume a new family name upon joining the Pack. She is also mother of the largest family within the Pack.
DECEASED: Amynedd Bloodskin (161 – 230)
One of the first Ulven to join the Coywolves after they were originally formed, father of the third largest family in the Pack.