Hero Wars
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Gagarth's WolvesBy Mark Galeotti
The Orlanthi are no strangers to violence, from sheep raiding to kinstrife, but this violence generally takes place within a clear cultural context. There are traditions and understandings, which keep the violence controlled and accepted. Nevertheless, there are those who turn their backs on these traditions, and revel in violence and pillage for their own sakes. A few of these outlaws and bandits, cast from their clans and steads, turn their backs decisively on their past, dedicating themselves to Gagarth, the Wild Hunter. Known also as the Most Wild Wind, he is an insatiable hunter, raider, and bully, the rootless and destructive Whirlwind that scours the land, uproots plants, and leaves nothing but desolation in its wake. The name of Bornkar the Fallen is still one that mothers of the northern tribes use to frighten their children to bed, or muttered by the gray-beards as an example of how overweening pride brings its own destruction. Once Golden Bornkar, weaponthane of the Bachad Tribe, he was charming, deadly, and destined for greatness. Yet, there was a hole in his heart, and such virtues as generosity, obedience, and mercy were strangers to him. When denied leadership of the clan, the blood-thirst took him and he cursed them all and vowed revenge. He embraced Gagarth’s worship and gathered around him Bornkar’s Fallen, a motley band of outlaws -- Gagarthi, kinslayers, oathbreakers, deserters, and renegades. Eventually (and ironically), he died not in battle but thrown by his horse. His warband lost its organization and coherence, becoming a loose brotherhood of outlaws. Occasionally, a powerful leader gathers and leads all of the Fallen, but most of the time they exist as scattered bands of between ten and fifty renegades. A few still dream one day of returning to Orlanthi society (albeit rich and powerful). Most are content to drift from region to region, in Sartar but especially the Far Point region, living a life of hunting, raiding, and occasional killing-for-hire. One of Bornkar’s lieutenants was No-Nose Gudnos, whose band, "Gagarth’s Wolves," became one of the most infamous of Bornkar’s Fallen.
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OrganizationThe Wolves themselves have little real organization: Gudnos is their leader (until someone successfully challenges him), Harli is respected, and Chankar is feared. The Fallen as a whole represent only a minority of all the bandits of Sartar and the Far Point, but probably number 300-400, divided amongst a dozen bands. Urelos Kin-slayer, once of the Amad Tribe, is the most infamous of them all, and the leader of the Kin-Slayers band. Kerunos Harvar’s-Dog is the most important of the Gagarthi still in Ironfist’s service, commanding a small force known as the Grey Spear. Occasionally, a powerful leader or the promise of fine booty may unite many gangs, but these alliances tend to fall to internal disputes sooner rather than later.Members of the Fallen tend to select themselves by being cast from society and accepting their new lives as outlaws and raiders. They need not dedicate themselves to Gagarth -- only about a quarter do -- but they all join Gagarth’s Hunt on the Winds Day of Disorder Week in Dark Season. Then, the baying outlaws summon tornadoes, raid Bachad steads, and pursue lone travelers. Fights among members are common, although rarely to the death, but so are many other ways of testing and undermining others, from vicious practical jokes to games of chance and boasting. The Wolves have no honor -- the closest to a code they have is their respect for hunting and their fear of Gudnos. Membership Keyword
Guardian BeingBornkar still haunts and supports the Fallen, and is resident in his skull, which Old Chankar keeps. So long as members of the Wolves (or any other Fallen gang) have the skull and maintain Bornkar’s restrictions, they gain the benefit of his presence as their guardian spirit.
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