by The Wolfpack Boss » Wed Feb 04, 2009 11:03 pm
Wolfpack for me is like a medieval mafia.
They fill a ton of roles.
Extortion - Much of their influence is because they extort money out of innkeepers and shop-owners in a "protection racket" kind of scheme. "We'll protect you from anything bad happening". That's not to say they don't rob or steal, but they're cunning like wolves, so they'll go for using fear to do the work.
Bribery - They get away with a lot, because they're not afraid to bribe officials, nobles, and so forth, and exploit scandals for their own profit.
Bandits - Within their territory the Wolfpack have zero problems stealing from you on the roadside, however, they're smooth about it. "If you want to pass through these woods safely, you'll have to pay the "tax". They're willing to let you pay them with very little violence involved, but if you refuse, you'll go about twenty yards before they outright rob you.
Assassination - Every good mafia type group has a few hired-killers in their midst. You did a favor for the Wolfpack and now some noble is oppressing you and your family? Leave it to the Wolfpack, we'll deal with him. Royal knights are making it hard for you run your "Wolfpack-endorsed" gambling den? We'll deal with him. You just hate a guy and need a favor? You got it.
Gambling - The Wolfpack's penchant for extortion and bribery makes them naturals for running, or being associated with, gambler's dens.
Smuggling - Smuggling is another big one.
Banking - These guys manage money and have a top-secret, super strong vault where they store things. So for a lot of merchants, black market profiteers, pirates and crooks, these guys are the premiere bank. They hold your money for you.
Their motivation? All that is shiny! They are into money, greed, the influence that it can get you, and living outside the law.
Any dubious connections you might have heard about the harboring or sheltering of werewolves is hear-say, it's a lie!