The War of the Wolf: Characters

This story is a complete work of fiction, it is not intended to create offence in regards of culture, race, nationality, ethnicity or religious beliefs. All images used were taken from google images, I do not have copyright for them and have no wish to infringe or violate copyright law. 

If requested by the rightful owners I shall be more than willing to remove them.

It is also not intended to offend any culture, ethnicity or beliefs. I must also warn that I have used some racial language in this story, I myself do not condone any such language in any regard and find it appalling and down right dishonourable, but in order to give the impression of the times in which the story is set, I feel such language may be required.

Again I formally apologise for any offense this may bring.

A few years ago I wrote a short story about a young native American called Howling Wolf, a native who belonged to a group known as the Wanderers, comprising of natives of all tribes, European descent, African Americans, Mexicans etc. A man, who despite not wanting war, rallies an army of Native Warriors against the United States in the Mid West, he did so after a respected elder and healer was murdered by American Soldiers.

This character lore details what happened in the months following Howling Wolf's announcement and show of force.

If you have not read the Last Wolf I recommend doing so, here is the link

https://deadmonkshortstories.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-last-wolf.html

____________________________________________________________________________________

The Rebels:

Before the death of the Elder, to even consider so many coming together to face the United States was laughable, since so many of the Native Tribes hated each other and had long standing blood feuds that could be traced back generations. The mere Idea that so many would come together was not even considered once, such was the position of the Elder that had been killed, though he belonged to no tribe, all heeded his words and respected his actions, when it was learned that he had been killed by White Soldiers.

Many were more than willing to fight to honour him and avenge his death, though no single tribe joined the rebellion of the Wolf, a great number of warriors from across the land from as far south as Mexico and as far north as Canada. All wanted to get payment in blood.

Following the announcement of their strength in the Attack on the Military Fort at Bear Creek, during which Howling Wolf brought out the men responsible for the Attack on a Wagon train that he and his people were blamed for. The rebels have since scattered into smaller bands, who under Howling Wolfs instructions must only fight when all the cards are in their favour and shall not face the enemy in open battle. Instead they shall fight a Guerrilla War, striking from the hills, forests and mountains before disappearing again into the wilderness.

They do not stay in one place for any length of time and are quick to react upon discovery, this has led to a number of victories for the Wolf Rebels, as they have managed to pick off isolated Cavalry and Army detachments one by one. Forced the stoppage on the construction of railroads and kept settlers cooped up in the defended forts, whenever their is a military patrol, it is likely to go missing if it ventures out too far. If the Army or settlers have a store of supplies like food, well the Rebels have an uncanny ability to sneak in and see the stores burn, when the Army or settlers send out Foraging parties to find game for meat, often they never return and if they do its because they haven't gone far.

Whenever the military think they have a band cornered, they vanish as if they never were, leading some to speculate that Wolf's bands are moving in and out of Indian Reservations in places like Oklahoma or perhaps jumping the borders into Canada and Mexico. 

Though no one can be certain.

Due to their acts across the frontier, many are angry in the halls of power, many politicians are demanding more effort be made to force Howling Wolfs' surrender so that he can be brought to justice. A great number of businessmen notably the Railroad barons are angry that their lines are being attacked constantly by Rebel bands which is costing them a lot of money.

Then of course there are the few that are talking sense, that Howling Wolf and his bands are in the right for fighting, as an inquiry brought forth witness testimony of a respected former military officer and the daughter of a leading businessmen, both of whom testified that Howling Wolf was forced into war with the United States due to the actions of U.S Cavalrymen who were aggressive and treated the natives as criminals for a crime that wasn't theirs.

Everyday the newspapers across the United States report new attacks by Howling Wolfs rebel bands across the frontier even further east into parts of Louisiana in the depths of the Swamps. Since many Natives have been given the blame for the Actions of Howling Wolfs rebellion, a great number have been forced into prison and many have been executed for crimes such as Murder and Treason, such action have merely driven more warriors to join the rebellion and caused a great number of defections by Natives serving in the United States military, so much so that the U.S government has transferred all Indians still in their army and navy to postings on the east coast well away from the fighting and under careful close observation.

Howling Wolf:

To call Howling Wolf a true native is incorrect, for he is not a pure Native, he is in some terms a Half Breed, his father was of the Sioux with some Lakota blood, but his mother was French Canadian. From both he got a lengthy education, from his father who was a Wanderer, he learned the different languages and cultures of the tribes across the Northern and Southern plains. From his mother he learned English and French as her native linguistics were very limited, so to help him and her, Wolf fluently learned both to have proper conversations.

When he was old enough Wolf left his parents who planned to move north into Canada permanently and became a full fledged Wanderer, moving across the territories back and forth meeting new people and forging strong bonds of friendship wherever he went. One of which was to become his closest friend, during one of his travels he encountered a lone Wolf pup who was lost and on the brink of starving, he took the pup in and raised it, giving him the name of Loup.

The pair became inseparable, though unfortunately Loup became a rather lazy companion who tended to laze around Howling Wolfs camp rather than engaging in contributing to their shared life. But Wolf never cared, Loup was his friend and beyond his horses was the only company that he had during his travels as a wanderer.

Wolf became an expert hunter and trapper often visiting the same trading post to pass on the pelts and salted meats that he caught in traps or hunted with his rifle. It was through that same trading post that Wolf came into contact with "Pioneers", wagon trains of people hoping to start a new life in places such as Oregon and California, though he was careful in who he worked for, Wolf would on occasion serve as a guide and scout for the wagon trains as they travelled across the West, though always under his terms.

Ensuring that the wagon trains never entered areas that were important to the Native Tribes of the Plains that they never performed any action that could insult the tribes, their traditions or their culture. And even at times ensured friendly relations between the travellers and the tribes allowing fair trade between them as they went about their days.

It was during one such guiding job that Wolf came to meet a group that would forever change his life, they included, Elizabeth Stride, Pitts and Jacobs. During their travels the wagon train was attacked by remnant elements of the Confederates who slaughtered all but Wolf, Stride, Pitts, Jacobs and an another woman, during which Elizabeth was wounded and Wolf took the survivors to a Wanderer camp.

Unfortunately the natives took the blame for the attack and when urged on by Jacobs, the U.S army came to arrest and imprison those in the camp, when the Elder was shot and killed, Wolf led the people in the camp into open fighting against the soldiers forcing them to fleet. He then spent weeks travelling the lands recruiting a great number of warriors into his rebellion against the Americans, when his force was gathered they started attacking isolated settlers, military patrols and supply trains and then eventually they launched an open attack on the military Fort at Bear Creek.

Following this Howling Wolf vanished, there are only rumours as to where he is or what he is up to, whenever he does show himself, it is usually leading a war party against settlers, soldiers and even train lines. After that he vanishes into the wilderness only to reappear in a completely different place, making him impossible to track, follow and entrap, so much so that a legend is following Howling Wolf. According to some stories, people are scared whenever they hear the howl of the wolves in the night, they fear that it is the beginning of an attack, others say that he is akin to savage demon called on by unholy Indian black magics.

In response, posters were placed of Howling wolf in nearly every town west of the Appalachian Mountains with the promise of $2,000 for him dead and $5,000 alive a bounty that allegedly is doubled by rail and land barons. Yet very few are truly invested in trying to claim the bounty as many bounty hunters have disappeared looking for him.

According to some rumours, Howling Wolf is most often in a secret encampment where he leads his rebellion, an encampment that no one can find unless they know where it is and how to get there.

Damashkawizii: Lady of Strength - Ojibwe

"Zii" to her friends which does not include Howling Wolf.

For technically Zii and Wolf are siblings, at least half siblings with Zii being the older of the two, they share the same father but different mothers, with their father meeting Wolfs mother later when Zii was a little girl. Although their shared father loved them both dearly and equally, Zii was much closer to her Ojibwe mother and refused to accept the Wanderer way of life. She decided that she would live the life of her mother and the Ojibwe, Zii became a experienced healer within her village which was much desired since the Ojibwe are hardened hunters and trappers, So it was rather rare for her not to be caring for someone sick or hurt.

The rift between Zii and her father grew when her mother passed away and despite having friends among many tribes, when their father came to visit with Wolf and his mother, they were unaware that she had passed, which greatly hurt Zii. Though the bond between father and daughter has not healed, the sibling bond between Zii and Wolf was mended with time, with Wolf becoming a wanderer visiting his elder sister often.

Zii is rather distrustful of the United States, though she lived in Canada with her people, she didn't like that the tribes were trapping and hunting not for food but for the white mans trade. Killing beavers and other creatures great and small for their pelts all so the white man could make fancy clothes, in exchange the tribes got things like guns, ammunition and other things.

What's more she heard stories growing up from others of how the Americans were treating the native peoples brutally, forcing them of their ancestral lands, driving them across the landscape onto land that was worthless, of how countless died on forced marches. Her fears are that perhaps the same would be repeated again and although she might not always agree with him, she does care for her little half brother.

When word came of Howling Wolf rallying warriors against the United States to resist its expansion westwards which she feared would result in the same brutality being committed as was done in the east. So despite the fact that the Objibwe did not have any issues with the United States, Zii and a few others decided to join the rebellion of Howling Wolf not as warriors but as healers.

Zii herself never leaves the secret encampment that serves as the rebel central village and stronghold, she works in a large hut working to help those that have been injured in the fighting. Though there are times that she according to rumour at least gets into arguments with her little brother, who wants her to return to Canada where she would be safe and stay well away from the rebellion for her own sake and that of her people.

But supposedly, Zii has refused, making clear that she is there to help her baby brother and ensure that he doesn't get himself killed.

Atena'ti: Elk - Mohawk

A full blooded Mohawk of the Iroquois Confederacy, Atena'ti was raised to hate Americans, his great grandfather fought for the British during the American War for Independence and witnessed first hand the brutality of the "Sullivan Expedition". A punitive action committed by the American on native tribes that had decided to fight for the British in an effort to protect their ancestral lands, Atena'ti was told stories by his elders, of how their villages were burned and their farm lands salted, forever forced away.

The tribe relocated to Canada following the American Revolution as the Americans started to push out into the rest of the continent. This however didn't stop Atena'ti' forefathers who continued to fight in other ways, when the chieftain Tecumseh attempted to unify the tribes of the Great Lakes against the Americans, it is said that several Mohawk joined the fight.

But such are things of the past, Atena'ti is not a great warrior like his ancestors, no he is a hardened hunter and trapper within the forested mountains of the North. It was in these forests that he met Howling Wolf who was also hunting, the pair decided to work together with each showing and teaching the other a few valuable tricks. The pair stayed in touch with Howling Wolf being a respected guest in Atena'tis village where he treated as a close friend and ally, when word spread that the Elder had been shot and killed by American soldiers, Atena'ti begged his people to join the fight, citing that it was time that they repay the death and turmoil put upon their ancestors a century ago.

Several hunters from his village and a few others joined the Howling Wolf and his rebellion, where they were focused in the regions to the North where the forests were heavily dense. The kind of place that the Mohawk and other tribal warriors and hunters from the North and East were experienced and had greater knowledge in survival and fighting.

Atena'ti leads these warriors on foot moving through the forests to appear, strike and vanish before any know what is happening, various timber and hunting camps have been set alight by their raids, farmsteads that sit too close are often discovered having been burnt to the ground with all inhabitants being killed. The tactics that Atena'ti and his war party uses are those similar to those used by their ancestors, striking hard from the forests using speed and surprise then disappear back into the forest before anyone can react.

Though he was never a warrior to begin with, the stories of the Mohawk war party fighting for Howling Wolf has spread across the United States, leading some influential individuals to suspect that Canada and by extension the British are secretly supporting the rebellion providing weapons and supplies whilst also giving sanctuary in Canada for rebel war parties.

Crow: African American - Escaped Slave

Born into slavery, Crow was actually given the name, Johnson Kane on his birth, yet he has very little memory of his family since he was sold off when old enough to start working. He found himself on a plantation in Louisiana, working day after day for the betterment of his "Masters", those who that thought themselves his betters yet never properly worked a day in their lives as he did. 

He always had the desire for freedom, yet it was never going to be, he joined a group of fellow slaves who had connections to the "Underground Railway" a group of individuals that aided escaped slaves get to the relative safety of the North. But he never got there, unfortunately the plot to escape was discovered and Crow was the only one to get away, he managed to make a run for freedom in the night and managed to find sanctuary in the swamps.

When the coast was clear, he kept running, dodging hunting parties and alligators until he reached the open plains, from there he checked his surroundings and figured out which way was north, which was the direction he ran towards. When the Civil War broke out and African Americans were permitted to serve, Crow readily joined up and served among his fellow free men against the Confederates. 

As he described it, though the fighting was brutal, savage and dark, he was proud to have been a part of it as it was a cause he rightfully believed in. He was at one point supposedly credited by a white officer in convincing several escaped slaves into joining the Union and helping them in fighting the Confederates. When the war ended, despite wanting to stay on as a soldier, he was given a discharge and sent on his way, without anywhere to go, Crow decided to go out west and try and start a new life. 

Sadly wherever he went, he still faced discrimination and racial bigotry, he was forced to take on the most laborious jobs for often very low pay when compared to others. At some point he was very nearly lynched for a false charge and was forced to run for his life, he was chased out into the plains where he managed to hide from his pursuers, but he was without food or water. He took shelter in some woodland and collapsed next to a tree from exhaustion, when he woke up Crow found himself in an encampment surrounded by natives and other people.

He was taken in by the Wanderers and became a willing member of that particular group, since he served as a soldier for a while, he knew how to work weapons and keep them in good order, so that became one of his jobs. As well as this since he worked railways and other jobs he is somewhat a jack of various trades, he works tools and other things that the group needed and for a good while finally felt happy with where he was.

Crow was present when the Elder was killed in the Wanderer camp, being among the warriors that joined Howling Wolf in fighting back and then rebelling against the United States Government. For Crow the fight is two fold, on the one hand he is fighting for his tribe, he wishes to protect the Native people that took him in and cared for him like he was born to them, but at the same time he wishes to help his fellow Africans who despite being legally free are still treated like second class citizens in America. 

He hopes that with Howling Wolfs victory, then there may finally be a place in America that African Americans can truly be free and live as equals among others. Since he is able to read and write, he knows of the American Declaration of Independence, "All men are created equal, that they are endowed by the creator with certain inalienable right and among these are life liberty and the pursuit of happiness". Yet in Crows eyes, this is something that has been held out of reach of his people and is too willingly forgotten by the Americans when it suits them.

As a war chief in Howling Wolfs rebellion, Crow leads his war party against Union forces in small hit and run attacks notably on their supply lines as well as using his old knowledge of railroads since he worked once on building them, to sabotage and crack the means of industrialised transport across the plains. Such has earned him his own bounty, as the damage his war party has done on the railroads as well as attacks on the trains themselves has caused great distress for the Rail barons who not only in rage because their precious railroads and trains are being attacked, but also because they are being attacked by a group of savage "Negros".

Hanska: Tall - Sioux

A name that definitely fits the man himself, Hanska is quite tall for his people, with some saying that he must be blood of giants, jokingly of course as none would dare say such words in any seriousness, else they risk his disgust and shame.

Hanska is a firm, loyal and prideful hunter of the Sioux tribe of the Northern plains, a place that he has lived and hunted in for decades since he was a little boy with his brothers. Though he doesn't hate the Americans he is not trustful of them, he fears in his own words "They a hole in their hearts that cannot be filled".

Such is his fear that sooner or later, the Americans will come for his people and their land, such was his reasons for becoming a wanderer, so that he might forge strong bonds with other tribes and peoples across the great plains should the need ever arise. When he learned of the death of the Elder, he was saddened and disheartened for his fears had been proven right, the Americans were coming, he joined Howling Wolf and aided him in gaining the support of several Sioux tribes which brought many hardened warriors and hunters.

As a war chief for the rebels, Hanska primarily sticks to the Northern Territories of the Great Plains in a region that he knows and has experience in, having grown up within them. He also bares a great amount of respect among those he leads against the American Soldiers, since he is of a certain age he is a veteran of countless hunts and fights with other tribes as well as skirmishes with the white man through his years.

Within the Northern hills, forests and plains, he conducts raids and ambushes against local American soldiers as well as their supply lines and outposts, whilst also performing strikes and attacks against the wandering settlers that enter the region hoping to pass through. In effect it is his mission for the rebels to bloke the northern routes between the East and West, with his war parties going as far as raiding the eastern side of the Mississippi river into areas that were thought secure by the Army.

He is known to be very protective of his people and ensures that his war parties conduct constant patrols in the places where the Tribes have settled for the season are protected and that in the event soldiers try to attack them, his warriors are there to keep their people safe. Such actions have led to more tribes giving their support to the rebels as they know that the rebel bands of Howling Wolf will keep them safe from the white soldiers.

Hosa: Young Crow - Arapaho

Little is really known of Young Crows early life, its only known that he signed on as an Indian Scout for the United States Army, he witnessed the end of the Civil war acting as a Scout for Union cavalry regiments in the west and then again helping the Union in hunting down Confederate Guerrilla Bands that refused to give and surrender.

When all that was done, Hosa  mostly stuck to being a scout and soldier patrolling the Oklahoma territories specifically the Indian territories and reservations within those territories. A task which he utterly hated, Hosa didn't like the fact that he was having to ensure that people like him didn't leave the reservation, especially when some of those Reservation Indians helped fight for the Union against the Confederates and got nothing in return.

As the United States started pushing westwards, Hosa started to worry since to the west was where his people lived, despite his second thoughts that the Union could bring benefits for his people, such thoughts were soon etched away when he remembered the lives on the Reservation. Whilst serving at a military post in the Great Plains he met Howling Wolf and despite their different opinions, he respected Wolf for his resilience and determination.

Although he wasn't an early supporter of Howling Wolfs rebellion against the Union, when he learned that punitive actions were going to launched against the tribe he was born to even though they played no part in the rebellion, he couldn't just let it happen, along with a bunch of other Indian scouts, Hosa deserted and rode hard to warn his people about what was coming. When the army arrived to find the village abandoned, Hosa went out with his fellow deserters and joined Howling Wolf and his rebellion.

Now a firm rebel himself, Hosa leads his own war party mostly made of Indians that had served as scouts and soldiers in the Army but had decided to defect to the side of the rebels rather than fight their own people. Since he has experience in the army as well as more up to date knowledge about where the army have their forts, which ones are dangerous or weak enough for a surprise attack.

With his own War Party, Hosa primarily uses their combined knowledge of army protocol as well as what they know of specific officers to strike at weak points. For instance if a particular commanding officer prefers speed over size, then they will move faster and pick them off from a distance, if an officer likes having a sizeable force with plenty of supplies, they'll focus on said supplies and leave them stranded in the wilderness.

Itza Chu: Great Hawk - Apache

They say you won't see an Apache until its too late, that is very true of Itza Chu.

Being born a full blooded Apache and raised to the old feuds and conflicts the tribe has held onto for generations, Itza was practically raised to be a warrior blended with a hunter. From a young age like other Apache children he played a form of hide and seek within hills and mountains they lived, practicing the skill of camouflage that would be of great use to him later in life.

He also was trained in the use of several weapons from the traditional bow and tomahawk, but more modern weapons and tools such as guns of various kinds. Most of his early experience as a warrior and raider was mostly against the old enemies of the Apache, the Comanche and the Mexicans, during such raids, Itza became a keen eyed shooter from a great distance which proved very useful during his life. According to some his skill with a rifle as well as camouflage allowed him to pick off several enemy on horseback without them ever figuring out where he was.

Itza has a strong distrust of the Americans who he sees as encroachers of the ancestral lands the Apache have lived on for countless generations, lands that his ancestors fought to defend from different enemies of the centuries, from the Comanche to the Spanish, to Mexicans, to Texans and now to Americans, as he once put it "To we Apache, the Blue coats are just this generations enemy". 

He met Howling Wolf many years ago and although the two are the best of friends they are on a friendly stance with each other, though Itza may challenge Wolf to prove himself mostly as a joke. When Howling Wolf began to recruit natives for his rebellion, Itza was only too willing, seeing it as his duty to fight the Americans, with the consent of his tribe, he now leads a war party of Apache fighters in the mountains of the west. Whilst a capable rider and fighter on horse back, Itza is more of a stealth and surprise leader.

His war party favour ambushes, surprise night attacks that incite fear among their enemy, if they can't get in close, then he and his marksmen will strike at a distance. Having lived in the wilds all of his life and knowing the region very well, always ensures that he and his war party remain a step ahead of their enemy.

According to some sources, one time a contingent of U.S cavalry attempted to hunt him down, believing they'd found his trail and were closing in on him. They were greatly surprised when Itza launched an attack on their rear and flank at the same time, for without them realising, he and his war party had camouflaged themselves and let the cavalry ride by.

Jariana: Love and Peace - Creek

Born a Reservation Indian, Jariana grew up in difficulty, she witnessed first hand the hardships some of her people were going through living on the Reservation that the United States had forced her tribe to live on. Though she didn't like it, she learned to live with it, helping her parents in the fields where they grew what crops they could.

Yet the frustration she possessed stayed with her into adulthood, she didn't like that her people were forgoing their heritage to embrace the white mans way of life, including their clothes and culture. She wished for her people to hold onto what their ancestors taught them and cherished, she even desired one day seeing the true homeland of her people in what was Georgia, Alabama and Florida.

But this would not come to be, the area of their reservation experienced a controversy of corruption and abuse. Solders meant to guard the reservation as well as the Reservation agents took advantage at times of the tribe and the local village. They would extort money or good from the village in exchange for supplies, food, medicine and even alcohol. 

There were rumours that if a woman of the tribe wanted something then she'd have to "perform for the troops morale". Eventually this came to Jariana who wished to have a doctor look at her ailing father, the reservation agents promised the doctor and medicine in exchange for a favour. When she learned of what the favour would be, she outright refused even going so far as to slap the individual "Offering" in the face, said individual used that as an excuse to have her arrested.

But Jariana was warned by a friend and she fled, after escaping the reservation she knew she would never be able to go back. Jariana was discovered by a group of wanderers who took her in and gave her a new home, when she learned that a hunter named Howling Wolf was rallying natives to fight back against the Americans, she volunteered.

She went back to the Creek reservation and managed to convince a group of her people to join the rebellion and flee the reservation. Though she herself doesn't fight, she aids the rebels in any manner she can, whether that be mundane tasks like cooking food, ensuring certain tasks are done like keeping fires going or mending clothes. Or more militant tasks, such as the upkeep of weapons and equipment, helping in the care of the wounded, though this doesn't mean she isn't afraid to fight.

However this is only rumour and has not been confirmed, there is however a warrant and reward out still for her arrest which only got worse following her rallying of Creek hunters to join the rebels.

Niyol: Wind - Navajo

Believe it if so desired, but before all the violence began, Niyol was a simple man who wished to avoid fighting if he could. He spent most of his days either hunting or partaking in basic farming for his tribe and his family, he cared little for the outside world.

That was of course until a group of travelling Americans moving though Navajo territory saw that the camp had women inside, they attacked whilst most of the men were away hunting and assaulted a number of the women. Niyols wife was among those attacked, though the Americans were driven off, Niyols wife became a changed woman, despite doing what he could, Niyol eventually lost the woman he loved when she died a few weeks later.

Niyol himself never really got over the loss of his wife and became a wanderer, not wishing to remain in Navajo territory as he did not wish to be close to anything that reminded him of her. It was during is wandering that he came to meet Howling Wolf and the two forged a friendship with Wolf helping Niyol in navigating the other tribes of the plains as well as helping him in embracing the life of the Wanderers.

When Howling Wolf put the word out, calling on warriors and hunters from all of the tribes to join him in rebelling against the United States and stop their encroachment onto Native lands. Niyol was among those who were first to join, he was first sent by Wolf to the Navajo nation and convinced a number of them to join his rebellion.

As one of his war chiefs so to speak, Niyol leads his party like his name sake, the wind, constantly moving around and are often as silent as the wind itself.

Niyol is known to use an element of mind games against the enemy, using songs, drums and other instruments to make noise at night close to American army camps or passing wagon trains. The idea being to make the enemy nervous as well as to make it hard for them to relax and by extension sleep. Which enables him to do more damage as those who are tired are liable to make mistakes, like follow him into the canyons where it easy for him to ambush them.

Rahrakwasere: He follows the Moon - Iroquois

Not a single person, Rahrakwasere are actually several individuals who are a close nit family, made up of brothers and cousins from the different tribes that once made up the Iroquois Confederacy. They have managed to live according to their ancestors as hunters and trappers in the wilds of the north notably in the great lakes regions of Canada and those that are now the United States.

The Band are constant visitors to the Americans however where they trade goods for supplies, mostly dried meats, fish and pelts for things that they need to go back out and get more of the same or to get things that their people needed to survive, like medicine and tools.

The boys came to meet Howling Wolf this way, whilst visiting a trading post in the Northern parts, they came to meet Wolf who was willing vouch for them as capable hunters and trappers, which enabled them to get the things they wanted for a fair price. Since then the "Boys" became good friends with Howling Wolf and by extension the Wanderers who they often camped with during their travels.

When word spread that Howling Wolf was calling on warriors and hunters to join him in a rebellion against the United States, the Boys of Rahrakwasere were only too willing to join up and give their iron and guns to the cause. For them it is a matter of honour and revenge, for all of the boys in the band had relatives who fought against the Americans to defend their ancestral lands. Both during the American Revolution but also during the days of Tecumsehs Confederacy which attempted to prevent American Expansion into Native Lands.

For them this is the chance to honour their heritage of resistance and keep up the fight to ensure that what happened to their people doesn't repeat itself. 

The Boys primarily conduct hit and run attacks in the wooded regions of the North bordering the great lakes in Minnesota as well as some areas more to the west, in these areas they serve as raiders, when necessary they are known to cross the border into Canada for safety as well as rest up for follow up attacks.

They are known to use the landscape to their advantage, using large trees to block routes or make the enemy divert enabling them to decide the battlefield for their ambushes. Said ambushes are usually the same, starting with the Boys shooting from the undergrowth at the enemy and when the soldiers are on the brink they dart out and start attacking with Tomahawks, knives and clubs.

They like other war bands and war parties of the rebels are known to incite fear among the enemy, it is common for the boys to scalp those they have killed and then show off either their kills or the scalps from the trees along the roads and routes they know the enemy use.

According to one report a small Indian village was attacked by Soldiers despite it not being involved in the rebellion, the Boys responded and ambushed the soldiers whilst they were slaughtering the villages and ransacking their homes, apparently none of the soldiers made it out alive.

Rio: Mexican

Not everyone in the rebels are native or even Americans, some are from Mexico, such is the case with Rio. A former farmer from the south who fell on hard times and was forced to take on work wherever he could find it.

Rio had a good life growing up in what is now Texas, his family had a fairly sized farm that produce enough for them to eat and trade with the nearest town. But the family fell on hard times following the Texas revolution in which American settlers rebelled against Mexico resulting in the United States Annexing Texas as a new state and then going to war.

His family lost everything in the war due to the actions of both sides, Rio himself was forced to become a nomad, finding work wherever he could find it, usually on ranches owned by American settlers which annoyed him, but he needed to eat so work was work. Since he was constantly on the move, meant that he had to learn how to fight in order to protect himself, he became a good rider and accurate shot since he often found himself being preyed upon by bandits and thugs.

Rio came to meet the Wanderers during his travels who offered him safety within their camps during their travels, Rio knowing that it was safer accepted and over time he began to consider himself as one of them, eventually he stopped working for others and travelled with the Wanderers. This was how he came to meet Howling Wolf and the two respected each other a great deal, Rio shared his knowledge of Mexico and the south as well as helped Wolf with his Spanish.

When word spread of Howling Wolfs rebellion, Rio travelled to join it, Wolf asked him to head back south and lead his own war party in Texas and New Mexico. Rio currently leads a constantly mobile mixed group, primarily made up of his fellow Mexicans but also include Natives from the Pueblo Nation, Apache, Comanche and Wichita. 

In the years of the Rebellion thus far, Rio and his war party have been causing trouble across much of New Mexico and Texas, several forts from the Mexican war have been rendered useless by his band, army camps are constantly harassed, patrols ambushed. Ranches are raided for their horses, train lines are sabotaged or just openly attacked.

Topsana: Prairie Flower - Comanche

The Comanche are not ones to set down roots for a long period, each camp they build is only for a small period of time and often is gone again within a day or two. Such has been their lives for centuries, the Comanche are renowned riders on horse back capable of attacking and retreating without breaking a stride or ceasing their flurry of bullets or arrows.

Such is the life that Topsana was born and raised too, during her early life, she spent nearly all of her time doing the tasks expected of a woman. Her days were mostly focused around the gathering of different plants that the tribe used for food, cooking food or making clothes, all tasks that were seen as womans work by her tribe.

Topsana had two older brothers who were good hunters and warriors for the tribe, during one particular raid they brought back another native man who called himself Howling Wolf, elders of their band recognised him as a friend. Whenever Howling Wolf was in Comanche territory he would visit the different Comanche groups to catch up with his friends.

Sadness would strike Topsana and her family when both her brothers were killed by "White soldiers" whilst they were out hunting. The bodies were found in a horrendous state hanging from trees and clearly mutilated, Topsana was present when the bodies were found and it is said that she turned from a sweet girl into vicious hunter of men. 

Following that day, Topsana chose to put aside any task that wasn't about readying herself of battle, against the wisdom of others, she learned how to ride like a hunter and warrior, how to use all kinds of weaponry as good as any man and even managed to surpass a number of them.

Her chance to avenge her brothers came when word spread that Howling Wolf was rallying people to fight the American soldiers and drive them from Native lands for good. She alongside a number of Comanche rode north to join him and his rebellion with Topsana becoming a rarity among the rebels and the Natives as a whole, by becoming not just a warrior in the rebellion but one its war chiefs.

Her war party is known to conduct raids and attacks across the south and southwest often in high speed strikes from horseback and often in the dead of night when most are trying to sleep. Her attacks are always swift with her warriors moving fast to catch their enemy unaware, often there is barely any chance to raise an alarm before the look outs are ducking for cover.

According to one story, Topsana launched a surprise attack on a small Army outpost, striking in the dead of night when there was no moon, with only torches and lanterns the soldiers were unable to see far, they were quickly separated and easily picked off one by one. It is said that the next morning the nearest camp saw the smoke on the horizon they arrived to find the outpost smouldering and the bodies of the dead scattered everywhere. 

Tusca: Seminole

Coming from the oppressed Seminole tribe, Tusca was born in the swamps and everglades of Florida, but has been forced to spend most of his life trapped on the Reservation within Oklahoma. He is described by the reservation agents to be a very strong and proud man who is not afraid to speak his mind.

He possesses the strong desire to see his true homeland once again and one day when he has children of his own to teach them how to hunt deer and even Alligators in the swamps and bogs. Yet he knows the Americans will never allow this, so he has done nothing but sit and wait. He met Howling Wolf whilst the young man was asked to guide a wagon train leaving from Oklahoma to the Rocky Mountains. Although there was some animosity, Tusca respected the young wanderer for being true to his heritage and honouring the old ways.

When word spread that Howling Wolf was opening a rebellion against the United States, Tusca alongside a number of other Seminole joined the fight. They stole what they could from the reservation from food and other supplies to smuggled weapons and tools, when the time was right they managed to escape and join the rebels.

But since Tusca and his fellow Seminole didn't really have skill hunting and fighting on horseback or real experience in the great plains. Tusca instead was tasked with leading his war party back to the forests, swamps, rivers and bogs further south where they would be effective. 

Using the same style of hit and run, Tusca leads his warriors into ambushes along the few dirt roads through said territories where they with more mobility can perform ambushes, as well as launch raids against plantations, army postings and all before disappearing again in the near endless swamps and forests.

Attempts to track Tusca down have proven exceedingly difficult as those who have attempted either by land or by boat, have often been faced with the constant difficulty in navigating the wilderness in the swamps. Patrols often find themselves getting lost or have to turn back as they can't find a safe way through the swamp or bog to reach its depths, only to often find themselves coming under attack by arrow and bullet from hidden rebels in the undergrowth.

According to some stories by the soldiers in the region, they often catch sight of something or someone watching them from behind the trees and bushes. 

The Americans and Others:

The United States has always had some tension between it and the Native tribes of the West, specifically the great plains between the Oklahoma territories and California, but never like this. Before Howling Wolf made clear his strength, the United States armed forces didn't think much of him and his rebels, considering them little more than a band of young warriors causing trouble.

But following the disaster of Bear Creek, where only a few managed to survive, it has since become clear that more is needed. So in response to the constant attacks on travellers across the great plains as well as the attempted construction of Railroads and raids on military forts and outposts. The Army under the consent of Congress has despatched a considerable and sizeable force to the west to end the rebellion once and for all.

However after nearly 3 years now, the army is getting no where, it has been spread precariously thin, if anything they haven't gained any "Ground" against the rebels. The reason is because the rebels won't stand and fight, though many in the army have some experience as Indian fighters, such is worthless against Howling Wolf who always appears to be step ahead, which is made worse as the army no longer can rely on Indian scouts since so many have deserted to join the rebels.

Forts are often cut off and under constant harassment, encampments are constantly attacked, supply lines are harassed and raided. The Army is stretched thin trying to protect its own, never mind trying to restore safe passage westward for wagon trains and future railroads. The men in the army are tired, some are surviving on the most barest and basic rations, some are lacking the amount of ammunition they need and a great number of them are often going without sleep for days. 

On the open plains, supply lines are stretched and are constantly attacked, stolen or destroyed, in the forests, troops are practically stuck within the relative safe confines of their forts or camps. While in the swamps, the soldiers are tired, hot, sweaty, under constant attack by insects and having to live in a literal bog where there is little dry land.

Washington constantly receives reports and requests from the troops in the field, telling them, their men are tired, hungry and demoralised from the constant attacks by the rebels and a number of officers are upset because every loss and every defeat at the hands of Howling Wolf is a humiliation for them and another brick on their back for advancement, promotion and above all glory.

Countless Newspapers are constantly publishing articles on the war and how badly things are going, headlines like "Fort at Bear Creek destroyed, Wagon train slaughtered, Army patrol disappears, Wolf Rebels attack again" as well as countless others are constantly being found in their papers.

Elizabeth Stride:

Born to a life of privilege and prestige, Miss Elizabeth Stride comes from a prominent family from southern Virginia which manages an expansive business empire across the United States. The family is run by her father, Charles Stride who oversees all the businesses the family is involved in.

Before the outbreak of the Civil War, the Stride family were very much reliant on the Plantations and slave trade for their wealth, however as times progressed and more specifically when Mr William Stride took over the mantle as head of the family, things began to change. William Stride recognised the growing complexity and political hazards arising in regards of slavery as well as saw the growth of industry in the North.

He foresaw the coming conflict and calculated that the South would not stand for long, so pre-emptively he reorganised the families wealth into other ventures, notably property as in buildings and land, he purchased warehouses and other buildings across the south and rented them out to other businesses that needed them. 

Elizabeth was raised in prominence and was expected to uphold the families prestige, though her schooling was done very methodically ensuring that she learned everything that would be needed in the future. She began in practice working for her father, aiding him in studying new prospects for investment and business inclusion, according to some sources, it was through her eye for business that her family are involved in several business ventures.

Although many would see just a woman from a prestigious family that needs a good husband, Elizabeth Stride is far from it. She is incredibly intelligent beyond her years and has a keen eye for business and a great understanding on how the world works and how she can move through it.

As interest in moving Westwards began to grow more and more prolific, Elizabeth decided that she would travel aboard a wagon train to the west coast so that she might find new prospects for her family to invest in and possibly take over. It was this Wagon train that was guided by Howling Wolf and the two forged a friendship of the days that they travelled together, with Elizabeth coming over to Wolfs small encampment outside the wagons to sit and talk.

Sadly Elizabeth was wounded following an attack by Confederate partisans that had not stopped fighting for the souths independence. She and the other survivors were taken by Howling Wolf to a wanderer camp, where her injuries were tended too by the Elder and the group were cared for with much respect. When one of them decided to go off and bring back the Army under the paranoia of Indians being the ones that attacked their wagon train.

Elizabeth was brought back to the relative safety of the army fort at Bear Creek where her wounds were again tended too. When word began to spread of Howling Wolf inciting a rebellion and attacking people across the region, Elizabeth allegedly found a letter from Howling Wolf. When the rebels launched their attack, Elizabeth alongside a few others managed to escape before the fighting started in earnest fleeing to the relative safety of another fort that was more well built.

From there she and a few others made their way south towards Texas under the protection of the army. From Texas she was able to board a series of rail lines that took her back home to Virginia, there she was greeted warmly by her father who had heard what had happened. After giving her side of the events, Elizabeth managed to convince her father to let her testify at the Inquiry so that she may give her side of the story, although she was a woman, her words were recorded and her testimony accepted.

Following this, she went north into Canada notably the great lakes region, where she supported her fathers business endeavours, she practically became the local head of her family business. She purchased buildings and rented them out to other groups and individuals as well as investing and becoming partners in several other industries, notably the fur trade, timber and fish, as well as the usual real estate.

She remains there to this day, working at the families office in the city of Montreal which serves as a hub for her business. She has become known to be an outspoken supporter of the Native peoples in North America and has been one of the prime speakers towards the United States seeking a peace treaty with Howling Wolf. 

Which has led to some to suspect that she is actively supporting the rebellion from the "Safe Confines of Canada", though such accusations are kept behind closed doors, an investigation found no evidence that she was supporting the rebels specifically, but she was found to be supporting Native Americans fleeing into Canada trying to escape the American soldiers. Giving them jobs as well as letting them settle on land she had purchased, allowing them to set up small villages to live and recuperate.

Jonathan Pitts:

Born in Ohio, Jonathan Pitts always had the dream growing up of becoming a soldier, when the Civil War broke out, Pitts signed up to the Union Cavalry and started his career as a non commissioned officer. However following several skirmishes and engagements, Pitts began to show his ability and skill as both a soldier but also as an officer, he was promoted a year into the war.

By the end of the war, he had become a Captain in charge of his own troop of around 100 soldiers. Most of the time he served was primarily patrolling as well as conducting protection for Union forces by guarding their flanks or protecting their supply lines. When the war ended, he was given the option of either going south and taking part in the occupation and reconstruction of the Southern states or if he wished he could take an honourable discharge.

Pitts decided to stay on as he knew that there would be little work going and even with peace returning his captains pay would still be enough. Most of the time he spent in the south was hunting down those that refused to surrender, partisan outfits that were mostly comprised of ex Confederate soldiers and die hard supporters.

When these started to grow lesser and lesser, with some become nothing more than a bunch of criminals and bandits, he was reassigned to a posting in Northern Kansas which was practically just sitting behind a desk. When his term came to an end he didn't reenlist and instead decided to try and start a new life in the west where he had been offered a posting as a local sheriff, he became the leader of a wagon train headed that way which is where he came to meet Howling Wolf.

At the recommendation of a trader who operated a post in the northern plains, Pitts hired a native guide named Howling Wolf who was to guide them to a military fort at Bear Creek from which they would continue on themselves. However whilst he was away from the wagons they were attacked and Pitts was among the few survivors, with Howling Wolfs aid they took shelter with the wanderers. Yet when the army arrived at the behest of a member of their group, he spoke out against what was happening until he heard the shots. Pitts put miss Elizabeth Stride onto a horse and led her and the others to safety.

Once at Bear Creek, Pitts attempted to preach that the Army had practically started a war with the natives and they had no way of knowing what was going to happen. When Howling Wolf attacked Bear Creek, Pitts led a few in a desperate break out to safety, upon reaching safety, he was reinstated into the U.S cavalry as they had need for veteran officers and soldiers.

However his first intent was to return to Washington D.C where he gave testimony at the Court of Inquiry, as he was an officer of the U.S Cavalry and had an exemplary record serving in the Civil War, his word was accepted and his testimony heard very clearly. It was Pitts that made clear that the attack on the Wagon Train was done by remnant elements of Ex Confederate soldiers and thus were likely a Guerrilla Outfit turned bandits.

Following the conclusion of the Inquiry, Pitts was assigned by the Army to a small fort in south western Texas, next to the Mexican border. There he has been conducting carefully timed and placed patrols to ensure the protection of the local farms and ranches in the area. Though such is often difficult as the men under his command are often tired from the constant harassment of the Rebels as well as a lack of supplies.

He utterly hates certain officers who are only out for one of two things, blood or glory or even both. Whenever he can, Pitts ensures that anyone like that is transferred from his command and sent elsewhere. When he was asked why, he remarks "If someone is only caring for glory then they have no qualms putting their men at risk, if they seek to only kill, then they will not pause when it comes to women and children..." this was taken down by a reporter with Pitts' permission and became well recognised by the public as well as another statement.

"Though Howling Wolf and his rebels do attack civilians, they have not yet harmed anyone that surrenders or do not possess any weapons, this includes women and children, I want to see that continue. If we start attacking Indians indiscriminately, all we are doing is pushing more to his cause and giving them cause to murder our people indiscriminately... will you be able to look proudly after killing a woman and child knowing your actions will cause the deaths of innocent people in retaliation".

Jacobs:

Born as Constantine Jacobs, he shortened his name and prefers to only referred to as Jacobs. A loving family man, he was utterly devoted to his wife and hoped greatly for children in the future, a hope that was shared with his beloved wife.

Jacobs owned a small farm in western Virginia in the region that would become the newest state of West Virginia. Though sadly the farm fell on extreme difficulty following an attack by the Confederate army under Robert E Lee, in which the farm was ransacked by Confederate soldiers with all the food being taken.

Following the end of the war, Jacobs had to take on odd jobs to support him and his wife, but eventually he made the fateful decision that they would make the trek westwards to start a new life and perhaps a new farm or ranch in California or somewhere else, they packed up what they had alongside all the supplies they would need and joined a wagon train heading westward.

Jacobs was very mistrustful when the Head of the train hired Howling Wolf to be their guide as he had little trust in Indians believing them to be just savages and raiding barbarians. Yet his arguments were overruled as Howling Wolf came recommended by various individuals in the region as the number 1 scout and guide for anyone travelling westwards.

Sadly the wagon train was attacked and Jacobs lost his wife, the woman he loved beyond even life itself, when Wolf explained that they couldn't waste time burying the dead to help miss Elizabeth Stride, Jacobs very nearly attacked Wolf but begrudgingly went along. But at the first chance he got, he took a horse and rode hard for the Fort at Bear Creek when he told the army that it was Indians that had attacked the wagon train and had taken the survivors captive. 

Following the skirmish that followed, Jacobs practically doubled down on his paranoia and joined up with the army troop in Bear Creek. In some regards by those who knew the truth, he had become a loyal puppy dog for the army, he was present when Howling Wolf brought the true culprits of the attack on the Wagon train but refused to believe it. 

After the battle of Bear Creek, Jacobs was one of those lucky to have survived during the final break out of the defenders. He was immediately brought to Washington D.C where he was to testify at a federal court of inquiry into the events. He refused any evidence that showed that those responsible for the attack on the Wagon train and by extension the murder of his wife to be have been ex Confederate soldiers.

He was later accepted into the Union Cavalry as a non commissioned officer but was warned that he would be under close observation by his superiors. Jacobs currently serves at a small Army post in southern Kansas near the state border with the Oklahoma territories, there the sole mission of the troops was to guard the northern edges of the Oklahoma territories and more specifically the Indian reservations within.

Jacobs is known among the army brass of the region as a hot headed soldier who doesn't seek an end to the rebellion but outright extermination of the Indians. He has been described by a Brigadier General as " A man that doesn't seek to do his duty as a soldier, but a raging dog that seeks blood and flesh and I doubt that he'll ever be satisfied".

Alexander Chester:

The Proud owner and operator of a trading post out in the middle of no where, Alexander Chester has been a businessmen all of his life. He doesn't really give much information about his life, only the details that he used what money he had saved up and purchased a tiny plot of land and constructed his trading post.

At first most of the trade came from the native tribes and frontiersmen, but eventually the location became known enough for Wagon trains and even Army troops to stop by on their travels. For the most part, Chester mostly sold the necessities over the luxuries, as in his mind people travelling would need things that kept them alive more than looking nice. 

So his post was always stocked with dried meats, plenty of salt, blankets, tools, nails as well as gunpowder and ammunition. But he also purchased items notably fur pelts and meat from hunters, trappers and natives, in this regard he was very particular, preferring quality over quantity. 

It was through said trading that he came to meet Howling Wolf who often stopped at Chester's trading post to sell the pelts and meats he had at the time. So much so that Chester often regarded Howling Wolf as one his prime supplies, but at the same time, Chester served as an intermediate for Howling Wolf. Whenever a wagon train was stopping at the post, Chester would recommend Wolf to them as a more than capable guide or scout.

It was through this recommendation that Chester advised a wagon train consisting of Miss Elizabeth Stride, former Captain Pitts and Mr Jacobs to have Wolf become their guide. 

When he heard of what had happened Chester was concerned and knew full well that blood would soon be shed. However at some point apparently a message arrived at Chesters trading post, detailing that if Chester not sell ammunition or weapons to anyone regardless of who, then the rebels would leave his Trading Post alone and allow it to continue trading.

According to sources, this truce has been upheld with Chester not only ceasing to sell weapons and ammunition including gunpowder. But he also refuses to allow any Soldiers to set up camp around his trading post, he even warns any soldiers that come to purchase things that his land is completely neutral ground and no one can bring their weapons in to the post.

This neutrality has been honoured by the rebels and to extent the United States, in fact Chesters trading post is the only place in the Northern Great Plains that hasn't been attacked by the rebels and continue to conduct trade.

General William Lawford:

A prideful soldier all of his life, William Lawford comes from a family with a long history of military service going back before the American Revolution. When it was his turn, Lawford readily joined up not just as a means of continuing his family legacy but more specifically in his case his time to achieve glory.

With his familial connections, he was able to get into the prestigious Military officers school, West Point in New York. He graduated just in time to start service as a ranking officer in the civil war, though despite his desire to see battle and achieve the glory he wanted. Lawford as a colonel was tasked in supporting duties with his troops, so that mostly meant escorting supply shipments mostly by train, guarding depots and so forth.

He was mostly in the western theatre of the war along the Mississippi, the most fighting he saw was mostly against Confederate Partisans who raided and ambushed the supplies he was meant to protect. When the war ended Lawford was rather upset that he had missed his chance for personal glory, he was given a new station that mostly consisted of him sitting behind a desk, though he was given a promotion to full General.

When Howling Wolf started his rebellion, Lawford saw another opportunity, he put in an immediate request for a transfer westward to fight the rebels. He was greeted rather pridefully by the higher ups in Washington who saw a good man with long experience as an officer, just the kind of man who could reinstall discipline in the soldiers stationed out there.

To his surprise, Lawford was given command of all troops fighting the rebels, so every fort, every outpost, every station was under his command and he took the command to the letter. His duty is clear and is clearly laid out in his orders, end the Howling Wolf Rebellion and bring the man himself to justice. However after many months now, Lawford has begun to show more and more aggravation, for each loss to the rebels is a brick on his back in his hopes for glory and promotion, he utterly hates the fact that a bunch of savages are making it impossible for him.

Many officers and soldiers under his command however are uncertain of him in the Great Plains, they find him to strict and glued to the military code, with its clear regulations and protocols, apparently one time he voiced his rage whilst inspecting a fort in Texas, where the officers nor the troops did not present themselves in the proper attire. This has led to a number of other officers across the west to judge him as someone who doesn't understand the enemy, he feels that surely sooner or later Howling Wolf will commit to open battle.

Some see him as a man not suited to the job, they report such behind his back to those in charge back in Washington D.C. They detail that he gives orders regardless of the conditions of the troops or blatantly ignores such, or he wants them to commit to plans that are impossible to achieve as the men are hungry and tired. One officer, Captain Jonathan Pitts, remarked that despite being in charge of the soldiers fighting the Rebels, General Lawford does not understand their needs.

He sent a detailed report on the General to the Department of Defence and the Department of the Interior, "General Lawford whilst a decorated officer and experienced soldier, does not seem to recognise that the soldiers under his command are tired from sleeping in basic conditions, hungry and having to survive on the most basic rations, whilst heavily demoralised from acts committed by the rebel forces. 

Whilst he enjoys a comfortable living, sleeping in a proper warm bed, eating proper meals which the men under my personal command have not seen in months.

He Demands results but fails to understand the capabilities of the Rebels, he issues orders that are impossible and often negates the terrain advantages the rebels possess"

 

Brigadier General Samuel Elliott:

A man that is recognised for his ability and respect among his troops, Brigadier General Samuel Elliott earned his reputation as a capable commander of troops during the Civil War. He served as an officer in the Union cavalry in both the Western and Eastern Theatres, where his detachments were primarily called on to serve as scouts or protected the flanks of Union forces either on the march or in battle.

He was commended by General Ulysses.S.Grant during the battle of Shiloh and again during the siege of Vicksburg, where his cavalry ensured that the city was properly and thoroughly encircled, with his cavalry patrols ensuring that the Confederates couldn't sneak supplies into the city. 

Following this he and his cavalry was transferred to the army under General Sherman where it took part in the now famed march to the sea, where his cavalry took part in the destruction of supply depots and materials that were much needed by the Confederates. Following the end of the war, Elliott was transferred to a former confederate fort in the western regions of Iowa. 

His new duty was mostly glued to the training of new recruits or maintaining his relatively small command. This changed when Howling Wolf began his rebellion, when the fighting grew more and more bloody, the ones in charge, granted Elliott a promotion to Brigadier General, his duty was to serve as the second in command to General Lawford.

A lot of soldiers and officers would much have preferred Elliott be the one in charge for unlike their respected General, Elliott had an understanding of the capabilities of his men and he was known for never demanding more than he knew was possible. Those who advocate peace also respect Elliott for unlike General Lawford who regards the natives as a group of brutish savages that need to be brought to heel and embrace the civilised world.

He on the other hand, has respect for them, recognising them as expert hunters, warriors and trackers, apparently he once stated "If I had a company of Native riders in my cavalry during the civil war, I doubt any regiment of Confederates could stand against us". Unlike the General in charge of fighting the Indian Rebellion who stays in a comfortable fort well away from any kind of fighting, Elliott is constantly on the move, travelling between the different forts, camps and outposts that the Army has established across the centre of the continent. 

When he arrives, he conducts full inspections of the troops, seeing what each camp, fort or outpost needs and then works as best he can to ensure that they get what is desperately needed for the men. This has led him to experience the guerrilla warfare of the rebels first hand on several occasions, being ambushed a number of times that resulted in a good number being wounded and a dozen killed and often without ever seeing the enemy.

Though Brigadier General Elliott wishes to perform his duty to his nation and government in ending the rebellion, he also feels that he has a duty to the men under his command. Which when combined with the respect he has for the Native peoples of America, he has begun to become more and more in favour of a negotiated peace with the Howling Wolf Rebels.

Captain Martin Forthryte:

A disgraced man, Captain Martin Forthryte is considered to be a coward by many in the more civilised world. Because he decided to run away.

A soldier nearly all his life, Forthryte was given a commission as a Captain following the end of the civil war, where he was stationed to a fort in north western Texas. His primary duty was to maintain the security of the region against the Apache and the Comanche, a duty that for a time was generally simple, he sends out a troop of men every now and again should the tribes push into settled areas.

However things changed very quickly when Howling Wolf started his rebellion, in the past Forthrytes station was relatively easy as the Apache often clashed more with the Comanche in his region of responsibility, so it was easy to just sit back and deal with whoever won. But when the Wolfs rebellion brought former enemies together, it meant that the once easy posting was suddenly surrounded in dangerous territory.

Such was proven right when after several patrols being ambushed and supplies being intercepted by the rebel guerrillas, the Fort itself was attacked in the dead of night, with the rebels being able to climb the walls with ropes and hooks, with them getting inside before the alarm was raised.

Forthrytes at first attempted to repel the enemy attack, but since most of his men were not ready and the rebels had taken most of the walls and so had the advantage of height. He knew full well that he couldn't push them back, so he called his men to regroup in a part of the fort they controlled near the stables, when that couldn't be held.

He ordered his surviving men to get their horses and attempt a break out, of the 120 men in the fort before the attack, 59 managed to survive, with two thirds of those men being wounded. However as it turned out most of the men didn't get out of the fort before it fell, as there was not enough horses for everyone.

So in effect Forthryte had led a breakout attempt knowing that he was leaving behind most of his men. He has since been labelled a coward for choosing to flee rather than stand and fight, this disgrace has made him vindictive and aggressive in his pursuit of Rebels. He has allegedly conducted several punitive attacks on Indian villages and camps, any that are found are burned to the ground with many unarmed people being killed.

Forthryte is determined to bring about a complete end to the Wolf Rebellion, regardless of how many Indian villages and camps he has to burn, regardless of whether they are rebel or not.