<div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">The Coyotes</div><div class="spoiler_body"><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Brief History</div><div class="spoiler_body"><strong>Formation </strong><br/>The Coyotes were established thirteen years ago by Tim and a close friend he had made in the years following the Great War. At their outset The Coyotes were a much larger group. With the number of raiders rarely being less than twenty and the captives normally numbering in the high thirties.<br/> <br/>Eventually this came to an end  with an attempted mutiny which was led by none other than the man who had helped Tim forge the gang in the first place. Though outnumbered those loyal to Tim were able to defeat the other faction of the gang and scatter them to the wind.<br/> <br/>Since that time Tim has preferred to keep the gang’s numbers smaller and thus more easily managed.<br/><strong>Recent History </strong><br/>The Coyotes have recently moved on from an area of territory they previously used as their raiding grounds. This move was forced by the fact that they had wound up ‘over-fishing’ their area and what little refugees remained could no longer produce the resources needed support the gang .<br/> <br/>Internally not much has changed within the gang since Dom, Tim’s current second in command, managed to fight his way to the spot he now holds and most members of The Coyotes at least outwardly seem accepting of their current place in the gang. The only piece of recent internal change has been the disappearance of Sara’s ’<em>husband</em>’ which despite idle rumors and talk is still very much a mystery to most of The Coyotes<br/> <br/><strong>Relations With Other Raider Tribes</strong><br/>The following is a list of raider groups known to the gang, a short summary of each group, and the gang’s relations with each group.<br/><span class="bbc_u">The Horsemen</span> A rival gang consisting primarily of raiders on motorcycles . They have occasionally had minor skirmishes with The Coyotes but neither side has ever full on attacked each other.  Last heard places them as having entered The Coyotes new hunting area a few weeks before The Coyotes did so themselves.<br/><span class="bbc_u">The Iron Fists</span> Other than Dom’s arrival, no contact between The Coyotes and The Iron Fists has yet occurred.<br/><span class="bbc_u">The Sand Panthers</span> A rival gang of raiders with tactics extremely similar to The Coyotes that has previously gone to war against The Coyotes. The conflict, which took place three years ago and lasted several months, ended with the utter defeat of The Sand Panthers and the unofficial disbanding of the gang as their few survivors fled in every direction. Exactly what became of them is still unknown but there have been rumors of attacks by a small group of raiders flying the gang’s old colors.<br/><span class="bbc_u">The Banshees</span>  A group consisting primarily of female raiders, in the past they have proven good trading partners of The Coyotes for everything from slaves, to supplies, to  sex. They are led by a woman called “Madam Queen” who was a close friend of Tim’s when their gangs came into contact more often than is now the case. The gang has heard very little about The Banshees for the past year, given that they had been one of the first gangs to abandon the older hunting grounds for newer areas.<br/><span class="bbc_u">The Faceless</span> A group of cold blooded psychotics who straddle, and at times cross, the line between being humans and simply being true animals. They are known for never leaving survivors of their raids and for the fact that every member of the gang wears some form of mask. They have yet to come into conflict with The Coyotes and are said to still inhabit the areas which The Coyotes recently left behind.<br/></div></div><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Customs and Traditions</div><div class="spoiler_body"><strong>Disputes</strong>  Ever since the failed mutiny official methods of settling serious disputes have been in place within The Coyotes. These methods are focused around one on one close quarters combat and are as follows:<br/><span class="bbc_u"> Even Duel </span> An even duel is a battle in which the odds are evenly stacked. A circle is drawn in the ground and a knife is placed in the ground at its center. Each combatant stands at the opposite edge of the circle from the other and the duel takes place. The only rules are that no weapons, other than the knife, can be used. And to step or be thrown out of the circle is to forfeit the duel. This duel is often used to settle disputes over property, slaves, or position within the gang they can lead to death but normally do no.<br/> <span class="bbc_u">Duel by Chance</span> A duel in which chance is a major factor in determining the odds. A circle is drawn in the sand in a similar fashion to and even duel; but rather than a single knife being placed in the center each combatant receives a randomly selected melee weapon. The first to yield or be driven from the circle is the loser. These duels are mostly done for sport and entertainment either between slaves, raiders, or both.<br/><span class="bbc_u">Duel by Favor</span> An extremely serious duel meant to settle the most serious of conflicts. An hour before the duel is to take place both combatants are to remove all their weapons and clothing. Between this time and the beginning of the duel each member of the gang may give either combatant a single piece of equipment or clothing, once again excluding firearms. Only this given equipment may be used during the duel.  There is no circle drawn in the ground and no way to yield, each duel by favor is to the death. At the conclusion of the duel the victor must return the equipment given to him/her and is allowed to keep the equipment given to the loser. These duels take place only when both combatants want nothing less than the death of the other.<br/><span class="bbc_u">Duel by Choice</span> A simple duel in which a circle is drawn in the ground and each combatant may enter with whatever close combat weapons they choose. The first to yield or be thrown from the circle loses. These duels are often used for advancing in rank.<br/><strong>Meals</strong> Most nights each member of the gang is expected to provide food for themselves, but every once in a while Tim has been known to call for a group feast. This is normally to either address an announcement that concerns the entire gang or to simply celebrate a great victory or turn of good luck.<br/><strong>Advancement in Rank</strong> In order to advance in official rank within the gang one must challenge the person above them to a duel, and win said duel.<br/><strong>Gaining Entrance to The Coyotes</strong> Entrance into The Coyotes is different for each member, some have simply entered by virtue of possessing a vital skill or by being in the right place at the right time. Others have had to fight their way in by holding their own against a member of the gang, prove their worth by offering equipment or valuable information, and still others have been allowed to join for nothing more than Tim allowing it without giving an official reason.<br/> </div></div><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Current Hierarchy</div><div class="spoiler_body">The following is a list of the gang’s current unspoken pecking order listed from highest to lowest. Though this order is always subject to change<br/><span class="bbc_u">Leader</span><strong>Tim</strong>: By virtue of being the gang’s leader, Tim is on top of the totem pole<br/><span class="bbc_u">Second In Command</span> <strong>Dom</strong> As Tim’s second in command Dom can have pretty much whatever he wants, provided that Tim doesn’t  claim it first.<br/><span class="bbc_u">Lieutenants</span> <strong>Giga, Ricky, Steve, Chris, Lilly</strong> Giga, Ricky, Steve, Chris, and Lilly each possess valuable traits in addition to their abilities as raiders. Giga is strong, Ricky is an excellent scout, Chris is unfailingly loyal, and Lilly is really great in the sack.<br/><span class="bbc_u">Valuable Members</span> <strong>Warren</strong> He’s a medic which is always useful. But his recent lack of focus has caused him to fall just a bit below the other major members of the gang.<br/><span class="bbc_u">Useful Members</span> <strong>Tucker, Matt, well trained dogs </strong> They can be very deadly and rarely aren’t able to carry their own weight<br/><span class="bbc_u">Capable Members</span> <strong>Carl, the occasional semi-feral dog</strong> He’s good at lifting things so long as they aren’t booze or smokes. And he knows how to handle a shotgun<br/><span class="bbc_u">Useless but Protected members</span> <strong>Matt’s pet rock</strong> Matt really likes the little guy and makes sure he’s always protected (since he lives in Matt’s pocket)<br/><span class="bbc_u">Twitch</span> <strong>Twitch</strong>…uhh…yeah….he’s Twitch….<br/></div></div></div></div>