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WOLFSBANE ARTICLE 06: 'STANCES'

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“The difference between an ally and a buddy: one freaks out if you stab it in the back, and the other affectionately returns the favor later on.” ~ Scheidel 'Howitzer' von Eisenhower, to some of his Officers prior to a session of peace talks.





RUNNING WITH THE WRONG CROWD

- Given Wolfsbane's reputation, one might come to an assumption that they don't have anyone to back them up. After all, villains who are so unprincipled that they'd go so far as to target other villains have probably earned themselves the hatred of both the 'good guys' and the 'bad guys'. And everybody else, for that matter. But that is not true. As mentioned in the first Article, and as evidenced in the third, there are Bosses who have steered the Network towards a particular direction. Wolfsbane will never hesitate to deploy the most amoral, underhanded, uncalled-for methods, but only against other 'bad guys'. Damien, Valeria, Scheidel and Gerard have made sure of this. That's not to say the members of the Wolfsbane Syndicate are saints; they aren't. It's just that as long as Dante can be swayed by the four most benevolent Bosses of the Syndicate, the Network will maintain their disposition towards any forces considered 'villainous'.

- How, then, is a faction determined as 'villainous'?

- First, it must have a lack of morals, or have morals that are utterly corrupt. A barbarian lord trying to conquer universes for the sake of it is no more in view of Wolfsbane crosshairs than a cult trying to sacrifice innocents for the 'greater good'. In cases where there are more 'shades of grey' in the situation than 'black-and-white', the Bosses go to Siegfried. As sickeningly merciless as he is to anything demonic or pagan, or anything not of his species for that matter, Siegfried is proud of his track record: his hands have never been stained by the blood of a fellow human. The Tyrant Inquisitor, despite his title, is known for 'killing the witch and wizard, but saving the woman and man' using a painless process that removes all ability to use magic from the condemned, who are then relocated to a place where Magic doesn't exist, and this is done as humanely as possible. Siegfried, being able to balance morality with rationality, and mercy with fury, is usually the decided factor if the Bosses are divided.

- Second, the faction must be aware of its own choices, and it must make them freely. A civilization being forced to commit heinous acts by an aggressor will be most likely be freed instead of exploited; it will be their taskmasters who will be ripped to shreds by the Network. Mindless plagues or rampant creatures will be still handled, but not with the same sense of purpose or grim determination. An invasive species will usually be annihilated in an instant or trapped in a reserve owned by Wolfsbane, as opposed to being made to suffer for eras. Only those who choose to commit wrongdoings of their own volition are fair game; seeing them without someone to point fingers at is probably the best part of bringing them down.

- Third, potential targets must utilize methods that are recognizably base, vile and cruel. This is where a bit of hypocrisy occurs, and the Bosses are equal parts unashamed and sheepish when confronted with it. Nevertheless, they continue their judgement. As Dante has stated, they are not here to relate to anyone, much less change them for the better. Wolfsbane means to prey on those who are of a similar breed, and if that does not sit well with their victims, then it's just too bad. In a way, it's a taste of their own medicine.

- Fourth, but not least, victims must not be human. Wolfsbane has a terrifyingly-strict policy concerning actions taken against 'fellow humans', and the usual four Bosses are responsible for this. What is 'human' in the eyes of the Wolfsbane Syndicate is something they keep to themselves, but it appears that all its members are unified on the topic. So far, the Network has caused zero collateral damage to 'people of their kind'. Even when cramming an amalgam of Existences into a harvesting package, all humans that would have been affected are transfered to 'safe havens' within the Doorway Layer. Wolfsbane will punish other human factions if they commit a serious offense, but such retaliation never results in a single death. Memories and databases may be tampered with, powers and capabilities removed, resources and assets drained, leaders and followers imprisoned, but lives are certainly not taken.

- If a subject on the Bosses' minds is unlucky enough to meet all the qualifications listed above, then it is immediately placed onto Wolfsbane's 'Hit List'. No holds barred, no sleep lost. But what about everybody else, or those who might only meet one of the criteria?

- Enter the Chart of Associations, Pending. Also known as the Wolfsbane CAP.




POLITICS AND POLICIES

- Scheidel and Valeria designed this strange method of classification after playing too many games of tic-tac-toe with Masserian. The CAP consists of nine stances Wolfsbane may take towards a party. Labels from the CAP are handed out solely at the whim of the Bosses, with Scheidel having the biggest say, followed by Dante, then by Gerard, and then by Zhao. Labels take form of three letters accompanied either by a 'one', a 'two', or a 'three'.

- It is important to know that these Labels depend on where they are being applied from. Bosses Manifesting within a THRESHOLDS will not view others through the same 'lens' as they would if they had instead Manifested within a FOOTHOLDS, or their Fringe Empires.

- The 'C' Labels: Namely, C-1, C-2, and C-3. In the same order, they stand for 'Comrade', 'Coexist', and 'Contender'. These statuses determine how Wolfsbane looks at another faction. 'C' Labels are all about the relationship styles and mechanics of the Network with a different party. These Labels hinge on a faction's disposition towards Wolfsbane. 'Comrades' are those with a 'friendly' disposition. 'Coexist' Labels apply to factions who have a 'neutral' disposition. 'Contenders' are those who have a 'hostile' disposition.

- The 'P' Labels: Namely, P-1, P-2, and P-3. In the same order, they stand for 'Parasite', 'Patron', and 'Prey'. These statuses determine how Wolfsbane will be treating another faction. 'P' Labels are all about what the interactions that will happen between the Network and a different party. These Labels hinge on what Wolfsbane wants or needs. 'Parasites' are aided, no strings attached. 'Patrons' will be dealt with as if they are business partners. 'Prey' are consumed; some quickly, some slowly, some without knowing it.

- The 'S' Labels: Namely, S-1, S-2, and S-3. In the same order, they stand for 'Serious', 'Serene', and 'Shirk'. These statuses determine how important Wolfsbane sees another faction. 'S' Labels are all about the significance of a different party to the Network and its many members. These Labels hinge on the Bosses' collective decisions. 'Serious' Labels are assigned to factions that the Bosses feels needs most of their attention. 'Serene' factions are held on a more casual regard. 'Shirk' means exactly what it sounds like.

- Combinations of 'C', 'P', and 'S' Labels will produce the basic stance of Wolfsbane concerning anything from a nation to an entity. This opens up a variety of unique plays between the Network and whoever meets them, as opposed to a linear 'Friendly' to 'Hostile' Ranking System. Not all enemies are to be destroyed. Many times, it's better to feed a foe and have it unwittingly perform the dirty work. Many times, allies are more useful as rocket fuel than frontline fighters or resource traders. A starving tribe in some dark corner of the universe could be more significant than a multidimensional empire; make no mistake, the Network is more than capable of dismissing the latter as a mere afterthought. Point is, no matter the Label Combination, all plays to the benefit and advantage of the Bosses.

- Speaking of whom, the twelve members of the Wolfsbane Syndicate are not above meeting the leaders of other factions in person, and no one displays this more than Scheidel.





VISITS FROM A HOWITZER

- While his Officials, Officers and Operatives do their fair share of ambassador work, Scheidel feels that venturing forth himself is common courtesy. It is for this reason that the great majority of Wolfsbane Manifestation Protocols are directed by Valeria and Vidan for his use. It's not like the kid has no clue as to what he'd doing, even if that's what it looks like from first impressions. Coupled with his young age, his innocent looks, trustworthy vibe and guileless charm tend to catch people off guard. And they stay off guard once they discover his sincerity is genuine. Scheidel does not lack authority, despite appearing hopelessly out of place in every conference he attends. His tone has a firmness that is clear and earnest, and everyone who calls for an audience with him soon learn to listen well when he speaks, for the other Bosses support their Ambassador by making sure his words, and consequently his integrity, are kept.

- That's not so say Scheidel is incapable of pulling the wool over anyone's eyes. When under the direct order of Dante, who may employ a special veto against any honest politics, Scheidel can instantly tailor his words to be half-truths. What he says, he still means; it's just that there is another meaning hidden underneath the first. This isn't something that the young Eisenhower takes pleasure in, but when the top dog of Wolfsbane commands that someone is to be fooled, Scheidel must obey. The line is drawn at war crimes, though, and Scheidel refuses to commit them, period. Siegfried, while a saint to humans, is a butcher to everything else. The Howtizer of Wolfsbane is both willing and capable of defending himself or his comrades, but it is sure that if Siegfried cannot motivate his brother to partake in atrocities, then not even a death threat from Dante will.

- Every first visit from Scheidel results in him requesting the symbol of a faction. If it doesn't have one, Scheidel will make one for them. A flag is then constructed from the symbol and hung in the central room of a Wolfsbane Embassy, wherever those may appear.





EXAMPLES AND EXCEPTIONS

- The following are factions that hail from the Target Zone of Firstgate-Earth, except where stated otherwise. While there are a total of twenty-seven different Labels that may be applied to the countless organizations, civilizations, and persons that Wolfsbane has met, only 10 instances will be mentioned. More may be added, if seen fit.

- [C1-P3-S3] The Conglomerate of Elementals: When a nation is harassed by raiders, it will understandably bear resentment against them. Curiously, this is not the case with the Conglomerate of Elementals. Theirs is a society that firmly believes 'natural selection' to be a sacred phenomenon. This is why whenever Operatives of Firstgate-Earth show up to kidnap Elementals, they are treated as necessary predators that weed out the 'weak' and 'infirm', leaving only the 'strong' to breed. Wolfsbane acknowledges this and keeps raids to a minimum, ensuring it has a renewable resource to visit indefinitely. If Operatives were to disrupt Elemental populations through over-hunting, they would most likely turn hostile as opposed to simply putting up a good fight. The C1-P3-S3 Label denotes a faction that Wolfsbane intends to use as a resource despite its friendliness, but harvests are sporadic at best.

- [C2-P2-S1] The World Incarnates: Before the Officials of Firstgate-Earth set about populating the Doorway Layer with sentient planets, it had to tailor said planets to mimic those of the Target Zone. This wouldn't be too much of a big deal within the FHD Layer, which could be customized at will, but the Doorway Layer had to be as similar to the Target Zone as possible. Lots of scouts were sent out, and they discovered the World Incarnates. This spacefaring species of intelligent, living worlds were on the run from a hypernova that devastated their asteroid 'grazing pastures' in an otherwise lifeless galaxy. Wolfsbane granted them a place in the Doorway Layer, and in return the World Incarnates allow the Network to conduct harmless experiments on them. The C2-P2-S1 Label denotes a faction getting back as much as they give to Wolfsbane, and such peaceful coexistence is no joke to either party.

- [C3-P2-S1] The 'Hercules Supercluster' Mob: Wolfsbane has never stated that they were the only 'Super Syndicate' out there. There are loads of other organizations that qualify as spacefaring, multidimensional, cosmic, or beyond-ultimate. On that note, Wolfsbane has never stated that they have an equal or superior in their field of expertise. There will always be a mafia that will beg to differ, like the one ruling a big collection of galaxies within the Target Zone. The Network has put on a submissive facade for them, hiding the fact that it is setting a trap. Simply destroying this Mob wouldn't have been satisfying enough, so a plot is underway to break its 'mind' and 'body' in one go, while using its own forces against itself instead of Wolfsbane's. The C3-P2-S1 Label denotes a rival faction powerful enough to make Wolfsbane get along with it. Such a Label, of course, can be applied under pretenses.

- [C1-P3-S3] The Khar'tai Black Market: Along with the 'Hercules Supercluster' Mob, there is another major player in the crime underworld within the Target Zone of Firstgate-Earth. The Khar'tai Black Market is a trading enterprise that stretches through several multiverses, and their Modus Operandi is the vending of 'illegal goods' to whoever has enough to buy them. Wolfsbane's very own Merchant Grid were the first to make contact with them, but while the greedy Presidents of the Khar'tai salivated from all ten mouths at the prospect of working with a potential client, the Network never gave them a second thought. Undeterred, the Khar'tai Black Market has yet to cease from sending their salespeople to Wolfsbane with invitations. The C1-P3-S3 Label denotes a spurned friendly faction that Wolfsbane has a mind to exterminate, but is so insignificant that none in the Network have bothered to try.

- [C3-P1-S2] The Grandest Protectorate: An omnipotent 'police force' of sorts that patrols all existences. It has been chasing Wolfsbane ever since their first heist. The Network would normally have stuffed them headfirst into a Theoncell for being equal parts sufficiently-annoying and sufficiently-valuable. Valeria decided against it, convincing Dante and Zhao by pointing at something the Protectorate would do on their way to bringing Wolfsbane to justice: clean-up. As Wolfsbane leaves a trail of destruction on its path to obtaining a victim, the Protectorate is forced to fix the mess, sending relief to the survivors. They always try to take evidence of Wolfsbane's crimes, but the Adobo CORPS always steals it away, making court trials impossible to win. The C3-P1-S2 Label denotes an enemy faction that Wolfsbane supports nonchalantly, usually using them as unwitting tools to further its own goals.

- [C2-P3-S1] The Primal Manaborn: Creatures made of the purest Magic, even more so than that of Genies. Defying reason and knowledge, the Primal Manaborn are 'one thousand percent' Magic. They are wild, untamed entities, and it their uncontrollable nature that led them to getting on Wolfsbane's bad side. The Network had promised aid to refugees to an Earth at a distant Existence, and were it not for the untimely appearance of a Triptych, they would have arrived on time. Long story short, several of the Primal Manaborn got to the humans before Wolfsbane did, eating all of them. Now, these rare beings are hunted without mercy. They have scattered everywhere, but Wolfsbane gives chase, gutting them cruelly to retrieve the humans they devoured. The C2-P3-S1 Label denotes a faction trying whose attempts at coexistence have been denied, and Wolfsbane has made their elimination a priority.

- [C2-P1-S2] The Everwandering: Wolfsbane, by its own admission, isn't very good at making friends, but it does make them. The Everwandering are a transcendent race of aliens who reached a state of 'enlightenment' and now seek to explore the endless reaches of the cosmos at large. They have no aim but to observe new places and meet new people. They are a well-behaved and harmonious bunch. With the exception of Wolfsbane territories, the Everwandering are able to visit any realm. They do have an inability to protect themselves from anything on the same 'level' of existence, and they are way too chatty to keep secrets. But, as these 'Old Ones' are sources of lighthearted tales, Wolfsbane has no qualms with entertaining them, acting as their guardians, and overlooking their non-human state. The C2-P1-S2 label denotes a pacifistic faction that Wolfsbane vouches for, but without urgency.

- [C3-P3-S2] The Xeyakil Torrent: What many don't know about the Outer Gods of Lovecraftian Mythos is that they are but one 'genus' among many of Cosmic Monstrosities. There are gigantic ecosystems of such creatures, some conterminous with more than just Reality or Unreality. A counterpart of the Outer Gods are the Xeyakil; they too drive insane lesser beings who gaze upon them, but they are more 'bony vegetation' than they are 'misshaped, chaotic blobs', but this is not certain as they too can have many other forms. They also have a penchant for snacking on Outer Gods who stray too close. What has driven Operatives of Firstgate-Earth to attack them is not an order from their Bosses, but the need for a good sport. Basically, the Xeyakil are being hunted for fun. The C3-P3-S2 Label denotes a faction that is hostile to Wolfsbane, and the Network repays this in kind on a casual basis.

- [C1-P3-S1] The Fallen Imperium: Once a great empire of humanity from an Alternate Reality within Firstgate-Earth's Target Zone. Formerly called the Valorous Imperium, this omniversal titan was engaged by the Xeyakil Torrent not too long ago, and despite fielding technology and numbers that were Cosmic in their own right, it just could not cope with a foe that could feed on Elder Pantheons with horrifying ease. All hope was lost when the Network stated that it too would start devouring them. But then, Wolfsbane's threats never played out. It simply took to beating away all who would make off with its 'Prey'. Wolfsbane declared that it alone had the right to consume the Fallen Imperium, and any who dared infringe on their claim would pay. The C1-P3-S1 Label denotes a friendly faction that Wolfsbane plans to finish off. As seen with the Mob, however, Labels can be applied under a pretense.

- [C1-P1-S1] The SWORDS: Also known as the Settled Wolfsbane 'Outermost Rogue Detachment' States, these former FENS possess a special deal with Wolfsbane via the SHIELDS Treaty. This ironclad agreement protects the SWORDS and their assets from forces that clearly outmatch them, in exchange for a few 'cosmetic' conditions. Because they don't pay any real tribute, they are evaluated as 'Parasite' by the CAP. However, even if the SWORDS are technically the Network's trash, that doesn't mean Scheidel and Tala are above taking care of them. They had served their purpose well, and the very least Wolfsbane could do is show some appreciation to them for it. In turn, the SWORDS are more than willing to provide their services whenever asked. The C1-P1-S1 Label denotes a faction that Wolfsbane has taken under its wing, and the latter will uphold its bargain to the former with great care.

- The other two members of the Ternion are the only ones exempt from the CAP. The Unhidden Grim Renaissance and the Azegan Hegemony are beyond the evaluation of the Bosses. They and the Network are so closely knit with each other, their ties so strong, their power so equaled, that the three are practically one organization.





WOLFSBANE SERIES

ARTICLE 01: rafael-domination.deviantart.c…
ARTICLE 02: rafael-domination.deviantart.c…
ARTICLE 03: rafael-domination.deviantart.c…
ARTICLE 04: rafael-domination.deviantart.c…
ARTICLE 05: rafael-domination.deviantart.c…
ARTICLE 06: YOU ARE HERE
ARTICLE 07: rafael-domination.deviantart.c…
ARTICLE 08: rafael-domination.deviantart.c…
ARTICLE 09: rafael-domination.deviantart.c…
ARTICLE 10: rafael-domination.deviantart.c…

APPENDIX 01: rafael-domination.deviantart.c…
APPENDIX 02: rafael-domination.deviantart.c…
APPENDIX 03: rafael-domination.deviantart.c…
APPENDIX 04: rafael-domination.deviantart.c…
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meloa789's avatar
Will you make stories abou these acquaintances, not just about the ones you mentioned here, but also the others?