Dire Wolf

**Dire Wolf** is a mercenary faction with origins in the Lylat system, and is a splinter group of Star Wolf. It is run by female Pacahtuk mercenary and bounty hunter Difret Degwesk.

## History

Originally a reset of a disbanded Star Wolf in 3036, Difret led the faction in several campaigns against various criminal groups throughout the Lylat and Glade systems. They also partook in the nexite market in the latter star system until that market collapsed in early 3039.

When Valcrist O'Donnell returned to the galactic scene in 3038 and reformed his variant of Star Wolf, an infuriated Difret declared a rivalry -- albeit one that was centered in melodrama rather than actual violence.

Difret's Star Wolf went missing in February 3040, but returned two months later, having rebranded as Dire Wolf. Despite the name change, Difret and Valcrist continued to bicker enthusiastically anytime they came within earshot of one another, although hostilities were usually started by Difret.

In 3045, Dire Wolf officially moved to the Glade system. This was due to the thriving underworld activity there and potential for business, as well as the depletion of criminal groups in Lylat. Another draw was the reported existence of alien facilities buried deep beneath the surface of Glade 7 and other worlds in the system. Due to their dramatically-increased distance from the Lylat system, as well as the dissolution of both Star Fox and Star Wolf in subsequent years, Difret's hostility toward the members of both groups faded into history.

Dire Wolf are stationed in a subterranean base in the icy Lometa mountains of Glade 7, modeled closely after their previous base near Lylat. Sujet got a new and improved containment chamber, initially with a 40% success rate but now 0% since he vanished completely in 3049.

## Description

### Motives

Dire Wolf operates under a Lawful Neutral morality, within the context of following their own code and nobody else's. This can sometimes lead them into working within the local laws, and sometimes without. As long as their group stands to benefit from something, the law beyond their own comes second.

They vie for power and money as their primary motives, and they consider everything in their sights to be "theirs." They do, however, zealously (and melodramatically) defend what they consider to be theirs. If they aren't actively picking on mafiosos, gangs, or other destructive groups, they are doing their best to gather information about those groups.

Owing to their roots in Star Wolf, they once considered Star Fox to be a rival faction and spared no expense when it came to throwing insults and the occasional prank, although violent encounters were practically nonexistent. As of 3060 and the revival of Star Fox, the rivalry has been replaced with teasing and some harmless pranks.

### Culture

Despite their rough-and-tumble nature in public, Dire Wolf members have a familial reverence for one another. As many of them did not have families, or lost them, they see each other as surrogates. Difret makes sure each member is well taken care of with provisions, amenities, health, and fair pay. If one member is injured or otherwise distressed, the others act as a support group.

Betrayal is severely frowned upon and, depending on circumstances, can result in a swift but survivable beating, or a lengthy lecture from Difret (a beating may be preferable depending on her mood). If the betrayal is non-malicious, the accused is accepted back into the family with a measure of probation to be considered, and perhaps a short stay in the Bag of Shame (literally just a large burlap bag in a corner). A malicious betrayal will result in death or being sold to Riesel's black market, although such a betrayal has yet to occur.

### Equipment

Dire Wolf went back to using its original flagship in 3047, a militarized Riesel Trunklines *Dumbbell*-class RT-H225 heavy freighter christened as the *Space and Wolf*. A battle in the same year had damaged their newer Mercantile Craft Office *Ambassador*-class hoop frigate, the *Wolf or Consequences,* to the point of needing extensive structural repairs. Difret's benefactors on Riesel allowed a trade-in, having kept the *Space and Wolf* in a storage hangar.

The *Space and Wolf's* large storage bays are suitable for holding a small handful of starfighters and several self-assembling droneships. During her Star Wolf years, Difret had a variant of the *Wolfen* developed through private channels on Riesel, a sleeker ring-wing design called the *Wolfen Ringer* that can be piloted physically or remotely. They are simply called *Ringers* now.

After participating in the June 26, 3040 mission to rescue Katina Hawksby from the Animas Empire, Dire Wolf ended up with a new ship, the *Spooky Bullet*. The ship had been provided by Difret in which to mount Shul Kro's bassnium drive, making it possible to precision-jump into the Animas space station's prison section.

### Power structure

Ranks are more arbitrary in Dire Wolf than in other groups, largely because of its relatively small size. A rank denotes responsibilities rather than being able to command those of lesser rank. Regardless of rank, everyone answers to Difret. If Difret is absent, command transfers to Lieutenant Captain Hisapjol Klizilua on the *Space and Wolf*, and Chief Base Officer Phuthoe Phojueu in Lometa Base.

### Lometa Base

Aside from the flagship, Dire Wolf is based in a terrestrial fortress called Lometa Base. It serves as a dock for the *Space and Wolf* and a depot for fuel, supplies, ammunition, and residence. Lometa Base is located in the Lometa mountains of Glade 7. It is presided by Chief Base Officer Phuthoe Phojueu.

### Flag

Dire Wolf's flag consists of four chief colors: black, red, blue, and gold. Black represents the vast reaches of space and thus the infinite ambitions of Dire Wolf. Blue represents the common blue tint of inhabited worlds, as well as Dire Wolf's investment in such worlds. The red manifests as a diagonal stripe running from bottom-left to upper-right (a heraldic *bend sinister*), representing passion and blood, and binding space and worlds. A gold silhouette of a wolf head sits in the center of the flag: the wolf representing a dire wolf from Earth's distant past, and ferocity; and the gold representing honor and value. Two white stars sit in the upper-left corner and represent Dire Wolf's two primary bases of operation: the Lylat system and the Glade system.

### Name

Difret switched from Star Wolf to Dire Wolf due to what she considered a public relations debacle. She found herself being persistently annoyed by people mistaking her Star Wolf with Valcrist's. Her direction of the group had taken them further and further away from the original purpose of Wolf O'Donnell's Star Wolf, and her escalating frustration of Valcrist O'Donnell led her to believe that the name had become irredeemably tainted.

During her return on April 23, 3040, she declared, "Keep your team name, *Valcrisp*. We've matured into something better than Wolf O'Donnell could have ever imagined! WE are the trailblazers of the future and we will NOT let him or his bloodline hold us back! Buuuut we're keeping our original logo and half the name. It's a reference to the savage direwolves of Earth's distant past, NOT the weaklings who befriended Star Fox. Did you know direwolves were the size of elephants and could eat entire herds of cattle? Totally us."

She was promptly laughed at by almost everyone present, but she kept her head high with the knowledge that she had made the right decision, and the reasonable assumption that Deckard Cain's history lesson on direwolves had been accurate.

## Motto

As per Difret's brand of enthusiastic morale-boosting, she established the following motto for her team:

*Prepare for attack you cannot deflect!*

*From behind a corner, we'll snap your neck!*

*Beating every moron into the dust!*

*Submit now or your head we will bust!*

*To gather the treasures of the stars*

*And claim everything that is none but ours!*

*Ready! Set!*

*A beating you'll get!*

*You will be entangled*

*In Dire Wolf's net!*

## Products and services

Dire Wolf boasts a variety of services and product offerings.

### Astrogational escort service

The faction can be hired to escort clients through hazardous routes and to dangerous destinations.

### Security consulting

Need a building cleared of thugs? Did a mafia move in next door? Does someone you hate need to stop existing? Is an entire countryside needing to be landscaped into a new lake with speed in mind? Dire Wolf offers this and more.

### Pest control

Two-legged pests aren't the only thing Dire Wolf can handle. If insects, rodents, and other vermin are a problem, Dire Wolf can be relied upon to fix the problem. The company also handles metaphysical pests and anomalies thanks to their cooperation with Aaltice scientists.

### Products

A civilian subsection of Dire Wolf operates the Fire Wolf Steakhouse and Bakery chain of restaurants. Founded in Corneria City in 3042, it was initially a means of providing a more positive and personable image to Dire Wolf in the eyes of Cornerians, as well as an outlet for Lieutenant Captain Voban Floovy's emerging culinary prowess. As the restaurant's popularity swelled to unprecedented levels, Floovy resigned from his rank as Lieutenant Captain and shifted to Specialist - Civilian Interface to focus his energy on maintaining and expanding the restaurant, just before Dire Wolf's departure for the Glade system in 3045. As of 3061, it now has 24 locations in 11 star systems. Floovy frequently corresponds with Tewoon Degwesk of Degwesk Culinarium, and they sometimes do cross-business events.

## Roster

### Crew of the Space and Wolf

* Captain: Difret Degwesk (female Pacahtuk)
* Lt. Captain: Hisapjol Klizilua (male Labaxol)
* Astrogator: Hisapjol Klizilua
* Officer: Numont Madrisk (male Pacahtuk)
* Specialist/Sniper: Fauren Daria (male Lylatian Fennec)
* Specialist/Support: Venali (female Saurian Cloudrunner)
* Basic Crew/Gunner: Havo Bxrothi (male Liahudi), Seleebyo Zelrovo (female Oex'Sunel), Aaupie Weuhud (female Nanoritt)
* Pilot: Laef Regafaw (male Yaroca), Bonthr Tikrand (male Aaltice), Tabanaki Hajalot (male Chescaum)
* Chief Engineer: Vizagruska "Viza" Michulep (female Dalimet)
* Engineer: Qrild Vamanbyh (male Aaltice)
* Scientist: Acohama Forsando (male Attulca)
* Chef: Rasqu Fexaxae (female Nanoritt)
* Medic: Plocrielle Decdephad (female Cejatab)
* Ship AI: Enove

### Crew of Lometa Base

* Chief Base Officer: Phuthoe Phojueu (female Skiwokinax)
* Steward: Bris Eban Tecothaco (female Sarskio), Gystret Trantisk (male Pacahtuk)
* Engineer: Crovitarav Caicuv (male Genucro), Ceh Leenen (male Unyatem)
* Chief Scientist: Kroggnar Throkworg (male Orc)
* Scientist (Geology): Wost Pealai (female Fesstra)
* Scientist (Radiology): Oukyad a'Tsotsulk (male Ostayun)
* Chef: Lasceso Otesca (male Nitelza)
* Medic: Bris Eban Tecothaco, Zeenee Taetuuni (male Keetopi)
* Combat Janitor/Pilot: Gurb-Gurb (male Micaya)
* Spy/DJ/Positive Influence: Srykka (female Micaya)
* Coffee Matron/Mechanic: Krykka (female Micaya)
* Micaya Super-Defense: Zuk-Ruk, Agloi, Trombu (all male)
* Aaltice metascience consultant: Vatennvas Rakonza (male Aaltice)
* Glade biology consultant: Osiey Neerox (female Oex'Sunel)
* Support AI Units: Kwen, Ienzi

### Crew of Fire Wolf Steakhouse

* Manager/Head Chef: Voban Floovy (male Lylatian Fennec)
* Asst. Manager: Friqwo Delaq Faqoei Viximaq (male Kafroy)
* Consultant: Tewoon Degwesk (female Pacahtuk)

## OOC

Dire Wolf could be likened to Team Rocket of Pokemon. They claim to be *the* quintessential group of merry marauding thugs. Despite their threatening facade, they end up doing far more good than bad. Their presence in Etoile is meant to be mostly comedic with a serious side.