The Black Vultures are one of the eight major member tribes of the Raider Alliance, a strange nomadic people from deep in old-world Mexico, who speak a tongue and follow traditions unknown in New California since the time of the Great War.
Background[]
The Black Vultures originate from a mix of Mexican tribals and raiders and a lost expedition from Shady Sands led by NCR founder Aradesh in search of Vault 13. While transporting a pair of golden statues of the "Twin Mothers," one of which was of the "Madre" (a patron saint of death,) his caravan was attacked and destroyed in Yuma by raiders calling themselves "buitres negros" - the original Black Vultures. Among them was a guard named Atl Irepani from Two Sun, who was poisoned by a raider "witch" and left for dead. He survived as if by a miracle, coming upon the destroyed caravan and surviving thanks to water from the destroyed caravan pooled at the Madre statue's feet. When the raiders came back for the statues and found him, they believed him to be unkillable, and took him and the statue of Madre to their homeland deep in Mexico. Espousing his beliefs and teaching others to "give to the Madre" along the way, Irepani slowly gained a large "flock" of a thousand Vultures and equally as many enemies. Irepani became the Prophet of the Black Vultures, a role he did not want but dedicated himself to regardless, shaping them under the ways of his Madre.
Their numbers were bolstered by a group of "Farsi" (Persians) from Shady Sands who had come to Mexico long before them, but had also since forgotten their origins, even believing Aradesh to be a place rather than a person. Hassan Al'Hashr, the Vultures' current effective warlord in the Raider Alliance, originated from this group.
Eventually, the tribe left their home in central Mexico and traced the path of their ancestors back to New California. Unfortunately, they fell afoul of NCR expansion, and were imprisoned by order of President Tandi. After languishing in NCR work camps for years, they were broken out in Juan Maxson-Elsdragon's raid on Tibbets Prison, joining his Raider Alliance as willing slaves in order to pay the perceived debt they owe him. However, other small groups of Black Vultures are indicated to still be hiding within NCR territory. Nevertheless, driven from their homes, the Vultures have largely devolved into nothing more than murderers, thieves, and drug addicts forced into raiding to get by, knowing nothing of their past but legends and misinterpretations.
Society and organization[]
To the inhabitants of the Core Region, the Black Vultures are a strange people with strange customs, wearing pre-War leather biker outfits laced with black feathers, and fighting in a vicious style that involves surrounding enemy settlements and screaming to lower their morale. The Black Vultures speak old Mexican Spanish, which they call "Espanola." Members of the tribe follow a syncretic mix of old-world religions and old Mexican folk beliefs, the names of which are long forgotten. Chiefly, they revere a mysterious Prophet and a skeletal woman whom they call the "Madre."
Their society highly values loyalty, honor, and oaths, considering themselves willing slaves to Elsdragon for his aid in escaping the NCR. The Vultures organize themselves as many separate "flocks" and thus do not have traditional ranks or a single warlord, instead with each flock having its own structure. However, certain members (such as Atl Irepani or Hassan Al'Hashr) have more influence than others due to their conviction and strength of faith, and thus are effectively seen as higher leaders.
Notable members[]
- Hassan Al'Hashr
- Atl Irepani
- Tanok
Notes[]
- The Black Vultures follow a syncretic mixture of Islam and Hinduism (practiced by Aradesh) originating from the multicultural inhabitants of Vault 15, mixed with Mexican biker and gang culture, specifically reverence of Nuestra Señora de la Santa Muerte.