Would it be possible to do the Grounder culture a bit differently since the 100 are landing in a different location than in the show? Here are the ideas I had in mind:
Though they are primitive in some ways (no use of metal or other artificial materials such as plastics, etc.) they have a very sophisticated understanding of ecology, biology, Permaculture, biomimetics, selective breeding, and other "earth sciences." They also have an "alchemical" science/"magic" that incorporates things like synthesizing insect pheremones to
get them to make stuff for the tribe, and the use of natural hallucinogens like ayahuasca and magic mushrooms for illumination, ritual, community bonding, and spirituality (no actual "paranormal powers" unless there are canon psychic abilities etc. in the show).
They are not vicious savages, but they will respond with ferocity toward the 100 (I'm deducing that they're the antagonists for the 100 :) ) because from their point of view the Consumers/Insatiables (what they call the people of the prior technological civilization and the survivors who remain in the Prison of the Insatiables, a.k.a. the Ark)
destroyed the world, and are thus the enemies of all Life.
In their history/mythology, the Consumers practiced a dark sorcery beginning with the smelting of metal (i.e., making of things that do not grow by consuming more energy than the Sun and Life provides naturally), then began to "drink the blood of the Earth" and ravage Her biosphere. When they had ravenously gobbled all they could, they fought each other over what little was left. It is said that the Insatiables heralded as their greatest triumph, that they could launch themselves into the starry void riding great fiery spears, and live entirely by their dark magic, without being interdependent with the rest of the community of Life. When they threatened to destroy all in their greed and savagery, the Earth-goddess Gya said, 'You say that you can destroy all life and yet live? Therefore, you are expelled from My embrace and the Tribes of the Living! So that women and men will never again follow in your path, behold, I shall grant you your desire: you shall live within the lifeless cages of your own making! Never more shall you grow endlessly in numbers and wealth; you would not live within the limits of My bounty; therefore, you shall live within the limits of the Void-prison you have fashioned for yourselves. Never shall you know the joy of a sunny day, never shall you run or dance without walls! You who would be rich without limit, shall now be poor without limit!
"Your prison shall cross the sky forever as a rootless and wandering star, forever traveling but never reaching Home, for neither Earth nor Void nor Stars will have you. And women and men shall look upon your prison as it crosses the sky in its endless and never-satisfied seeking, and they will know not to follow your path of abomination. So shall it be for all days!"
As a result, it is forbidden to use fire, smelt metal, etc. (though they have other ways of making strong materials, such as blades crafted from silk thread and resin, a composite material similar in strength and lightness to carbon fiber), but they are free to develop "technologies" modeled after life and ecological principles. Another reason they have for refusing to use fire is to remain hidden from the hungry eyes of the Insatiables and any remaining drone aircraft from the War that might exist (if only in myth and superstition). This explains why the Ark has not detected them by their campfires, hence why the Council doesn't already know that Earth is habitable (unless they do?).
The Grounders (they'll need a name of their own, I'll think of something ;) ) are very close-knit and communal among their own kind, and peaceful toward other tribes (if they exist) whenever possible. War almost destroyed all life, so they view it as an abomination. The big exception to their peaceful demeanor would be anyone who visibly uses the technology of the Consumers beyond the simplest forms of salvage and repurposing (i.e., tearing apart an electric motor to make copper necklaces from the wire: suspicious but tolerable; trying to make the motor
run again: desist, or we fight). Robots, drones, or any other self-powered machinery is also considered anathema, and subject to attack at the earliest strategically and tactically sound convenience.
They do train and practice for war. In part, to provide release for humans' natural inclinations toward violence, in part to be ready should any Consumers escape the Prison of the Insatiables (that's basically the sort of thing they scare their children with: "If you don't stop being bad, the Consumers will come and EAT you!"), or any remaining War Machines etc. show up.
Nutshell: I'm trying to make the Grounders not soulless Orc savages/Proud Warrior Race Guys, but still (presumably) enemies of the 100. :) Perhaps if/when they kill a 100 (NPC, presumably), instead of "Your fight is over!" they'll say "Your hunger is sated!" as their gloat-line. :)
What do you think?
BTW, what is the climate like? From the animated gif at the top of the page, I'm guessing jungle, but if it's desert, temperate wilderness, crumbling urban ruins, or something else, please let me know, as it will figure prominently in my selection of character picture and other things. :)