Nickname: "Indies."
Hundreds of minor tribes populate the wilderzone, constantly fighting for precious space among the relatively few livable planets or filling a niche in the wilderzone’s economy. Some indies ally themselves with the Great Tribes, sometimes even joining them. However, most of these small tribes are just as proud and independent as the Four, so alliances are usually somewhat prone to flux.
Most indies can only field about 10,000 warriors under the best conditions. Only coalitions of indies are capable of challenging one of the Four, and only then in a limited conflict, since to draw the ire of one of the Four is a dangerous thing. Nevertheless, these so-called "lesser" tribes frequently bloody warriors of the Four in small-scale conflicts and raids.