NPCs are not soulless automatons

NPCs are egregore-controlled humans, they still have an independent mind but their mind is enslaved and used as a tool for expressing the egregore mind, like a two-way radio channel.
see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egregore
Its possible to disrupt the link to egregore by subversive thought insertion(aka memes), allowing the original mind to assert its will and independent thought. The egregore can't focus on multiple mental challenges simultaneously and the "radio channel" has limited capacity.
NPCs can be reformed to PCs.

>>155

The idea that centralized states can defeat bands of warriors is laughable and proven wrong throughout history.

Properly organized armies of centralized states/empires have more resources and manpower to overwhelm bands/tribes. Very few exceptions like the Mongols(who built their own centralized empire) exist, in most cases the tribe will lose a war with a state unless it has huge technological/demographic resource.
Modern wars exist within a framework of human rights and Geneva convention, so it leaves an impression a weaker, smaller side in the conflict can survive a war. Its an illusion of course, just a few hours of targeted bombing of civilian centers will destroy it.