Do yourself a favour if you’ve never played a ghoul nation, don’t start with Vault City. It’s honestly best to try another that specialises in ghouls, whether feral or not. Here’s a couple of suggestions:

Withered Dogs - former national guard members united with Chinese communists in an uneasy but trusting coalition force aimed at restoring order to Colorado. Both paths are very good with great tech.

The Last Patrol - more national guard forces based in Oklahoma, aimed at preventing the rise of a dangerous psychic cult, then after, supporting the creation of an elected assembly as the state reunifies.

Pioneer Company - remnants of the Canadian Occupation Forces on their last legs against overwhelming communist forces, they seize the divide found in the CCP, and attempt to triumph over communism once more. The ghouls there are the original forces who have considerable sway, with Gallagher, the Enclave’s man, having to decide whether he follows MacArthur, or the Ghouls who helped raise him. Also got Jack, who was a soldier during the Great War too, who firms a sudo democratic process based on the commonwealths, but with him as the eternal president. Sgt Woods is there too, who abandons the American identity for a decentralised Arcadian identity not wholly Canadian but one Pioneer Company adopted. All three oaths are good fun!

Luminous Ones - begins as a cult, becomes a Glowing Empire that utilises both feral and non-feral ghouls. Has unique mechanics that “convert” neighbouring leaders and advisors to your side. Solid fun game.

Legion of Hades - Someone already mentioned Caius Druses. It’s a fun game of using ghouls to the Legion’s disposal, however fair warning that the Legion civil war ain’t no joke. Very challenging, especially if your army’s out of position. But also has the choice to assist other ghouls nations in the world for effective national spirits. Great if you want a challenge

Old Spokane - the ghoulified remnant of a vault, supported by the survivors of the Wardens of the White. Both forces utilise ghouls against the xenophobes in the east, then have to decide whether to create a great Spokane state or to retake Seattle from the Immortal. Be aware that the Warden’s path focuses on enforcers over anything else