Alpha pair
The Alpha pair are the leaders of the pack, the male is often a little more dominant over the female, but not always. The Alphas are the ones to make the rules of the pack and are often the ones to enforce it. The Alphas are usually the ones to accept or deny new wolves, though they may pass the responsibility off to another wolf of high status. In many packs the Alpha pair are the only two that are allowed to have pups but with permission others may breed but it is always up to the Alpha pair. The Alpha pair are always the first the eat, their pups are always fed before others, if there is a shortage of food. The Alphas make all the decisions, call meetings and have the final say on promotions and demotions, if someone disobeys the Alphas they may be faced with punishments, banishments or even death.
E l i t e S t a t u s
Beta
The Beta is the wolf placed in second in command, this wolf is usually born into the pack and are old and wise enough to make good decisions. The beta is always chosen by both the Alpha female and male, once they are in agreement the wolf chosen for the position is brought in front of the pack where everyone will either howl their approval or stay silent. In the event of the pack staying silent the chosen wolf must step down and resume their previous role in the pack. In the absense of the Alphas, the Betas are the ones to run the pack. The Betas are given the power to accept or deny new wolves, they are also able to punish wrong doers but are unable to chase wolves out of the pack, nor are the permitted to kill unless it's absolutely necessary. In the event of the Beta taking a mate the wolf he/she has chosen will not be recognized as a Beta but usually holds a certain amount of authority. In rare cases the Alphas may allow the wolf mated to the Beta to become another Beta and share the responsibility of their mate, but in normal circumstances there may only be one Beta.
Gamma
The Gamma wolf acts as an advisor for the Alphas and Betas, and usually hold a respected title over the rest of the pack. They may have done something very honourable to make the Alphas choose them for this position. The Gammas are often chosen to decide punishments for minor offences, usually dealing with younger wolves. Gammas are usually wise, older wolves that have proven themselves to be mature, honest and fair. The Gammas are the third to eat and are usually allowed to mate. In a pack there is usually four Gammas, two male and two female, the two pairs are usually mated but that's not always the case. The Gammas are able to accept new wolves as Outsiders or deny any that they feel are a threat. They are not to demote any wolves for wrong doings but rather place them as Stained Wolves and confine them to a den until the Alphas or Beta have time to deal with the problem.
T h e V a n g u a r d
The Vanguard are wolves placed in charge of each position of the guard. The Zeta, Delta, Sigma and Shaman. These wolves have proven to be the best in the field they have chosen to be part of, they are mature, strong and loyal to the pack and are highly respected among the pack. These wolves are usually allowed to mate and have pups and they are allowed to eat alongside the Gammas, after the Alpha and Beta. There may only be one Elite Guard for each field but it isn't uncommon for the Elite to choose a wolf to be a sort of 'second in command' but the rank is not formal or recognized amongst the Alphas. The Elite guard have the ability to accept new wolves as Outsiders or deny those who they feel is a threat, they may also punish wrong doers with confinement to a den and/or place them as Stained Wolves until the Alphas or Beta sees to the issue.
Zeta Warrior: The Zeta Warrior is the wolf in charge of the Warriors, they are usually larger male wolves though it isn't unheard of for females to be the Zeta. The Zeta is responsible for training Warrior Novies and plan attacks when needed.
Delta Hunter: The Delta hunter is the wolf put in charge of the main hunting party. The Delta has proven they are the fastest and most skilled when it comes to hunting, the Delta leads each hunt with the hunters and train the Hunter Novies.
Sigma Scout: The Sigma scout is the lead tracker in the pack, they must be swift, agile and clever as they are often asked to spy on rival packs. The Sigma leads patrols of the territory and are often chosen to be second in command in major hunts.
Shaman: The Shaman is the lead Healer, this wolf must be exceptionally experienced in the ways of healing and have a good knowledge of herbs and how the body and mind work. The Shaman is often an older female wolf, but not always. The Healers all follow the Shaman and come to her/him for guidance and advice, the Shaman is also respected as a counsellor and often helps the Gammas in decision making among wrong doers.
G u a r d
The guard is a group of wolves that have proven they are loyal, brave and strong. At two years of age each wolf is asked what part of the guard the may want to be part of, Warrior, Hunter, Scout or Healer. Once they have chosen which part of the guard they wish to be in they will be asked to preform a task to prove they have what it takes to excel in the guard. If they succeed they will become Novies, which means in training. Once a Novie turns three they are usually full members of the guard.
Warrior
The warriors are the protectors of the pack, usually large built wolves it is up to them to protect the pack against all threats. Not only must Warriors be strong physically but mentally as well, they must be prepared to kill another wolf, if need be and die for their pack. The Warriors are led by one wolf called The Zeta.
Hunter
The hunters are wolves the excel in hunting. Although all other able bodied wolves are allowed to hunt it takes a special amount of skill and talent to make it into this part of the guard, hunters are always the first choice when it comes to catching prey. The hunters are led by one wolf called The Delta.
Scout
The Scouts are the wolves put in charge of patrolling the territory and chasing off any threats, such as coyotes, cougars and other dangerous creatures. Scouts are also used as spies in times of war and territory battles, they are usually crafty and sly wolves with great speed and stamina. Alphas may even use Scouts to spy on certain wolves they fear may be up to no good in their own pack. The Scouts are led by one wolf called The Sigma.
Healer
A healer is a wolf with knowledge in both the body and mind of a wolf, they also know how to 'heal' wolves using natural ingredients from the forest. Healers are often very wise and spiritual and are highly respected among the pack. The 'Shaman' is the equivalent to a doctor, the Healers the nurses, they go to the Shaman for advice and many times to diagnose a wolf.
High ranking wolves
P r o v i d e r
A provider is basically a pupsitter. A provider is usually a female, they are trusted members of the pack and are trusted to watch the pups while their parents or busy, they are even trusted to watch the Alpha's pups. Providers are so in tuned with the motherly instinct they can often lactate for pups, even if they are not their own or have never had pups in their life. During the breeding season, Providers are rarely asked upon to do any chores or other duties among the pack and are usually served high quality food. Not every wolf can make it as a Provider, the wolf must be exceptionally patient and gentle but able to dish out appropriate punishments for wrong doers. Though Providers are rarely allowed to bare their own pups, in fear of them being biased over their own, it is not uncommon for Providers to adopt orphaned pups, they are usually the first to ask in such a situation. Though the Providers don't hold much authority over others they are highly valued and respected among the pack.
N o v i e
A Novie is a wolf in training for a specific part of the guard, their title would be whatever they are training for followed by 'Novie.' Example: Warrior Novie, Healer Novie. These wolves are usually two years of age, though it isn't unheard of for older wolves to try and earn a rank in the guard by first training as a Novie. The wolf in training must remain as a Novie for at least a year, though some may be forced to spend an extra season or even year perfecting their skills, if after three years you are unable to prove yourself you will not be able to join the Guard. Novies have no real authority among others, other than being able to assert dominance over middle ranked and low members.
E l d e r
Wolves at the age of eight and beyond are considered elders. These are older wolves that have served their pack loyally, they are now able to spend the remainder of their lives in safety and comfort. They are often served high quality foods and may even be allowed to eat alongside the highest ranking wolves, depending on their relationship. Elders may also be trusted to pupsit pups, especially in the absence of Providers. Though some may be grumpy, all must be respectful of them.
Middle ranked.
P a c k M e m b e r s
Pack members are wolves that are simply members of the pack without any specific role. Deltas may call upon these wolves to help in hunts, they may be asked to pupsit, in the absence of a Provider, and are generally trusted members of the pack. Once a Yearling becomes the age of two they are accepted as full members and have the option of trying out to become a Novie, though it is not unheard of for wolves to contently stay as simple members for the rest of their lives. Members dont have much authority at all, though may have more 'dominant' members, though their dominance is not recognized by any of the higher ups and may actually be corrected if seen.
Y e a r l i n g
A yearling is a pup that has reached the age of one. Though still considered pups, yearlings are given a few more freedoms, they are allowed to explore the territory, within reason, and begin hunting lessons with their parents. On the event of the pups first birthday they are allowed to go out and try and catch a rabbit, if they succeed they will be praised and be given the privileged of eating before the Alpha's on the next large hunt... This rare treat would likely be one of the highest points for any Yearling. Despite having no authority over anyone, Yearlings will usually have a 'dominant' wolf, this is usually established at a young age.
P u p s
Despite being the youngest and weakest members of the pack, pups are regarded quite highly. Everyone in the pack usually helps to take care of them, the loss of a pup is a tragic time for any pack, it usually takes a pack quite awhile to get over the death of a pup. Pups are given little freedom, they are usually kept around the densite, though they may go on small walks in the company of their parents or Providers. In some packs only the Alpha pair may breed, but it isn't unheard of for Alphas to allow certain members to breed as well. The Alpha's pups are always looked after a little more than others, they are the first to fed in hard times and Providers tend to be a bit more mindful of the Alpha pups. Like Yearlings, there is usually a few more dominant pups, which tend to usually be part of an Alpha litter.
Low ranked
S t a i n e d W o l v e s
Stained wolves are wolves that have done something wrong, whether it be something minor such as growling at a superior or something much more serious such as breeding without permission. The Stained wolf rank is a temporary rank and is often used to punish Yearlings, though the older the wolf the more severe the punishment will be. Every wolf is capable of becoming a Stained wolf other than pups younger than one, Alphas and Omegas. As a Stained Wolf you're often treated similar as a Omega, you're second to last to eat, you're confined to the densite or den and you are often subjected to humiliating attacks and random bites. Once the punishment is over, which varies depending on the offence, the wolf is sometimes allowed to resume their previous role or they may be demoted. If the wolf continues to misbehave as a stained wolf it is very likely they will be chased out from the pack.
O u t s i d e r s
Outsiders are wolves under observation, they have asked to join the pack but have not yet been fully accepted as a member. Outsiders are treated with caution, they are never allowed near pups or sleep in the main den, regardless of the weather, unless the Alphas say otherwise. Despite not being a true member of the pack they are allowed to hang around the densite and sometimes are allowed to go on hunts, to show their worth. An Outsider will often leave and come back baring gifts for the pack, in hopes of being accepted faster, they also tend to remain very submissive and lick at superiors chins, which is a sign of submissive begging. One does not usually stay an Outsider for long, you are either accepted rather quickly or seen as a threat and chased off.
O m e g a
The Omega is the absolute lowest, the wolf placed in this position may of done something very wrong to achieve this rank. The Omega is last to eat and is often not allowed to sleep in the main den with the others. They are sometimes forbidden to leave the densite or may even be confined to a den for long periods of time. Omegas are often subjected to random and pointless acts of aggression, Yearlings are responsible for many unwarranted attacks, as are males during the mating season. Many members of the pack use the Omega as a way to get their anger out, pointless attacks are rarely corrected and Omegas are often seen with bite marks around their rump and muzzle. It is expected of the Omega to remain submissive to everyone, including pups, if they show any ounce of dominance they may be punished by a beating or even chased out of the pack, only the Alpha pair can promote this wolf to something else, there may only be one Omega per pack.
(Understand that the Omega is the only character that is allowed to be auto-hit. By choosing to be the Omega you are agreeing to random, pointless attacks against your character, more info in the rules section.)
O u t c a s t
An outcast wolf is not an actual rank, nor is it an actual part of the pack. To become an outcast wolf you have to do something very, very wrong. When an Alpha decides to outcast a wolf the wolf will receive a severe, sometimes life threatening beating from either the Alphas or sometimes even the entire pack. A special mark will be placed upon the base of their tail, marking them for the rest of their life that they have been outcasted. He or she is then chased away from the pack and off the territory. Usually, this only happens to the Omega, since the Omega wolf is already hanging on by a string, however, it is not unheard of for this severe punishment to unfold upon a middle or even high ranking wolf after they have done something very wrong. An outcasted wolf is now on it's own, living a lonely and uncertain existence. A lot of the times an Outcast wolf will die on its own or it may travel away to try and find a new pack. Although, hope is not always lost for Outcasted wolves. Sometimes, the Outcast wolf may try to stick around the territory and re enter the pack, this may be achieved by acting extremely submissive and apologetic to the Alphas. Even if the Alpha is considering letting the wolf back in they usually continue beating and chasing the outcasted wolf off several times before allowing them back in. Though in time they may be welcomed back into the pack as full members they are likely never to make it into the guard, they are also treated with less respect than others of the same rank.
Note: You can not join the RP as a outcasted wolf. Be warned that it is NOT certain I will allow a Outcasted wolf back into the RP[pack], you may be forced to make a whole new character, it is advised to stay away from this rank.
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