Tentaka

*The distant mountain realm of Tentaka is secluded and hidden from its neighbors.  The wolves of Tentaka are noble, close-knit, and proud, but as unique, deep, and varied as the land in which they live.  Mist falls like rain over the valley of Tentaka, and in the trees and deepest grottos, the mist seems to whisper and sing as it sifts through the needles, and over the stones and high rocks which house an ancient order long preceding any living wolf.*

## Tasks

*The tasks of Tentaka are given meaningful names. The wielders of such a title are expected to live up to each task's spirit, as a sign of respect and appreciation for the original, and as part of the task itself. A large part of it is not only fulfilling the job, but being able to capture the spirit of its namesake - even going so far as, in some cases, to truly seem like a canine incarnation of their chosen muse. Tasks are, in all but explicit terms, considered an art, and they become a wolf's life work as soon as they are chosen.*

### Kage

* The scouts and sentries of Tentaka. Crafty, slippery, light, and sneaky, Kage are the most adept at maneuvering through their lofty home. They know all the secret paths, all the crevices, all the shadows, all the secrets of their realm, far better than even their packmates. Stealth and secrecy is their *modus operandi*. In the event of an invasion, the Kage are Tentaka's first line of defense, moving fleetingly in and out of a skirmish like a shadow - they are the snipers, the assassins, the knife in the dark; there one moment, gone the next, while others flee home to the den to warn the others. As a whole, however, the Kage do not directly engage in battle - under normal circumstances their only role is to relay intelligence, deliver messages, and strategize.
* Kage are usually gray or black of pelt, preferably marbled and not solidly-colored - the more they blend into their territory, the better.  Kage are wily and intelligent, cunning and adaptable, able to quickly scheme and use the surroundings to their advantage. In some situations a Kage may serve as a courier or envoy for Tentaka, if the Heika wishes to remain hidden.  They are equipped as scouts or lookouts throughout the territory.

### Tora

* The warriors and protectors of Tentaka. The Tora are fierce, intimidating, and powerful.  At the ideal, their temperaments are adamant, powerful, and regal, unflinching in the face of danger.  Tora are as loyal as they are dedicated, and to them failure is not an option.  Unlike their namesake, the legendary tiger, Tora are often very familial and feel a strong personal responsibility to their pack.  The Tora can be lore-keepers just as much as the Kawa are, though the nature of such differs: the Kawa teach it, but the Tora live it.  Both and simultaneously the unstoppable force and the unmovable object, their ferocity and courage is said to be unmatched. They have a deep devotion to their family, the pack, which is sometimes why they accept the role in the first place. Their loyalty is unshakable, and a Tora will do anything for their kin. Tora have a snarling half-howl, half-roar they use when fighting.  Designed to imitate a tiger's snarl, is purpose is to intimidate the enemy and empower the user with a fighting spirit.

### Kawa

* Tentaka's lore-keepers, wise folk, and healers. The Kawa are usually secluded, more so than the others, and favor meditation, balance, and wisdom. They have a strong spiritual connection to the land, and are the first to speak on behalf of it and what they believe the spirits desire. Kawa are respected for their knowledge and wisdom, and the opinion of one may be valued above another wolf of the same rank. However, even they are not above correction from those of higher rank if their behavior is poor.
* Kawa may be any color, though like most Tentaka wolves they will usually be stone-colored: blue-gray or other muted hues. Many have an almost flowing appearance to them. The depth of knowledge and spirit of high-ranking Kawa is legendary. Kawa can be quite gossipy - perhaps as a result of the task, which is heavily reliant on exchanging information: Kawa are expected to pass on whatever medicinal, cultural, or historical knowledge they have to each other, so they can better excel at their task. Frequent personalities include the gentle caretaker, like the soft flowing stream, or strict and proud, like the rushing whitewater rapids.

### Itachi

* Nimble, clever, and quick on their feet, the Itachi are the hunters of Tentaka. Usually small, these wolves are required to be fast and light - most of Tentaka's prey is little, mainly birds, rodents, snakes and lizards, small deer, and the like, with the ever-slippery fish being at the top of the pile. As a result, the Itachi must be even more swift than their prey, and able to quickly deal deft strikes or bites to key points of a prey's body. Other skills include swimming (for fish), climbing, jumping (for birds), and potentially sprinting. Itachi are expected to live up to their namesake, being just as sly, adaptable, slippery, and efficient a hunter as the ferret. Efficiency, productivity and mastery of the Itachi skillset is a huge part of the task, as due to the small size of much of Tentaka's prey, a larger amount than normal will need to be caught. By Tentaka's standards, Itachi are often playful, adventurous, and rambunctious, with a knack for mischief and goofing off. They tend to be free spirits at heart.
* Itachi are usually smaller or lankier, athletic and built more for speed and agility.  Any colors are acceptable (though the gene pool will usually compel a leaning towards grays), with browns, tans, and mottled grays being preferred.

## Pack Hierarchy

Below is the pack hierarchy, and the members as of the pack's destruction.

* **Emperor/Empress:** *The ruler of the pack, responsible for making decisions and handling the majority of foreign relations. The final authority on any matter, able to override even the Yama no Kame. Their word is law, unless they decide otherwise. True title is Emperor/Empress, but they may simply be called "Alpha" when generalizing, and nowadays are referred to by the honorific "Heika", attached to the end of their name as a suffix (ex. Akuto-heika)*
	+ Akuto

* **Ryuu:** *The supreme lorekeeper of the pack, and second-in-command. The Ryuu is picked by a combination of elder vote and alpha choice from the Kawa, for exemplifying the traits that the Kawa represent.*
	+ *None*
* **Beta(s):** *The most responsible, skilled, and wise of the standard ranks. Betas support the Heika with reason and second opinion, and the rank often consists of the pack's most mature and responsible wolves. They are responsible for being objective and able to comprehend the bigger picture. Have mastered the art of their task. Betas are chosen by the Yama no Kame for their strength of character, wisdom, and ability, and essentially lead all lower-ranked members of their respective rank.*
	+ *None*
* **Theta(s):** *Second-highest of the standard ranks. Help oversee most of the pack's processes, particularly task training, rule enforcement, and member initiation, following the Yama no Kame. The primary teachers of a task, and expected to carry a certain amount of responsibility around the pack.*
	+ **Kage:** Yuuzai
	+ **Tora:**
	+ **Kawa:**
	+ **Itachi:** Reahla

* **Gamma(s):** *Midrank in their tasks, beginning to be fluent and natural at their chosen art. More responsible and help to keep the lower rank in check. Train the deltas. This is a 'standard' rank; most wolves usually make it to gamma.*
	+ **Kage:**
	+ **Tora:** Hayes
	+ **Kawa:**
	+ **Itachi:**

* **Delta(s):** *Lowest in their tasks, the "newbies." May jokingly be referred to as 'grasshoppers' by other wolves. Tend to be a bit awkward and clumsy at their job starting off.*
	+ **Kage:**
	+ **Tora:**
	+ **Kawa:** Qiang
	+ **Itachi:**

* **Omega(s):** *Wolves without tasks. Omegas fill miscellaneous roles in the pack, doing things unsubscribed to a task or day-to-day duties the other wolves don't handle. Omegas can actually be fairly respected, despite their low rank. Real-life comparisons include chaperones, babysitters, and butlers.*
	+ Jura; Quilo; Killian
* **Pup(s):** *Wolves too young to hold tasks. May still help around the den if they wish and their guardians allow it.*
	+ *None*
* **Elder(s):** *Retired wolves. Form a high council of advisors to the alphas, the highest position beyond the Heika and Ryuu. The elders are among the most respected wolves in the pack, and any wolf 9 years or older can become one.*
	+ *None*