Vektren

Vektren

## Pack Law

**Tenets of the Spirit:**

* **Never dishonor the Gods.** To do so is to invoke the Wrath of Xibalten, cursing the brotherhood and marking the day of the *Purge*.
* **Never betray Vektren or its secrets.** To do so is to dishonor the Gods.
	+ *Common/known betrayals: giving information away, freeing trapped intruders or serfs, leaving the pack.*
* **Never desecrate the hallowed altars or the sanctified pool.** To do so is to dishonor the Gods.
* **Never give an offering any other end but the rightful ritual.** To do so is to dishonor the Gods.
* **Never disregard, assail, steal or kill a dark brother or dark sister**. To do so is to dishonor the Gods.

**Tenets of the Flesh:**

* **Do not openly declare allegiance with Vektren to strangers if not in business.** Anonymity is *crucial* to the pack's safety.
* **The cult and its safety comes above ones life.** It's an honor dying protecting Vektren's secrets.
* **It's forbidden to disobey or refuse to carry out an order from a superior.**
* **Do not pretend possessing divine power granted only to a Herald without the use of herbs or the like.** Punishment for fraud will follow.
* **Respect your task's boundaries regarding leaving permissions.**
* **Unnecessary quarrels are not tolerated.** Enforcers must carry out punishment for the involved if physical level is reached.
* **Eat in order of rank.** Pregnant females, lactating mothers and pups are allowed to feast first with their Patron(s).
* **Juveniles and pups are not to be mistreated, but taken into the cult for reeducation.** Sacrificing, harming or physically punishing whelps is forbidden.
* **Care for the land as your care for your brotherhood.** Game is scarce, do not overhunt. The flora is fragile, do not abuse it.
* **It is forbidden to take a mate outside of Vektren's ranks.**
* **Lovers can be chosen freely, as there are no pairing restrictions such as amount of partners or gender.** Those wishing to make their bond official however must wed before the eyes of the Gods.
* **Adultery, however frowned upon, is not seen as law breaking, but must be resolved peacefully.** The matrimonial bond dissolutes and the divorced pair loses the perks given to spouses.
* **She-wolves should not bear pups before seeking permission so as to prevent undue strain on the pack's thin resources.** At the need of a litter to strengthen the pack, both parents must be fully involved on the whelps raising, regardless of emotional connection. Wedding is not required, but permission is.
* **Disrespecting or harming a hirer while carrying Vektren's name is forbidden.**
* **Any outsider that is deemed to have potential of becoming a good asset to the Great War may be killed.**

## Culture and Values

Vektren is easily interpreted with different facets united under one name. For some, it is just an organized group of qualified assassins and thieves who work as hired gun, and that's all there is to see. For others, it is a cult dedicated to the dark arts of shunned and considered 'evil' Gods - that plays a critical role in keeping the world protected from the evil that sprouts from the Void by devotedly following the rulers of the underworld. The latter is the concept where Vektren was built upon, and the purpose it serves up to this day: keeping their divine Father and Mother of the outer realm pleased is their one and only goal.

Even though honor among such an organization is generally dubious, they do adhere to one standard: contracts are met and agreements are kept.

A strict system of work is instituted over its members to avoid havoc, considering their personalities are often problematic - all while *intellectual* and *spiritual* progress and development are valued and provided in unison with their physical training. Vektreni are born breathing war and accustomed to the harshness of the world, and even those who join them down the line must pick up such pace.

Vektren wolves usually do not see themselves as evil, but merely instruments of their Gods' will. It's no doubt for those outside, however, that their organization is up to no good, a bad reputation vektreni themselves named as stigma. Born servants tend to see it as a natural prejudice to the limited views of outsiders regarding their work, while those who were not born in the cult are commonly already accustomed to misjudge prior to joining.

After religion, comes the family. Each member is considered precious and the brotherhood aspect is extremely valued, ties encouraged constantly by their system and through creed as it is. One that's already established on a task is often asked to mentor or disclose their work to the servants-to-be, assuring this way the words that unifies Vektren are trust and loyalty.

## Tasks

Vektren works as a brotherhood, and for it to function properly, each wolf must be an active participant of it. All tasks are equally important, and each member is expected to take a role that best fits their individual skills. Once a task is chosen, one must be willing to give body and soul to perfect it, and it's strongly advised against swapping tasks unless strictly necessary.

Regardless of rank, one already established in a task is advised to disclose their work to the servants-to-be. Everyone is responsible of introducing the younglings and newblood to Vektren's daily deeds, even if most of this work falls to Necrolytes and Magisters.

### Necrolyte

*The Voidwalkers, led by the Divine*

* Individuals gifted with deep attunement to the divine who possess unwavering faith, they are spiritual guides and practitioners devoted to the mystics, loyal to the pack's religious tradition, expressing their piety by serving Senisteros and Xibalten while guiding their pack mates to glory - while remaining true to the ways of the Shunned Ones. Necrolytes are responsible for studying the religion, offering guidance and aiding their pack mates spiritually. They often also serve as counselors to fellow servants. Here to listen to both pleas and the doubts, these priests are skilled on pouring faith into the hearts of their brothers and sisters and to help cleanse their disbeliefs.
* Necrolytes' main duty is to perform all of the sacred rituals and teach religion, reading the signs of the Gods and revering Them properly. They are core individuals of Vektren and pledged to its most important practice: the Heart Offerings. Being such a religious centered pack, ;high-ranked Necrolytes may have authority to intervene in political issues shall it disturbs the will of the Gods.
* Necrolytes don't have an expected physique, but are normally able to defend themselves just as well any other Vektreni does. Their actual obligation is to stay mentally healthy and to be in harmony with the pack, always vigilant on how members can better fit into the brotherhood or in their personal path to the Gods.
* Necrolytes are restricted of going out borders unless ordered.

### Magister

*The Royal Apothecary, led by the Necromancer*

* Keepers of sharp intellect and hunger for knowledge, those wolves are prone to see the world with a more scientific approach than religious. Only by understanding the world around you it's possible to serve the ones who rule it, and for Vektren the interests of both Void and Mundus walk together. Magisters hold all the restorative and scientific intelligence, working as healers, scholars, alchemists and even necromancers. They ensure that the pack is well supplied with herbs for healing and poisons, study subjects such as anatomy, predict the seasons, read the nature and learn astronomy.
* Their main duty is to work as healers and alchemists, and to teach science, guiding the cult on how to deal with the world physically. Thanks to the Magisters, Vektren is often prepared for natural threats and have a deep understanding of the terrain they live in. More importantly: Magisters play an important role on improving the other tasks as they learn.
* Just as Necrolytes, Magisters don't normally have an expected build, but are obliged to know how to fight if they want to expand their horizons - they are forbidden to leave territory for studying if they cannot defend themselves. Therefore, they tend to be far more athletic than their religious counterparts.
* Magisters may only explore for their studies if body-guarded.

### Enforcer

*The Crimson Wardens, led by the Berserker*

* Skilled and ruthless combatants, combining strength, knowledge of battle, and practiced maneuvers to slice and smash their foes into little red bits. They charge into the heart of the battle and survive the most grievous of wounds, adding to their fighting prowess the ability to rally their allies and spur them to victory with their mere tenacious presence. Enforcers are mortal brutes whose main asset lays on their physical power, devoted to the well being of their brothers and sisters. Though this could be considered the work for aggressive wolves, Enforcers often need not to display such thing, as there is normally already great respect to their presences by the pack.
* Their main obligation is to serve as peace-keepers and guardians of the territory, quickly interrupting any internal fight and bringing troublemakers to their superiors, and most importantly, eliminating without mercy any trespasser that dares to cross the borders. They may also be recruited for other jobs where protection might be needed, either to help eliminate a target or to bodyguard a pack mate, or even simply to aid Scythes on hunts.
* Enforcers are usually massive and muscular, either quick warriors or resistant protectors, as long their strength prevails, it doesn't matter. Endurance is key to this task as rest is short and the importance of duty great, since guarding the holy lands of Vektren falls mostly on their shoulders.
* Enforcers only leave the borders for assigned duty.

### Scythe

*The Claws of Senisteros, led by the Reaper*

* Masters of death, those who have gone on to perfect the arts of murder to an incredibly fine degree. Conniving and skilled assassins, they are trained extensively to eliminate all the possible types of targets. Scythes lives are bound to the death of others, and although it's instinctive to connect murders with Vektren, it's still expected that they're able to act discreetly. More than simply murderers, Scythes are proficient on the deathcraft, quick to measure and feel the world around them, taught to be sensitive to their surroundings like a true predator, using this knowledge in their favor to reach their targets with deadly prowess and fearing no one, as *they* are the ones to be feared.
* Scythes receive jobs called contracts where they're assigned to eliminate targets - mostly but not limited to wolves, meaning sometimes they act as bounty hunters. Inside the pack, they act as hunters and their responsibility is to feed Vektren, if not with the game found inside the territory, with the prey hunted outside of it.
* Scythes vary on their body build. Some rely on raw strength and/or size to bring down their targets, others are agile and precise, bleeding bigger opponents or ambushing instead of starting open combat. Each individual is trained to better suit their own limits and honey their skills over time.
* Scythes outside duty may leave the borders, but advised to report.

### Shade

*The Eyes of Xibalten, led by the Nightmare*

* Masters of subterfuge, adept and cunning adversaries. A task for those who seek the thrill of thieving and stalking and using trickery in combat, being able to vanish at the slightest distraction rather than embracing battle openly. Shades are spies and thieves who excel at stealth, whispers in the shadowy corners, possessing a wide range of physical and mental skills that allow them to accomplish feats from disarming and building traps, intercepting information, kidnapping pups for the cult and stealing prey from other packs.
* They receive jobs called missions where they're assigned to steal or spy on other packs/wolves. Inside Vektren, they act as scouts and trappers, helping the Enforcers to protect the territory by crafting traps, and keeping paths clear for their fellow servants, reporting terrain changes.
* Shades are usually small and swift to make up for the lack of raw force. Stamina and subterfuge are key, as they can be sent to far destinations, but they are mainly expected to be capable of going by unnoticed and evade combat at all costs to ensure success.
* Shades outside duty may leave the borders, but advised to report.

### Viper

*The Keepers of Secrets, led by the Cobra*

* The embodiment of the power words carry, they represent Vektren with diplomatic expertise and a sharp silver-tongue. This is the role of the quick-witted and the negotiators, ready to sniff a good deal and to make the best of it. Vipers are Vektren's business cards, putting their own safety at stake by being the faces of the cult, keeping their brothers and sisters anonymous. More than merely intelligent, Vipers possess a deep understanding of the Vektren's working system from both technical and religious view, and have to use it properly during the negotiations and on their daily life. Shady characters, even fellow Vektreni are aware of these schemers and avoid stepping on their toes.
* Vipers make presence on official envoys and other events where a diplomat or ambassador is needed. They may also work as undercover agents by disguising themselves and joining other packs to study their societies and daily life. This task is known to be the rather involved with all others, a required action to perform their duty properly.
* Vipers carry great responsibility, and need to be perfectly shaped - body, mind and spirit. While valued for their wily ways, it's still preferable that they are visually attractive, regardless of size or build, meaning that they're often pushed to vanity.
* Vipers may leave the borders at any time. Reporting is still preferable.

## Pack Hierarchy

**Patron(s) (Alphas):** *The first leading line, the supreme command of Vektren; given prefix 'Mistress' for females and 'Master' for males. Alphas believed to be bound to the Gods may also be referred to as 'Herald'.*

* Mistress Nimh (former Warchief)
* Mistress Vieste (Viper)
* Master Monty (former Lord Berserker)

**Warchief:** *The second leading line, direct subordinate to the Alphas; assist and lead in their absence. Hand selected by the Alpha(s) as they better see fit; given prefix 'Warmaiden' for females and 'Warlord' for males.*

* Jaskier

**The Black Council (Betas):** *The third leading line, members of the Black Council; marshals of their factions and personal advisers; receive duty and assign to members; addressed by their titles with prefix 'Lady' or 'Lord'.*

* **Divine**: Lady Helh
* **Necromancer**: Lord Kiero Koi
* **Berserker**: *None yet!*
* **Reaper**: Lady Arachne
* **Nightmare**: Lord Damon
* **Cobra**: Lady Makenna

--

**Thetas:** *Experts, mentors and captains to their task; lead important duties; given prefix 'Countess' or 'Count'.*

* **Necrolyte:**
* **Magister:** Theodosia, Vanja
* **Enforcer:** Ivar, Caramel, Ophion
* **Scythe:**
* **Shade:** Judith, Amon
* **Viper:** Azalea

**Gammas**: *Teachers; trusted for more important duties; given prefix 'Baroness' or 'Baron'.*

* **Necrolyte:** Sin, Devidas
* **Magister:**
* **Enforcer:** Fenrir, Gwyndolyn
* **Scythe:** Leslie, Yossarian, Temperance
* **Shade:**
* **Viper:** Meria

**Deltas:** *Apprentices, already Initiated; assigned to smaller duties, accompanied by a Gamma. Initiates cannot progress beyond Delta rank.*

* **Necrolyte:** Viveca
* **Magister:**
* **Enforcer:**
* **Scythe:**
* **Shade:** Aubrey
* **Viper:** Edelwood

**Neophytes (Omegas):** *Untasked, newcomers or trainees - the Omega rank. Currently going through intense training to choose their future task properly.*

* **Untasked:** Aralynn; Evenaar; Golan; Akai Hoseki

**Whelps (Pups):** *Too young to have a task, learning the pack culture.*

**Serfs:** *Wolves currently going through reeducation or locked in the serving rank.*

**Sepulcher:** *Deceased and honored brethren.*

* Stallion (killed in flood); Miron (presumed); Rabbit (killed by Aivar); Mistress Herald Hekate (killed by Hellion); Shirubafurea (sickness); Janus (presumed); Saint (killed by alligator); Hanz (presumed); Morrigan (killed by the Hive); Honi (killed by General Half-tail); Demogorgon (killed by the Hive) Lord Fornax (killed by the Hive)

**Reliquary:** *Honorable sacrifices.*

* Thrakena (by Sionn); Tilika (by Klaus); Athena (by Hekate); Alcatraz (by Nimh); Sean (by Fornax); Raghaalr (by Ghislaine); Storm (by Hellion)

**Renegades:** *Traitors of the Brotherhood.*

* Zenith (disowned of servitude); Hellion (traitor); Belladonna (traitor, presumed dead); Yseult (traitor)