Tasks (Xassa)

This page details the various tasks and duties of the wolves of Xassa.

## Xassa Tasks

* ***Magi.*** Priests and spiritual leaders. The Magi are the spiritual guides of the pack, who lead ceremonies and guard the sacred caves. Though a wolf does not need to be a Magus to enter the Sacred Caves (they need only hold rank), the Magi are responsible for taking care of the caves. This includes simple tasks such as removing dried, dead flowers from gravesites, and removing bats and vermin from the premises, along with tasks of higher importance such as keeping records.
* ***Marduk.*** Warriors and guards. These are the muscle of the pack. These wolves are highly trained. The best Marduk are able to render their opponents virtually helpless without bestowing major injuries.
* ***Nabu.*** Diplomats. This is an important task which is usually the greatest desire of many young wolves who want to get away from home. It is one of the most respected and coveted ranks, as they are actively pursuing Xerxes Peace.
* ***Gula.*** Healers. The Gula have an intense focus on the art of healing, from a scientific point of view. They do not rely on rituals in their healing - there are no chants or prayers when they administer medicine or treat wounds, except the silent prayers on the breath that their patient will pull through. They understand healing not as the will of the gods, but as the effectiveness of their own abilities. The more spiritual of the Gula, when losing patients, will often try to console themselves with the idea of fate and the rejoining of the gods, but they know it was the patient’s body or the failure of their medicines that cost a wolf their life.
* ***Su'en.*** Hunters. The Su’en are responsible for organizing pack hunts, particularly of large prey like pronghorn and, most importantly, bison. Their responsibility is to strategize before the pack attacks its prey, and they are generally sent in first to cut off a member from its herd and tire it out. Large hunts generally occur at dawn or dusk, when snakes are least active and the grazers are either grazing or resting.

## Magi

**Body Type:** There isn’t a set body type for Magi. Instead, those who take this task are driven by a spiritual force and desire to serve Xerxes - and other gods and goddesses, if they so choose. However, they must *also* worship Xerxes and perform his rites and rituals. Those who don’t believe in Xerxes cannot take this task. It’s encouraged that Magi stay fit and healthy, however, because they are expected to be able to defend the Caves from intruders until reinforcements arrive.

### Responsibilities

* **In Hunts:** Magi normally don’t participate in hunts, instead remaining at base to guard the Caves and tend to the pups if their parents join the hunt.
* **In War:** Typically, the Melchior will remain at the Caves, with at least one additional Magus with them. Any other Magi will travel with the pack in order to provide spiritual guidance when needed - and to pray over the bodies of any who fall in battle.
* **At Camp:** On normal days, the Magi go about the duties of religious work and keeping the Caves clean. Most worshippers of Xerxes will pray twice a day - in the morning, upon waking, and before they go to sleep. They will perform cleansing ceremonies on both themselves and those who wish to enter the Caves. They will teach the Histories to pups and juveniles, and will often take care of pups while their parents are hunting.
* **Diplomatically:** Magi don’t typically go on diplomatic missions, unless the Cyrus thinks their religiosity can aid in a situation.
* **Other Times:** Magi usually remain at or near the camp, as the most important duties involve the Caves. However, as long as they don’t leave the Caves abandoned, they are not limited to remain at the Tell. They are free to accompany patrols if they want to stretch their legs or get out of the camp.

### Xassan Magi

* Tahmina (Melchior); Yasu; Xavier; Tawakoni

## Marduk

**Body Type:** Though muscular wolves are naturally suited for the task, it can take the form of lean muscle or brute strength.

### Responsibilities

* **In Hunts:** Prey is normally chased towards Marduk who are lying in wait. They use their extra strength and abilities to bring down the prey that has been exhausted by the hunters.
* **In War:** The Marduk are the main fighting force of Xassa.
* **At Camp:** The Marduk are always keeping their eyes on the surrounding land. Most of the Marduk, when not hunting or fighting, will take up positions on the highest points surrounding the Tell and keep an eye on the surrounding landscape.
* **Diplomatically:** Generally, at least one Marduk will accompany diplomatic parties, in case of trouble.
* **Other Times:** When not performing any of the above duties, Marduk go on routine patrols to check the boundaries of the territory.

### Xassan Marduk

* Issa; Nouri; Mekhit; Renae; Ajax; Aisha; Vidar

## Nabu

**Body Type:** Though there are few physical characteristics needed in a Nabu, there is a demand for certain traits. A Nabu must be observant, with superb tracking abilities and cordial mannerisms. It is preferred that they have the ability to play “good cop, bad cop” with wolves, so wolves know what to expect if they disobey.

### Responsibilities

* **In Hunts:** Nabu are expected to know how to hunt and follow the direction of the lead hunters. Depending on the wolf’s physique, they may be expected to run prey down or else tear it down with their weight and jaws.
* **In War:** The Nabu are negotiators, and the third-resort for fighting after the Marduk and the Su’en.
* **At Camp:** Nabu may be away from the Tell  for long periods of time, representing the pack in other areas of the Domain, learning about allies and passing news from *satrapies* to Xassa. When they *are* home, they frequently discuss matters of their respective *satrapies* with other Nabu and the Ea.
* **Diplomatically:** The main responsibility of Nabu is to engage in diplomatic discussion from other packs. They usually lead a diplomatic party of three or four other wolves (generally one of each task) on missions which may take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
* **Other Times:** Nabu will often form patrols with Marduk in order to meet with loners living on or near Xassa territory. Their responsibility is to make sure the loners are following the laws set by Xassa and administering proper justice when needed.

### Xassan Nabu

* Wick; Odin; Caldera; Anshar; Nergal; Samiel; Farzin

## Gula

**Body Type:** Those with a sharp mind who aren’t afraid of blood are well-suited to be Gula. There are no physical requirements.

### Responsibilities

* **In Hunts:** Gula typically don’t join hunts unless they wish, and will do whatever the Su’en require of them (depending on skill).
* **In War:** Gula will always go along with war parties, to tend to injuries which are suffered on the battlefield.
* **At Camp:** Gula spend a great deal of time in camp, working on honing their craft and drying herbs that need it. Mothers tend not to leave their pups alone with only Gula watching them, as they have other duties to focus on.
* **Diplomatically:** Gula will often accompany diplomatic patrols and offer their expertise in exchange for peaceful meetings. Should a foreign pack take poorly to the diplomatic party...well, Gula are there to tend to injuries as well.
* **Other Times:** Gula spend a good part of their day documenting the locations of different important herbs, and gathering them. They will frequently follow patrols out into the territory to find herbs further away from the central camp in the safety of a group.

## Su'en

**Body Type:** Su’en are generally fleet-footed and sharp-eyed. They are expected to have high stamina for running down prey.

### Responsibilities

* **In Hunts:** Su’en are responsible for organizing the hunt, telling all wolves involved exactly what’s expected of them. They are most often in charge of chasing and tiring the prey, guiding it towards Marduk to take down.
* **In War:** The Su’en are second-resort fighters, called in behind the Marduk. They are also responsible for keeping the fighters well-fed when resting between battles.
* **At Camp:** Su’en have no major duties within the camp, except to help keep an eye on pups or train juveniles in hunting techniques.
* **Diplomatically:** Typically, a Su’en or two will go with a diplomatic party, to help catch a prey offering to earn good favor.
* **Other Times:** Though they sometimes join Marduk border patrols, there are no major duties for Su’en apart from hunting and teaching other wolves how to hunt. Sometimes, they give pups their first lessons. Other times, they’re expected to help loners learn to hunt for themselves.

### Xassan Su'en

* Nayeli; Khamira