Ranks

Every pack around the Mountain has the same ranking system.

## A L P H A S - Wolves who lead and guide the pack.

#### Alpha leaders

There is one alpha in every pack. They make the final decision in every situation and are in charge of holding ceremonies, keeping peace within their pack and protecting their packmates. Alphas are very respected by both living wolves and spirits. When wolves become alphas, they make a great hike to the Mountain’s peak and receive strength and health from the Leaders of the Sky, and will have a chance to communicate with their ancestors. An alpha still works, hunts and patrols with their pack, but overall their main role is to protect their pack. An alpha’s mate is also very respected.

#### Wind seekers

Wind seekers are highly respected members of the pack. There is only one, wind seeker in every pack along with their apprentice if they have one. It is important to note that their apprentice does not graduate into an Alpha until their mentor dies. They have the gift of communicating with spirits and ancestors, and delivering prophecies and omens from Night and Day, and each wind seeker has a unique power from birth.

They offer spiritual guidance and enforce the Forest’s Law throughout all packs. Wind seekers are not chosen. If a young wolf notices they have the gift to commune with spirits then they will start their training as a wind seeker.

If there is no wind seeker, other packs’ wind seekers are allowed to help them when needed, and may even temporarily move packs to be thoroughly mentored.

There is an ancient tale that wind seekers are ancestors of, or gifted by one of the first wolves to walk the land called Wisteria, who was a blind male wolf with purple fur. He was the wisest of all wolves, knowing all, and gifted the wind seekers intelligence and memory, much like leaders are gifted with strength and health.

## B E T A S - Second-in-commands and wolves who manage the pack

#### Betas deputy, alpha’s guard, underling, next-in-line, first(s), second(s)

Betas are second-in-command of their pack; there are two betas in every pack: the first beta and second beta. The first beta is chosen for the next leader. They are in charge of organising hunts, patrols and scout missions, and are the alpha’s right-hand-men. They protect and guard the alpha and alpha’s mate and help to enforce their rules and decisions. When the alpha dies, the first beta will be the new leader and it is their choice if the second beta will be the new first beta, or will stay as their current rank. In their free time betas will do the tasks of which they were appointed after they finished their new-fang training.

#### Herbalist healer, medicine dog

Herbalists are in charge of taking care of their packmates’ physical health. There are usually two or three in every pack. Herbalists are very smart and skilled, knowing how to use the plants and resources around them to cure illness or injury. They are not obligated to fight and hunt unless the pack is desperate. Healers spend their spare time gathering herbs and doing check ups on their packmates if they don’t need to train apprentices. Training to be a herbalist takes much longer than training to be a Delta and to-be's must be dedicated to learning.

#### Mentors trainers

Mentors are Deltas who specialise in training to-be’s. Each apprentice will be appointed a mentor for more thorough training and someone to connect to in the pack other than kin. While mentors have no control over the pack and do not lead, they are still considered betas as they manage young wolves and contribute to the growth of their pack. The number of mentors varies, but there are usually 4 to 10 in each pack depending on its size, and the Delta seniors of each rank are usually trained to mentor.

## D E L T A S - Members who have completed training and now provide for the pack.

#### Hunters prey-hunter

Hunters are neutral ranked wolves in a pack who are responsible for providing food. They are young, strong and have high stamina and endurance. Hunting parties are sent out to take down both large and small prey, including: elk, bison, deer, bighorn sheep, rabbits, hares, beavers, otters and fish. In desperate seasons packs sometimes hunt birds or even human livestock. Hunters are very respected in packs as they are considered to have the most labour-inducing jobs and the least amount of hours to rest.

#### Warriors/Guards fighter, cave-guard, patrol dog

Warriors (also called guards) are neutral ranked wolves in a pack who guard the territory and camp. They are often put on border patrols with scouts, and chase out any predators or intruders. guards are strong and brave and are highly skilled in fighting and intimidation. They are often retired hunters In time of need, guards also accompany hunters to help catch prey.

#### Scouts onlooker, lookout, patrol dog

Scouts are neutral ranked wolves in a pack who patrol territory, seek out herds of prey and are sometimes sent to spy on humans or known enemies. Scouts need to be swift, quiet and intuitive. When not scouting or performing tasks/missions, scouts will join patrols and help other members of the pack, whether that be collecting herbs for the healers or digging out bigger dens with keepers. There are not many scouts in a pack.

#### Keepers cave-keeper, den-keeper, camp dog, den dog, base dog, dirt-digger

Keepers are neutral ranked wolves in a pack responsible for the up-keep of a pack’s camp. They don’t often leave the camp borders because they are so busy with their jobs. Their tasks include cleaning nests, building dens, managing prey and keeping the camp tidy overall. She-wolf keepers make a conjoined effort to raise pups along with their parents.

## O M E G A S - Peace-keepers, trainees or unranked members of the pack

#### New-fangs apprentices, trainees, to-be’s

New-fangs are juvenile wolves (or new pack members) in training to be a delta. If a new-fang is in training in a particular role, they will probably be given a mentor, and then be referred to as an apprentice. If not being trained in a singular role, a new-fang will partake in each role throughout their training. New-fangs can only be ranked up if their mentor (if they have one) and pack members who have observed them think that they have completed their training.

A new-fang can be any age above 4 moons old, and new pack members are usually appointed as trainees if they are not familiar with their new pack ways.

It is important to note that new-fangs are not trained to be wind seekers from puphood; if a new-fang has spiritual connections then the current wind seeker will choose to train them. The time a wolf has as a pup is vital for their growth and development.

#### Dams pup-mothers, den-dams, den-mothers

These are she-wolves that are carrying or nursing pups. They take a temporary resignation from their role and stay in the nursery with other dams and pups. Dams and keepers raise pups mutually, although pups and their mothers still hold a special bond that keepers cannot replace.

Den-dams are wolves who have chosen to look after pups, cubs and dams permanently. Den-dams are usually seniors who have chosen to retire, but not be an elder.

#### Elders seniors

Elders are senior pack members who have served their time and have retired. Some wolves retire early due to injury beyond repair. Elder wolves keep tradition alive, and share stories of the pack to young wolves.

#### Pups cubs newborns

Pups barely indulge in pack work, and are not allowed to leave camp unless they are old enough to run and jump and are accompanied by older, trusted members of the pack. Dams, keepers and elders teach them about pack life and roles in preparation for the future. Pups will be ranked up into new-fangs when they are around 4 moons old. This is the age when wolves start to grow rapidly: their milk teeth get replaced, their fur changes and they start to become overall mature and too big for the nursery.