R A N K S
There are many Ranks within the pack and they are divided up into the Status to which they belong. Should you have any queries, please PM me.
E L I T E
The highest Ranked wolves whom everyone looks up to. They are split into the Alpha wolves, Beta wolf and Gamma wolves.
Alpha
The leaders of the pack, one male and one female. They own the territory, and with the assistance of their Elites and Vanguard, protect their land. They carry out most of the big decisions, and can promote or relegate any wolf to any level of their pack. Alphas will always have final say in everything, and are obeyed by all members of the pack at all times. They create rules and boundaries for the pack and decide on ranking, courting, breeding and accepting and/or rejecting new wolves. They also can banish a wolf from the pack if they feel it necessary. Occasionally, Alphas may call Formal Group Hunts, or pack meetings.
Beta
The Beta wolf is chosen directly by the Alpha to be their Key Adviser, and take Alphaship whenever the Alphas are not present. They report only to the Alpha pair, and are second-in-command. The Gammas and Beta have a say in punishment for disobedient wolves, and often cases of these are brought before them, if deemed to small for the Alpha, or the Alpha is not present.
Gamma
These wolves are usually older, but not always, and have demonstrated that they are wise and can guide others in the pack; they are in charge of the Guard, unless they delegate the task to another. These wolves are the most highly respected, other than the Alphas and Beta, and help carry out many of the big decisions. Gammas are chosen directly by the Alpha to be in charge of admission into the pack of lone wolves, decide on punishments for breaking rules, generally monitoring behaviour and also acting as Council to the Beta and Alphas; there are normally only two or three Gammas.
V A N G U A R D
These wolves are charged with the safety of the pack and are the main, aggressive force in times of danger. The Vanguard is split into three ranks, and usually report to the Gammas, who will relay information to the Beta and Alpha pair. The Vanguard often travel far and wide to complete a multitude of assignments, and will mix ranks depending on what is needed. Usually they are away from the main den unless resting or reporting.
Zeta
The strongest and most aggressive part of the Vanguard; Zetas are the warriors of the pack, charged with defending it against any aggressors in the front line. They often accompany Sigmas on border patrol and will be the first to be sent into battle should the need arise. Usually made up of brutes of a strong, muscular build, though there can be faes present, Zetas rarely live beyond five years due to the nature of their rank.
Delta
Deltas are the primary hunters of the pack, specialising in different prey and group hunts as well as solo hunting. They work closely with the Sigmas and provide food for the entire pack. Often they are away from the Main Den while they are out hunting, and are invaluable to the survival of the pack. There is often a good mix of faes and brutes who are Delta wolves.
Sigma
Sigmas are the eyes, ears and paws of the pack. They are usually smaller, lighter and faster than most wolves, and are the scouts and trackers. Often they are sent on patrols to re-mark the territory and report back to their superiors of any prey or enemy movement that may have been spotted. For this reason they often work closely with both Deltas and Zetas, and are often accompanied by a Zeta when going on long scouting missions or staying on watch. Sigmas are also the messengers of the pack; where howling is not a viable method of communication, Sigmas will fetch wolves and carry messages swiftly for the higher ranks. This is especially essential when in the midst of war.
S A F E G U A R D
Also ranked highly are the wolves who make up the Safeguard. Usually they remain near the main den to provide protection for pups and other young or weak members of the pack. The Safeguard tends to mingle a lot more with the lower ranking wolves, and so are often the first to turn to if there is a problem.
Rho
Much like Zetas in the Vanguard, the Rho Wolves act as enforcers and defenders at the main den and much closer within the main territory. They act as fighters on occasion, but also help train Zetas as well as other Epsilons who wish to become a part of the Vanguard. They act as police, and help break up scuffles within the pack and generally keep the peace. Rho wolves are highly respected and are usually older, with much experience under their belt, and many often become Elites; usually Gammas or even the Beta wolf.
Kappa
Like the Shaman of the pack, these members can heal almost any injury or illness with the right tools and herbs. Greatly looked up to by most members of the pack, pups especially, they are invaluable, especially after large territorial battles or fights for dominance that leave wolves injured. Often they take on young, intelligent wolves as an Epsilon, or Apprentice. Kappa wolves can often spend years working out which herbs and plants can be used for which injury; and often they help young, new mothers with their first litters should any assistance be required. Most packs usually consist of two Kappa wolves.
Upsilon
Usually a she-wolf or wolves, the Upsilon rank describes the pack's main pup-sitter and match-maker. There may well be more than one wolf of this rank, but it is usually filled by mothers, or older wolves that have lost their ability to fight, hunt or track. A well-respected wolf, the Upsilon wolf often has a patient, calming personality; used to dealing with temperamental personalities. Upsilon wolves can see mothers after they have had their litters, and hunt for them while the mother watches over the pups, or vice versa. When the pups are no longer newborn, mothers often take them to the Pup's Den, where the Upsilons can look after the season's pups en masse. Upsilons are also match-makers and know all about courtship. Often if a fae has several admirers, or even the other way around, they can go to the Upsilon's for advice. Of course, the strongest wolves get to produce pups, therefore the Upsilons are good in seeking out the best traits and often help Alphas deciding on who should be given breeding rights.
S U P E R I O R
Those of a Superior Status are wolves who have shown potential and strength, and are on their way to improve themselves and their status. The pack begins to see them and respect them, treating them a little better than they would their peers.
Epsilon
Epsilon is the rank given to those wolves of two years old or more, who are training to be a part of the Vanguard by a Rho. They are assigned a mentor Rho by one of the Elite wolves, or the Alphas themselves, and will train for as long as it takes to be a formally recognised member of the Vanguard. This can be anything from one season to a whole year. If one does not complete training within a year; they will fail and not become a member of the Vanguard.
Normally this rank is given to those Iotas who become two years old at their Graduation; though normal pack members can apply for this rank, too. Those who wish to become an Epsilon must apply to one of the Elites, or the Rho directly. It is not easy to become a member of the Vanguard, but with strength, dedication, determination, intelligence and skill; one can.
M I D D L E
Middle status wolves make up the majority of the pack; usually these are wolves with little ambition or no skill to attain any of the higher ranks. They enjoy the benefits of the pack and have few responsibilities within it, enjoying a life of relative peace and safety.
Member
Members are either Iotas that just turned two, wolves that recently joined the pack and are no longer Taus, or former Psis or Omegas. These adult wolves have a minimum age of two, and are sexually mature; they can have a mate and breed. You can also become a Member if you were demoted in rank by the Alpha(s) for the wrong actions. Members don’t have many social freedoms, but they are free to do as they wish as long as they show proper respect to those above them and obey the pack’s rules.
Iota
Yearling wolves. These are wolves who have just turned one, through their puphood have learned the basics of pack life; hierarchy, how to hunt, fend for themselves and so on. Depending on the parenting, and the strength of the individual pup; some are now easily able to look after themselves, and wish to rise in the ranks. Common goals for Iotas is to become part of the Vanguard. Iota wolves would be the wolf equivalent of teenagers; and here is where their characters truly develop and shine through; now they have learned a little about their environment.
Pup
One of the lowest ranking members of the pack, though its usually only the Alpha's who produce pups - however any other wolf may, with their Alpha's permission. Pups are adored by the pack and despite their low rank have many social freedoms as they learn the ways of the pack. All pups are considered equal with the exception of the very few born without permission. Psi Pups are gernerally ignored or bullied by the others as they are the lowest of the low; shaming themselves and their parents by their very presence. Too young to hunt or fend for themselves, they bring joy to all members of the pack, as they learn and fit into their natural hierarchy.
L O W
Wolves of Low Status are generally avoided by the rest of the pack, and often bullied or teased by those of higher rank. At worst they are bullied or attacked, at best ignored. Members of Low Status have usually shamed themselves in some way, continually broken rules or commited an unforgiveable crime, however sometimes they are simply new wolves that the pack does not know or trust fully.
Psi
These are wolves who were former pack members or members of the Vanguard or Safeguard and have been demoted for the wrong actions. Not as low as the Omega wolf, but it is a great dishonour to be placed in this rank. If one acts selfishly; or does something without permission and is caught, one may be placed into the Psi rank. Often these are wolves who breed without permission and are not killed or exiled; or those who eat continually before their superiors; disobeying their superiors, or general acts of selfishness after warning. To be in this rank, one does not have any say; nor are they treated with much respect and are generally avoided or ignored by the other wolves for fear of being stigmatised. Often wolves in this position end up as Omegas or are eventually chased away or killed off. One can, however, be promoted to pack member if they prove themselves; though if they were formerly a member of the Guard; it is unlikely they will get their rank back except in exceptional circumstances.
Tau
The rank all wolves are given whom just joined the pack. They are of this rank and are "under assessment" by the Elites of the pack. It is during this time a more suitable rank within the pack hierarchy could be selected for them, or, if they are seen as troublemakers, they will be chased away from the pack. Technically, they have the same social freedoms as Omegas, though if they act respectfully, the Alphas will often promote them to a higher rank; even if it is just Member. There can be any number of Tau wolves, though the period a wolf will remain in this rank is usually not very long.
Omega Wolf
The lowest possible member of the pack. They eat last at every kill, and are subservient to all other members of the pack. Often the wolf in this position is in bad favour with the Elites, though they can be promoted based on the Alpha's choice. They are the last to eat and often sleep separate from the pack; there is an Omega's den some distance from the main den. Being singled out for torment isn't unusual and most of the time the higher ranks will allow it. Sometimes they are put in charge of watching the pups if the Alphas deem them trustworthy enough, and there are no free Upsilons. Omegas are always one step away from banishment and must work hard to prove themselves to the Alphas in hopes that they will remove the rank of Omega.
