All characters start at a specific level depending on their age, experience and role type within the pack. In order to advance to certain roles within the pack – i.e. Paladin, certain levels may be required which are gained through roleplay. [break][break]
In essence; pups aged between 0 and 22 months are level 1; adolescent pups aged over 12 months but younger than 24 months and are level 1.5; this is because they have few threads and few in character experiences that have developed who they are as a character. All adult wolves above 2 years old (24 months) years old are deemed level 2. [break][break]
Level 2 characters still have a lot of development in terms of love, drama, moral choices and rank progression. [break][break]
Levels 3 - 5 are all for wolves older than 1.8 years but have earned higher pack ranks.[break][break]
Wolves in higher ranks tend to be more experienced and older; greater plots and plenty of in character development. A wolf's level changes based on role, experience, and back-story which are determined by in-character experiences. The older you are - the more experienced you are, is generally how it works. But, of course, this is not always the case.[break][break]
Ranks symbolize your character’s strength and authority within the pack. Pups who are younger and more naive are not strong enough nor carry overly large amounts of authority hence their low rank. Wolves who have disobeyed orders and betrayed the pack find themselves eating worse cuts of meat and being treated much more poorly than those who work hard and fight loyally for the pack’s beliefs. Wolves who are actively involved in raids and have earned a lot of loyalty from the Alphas will find themselves being considered for higher ranks within the pack - this will ultimately increase their level too.[break][break]
In character development = increased/decreased loyalty = higher/lower ranks[break][break]
Loyalty is another aspect that determines the amount of trust the alphas have in a wolf. More on this down further.[break][break]
PLAYABLE RANKS
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Please note: The ranks with *'s cannot be chosen in character creation. These ranks are earned through roleplay and progression.[break][break]
INFANT CLASS
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Pups – infants of the pack. Usually between 0 - 12 months of age. (Level 1)[break]
Adolescence– wolves in training. Usually between 12 - 24 months of age. (Level 1.5)[break][break]
RETIRED CLASS
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Elder – wolves who have served the pack long and hard for numerous years and are now unable to fight or hunt as well as they once could. The elders due to age, are lower ranked in the pack. The elders are not defined as scum however and are still treated with reasonable respect. (Level 2).[break][break]
CARETAKER CLASS
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Slaves (∞)– captured scouts from enemy packs. They are the lowest rank in a pack and are treated worse than all other wolves but are still fully trained and competent wolves in a sense. These wolves tend to get sick easily due to poor feeding and sleeping circumstances. (Level 1.5)[break]
Omegas (∞)– omegas act as servants to the pack and are the second-lowest rank possible. Wolves who are in this rank are forbidden from having pups of their own and have usually somehow disobeyed or broken the rules within the pack to be demoted from a normal rank to a low rank. Demotion reasons may vary from pack to pack based on leader. (Level 1.5)[break]
Den-Mothers/Fathers (∞) – pups are sacred in some of the packs. It is the den-mother's responsibility to care and teach the youth of the pack. It is the den-mother’s job to protect the young pups, even at the cost of their life. Den-mothers pass on skills to the young pups, often socializing with them, demonstrating the basics of hunting, fighting, climbing and maybe even swimming. (Level 2)[break]
Keeper (1) – The lead den-mother within the pack. The keeper is responsible for all omegas, slaves and den-mothers. The keeper’s job is to represent the omegas, slaves and den-mothers and ensure they are doing what they are tasked with when they are tasked with doing so. (Level 3)[break][break]
HEALER CLASS
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Shaman (1-2)– The lead apothecary; responsible for the general health and wellness of the pack as a whole and personally oversees the Alphas. They are responsible for all apothecaries and oversee them as needed. Shaman’s communicate with the gods and goddesses and provide spiritual therapy and assistance when needed. Shaman's are generally well known for their wisdom and a strong connection to the Gods and Goddesses. (Level 3)[break]
Apothecary (1-2)– wolves who specialize in the arts of healing and caring for sick and wounded. (Level depends on age and skill: 1 – 2).[break][break]
WARRIOR CLASS
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Sentinels (∞)– regular wolves who are trained to learn the art of fighting and protecting those weaker than them. (Level 2)[break]
Paladins (1-2) – lead sentinels who are responsible for overseeing the lower classed sentinels. The Paladins work closely with the Betas when it comes to issues or troubles relating to fighting. Paladins are tasked with ensuring there are regular territory checks and that the borders are always marked and patrolled. Paladin's are required to organize these on a regular basis. (Level 3)[break]
Wardens (varies depending on alpha offspring) – is their sworn duty to protect the pups of the alphas with their life. They are like a nanny in many ways but are close in age to their wards (sometimes this is not adhered to but often it is) and usually have bonded with them throughout their life. The wardens are trained by the Guardians. Wardens are assigned to the alpha's sons and daughters when they reach 1 year of age and begin exploring on their own. (12 months - 22 months: Level 1, 22 months - 2 years: Level 2. 2 years+: Level 3)[break]
Kings Guard (3-4) – a small group of wolves (usually around 3-4) who are hand-selected by the Alphas to help protect and secure the safety of the Alphas and their family. Wolves who exceed in their role within the Kings Guard can usually be promoted to Guardians. (Level 3)[break]
Guardians (2)– wolves who duty it is to protect the alphas with their lives. These wolves have demonstrated excellency in fighting through previous roles (paladin/warden/kings guard) and are the highest rank a warrior class wolf can achieve. Guardians are responsible for training the Kings Guard and Wardens. Guardians generally report directly to the Alpha/Alphess. (Level 4)[break][break]
PROVIDER CLASS
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Hunter (∞) – regular wolves who provide for the pack; experts in the art of hunting. (Level 2)[break]
Deerstalker (1-2) – the lead hunter or huntress, responsible for all hunters and tends to be the advise when prey is running low or struggling. The Deerstalker works closely with the Scouts and Beta when it comes to issues, problems or border troubles. (Level 3)[break]
Scouts (1-3)– it is the duty of the scouts to spy on enemy packs and venture into their grounds to obtain information. This role is high risk and could result in capture and potential imprisonment/slavery by the enemy pack. Scouts are usually former Deerstalkers and/or Hunters with keen border knowledge and a sense of smell. These wolves are the highest rank possible from the Provider Class and report directly to the Alpha/Alphess with the knowledge they learn. (Level 4)
*The Kalahiri pack does not have this rank*[break][break]
SPECIAL CLASS
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Preservers (1-5)---
KALAHIRI ONLY[break]
These wolves are selected by the alphess/alpha. Wolves can ask for this rank after being in the pack for one IC month. The preservers patrol the entire pack premises, reports suspicious activity, change in herd routes, rival pack secrets, or any abnormalities to the alphess/alpha. They also watch over the pack during summer solstice, work closely with deerstalkers and paladins, and are in charge of slave treatment. The head preserver can recruit new members at the borders. The preservers tend to be one of the most versatile wolves in hunting, fighting, tracking, and sometimes healing. Overall, this rank is mostly cooperative; the head preserver just has a few more tasks and is usually the one to report to alphess/alpha. (Level 4)[break]
Seawardens (1-2) --- WACOUTA ONLY[break]
Seawarden's are wolves selected by the Alpha; Seawarden's are the pack's best resource when it comes to survival and succession. Seawarden's are supreme trackers and masters of survival; they are both quality hunters and fighters. They are deemed the pack's "best" resources; behind the leading wolves. In Wacouta they are known for their swift reflexes and diverse ability to hunt and fight in both water and on-land. Seawarden's are the class that train and mentor the Deltas and heirs of the pack. For day-to-day duties, the Seawarden's train the heirs of the pack, assist with hunting or fighting missions as dictated by the beta, and keep tabs and checks on Scouts and their whereabouts. Seawarden's report directly to the Alpha. (Level 4)[break]
Bloodkeepers (1-2) ---
KALAHIRI ONLY[break]
These wolves are selected by the alphess/alpha. Only one wolf can hold lead position and he/she can only have one apprentice. They are typically the most socially verse and creative in the pack and are able to uncover secrets quickly. Bloodkeepers carve bones to record important events or inspiring messages. They also report any rival "secrets" to the alphess/alpha after any inter-pack interaction (only bloodkeeper, her/his apprentices, and alphess/alphess knows of this role). Additionally, they are the pack's therapist or "bridge"; they are there to listen to anyone's problems. If a lower ranking member is too intimidated by a higher ranking character, the bloodkeepers can mediate. Along with the Shamans, bloodkeepers organize Euthena's Love, a mini-festival for the Kalahiri's. (Level 4)[break]
Consorts (∞)---
SARDOTHIEN ONLY[break]
A women in the pack kept for pleasure and company by the pack’s Alpha. They are usually hand-selected by the alpha and actually hold some sway over the leads in classes. This is the highest rank a female can obtain in Sardothien. Consorts often bear the young of an alpha and act as an alphess at times. Their word is the law, second behind the Alpha and Baron. Their word matches that of the heir’s. There is an unlimited amount of wolves who are considered consorts, however, this rank is very easy to lose as it is to gain.[break]
Peacekeepers (1-3)---
SARDOTHIEN ONLY[break]
The name implies much, however, this rank isn’t what its name actually implies. Peacekeepers are the most trusted wolves in Sardothien, patriotic to their packs cause they act as soldiers in the shadows. They take orders directly from the alpha and oftentimes go on special covert missions. These wolves also act as “spies”, keeping an eye on suspicious packmates and then reporting their findings to Jurgen. Peacekeepers are hand-selected by Jurgen and are privy to information that’s not public knowledge. They are the Black Ops in Sardothien. This rank isn’t public knowledge and as such Peacekeepers will keep performing their “public” known ranks. I.e a peacekeeper that was originally a sentinel will keep performing sentinel duties until notified otherwise.[break]
Delta / Heir – the alpha’s sons and daughters, the wolves next in line to take the throne or become second in charge. Deltas are assigned Wardens when they reach 12 months. (Depending on age, loyalty and experience; level 1 – 5. Ages 0 – 22 months = 1.5, 1.8+ with low loyalty = 2.5. 1.8+ with average demonstrated loyalty = 3.5. 1.8+ with high loyalty = 4.5.)[break]
Beta / Baron / Baroness (1) – the wolves second in charge of the pack. These wolves generally work with the Delta’s assistance to organize border checks, hunting missions and support the lower classes and ranks within the pack. The Paladins, Deerstalkers, The Head-Caregiver and the Shaman all report directly to the Beta. Usually, when an Alpha or Alphess dies, the Beta takes over the leadership of the pack – the heirs are then promoted to Beta. But on occasion, Deltas/Heirs may fight the current Beta for leadership of the pack. (Level 5)[break]
Alpha / Alphess (2; male and female or same gender) - the leaders of the pack. These wolves oversee the entirety of the pack and have regular meetings with the leadership wolves of the pack (Beta, Delta, Guardians and Scouts). The Alpha’s word is final. Only Betas, Deltas, Guardians and Scouts usually report directly to the Alpha pair. (Level 5)