||Pack Structure||[Alpha, Konungr] - The leader, figurehead, voice and overall power center of the pack at large.
[Alpha’s mate, Kvaen] - she carries a parallel rank to the alpha and is executively the leader in the Alpha’s absence. She may however, choose to project her leadership on the most qualified ranking wolf in her presence unless her voice is otherwise needed on a matter. [Beta] - The Alpha’s right hand and general adviser. The Alpha's first lieutenant, and ranked second in command, in charge of the pack in the absence of the Alpha and his mate. Their focus is in pack opperations. [Enforcer] - The Alpha's left hand and advisor in pack security. The Konungr’s battle axe, in a sense and in charge of carrying out pack law and fortifying combat needs. Alpha's second lieutenant, and ranked third in command. Their focus is in pack protection and it's martial law. Their focus is in the pack's safety and it's martial law. [Subordinates] These are the “townspeople” members of the pack. (see social orientation quantifiers for dynamic interaction) [Familiars] - a sort of parallel rank to the subordinates. Part of pack, in that they abide by pack rule and share in pack causes and magics, but they are familiars to the packmates and/or the pack itself. [Omega] The lowest rank of the pack, yet uniquely associated with the pack structure in that they are not bound by it's linear nature. Omegas are a general caregiver to the pack and it’s young and provide a much needed component of purpose. The Omega is usually a very submissive wolf, which creates a profound collective unifyer to protect them. The Omega, because they have no dominant portrayal in the pack structure (regardless of their natural social orientation) are often a soothing and empathic element in the pack. In some packs the Omega is a dumping ground for aggression, with the Hafa pack, the role has a more positive unifying outlet and the Omega is to be protected and celebrated. Omegas compell a profound impulse of protection that can over ride even basic needs or desires in other wolves. [Pup/Whelp] The pack’s youth that have not come of age yet to become subordinates or familiars. They are watched after and protected. These are the Ulfrn’s children, usually, or underage wolves under the care of the hafa pack. **Note, prospects fall in the Whelp position in the structure until they are full members of pack, and are sometimes referred to as “whelping for the pack”
The Elders and Gothi are respected positions that exist outside of the linear pack structure. |
||Pack Roles||[Kept] - a companion of the pack, allies, friends, anyone that isn't officially pack, but is under pack protection and care.
[Prospect] - basically an inductive state where someone is actively showing their loyalty to the pack and working to earn membership. It's some what of a "pledge" sort of state. Lots of litmus tests and hard jobs to make sure the choice is considered and rooted. [Ulfrn]- Full member of the pack with all of it’s benefits and duties. Requires a fealty oath. Once the Konungr and Kvaen have chosen to induct the prospect into the pack there is a short ceremony where oaths and fealty are sworn, and magic is shared. |
[Pack Social Orientation]
This is a wolf’s tendencies toward dominant or submissive behavior within the pack and interactions out in the world to some degree. Orientations can be quantified numerically on a scale as such: Dominance 54321,12345 Submission. The higher the number, the more extreme the orientation. For example, A Dominant 5 (D5) might react aggressively to a D3 wolf trying to tell him what to do, while the D2 wolf would probably feel less threatened. Meanwhile a Submissive 1 (S1) wolf would likely be more likely to take up the leadership roles when surrounded by S3 and S5 wolves. The SO# for your character should be easily seen in rp at all times. At the end of a name in a titler is a good place.
There are some exceptions to this linear scale.
Pups/Whelps: Because puppies can be a bit petulant, but at the same time can also be very submissive until they find themselves, they aren't always the best at using their instincts and noticing the nuances in pack structure. Very young wolves can seem inconsistent in how they fit in the dynamics of the pack socially because of how they are learning to interact with the world and the pack itself. Because this is the case, pups have the option to have the social orientation quantifier of W (whelp) if they'd like to play their pup this way. However, should SO#'s come in to play, linearly they fall in to scale as an S5 (and all other wolves have a strong impulse to protect them as with the submissive wolves). The Alpha will watch pups closely to see if they play their character true to the more nebulous (whelp) orientation, or if an actual placement on the scale comes in to play.
Ranks: Some ranks outweigh the social orientation modifier and can be used in place of an SO#. For example:
The full linear scale might look like this: A, B, E, D5, D4, D3, D2, D1, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, W, O (keeping in mind that W, and O, are less compelled by the social boundaries of their quantifier but provoke the strongest impulse for other wolves to protect them.) Note: the more extreme the quantifier, the stronger the need/impulse for protection. Dominant wolves with higher numbers will have a more demanding need to protect the submissive wolves in relation to how where they sit on the linear scale.
It is possible for you to start with one social orientation and for it to change over time. This could come from your character changing, you coming to know your character more fully as a player, or the Alpha recommending an adjustment. The Alpha might help you adjust your social quantifier for you as he observes you play your character. The social quantifier helps wolves in the pack know at a glance how they interact with one another, so having the truest possible indicator represented creates potential for more dynamic roleplay. Players might have their SO#'s change frequently when they first join the pack as they work with the Alpha to get the right placement.
[Submissives] - There is a strong need for dominant wolves to protect the more submissive among them. This need is more than a duty - it carries an almost mystical compulsion that can sometimes be so strong that it influences behaviors that takes precedence over others. It is like a physical and instinctual need for dominant wolves to protect and care for submissive wolves. Typically the more submissive the wolf, the stronger the need to protect.
Also...something to note, "submissive" does not mean doormat or pushover. Submissives are often the strongest of us all. They can even be fiesty and powerful. Submissives just have a different set of needs logistically and socially. They express themselves and these needs differently, as well. Submissives are the treasures of a pack.
There are some exceptions to this linear scale.
Pups/Whelps: Because puppies can be a bit petulant, but at the same time can also be very submissive until they find themselves, they aren't always the best at using their instincts and noticing the nuances in pack structure. Very young wolves can seem inconsistent in how they fit in the dynamics of the pack socially because of how they are learning to interact with the world and the pack itself. Because this is the case, pups have the option to have the social orientation quantifier of W (whelp) if they'd like to play their pup this way. However, should SO#'s come in to play, linearly they fall in to scale as an S5 (and all other wolves have a strong impulse to protect them as with the submissive wolves). The Alpha will watch pups closely to see if they play their character true to the more nebulous (whelp) orientation, or if an actual placement on the scale comes in to play.
Ranks: Some ranks outweigh the social orientation modifier and can be used in place of an SO#. For example:
- A = Alpha
- B = Beta
- E = Enforcer
- O = Omega
- W = Pup/Whelp
The full linear scale might look like this: A, B, E, D5, D4, D3, D2, D1, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, W, O (keeping in mind that W, and O, are less compelled by the social boundaries of their quantifier but provoke the strongest impulse for other wolves to protect them.) Note: the more extreme the quantifier, the stronger the need/impulse for protection. Dominant wolves with higher numbers will have a more demanding need to protect the submissive wolves in relation to how where they sit on the linear scale.
It is possible for you to start with one social orientation and for it to change over time. This could come from your character changing, you coming to know your character more fully as a player, or the Alpha recommending an adjustment. The Alpha might help you adjust your social quantifier for you as he observes you play your character. The social quantifier helps wolves in the pack know at a glance how they interact with one another, so having the truest possible indicator represented creates potential for more dynamic roleplay. Players might have their SO#'s change frequently when they first join the pack as they work with the Alpha to get the right placement.
[Submissives] - There is a strong need for dominant wolves to protect the more submissive among them. This need is more than a duty - it carries an almost mystical compulsion that can sometimes be so strong that it influences behaviors that takes precedence over others. It is like a physical and instinctual need for dominant wolves to protect and care for submissive wolves. Typically the more submissive the wolf, the stronger the need to protect.
Also...something to note, "submissive" does not mean doormat or pushover. Submissives are often the strongest of us all. They can even be fiesty and powerful. Submissives just have a different set of needs logistically and socially. They express themselves and these needs differently, as well. Submissives are the treasures of a pack.