Guide to Raekerin ranks

[[Copperyn]]

Alpha and Alphess: Pack Leaders, mated pair. Have final say over ranks and acceptance to the pack. Audition or Challenge ONLY.

*Heir: Pup chosen from a litter by the alphas to inherit one of their positions when of age, which is around three years. OPTIONAL, decided by alphas ONLY. Need not be pup of the alphas.


Beta and Betess: Second in command, mated pair. May accept members to the pack. Third in line to step in for the alphas if the heir is not of age. Appointed by alphas.

Combatants: Wolves tasked with hunting, protecting, and fighting for the pack.

Combatant sub-categories: The combatants are divided into several classes of fighter, each serving under it's own commander.

Wildcat Commander: Leader of the wildcat regiments.
Wildcats: Fleetfooted, fast stiking, quick-witted fighters. Skilled at endurance, fast on their feet.

Wolverine Commander: Leader of the wolverine regiments.
wolverines: Strong, large, tenacious fighters. Skilled at brute strength fighting and use of force.

Crow Commander: Leader of the crow regiment.
Crows: Skilled at spying, assasination, and subterfuge. Usually sly and skilled at manipulation and deception rather than physical combat.

Healer: Appointed by request, the healer only has command over apprentices, but may give 'healer's orders' in a medical situation. Defers to high ranks. Usually has a good knowledge of herbs and remedies. May take on an apprentice at their own discretion – no one else may appoint the healer’s apprentice.

*Healer’s Apprentice: A youth taken on by the healer for training. May succeed healer, or go on to a different rank.


Other Ranks:

**Cadet: Single or multiple youth selected by the captain for service. They train under the combatants, and may even help in battle. Alpha’s children are also often made cadets as a part of their education. Once cadets reach adulthood and complete their training, they may be made a wildcat, wolverine, or crow by the Captain, or given another rank by the Alphas.

**Elders: Wolves who have become old, but are still highly respected by the whole pack. Often act as shamans, storytellers, healers, or pup-sitters, but cannot act as combatants. Omegas cannot become elders.

**Shaman/Story teller: Wolves who are gifted with reading signs and telling stories. May hold a higher rank or simply hold this one.

**Pup: A wolf to young to hold any other rank yet.

**Omega: Wolf who must obey all members of the pack except pups, usually given as a punishment for a crime or dishonorable act.

**Forsaken: Lower than even Omega, a wolf who has been banished from their pack. Forsaken are often killed on sight if caught returning to their old packlands.

*Indicates a rank which is optional and given out at the alpha's discretion.
**Indicates a general rank you may ask for in your character application, no audition needed, although alphas still have the final say.