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alpha

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The Alpha is the current leader of the pack. Their word is law, and often refusal to obey it results in punishment or, worse, imprisonment. While every Alpha runs the pack differently, it has always been one from the same originating family of the pack. Traditionally, Alpha's cannot be removed forcibly and leave the throne when they're officially too old for combat. There has yet to be an Alpha not related to the founding Alpha. Alpha's do not operate alone; they are provided a Council of Advisers and choose a Beta to help guide them in the right path, although they may choose to ignore their both should they wish.

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Current Alpha: Big Bad

Ruling Style: Big Bad is a powerful force to be reckoned with. His size rivals a Berserker and his strength is over unrivaled. While he is as intimidating as he is beautiful, Big Bad treats his pack lovingly. One of the youngest Alpha's in history, he has only recently taken the throne and has begun working diligently to repair The Crows to their original glory. It is not uncommon to find him checking in on pack members or laughing boisterously with the pups.

While he cares for his pack and treats them as close friends, Big Bad still holds the expectations of any Alpha. He is willing to hear suggestions and advice, but ultimately he holds the future of the pack in his paws and makes his decisions based on his gut and heart, as well as his council (although it is not uncommon for him to overrule their suggestions if his gut tells him to). Big Bad feels guilt easily should his decisions hurt the pack.

He is also ruthless with outsiders, showing no hesitation in attacking those who threaten the pack. He is not rash, however, and carefully calculates raids. He does not send raiding parties to packs that have no disturbed his or proven a problem, instead focusing such events on packs he has disagreements with, packs that are attacking nearby weaker packs, or bandits.

Big Bad is the first Alpha in many generations to allow outsiders to join, seek out alliances with other packs, and trade with other packs. He is also the first to allow prisoners to redeem themselves and join the pack through hard effort and trials.

His fighting style is ruthless. He is not incredibly fast, but he should be avoided when it comes to contact. His fighting style focuses on eliminating the target with as few blows as possible, often resulting in him killing a wolf in a single blow. Big Bad loses his friendly demeanor in battle and when facing enemy packs.

adviser

Also known as The Council by some, Advisers stand beside the Alpha and offer wisdom to make harder decisions. They can also double as tactical advisers. They do not control the Alpha, and ultimately they can be disregarded, but a good Alpha will heed the knowledge their Advisers offer. It is the job of the Advisers to favor the well-being of the pack and offer council to ensure the pack flourishes.

Advisers are picked in several ways. Usually an older wolf known for holding an impacting role for the pack will be selected by the Alpha themselves, but it isn't unheard of for a large amount of pack members to speak up for their election. Advisers stay within their role until dismissal, meaning they can carry over Alpha to Alpha. It's not uncommon for an Adviser to have served multiple Alpha's in their time.

Advisers know all the secrets of the pack (or should, if the Alpha is behaving properly). Due to this, betraying the Alpha and revealing information is a huge treason and will often result in the execution of them traditionally, or imprisonment for an Alpha who steers from the traditional punishment.

Advisers know who is a Gossip but they are not permitted to tell anyone. Advisers solely act within their role; they may help with other roles but typically focus entirely on providing rounded counseling for their Alpha.

guard

Guards are broken into six divisions; the North Point, the East Point, the West Point, the South Point, the Keepers, and The Wanderers. The first four are pretty standard; they guard the perimeter of that pack entrance and intercept travelers/visitors. Guards decide if those who wish to take the trial actually meet the Alpha, and they are allowed to use force on those who intend harm. Point Guards do not typically leave the pack much or leave guarding the edges. Points are trained in combat and are often larger in size. In battle they would be the first sent out.

Point Guards have captains who issue orders to each division. There are ideally four captains at a time, one for each section.

The Keepers stay within the pack grounds and ensure their safety from inside. They keep an eye out for inner conflict (and try and resolve things peacefully if they can) and are the ones to respond to attacks that slip through the Point Guards. They are often faster and heavy hitters, allowing them to intercept attacks on weaker roles. The Keepers also act as prison guards and switch shifts to ensure prisoners are doing what they've been ordered to.

The Keepers captain is usually the Beta, but this is not always been historically correct.

The Wanderers leave pack grounds on Alpha orders to address volatile issues. They are the correctional force for enemies the pack may acquire. When not actively out they often help Keepers, but Wanderers are often the fiercest wolves of the pack, making them fairly intimidating to be around. The also are permitted freedom in what training they specialize in, as often Wanderers are selected solely on being the best of the best. Whatever their unique combat talent is will be what caught the eye of the Alpha in the first place.

Wanderers are split into teams, usually of 1-4 members and a captain assigned to them. The captain is chosen by the Alpha and they will select their members. Female Wanderers are also the only role that cannot breed without permission; they must have someone able to take their place in the case of pregnancy.


Point Guards:
- North Points:
[Captain]
Member
Member

- East Points:
[Captain]
Member
Member

- West Points:
[Captain]
Member
Member

- South Points:
[Captain]
Member
Member

Keepers:
[Captain]
Member
Member

Wanderers:
- Team One
[Captain]
Member
Member

hunter

Hunters, as suggested, provide food for the pack. Due to being within the Redwoods it is expected a Hunter might have to travel outside of pack lands to acquire food, and thus are expected to have ample endurance to make the trip back while carrying kill. Hunters are absolutely prohibited from felling a bird of any kind. They are trained in deciphering whether prey is ill or not, as the original plague that wiped the Crows was due to tainted kill.

Hunters may be deployed to help Guards as grunts. Usually, if it can be helped, they focus entirely on providing meat for the pack. Hunters are broken into hunting parties of 1-4 with a captain. Captains stay on top of locations where prey are currently gathering and are responsible for their parties productivity.

gossip

Gossips are a secondary role, but an important one. While a wolf will have a primary role over Gossip, they also will always be performing their Gossip duties should they be one. Gossips are the only role the pack is kept blind of; anyone not a Gossip does not know the position even exists! Gossips don't even know who else is one, making the role often a lonely one.

The entire purpose of a Gossip is to get close to the pack itself and keep the Alpha informed of any changes, preventing inner pack turmoil the best they can. They know the secrets of their pack members and relay them to their Alpha. They are to always be the friend and family of others, making them genuinely trustworthy.

The pack has never had a Gossip reveal their position, but the punishment for doing so is unknown. All Gossips know is the promise they will never see the pack again.

gatherer

Gatherers collect materials the pack may need. Sent outside of pack land more often than not, Gatherers must have endurance to make long trips and return home quickly. They watch the food and material hoards to ensure they're properly stocked, and may sometimes assist Hunters if the need is great.

Gatherers are split into gathering parties of 1-4 with a captain. Captains will direct their team on what to collect, ensuring the hoards stay healthy and provide the pack with all they may need. Captains also speak to other roles one on one to check what they might require directly. Captains stay on top of locations where items can be found and are directly responsible for their teams productivity.

caretaker

Caretakers focus on the one on one care of those unable to fend for themselves. This typically aligns with older Crows nearing the end of their lifespan as well as newborns. Caretakers are skilled in quality of life care and ensuring those who are helpless remain content and safe.

Their biggest purpose is to ensure new life comes into the world safely and old life leaves the world comfortably. They work with pregnant mothers on their diet plans, exercise routines, and general care to ensure their litter is as healthy as possible. They also are trained to help mothers deliver, help take care of puppies, and even teach the young! They provide an astronomical amount of support for the pack when it comes to new life.

Elderly wolves can also lean on Caretakers, who will ensure they receive proper medical attention, nutrition, exercise, and even rest until their dying days. They typically only help those unable to help themselves.

Very rarely will there be a wolf who is neither young or old who needs Caretaker help, but if there is a need for them then a Caretaker will be there. Those emotionally unwell, physically disabled to the point they cannot function on their own, or severely injured will have the help of Healers and Caretakers alike.

Caretakers report to a Head Caretaker, who will keep a log of everyone who needs help and what it may be. They are the ultimate source of information and frequently the ones who train new Caretakers. They are the ones to help children of the Alpha to be born.

Head Caretakers typically are the ones who teach puppies.