Welcome to Gaia! ::

A pack is a group of wolves (three or more) that have been bonded together in a sort of "family". This family usually does not require those involved to be related in any way; on the contrary, most have members with no blood relation to one another. These packs take on their own territory, which is a plot of land which the pack can roam freely. Within these packs, rankings are established.

Packs are usually formed from childhood friendships that later evolve to a point where wolves will pledge their loyalty to the most dominant of their group. This wolf will become the alpha and the others will take a rank that best suits their personality (in most cases. Sometimes wolves can be forced into a ranking they don't like because others have asserted themselves to be more dominant/submissive than he/she.) It's up to the Rpers to work out the rankings amongst themselves...and if for some reason you can't arrive at a decision, let us know. We'll help.

Ranking within a pack can change now and then but not TOO much for the sake of the staff. Also, the ranking system as a whole can be very strict or very loose...it depends on what the wolves decide. Looser systems are usually in place where the pack members are all friends while stricter systems are in place for wolves who usually aren't on the most friendly of terms but banned together for the sake of safety in numbers.

One benefit to having a pack is the fact you'll have other people to RP with. Another is the fact that breedings from pack couples have a better chance of surviving than those who are born from lone wolf breedings, which makes happy mommy and daddy wolves. Also, active packs also have a chance at having more pups in a litter.


Creating a pack should not be taken lightly. It does require some work, but it is NOT all the responsibility of the alpha(s). A group effort is much easier for all involved! Packs need to be created with individuals who are willing to work to sustain them; failure to keep a pack moving will result in loss of breeding perks and eventual disbanding.

Note: Alphas are not available via commissions/customs for any reason. Event wolves can be in alpha lineart but are still required to undergo application process if they are to lead a pack.

A starting pack must have the following before applying for official status:
---One alpha minimum
---Three following wolves (a second alpha does not qualify as one of these members)
---Three or more different RPing individuals (they may own more than one wolf in the pack)
---Each wolf must have a complete RP (15 replies or a solo of 1500 words) showing intent to join. If multiple wolves (3 or more) are RPing an acceptance to form a pack, there must be an additional 5 posts to the RP minimum per wolf (so if there are five wolves in the RP, it would be 15 posts + 15 'extra' posts to cover for the extra three wolves).

To apply, a PM must be sent to Shaoilin when 'slots' are open. Applications will be processed and those who meet the requirements will be PMed back, requesting a fee of 2500g for the use of a subforum (either one vacated or one created, depending on what is available) and 50k for a rank change (price may vary if heavy edits are involved on the original art). Official pack status is not yet granted, however.


Once access to a subforum is given, the pack is considered to be on probation. Probation lasts a month at the very least and is meant to allow a pack to be created by the members and become stable. While on probation, a pack does not yet receive any pack perks (larger litters/lower mortality).

Packs are required to post the following as a minimum to come off probation:
---List of Members
---Geographical Information/Description
---A completed RP of 15 replies or a solo of 1500+ words.

Failure to complete obligations in a month will move the 'pack' to an inactive status. If, after an additional month, requirements haven't been fulfilled, then the pack will be disbanded and will have to be reapplied for.

Once the pack comes off initial probation, the alphas will be awarded their upgraded rank art.


Send this PM to the Shaoilin account ONLY when applications are being requested. PMs sent at an inappropriate time will be ignored.




Once a pack has become official, it must remain active. Activity is defined as the following in a month (between pack checks):
---15 new replies across all RPs
OR
---one full single RP (15 posts)
OR
---one Solo/log of 1500+ words minus non-contributing words (like AIM names, etc)

Pack checks will be done by staff in the last week of the month in preparation for breedings in the following month's first week. Packs that fail to fulfill requirements for the month will be on probation. Once a pack falls into probation, they lose their pack perks for breeding and can only regain it once they fulfill the RP requirements between two pack checks.

Two months of probation marks the pack as inactive. Three months of probation will result in disbandment. Disbanded packs will have all RPs moved to the pack archives for safe keeping. All other threads will be removed and subforum will convert to 'unclaimed' until another pack takes over. Disbanded packs may not be requested for reinstatement without applying again for pack status and fulfilling all those obligations

NOTE: Requesting a 'hiatus' will confer protection from disbandment for 3 months (but breeding perks are still lost). RP requirement must be fulfilled in the fourth month otherwise standard progression to inactive, then disbandment occurs. A pack on hiatus must fulfill RP requirements to be considered active again to get breeding perks. A hiatus may only be requested once every three months.