The Howler Pack

The Howler pack is a good-sized canine pack that lives in the Mizzelean Forest. Occasionally, they will take in a non-canine if they feel that it would be beneficial enough Only on rare occassions do they accept those who are feline and even rarer that they accept those who do not stand on four legs.

The pack is run by the alpha male and female. The pack is more given to cooperation than hierarchy, however, and tasks are delegated to those who best fit the position. A council is held once a week where those who are of age may discuss issues affecting the pack. In a crisis (such as another pack attacking), however, everyone is expected to fall into a hierarchy so that the crisis can be dealt with effectively.

Positions

Alpha Male: Kadokaru
Alpha Female: Shea

Beta: Caliga
Betess: Helena

Gammas: Haru, Mei

Elders:

Master:
Deputy:
Warriors:
Mentor/Trainee pairs:
Trainees:

Tracker:
Scouts/Hunters:

Healers:

Pups:


Position Explanations:

Alpha Male/Female: Leaders of the pack. They sometimes are mates, but not always. It is crucial that it be clear if the male or female is the ultimate leader of the pack, otherwise there can be conflict. The vast majority of the time the dominant alpha is male; there have been a few instances when the female has managed to take the role. Once the dominant alpha has been decided, it rarely changes unless one of them retires or dies.

Beta/Betess: Deputies to the alphas, usually being groomed to one day take over the pack. In the absence of the alphas, they are the ones in charge. There are never more than two at one time; if there are two, each one is assigned to report directly to one of the alphas.

Elders: Retired members of the pack who are too old to fight or hunt with ease. They are still highly valued for their experience, and often give advice to those in charge in the pack. Some of them help with taking care of the pups.

Master: Leader of the warriors. He is the strategic planner and commander who reports directly to the alphas. He delegates the warriors when they are needed and issues orders in battle.

Deputy: Second-in-command to the Master. He is in charge of giving trainees their basic training before assigning them to a mentor who takes over teaching the trainees more specific fighting techniques.

Warriors: They are in charge of protecting the pack should it come under attack. There are usually three or four warriors patrolling the territory to ensure that no one tries to steal land or infiltrate the area without being confronted. In times of peace they also help out with hunting duties.

Mentors: When a trainee completes his basic training, he is assigned to a warrior who becomes his mentor and gives him more specific and extensive training.

Trainees: Pups who are training to become warriors. They usually spend one to two months with the Deputy learning the basics of fighting before being assigned to a mentor. Within a year, they are usually ready to be promoted to warrior.

Tracker: Head scout, the most adept at tracking in the pack. If there is a crisis, he reports to the Master. The position of Tracker requires coordination of patrol duties with the Master, as well as being primarily responsible for tracking down food in the forest. During battle, his scouts are responsible for scouting out enemy forces and reporting their movements.

Scouts/Hunters: Usually warriors who have developed a liking for tracking and stealth over fighting. They're tracking makes them more adept at hunting than the other pack members, though all members are expected to contribute to hunting when necessary.

Healers: Understand the herbs of the forest and how to best tend to injuries. They usually go through basic training with the Deputy so that they can defend the pack when necessary, but generally abstain from fighting because their talents are needed for healing.

Pups: The younglings of the pack who have not yet obtained a position in the pack.