A mysterious, independent pack of wolves adorned with glossy dark coats that blend seamlessly with the shadows cast by the mountains. Descendants of the great founder, Chieftess Maven are easily spotted by the white star on their faces that they inherited from the dark matriarch.
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Pack Terminology and Lore;
-Black Matriarch/Patriarch; The lead wolf of the pack, this position is either inherited or obtained through pairing to an heir of Maven. Adopted pups are eligible for the position but are second in line to blood relatives.
-Healer; The wolf who is responsible for the healthcare of the pack. They are highly respected and are treated with as much respect as the Matriarch/Patriarch's mate and pups.
-Chief (Chief Hunter, Chief Caretaker, etc); Title before their rank that distinguishes them as the Matriarch/Patriarch's mate.
-Black Heir/Heiress; The title for pups of the Black Matriarch/Patriarch, adopted or blood related. These are the wolves that will potentially lead the pack one day and are treated with great respect but also firmly but fairly disciplined. This title replaces the title they'd gain from rank since while they may have other jobs such as hunting, their number one priority is the well being of the pack.
-The Onyx Council; The ultimate form of government in the pack. The Black Matriarch/Patriarch and their mate are at the top of the hierarchy above the Healer. Healers are above Seekers in rank. Seekers outrank Lead Hunters and Huntresses. Lead Hunters and Huntresses are above Black Heirs and Heiresses as they are senior to them in age and experience. Normally, the ranking system doesn't matter as The Onyx Council rarely fails to come to a decision all members are satisfied with. There are times though where a council members decision must be overturned by a senior member. At least four members must have been born outside the pack as per request of the founding matriarch to avoid a bias.
Hunter/Huntress; Wolves responsible for hunting. They also double as soldiers and guards in times of war.
-Lead Hunter/Huntress; The wolf with the highest stats in a hunting party, also the stalker in a hunting party. In war, the lead hunters and huntresses serve as the commander of their battle party. In dire cases, every hunting party may temporarily merge into one battalion commanded by the Dark Matriarch or Patriarch.
-Caretaker; Responsible for pup sitting, cleaning the dens and assisting the healer if necessary. All Caretakers are taught emergency evasive action. When danger arises, they are responsible for guiding the sick, old, injured and young to a safe, hidden refuge while the Hunters and Huntresses neutralize the threat.
-Seeker; Wolves responsible for scouting the territory. They work closely with the Healer to assist in foraging and gather intel for hunters. They also serve as spies or envoys during times of conflict.
-Sire; The term for a breeding male. They have an agreement with the Matriarch/Patriarch and their mate to father their heirs if need be and act as a sperm donor for any wolves in the pack that want a litter. "Sire" does not replace their current rank and you won't hear them be referred to by the title as it's seen as a semi private, contractual agreement rather than a legitimate rank.
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