Valhalla

The King or Queen of Valhalla. His or her word is the law and he or she is at liberty to change them at will, though the upper tiers are given a chance to suggest or vote on changes.

This rank is a legacy rank and will only be passed down to the eldest born child of their first litter, regardless of gender.

The secondary alpha of Valhalla, rarely the king or queen’s mate. More often, this wolf is one who has proven themselves to the utmost caliber in loyalty, honor, prowess in battle, and strength of mind and wit. In the event that the High King or Queen is unable to answer the call of a Challenger, the Deputy has the right to stand in and fight on the King or Queen’s behalf.

The mate of the King or Queen. As in all the years past, this member of the pack is the Alpha pair’s equal in all but the answering of challenges in the First Ruler’s stead. They are the King or Queen’s emotional rock, the bearer or sire of their children, and one of the Ruler’s most trusted confidantes.

Self-explanatory; this individual is the next in line to stand on the throne of Valhalla. They can be male or female, and are generally the first born of the King or Queen’s first litter of children, unless they prove incompatible with the role, at which point, their next sibling takes over.

They are to be trained from the beginning in languages, diplomacy, politics, fighting, reading and writing… if it can be taught and would be useful in the life of a leader, it will be.

Head Beta, in charge of the home front.

Hunters and Warriors answer to this wolf, as well as the elite Ard-Chaomhnóirí, or “High Guardians” and those in training to attain such status and learning.

Second Beta, but no less important. This individual is in charge of Sieges and Raiding parties, with the Commanders answering to them when in the field.

Mother of the monarch. Her reign has come to an end, and she is free to retire while working in a high rank as advisor to her monarch child.

Father of the monarch.

The individual responsible for the Morning patrol.

He or she is to be in charge of training their assigned group for battle under the betas and alphas, and expected to have an excellent grasp of tactics.

The individual responsible for the Midday patrol.

He or she is to be in charge of training their assigned group for battle under the betas and alphas, and expected to have an excellent grasp of tactics.

The individual responsible for the Evening patrol.

He or she is to be in charge of training their assigned group for battle under the betas and alphas, and expected to have an excellent grasp of tactics.

The individual responsible for the Night patrol.

He or she is to be in charge of training their assigned group for battle under the betas and alphas, and expected to have an excellent grasp of tactics.

Quite literally, as their rank name suggests, they have a cure for just about everything. They specialize in serious injuries and illnesses.

They are required to choose an apprentice to mentor in healing.

Master of Hunters. The Hunters of Valhalla answer to this wolf for planned pack hunts and expeditions to bring in large game to fill the larders. He or she delegates tasks to each of the higher ranked hunters beneath him or her when this wolf is not leading hunts themself.

The Highest ranking Ambassador of Valhalla, in charge of the Flight, the sect of wolves trained, or training, in the work of a Diplomat.

The individual bound to watch over the Primary Heir until his or her Coronation as the next Monarch.

They are expected to join the Heir on outings, both prior and past yearling-hood, though the closer the Heir gets to adulthood, the further back the Guardian may hang to give them the freedom to explore and interact with the world without a hovering cloud looming behind them.

Thus, the Guardian is expected to have training in concealment of themselves, diplomacy, fighting, hunting, and healing, and to know when to step in or hang back and allow the Heir to handle themself.

The Guardian is to be a Protector, not a Keeper. It is a rank that can be trying at times, depending on the Heir's personality, and utmost, undying loyalty is required of an applicant to the role.

Those interested will have the chance to apply, and in the event of multiple applicants, may challenge for the position, whether by fighting, or by each applicant giving a full rundown of why they’d be best, and that rundown had better reflect their successes and activity in the pack.

Spymaster of Valhalla. This individual knows the best individuals for a mission and has the freedom to delegate tasks sent down from the King or Queen to obtain information on other packs and band movement. They have trained extensively and unendingly to achieve this role in the pack, and have earned the utmost trust of the Trinity.

Deception of the Trinity is an automatic Deathmatch or crippling maim and imprisonment of the traitor.

Though the rank may say 'wife' this is a role that may be filled by a male individual as well. This individual is the utmost master in all things birthing. In high risk whelpings this is the one to be called, with the option of an apprentice or two to watch and learn.

Description to come

Master of teaching skills not related to Hunting, Healing, or Fighting.

They teach the history of the pack, navigation, and about the other packs as a whole, and where Valhalla stands with them.

These are only a tidbit of all this individual is responsible for teaching, along with reading and writing and speech.

Like the Heir's Guardian, these are wolves who have been tasked with the guardianship of the King (or Queen's) children.

The Heir's Guardian has the sole task of guarding the Heir, but the High Guardians watch over their siblings, one to a child, for all litters the reigning pair produce.

They are expected to watch over their assigned charges without restricting them unless their lives are at risk.

Their tenure lasts until their charge is an adult, at which point they may return to other service within Valhalla, or are reassigned another of the children to watch over for the next two years. The choice is their own.

They’ve completed their advanced training and are considered fully trained healers. They’re practicing their Craft and studies always, ever working to expand upon their knowledge and techniques, and should always be ready to learn more. While considered fully trained, they still receive elite training under the First Medicine.

They are required to choose at least one apprentice of their own to mentor, as well as assisting their fellows in training their own apprentices. They are expected to continue studying together in the more elite skills of healing, and to seek out any and all knowledge that will better their ability to care for the pack.

Some of the most experienced warriors in the pack. They are wolves who have proven again and again that they can handle anything life throws at them, especially a fight, and they have served the pack well. They answer to no one but the upper tiers and the healers.

They are, however, expected to maintain this activity. The real work begins when you gain this high rank, and your duties are even more extensive.

The more experienced hunters that answer to the An Chéad Sealgaire and the betas.

They are in charge of not only hunting, but training their junior counterparts, often with two apprentices to a wolf if there are enough to train in such a way.

Those who had worked their hardest to become the best midwives barring the First Midwife. A

They answer to him or her, and fill in if the First is not available, or handle the more textbook style birthings.

As well, they work to train the next generation that wishes to learn their craft.

They’ve completed their initial training, and are ready to undergo training for advanced basics, even helping with minor injuries and illnesses on real wolves in the pack. They are still very much under the apprenticeship of their mentors, but now that they’ve gained some knowledge and experience, they may be trusted to help teach the Flickering new healers in the Circle with the basics they’ve already mastered, which, in many ways, serves as ‘extra credit’ in their own training.

These individuals have begun the advanced basic training of hunting. Forays beyond Valhallan territory are undergone to learn about other prey animals from the native animals of the Plains and Moor (And any other territories the pack may claim in the future). Larger animals may be hunted, including bison and moose.

They are still closely mentored by their betters in the Circle, but expected to assist in training their juniors in the Circle as well as studying together with their fellow Seekers. They are also tasked with tracking down injured prey to cull.

When not carrying important messages to other packs, they are expected to assist in hunting, and can be considered dual skilled wolves in Valhalla, though courier-work will always be their primary duty.

Like all high-ranking working Tier members in each Circle, Meteors are expected to take apprentices in their trade, and are expected to make their choices known to the Spirit to be announced at the next meeting. They are expected to help with the training of apprentices, and to keep up their own training as well.

They are expected to choose an apprentice, as well as assist in training their fellow Comets’ apprentices, and are still expected to train together, even if they are no longer apprentices themselves.

They are still considered apprentices but are expected to help train their juniors aside from studying together.

They’ve shown a knack for diplomacy, and thus, young wolves, or those new to the pack begin their journey to become masters of diplomacy by learning to read and write in the Valhallan Script, as well as learning languages. Lessons about the other packs are mandatory for attendance, and they are expected to be observant at festivals, pack challenges, and death matches in such times as those might arise.

Members of the pack who were forced to retire early from their Circle, often the War Circle or Hunter’s Circle, due to injuries that left them unable to perform their duties comfortably and safely. They are to be respected for their service, and are expected to pass on their knowledge, even if they may not be able to train apprentices physically.

Only wolves who have been crippled in some way are allowed to be ranked thus, and it should be very clear that this rank is in no way meant to belittle them for their injuries. If they don’t wish to be part of the Discharged rank, they may opt to instead be made a Civilian.

They are one of the few ranks in the Common Tier that are expected to take an apprentice in the lore they practiced with their Circle.

They may also be wolves who, while not able to participate in the Circles, have important knowledge to share with the young minds of the pack regarding history, etiquette, religion, language, and other skills that will still make them a benefit to Valhalla.

This rank is not to be considered a way of getting out of having to become a working Tier member. A wolf must apply directly to the Spirit and give a full, valid reason as to why they would serve best in a Civilian rank.

The wolves who recently joined and have not yet chosen or been chosen by a Circle. They are encouraged to explore their options and speak to members of the pack to decide where they’d like to go in Valhalla if they joined without choosing to opt for a test to enter one of the Circles. In short, they are not encouraged to remain in this rank long and should they do so for longer than two seasons, they will be gently asked to leave the pack or step up their game. In the meantime, while they’re deciding/being observed, they are tasked with attending all pack-wide hunts, fighting lessons, healing lessons, and are required to fill in sentry duty on the wall.

The newborn young of Valhalla. Within every young life that enters the world and adds to the pack’s numbers, there is a hope that they will grow strong and be taught all that the parents and pack can teach. They are expected to be taught basic pack Etiquette, and parents are required to teach them very clearly about the meaning of pack borders, and to take them to the wall to learn never to cross it without their parents or mentors.

They will automatically rank up at the age of six months (two IC Seasons).

Wolves who need a place to stay until they can straighten out their lives and decide on a course of action. In many ways, this rank harks back to the Valhalla led by Erani Adravendi. The Lady of Valhalla was well known for taking in those who needed a place to stay, whether it was a pregnant rape victim or a lost child needing a home. Or a whole litter of children needing a home.

Guests are asked to help out where they can in return for their lodging and they toe the line between being Pack and Not pack. However, they are to be treated respectfully and kindly during their stay. Should they decide to stay and become a member of the pack in full, they are welcomed, though expected to undergo the same tests an Outlander will have undergone.

There will be a curfew on how long they may be beyond pack borders if permission is given, and should they not return within that timeframe, they will not be allowed to return to the pack without first proving themselves like any other joining wolf would.

If a wolf ends up in this rank twice, they will be encouraged to leave the pack and not return should their performance be lacking a third time over.

Prisoners of War are to be treated with a measure of civility and some margin of respect during their stay. They are expected to be well looked-after – and well-guarded. Members of the pack found to be behaving abusively toward prisoners will be reprimanded. This isn’t to say that they will be allowed to wander freely in the pack lands.

They are to be kept in a small area with very little line of sight into the rest of the territory, and a pair of guards are to be present with them at all times. There is also a chance that they may ask to join Valhalla, should they find something that sings to them here.

Trespassers, on the other paw, will garner less diplomatic respect, highly depending on the nature of their transgression. Simple stubborn trespassers that merely refused to leave and were force claimed as a result will be allowed to leave without any harm to them after a time if they maintain good behavior.

However, should they cause issues during their ‘stay’ they will not be freed unless they win a challenge for their freedom. Depending on the level of trouble they cause as a Captive, they may be subject to minor maims, or severe ones should there be an attempt to harm any of Valhalla’s numbers.

There is no hope, however, for murderers or rapists, and they will be cut down on the spot without mercy— and should they escape by some miracle, they would be smart to believe that they will not be safe anywhere in Boreas or Auster.