Tribe Hierarchy
The Elders
Nobles who have made it well past the three or four thousand milestone, they serve as council for the Tribes, and rule over all the Tribes, but have loyalties to none. Originally a peaceful group who led the Tribes by acting as a gentle guiding hand, they now are corrupted and power hungry, eliminating every threat to their power.
Chief
The leader of a Tribe, although sometimes called a King, depending on the Tribe. He/she oversees the entire Tribe and all its packs. Although they can be challenged for their position, it is rare that a chief will loose their position until their death.
High Nobles
Also called the "royal family" sometimes, this is a council of Nobles closely related to the chief of the Tribe, or highly respected Nobles who have earn his/her trust. They act as a bit of a senate, and advise the chief on the day to day running of things. However, this council can also dethrone a chief if they don't like how they are running things.
Pack Leader
A leader of a pack, typically a very close relative of the chief. Chiefs have pretty much come to live by this saying, "Keep your friends close, your enemies closer, and your family as far as way as possible" by making their closest relatives lead their own packs, thus no where near the chief. Pack leaders command and rule over their pack and territory, but still must listen to the chief and the High Nobles.
Nobles
Other nobles who are part of a pack, but not High Nobles. They often act as advisers to pack leaders or chiefs.
Commanders
A commander is pretty much the same rank/position as a Noble, but commanders are non-Noble, mortal wolves. They are given the same respect as a Noble.
High Ranking Wolves
Not quite a commander, these are typically wolves who are closely related to a commander, or who have earned this high position.
Common Wolves
Non-Noble wolves of the common rank. Make up most of the population. Aren't treated poorly, but aren't as respected as high ranked wolves or commanders.
Low Ranking Wolves
The worst rank for a Tribe wolf(though better than being a rogue/loner/exile to most), these wolves get little to no respect from the other ranks. Common wolves are the only ones who typically are willing to speak or socialize with them, or even take them as a mate. High ranking wolves pretty much pretend they aren't there. Commanders, Nobles, and anything above that basically say low ranking wolves aren't worthy of walking on the same dirt as them. They get treated lower than dirt by them. They have little rights, and have to den by themselves or with other low ranking wolves, and have to feed themselves, but aren't allowed to hunt at certain times.
This is a rank reserved for low and disgraceful wolves, such as criminals(guilty of not too serious crimes, obviously), black Nobles, Lesser Wolves, half-wolves, and werewolves.
Nobles who have made it well past the three or four thousand milestone, they serve as council for the Tribes, and rule over all the Tribes, but have loyalties to none. Originally a peaceful group who led the Tribes by acting as a gentle guiding hand, they now are corrupted and power hungry, eliminating every threat to their power.
Chief
The leader of a Tribe, although sometimes called a King, depending on the Tribe. He/she oversees the entire Tribe and all its packs. Although they can be challenged for their position, it is rare that a chief will loose their position until their death.
High Nobles
Also called the "royal family" sometimes, this is a council of Nobles closely related to the chief of the Tribe, or highly respected Nobles who have earn his/her trust. They act as a bit of a senate, and advise the chief on the day to day running of things. However, this council can also dethrone a chief if they don't like how they are running things.
Pack Leader
A leader of a pack, typically a very close relative of the chief. Chiefs have pretty much come to live by this saying, "Keep your friends close, your enemies closer, and your family as far as way as possible" by making their closest relatives lead their own packs, thus no where near the chief. Pack leaders command and rule over their pack and territory, but still must listen to the chief and the High Nobles.
Nobles
Other nobles who are part of a pack, but not High Nobles. They often act as advisers to pack leaders or chiefs.
Commanders
A commander is pretty much the same rank/position as a Noble, but commanders are non-Noble, mortal wolves. They are given the same respect as a Noble.
High Ranking Wolves
Not quite a commander, these are typically wolves who are closely related to a commander, or who have earned this high position.
Common Wolves
Non-Noble wolves of the common rank. Make up most of the population. Aren't treated poorly, but aren't as respected as high ranked wolves or commanders.
Low Ranking Wolves
The worst rank for a Tribe wolf(though better than being a rogue/loner/exile to most), these wolves get little to no respect from the other ranks. Common wolves are the only ones who typically are willing to speak or socialize with them, or even take them as a mate. High ranking wolves pretty much pretend they aren't there. Commanders, Nobles, and anything above that basically say low ranking wolves aren't worthy of walking on the same dirt as them. They get treated lower than dirt by them. They have little rights, and have to den by themselves or with other low ranking wolves, and have to feed themselves, but aren't allowed to hunt at certain times.
This is a rank reserved for low and disgraceful wolves, such as criminals(guilty of not too serious crimes, obviously), black Nobles, Lesser Wolves, half-wolves, and werewolves.
Other Positions
Black Noble
A Noble who has been disgraced, exiled, has abandoned their Tribe or pack, or has been denied their rightful rank and position.
Rogue
Any wolf who refuses to live under Tribe laws.
Loner
Lone wolves, or a wolf who only travels in a small family group. Nomadic and peaceful, these wolves still live under Tribe laws, but do not belong to a Tribe or pack.
Exile
A wolf who has been exiled from their pack.
Outcast
A wolf who has been shunned by the whole Tribe.
A Noble who has been disgraced, exiled, has abandoned their Tribe or pack, or has been denied their rightful rank and position.
Rogue
Any wolf who refuses to live under Tribe laws.
Loner
Lone wolves, or a wolf who only travels in a small family group. Nomadic and peaceful, these wolves still live under Tribe laws, but do not belong to a Tribe or pack.
Exile
A wolf who has been exiled from their pack.
Outcast
A wolf who has been shunned by the whole Tribe.
Tribe Law
These are the laws every wolf(or to the laws it may pertain to, also wolflords) who calls themselves a member of a Tribe, or is claimed by a Tribe as one of their members, must obey. These are laws can not be overruled or changed by anyone but the council of Elders.
(This is in no particular order. Eventually I will reorder them to be in a specific order, but for now, I'm just adding them as I go along.)
(This is in no particular order. Eventually I will reorder them to be in a specific order, but for now, I'm just adding them as I go along.)
- Wolves who turn a human into a werewolf must take responsibility for the werewolf, or face exile.
- Werewolves who break the laws are to be punished by the wolf who made them, otherwise punishment will be placed upon the wolf instead.
- The Next, or heir of the Tribe, must be married and be or have been a Pack Leader.
- The natural heir of the Chief/King will always be given preference when designating a Next.
- Chiefs, Pack Leaders, and High Nobles who have surviving offspring, but their mate has died, can not remarry.
Pack Life
Life within the packs of the Tribes is relatively peaceful, or as peaceful as it can be most of the time. Wolves, like many of the Kei races, have various roles within the pack, called their rank, and these ranks dictate the individual's daily life.