One Last Easter Egg

<b>Alpha:</b> <a href="URL">Enrico</a> (Mask)
<b>Proposed name:</b> Niente
<b>Proposed color:</b> <font color=#121110>#121110</font>
<b>Proposed lands:</b> Sparse Pines and SS Antiox

<b>Why You Should Vote for Me:</b> Niente would be what might be classified as a hard neutral/soft dark - they might break your legs if you cross them, but they won't feed your children to alligators, you know? This allows for a wide variety of personalities and alignments in their ranks. The guild setup is also fairly unique, as this pack puts equal importance on fighters, hunters, healers, navigators, crafters, and traders in allowing them to exercise their path and gain rank. The hunters that feed the pack are no less important than the fighters that defend it, and the navigators that gather information about the world around them no less necessary than the healers that keep them healthy. Crafters and traders work together with the other ranks to make and trade necessary items that make life easier for the pack, and bring in new items and wealth from afar. Everyone is valued, necessary, and expected to pull their own weight.


<b><u>PACK INFORMATION</b></u>

<b>Tier 1</b>

<b>Tiercel</b> - Enrico, the primary alpha. His is the final say in all pack matters.
Sarcel - Enrico’s second in command. As this rank represents a close bond and immense trust and Enrico does not easily trust anyone, it is unlikely to ever be filled, but if it is the Sarcel will hold nearly all the same power as the Tiercel.
<b>Passager</b> - the heir to the pack.. This will be reserved for a trusted young wolf, either a pup or yearling, who will be groomed to leadership - not necessarily leadership of Niente either, as they are encouraged to go out into the world and begin their own pack when they come of age, rather than stagnate and waste the skills they’ve learned. As they learn and grow older they will slowly earn privileges and responsibilities and will eventually be nearly equal to the Sarcel, though they may not promote anyone past Tier 3, nor may they punish a pack member in a permanent manner (major maims or removal from the pack) without consulting the Tiercel.


<b>Tier 2</b>

<b>Alula</b> - You could call these three wolves betas, though in actuality they are somewhat closer to what might be ambassadors. They are experienced and wise wolves who act as counselors to the members of the pack in an advisory capacity, as teachers, and can be trusted to represent Niente to the rest of the world. Their judgement has been deemed sound, and so they are trusted to know when it is safe to open their borders to new members, what information is safe to share with outsiders, and to carry sensitive messages from the Tiercel. Not necessarily the best in their field of study, they must instead have proven to be among the most cunning, trustworthy, and loyal of the pack.


<b>Tier 3</b>

<b>Malar</b> - These wolves have proven themselves experts in healing. Although proficient in all forms of healing, many masters prefer to hone their expertise in one or two specialties. In addition to mentoring apprentices, specialists may chose to bring up a journeyman who has an interest in their field. The Malar with the most experience and leadership ability is chosen as the senior Malar and is expected to be the liaison between the Tiercel and all the healers. They will also be expected to make certain that all healers keep up on their responsibilities, and might find themselves called upon to advise the Tiercel on which healers might be suitable for advancement in rank.
<b>Yarak</b> - These woodswise wolves have proven themselves experts in hunting and tracking. Although expertly knowledgeable in most forms of prey or tracking techniques, many masters prefer to hone their expertise in one or two specialties, such as plains hunting, or tracking other wolves. In addition to mentoring apprentices, specialists may chose to bring up a journeyman who has an interest in their field. The Yarak with the most experience and leadership ability is chosen as the senior Yarak and is expected to be the liaison between the Tiercel and all the hunters. They will also be expected to make certain that all hunters keep up on their responsibilities, and might find themselves called upon to advise the Tiercel on which hunters might be suitable for advancement in rank.
<b>Mantle</b> - These wolves are the most elite among the fighters. They have proven themselves in battle countless times and hold the wisdom and cunning of experienced warriors. These are the wolves who will be chosen for the most important of tasks - as guards for precious lives or cargo, or as assassins. Although all are expert fighters, some may choose to specialize, whether as bodyguard or assassin, and in addition to mentoring apprentices some specialists may choose to bring up a journeyman who has an interest in their field. The Mantle with the most experience and leadership ability is chosen as the senior Mantle and is expected to be the liaison between the Tiercel and all the warriors. They will also be expected to make certain that all warriors keep up on their responsibilities, and might find themselves called upon to advise the Tiercel on which warriors might be suitable for advancement in rank.
<b>Hallux</b> - spymaster, master thief, master saboteur
<b>Rufter</b> - trademaster, master crafter


<b>Tier 4</b>

<b>Accipiter</b> - These wolves are warriors, proven in battle to show competence in their field. They have shown themselves capable of choosing their own path in training without the supervision of a mentor. Some may wish to train in a more specialized path and seek out the guidance of a master in the field, but journeyman are considered full warriors. Accipiters are expected to continue to train their skills by attending regular spar sessions among the pack as well as journeying to the battlefield to test themselves against strangers. They are also expected to assist buteos at need.
<b>Buteo</b> - These wolves are hunters and trackers, proven in the field to show competence. They have shown themselves capable of hunting or tracking on their own without the supervision of a mentor. Some may wish to train in a more specialized path and seek out the guidance of a master in the field, but journeyman are considered to be fully capable hunters on their own merits. When tracking wolves or other dangerous predators, buteos are expected to work together with at least one accipiter or mantle for protection. They are expected to participate in group hunts regularly to supply the pack with large game, but are also to hunt smaller game on their own to provide for those who cannot hunt for themselves.
<b>Kestrel</b> - journeyman healers
<b>Broadwing</b> - journeyman traders and crafters
<b>Hobby</b> - journeyman spies and thieves, saboteurs


<b>Tier 5</b>

<b>Haggard</b> - unranked adult. These are wolves who have not shown interest in or the ability to follow any particular guild, whether through simple disinterest or infirmity. They are expected to make themselves useful to the pack in some way regardless and to better themselves however they can. Wolves who remain in this rank through disinterest for too long will be strongly considered to be candidates for indenture or expulsion unless they make themselves very useful here.
<b>Creance</b> - all apprentices regardless of which guild they belong to will be ranked the same, and if their guild needs to be known, they would be referred to by their mentor's name and rank. For example: "Kestrel Arlo's Creance" or "Broadwing Siv's Creance". Creance can be any age, and a joining wolf interested in a specific guild who cannot prove their competence in that guild's field to the satisfaction of both the Tiercel and the guildmasters will be placed here.

<b>Tier 6</b>

<b>Eyas</b> - unapprenticed pup (under 1 year)
<b>Quarry</b> - indentured servant, held for labor


<b>Tier 7</b>

<b>Mute</b> - punished
<b>Bechin</b> - prisoner held for blackmail or ransom


<b>Laws</b>:

<i>Above all else, Loyalty</i> - Once you have joined the pack, nothing is more important than Niente and your brothers and sisters in it. Nothing CAN be more important. By putting the pack first, you insure the survival of the pack.

<i>Respect</i> - Show your brothers and sisters in the pack respect, no matter who they are. If you don’t like them, be respectful anyway. We are gentlemen (and women), and gentlemen (and women) do not treat each other in an impolite manner. Showing a disrespectful attitude towards your packmates will not be tolerated.

<i>Be Cautious</i> - Outsiders are not to be trusted. Pack members are expected to show restraint and caution around anyone who does not already belong to Niente.

<i>Be Watchful</i> - Wolves showing up on the borders uninvited, for any reason, will be treated with suspicion unless vouched for by a pack member. Anyone without a recommendation will need to be tested thoroughly before being allowed in the pack. Active recruitment of trustworthy individuals will be the preferred method of bringing new blood into Niente.

<i>Silence and Secrecy</i> - Anyone caught giving outsiders, even allies, information about the pack without permission will be treated harshly. The only thing outsiders need to know is the pack’s name and that they have many things to trade to willing parties. No one needs to know how many members the pack has, nor do they need to know the names of the other pack members. If there is some question about whether the information is acceptable to disseminate, ask the Tiercel or Sarcel.

<i>Ferocity and Ruthlessness</i> - all wolves are expected to turn themselves wholeheartedly to the defense of the pack and their interests, particularly in defense of the pack itself. All wolves are expected to respect the borders regardless of status or intent. No Niente wolf is to bring an outside wolf passed the borders without the express permission of a tier 1 or 2 wolf. If the borders are breached it is the responsibility of all Niente wolves regardless of rank to sound an alarm. Mantles and Accipiters (and any other lower ranked wolves so inclined) are expected to seek to maim perpetrators with an easily visible scar that will mark them as an enemy of Niente - a deep and terrible scar from the corner of their muzzle to the base of their ear... One strike against Niente, one side scarred. Two strikes, two scars. Three strikes... That does not bear considering. Those of a high enough rank to force-claim are expected to do so unless the situation warrants otherwise.

<i>Honor</i> - It may not seem that way to enemies of the pack, but wolves of Niente are expected to hold themselves to a high standard. Polite, efficient, the wolves of Niente must show the world a gentlemanly veneer despite the less-than-savory nature of some of their ventures. There are some rules of honor they are expected to uphold - for instance, harming children for any reason is strongly discouraged, and even threatening them in a “what a nice child, wouldn’t it be a shame if they had an accident” cliche villain trope is frowned on. Until necessary, you should treat others in a polite, mannerly way.

<i>Restraint</i> - Unnecessarily evil behavior that puts Niente at risk for retaliation - such as rape, and unauthorized killing (except in self defense) or torture, will not be tolerated and will be repaid in a manner relative to the crime. While there may be some blurred and gray areas, doing harm just for fun, thoughtlessly, and for no reason is unacceptable. Sexual relations of any sort with an underaged wolf (including yearlings) will be severely punished and the wolf immediately removed from the pack. Not only does behavior such as that put your fellow Niente wolves at risk, it is against Niente’s core principles.

<i>Obedience</i> - this is pretty self explanatory. Obey orders from the Tiercel and his commanders. Show up to meetings and training without delay. Follow the rules.

<i>Self improvement and Education</i> - Niente wolves are strongly encouraged, even expected, to seek to improve themselves constantly through training and education. Do not pass up the opportunity to learn simply because it doesn’t seem relevant to your rank. You never know when that new knowledge will come in handy. Pass on your own knowledge to your packmates so that they can share in your successes and strengthen the pack as a whole. Journeyman and master ranks are required to take an apprentice when the opportunity arises, and masters are encouraged to take journeyman on for additional training as well.

<i>Contribute</i> - If you have nothing or are not willing to contribute to the wellbeing of your brothers and sisters in the pack, find someplace else to lay your head. Even if all you bring to the table is loyalty and a willingness to lend a paw however you are able, that’s still something. If you join and then refuse to do anything, expect to be indentured until you’ve worked off your debt before being kicked out of the pack.

<i>Ransom and Servitude</i> - Wolves may occasionally be held for ransom until their friends or family pay it. If they refuse to or can’t pay the debt, the kidnapped wolf will be indentured to the pack until they can pay off the debt themselves. Other situations may lead to wolves being indentured as well, and the price for their freedom depends greatly on why they were indentured to begin with. (See OOC rules for more information on getting out of servitude)


► If you find yourself in the unenviable position of being indentured, don't worry! It's not too hard to earn your way free of your position. After all, you're in that rank because somehow you've incurred a debt to Niente, so your best and easiest option is to pay that debt off. Depending on the debt, you might have to do more or less than someone else. Escape attempts and bad behavior can also add to your debt so be careful! There are a variety of ways to pay off your debt, but basically anything that benefits Niente can go towards paying it off. Hunting, collecting herbs, assisting Niente wolves - trustworthy Quarry might be called on to watch pups or teach lessons, though that sort of thing won't count unless they're actually asked to in character. Even just doing the bare minimum (for instance, all indentured wolves are required to assist in pack hunts) your wolf will eventually pay off their debt. But the faster the better, right? Threads focused specifically on doing something helpful, such as a thread focused on hunting rather than just mentioning hunting, will be worth more. Just being active with Niente wolves will earn you a small amount of points as well if the character is actually interacting (1-2 points per thread) and behaving themselves. The average indenture is going to be worth 100 points, which sounds like a big number, but it won't be difficult to reach it. Depending on the effort put into the thread, completed pack hunts are worth 15 points, small game hunts around 5 points, medium game hunts with other pack members are worth around 10. Collecting herbs would be around 5 points, while assisting a pack healer might be around 10. You can see a trend here - interacting with pack members earns you more points! It's your responsibility to keep track of your indentured character's threads and ask about points.