Pack Creation contest - Part 2!

Quote:Pack Name: Secretua


Territory: Algoma Prairie (and Fern Gulley through eventual purchase)




In-Character Reasoning: Rune has had a really unstable upbringing as far as packs go. Twice within Tortuga the pack was lost, twice under Valhalla it was lost as well, and now Covari is gone too. His trust in other pack leaders has basically dwindled away to nothing, and at the worst possible moment. His children are not as young and helpless as they once were, but he still feels a strong need to protect them, and now that his sister plans to keep her young family close he feels responsible for their well being as well. With a lack of trust in the current packs, Rune wishes to forge his own, to take leadership for his family and a handful of others who earn his respect and try to create a safe future for them all.




Alpha Description: Considering everything that Rune has witnessed during his lifetime regarding leadership and pack life, both the good and the bad, he is going to hold himself to a very strict set of standards. He will be a guardian for the pack, protector, provider, and comrade. It will likely be difficult to gain his trust - there are too many lives at stake with those he needs to protect already - but once gained they will become part of his circle of those he will stand for. Just as he will devote himself to those under his reign, he wants them to assist each other as well, and it will be written out within his laws. Most of his attention will be focused solely on ensuring that the pack will be capable of running smoothly in a self-sufficient manner before he will give thought to branching out and seeing what his neighbors are like.




Personally, Rune is very serious with far too much on his plate to really devote time to relaxation and fun. He is very much work-driven, striving to provide the best environment for his family and those he entrusts with membership inside of his pack. He is strict with himself and doesn't accept failures, and likely a part of that same mindset will cross over into how he interacts with his pack mates. To their benefit, however, is the fact he has taken a very sweet, very patient wolf as his mate, and he will be doing his best to balance his need for control and perfection with the need to provide her with a pack that feels more warm and welcoming. It might put him at odds with himself, or even Alamea, but he hopes with her assistance he might be able to relinquish a little of the strong grip he wishes to have over his pack to see it become something they both can enjoy and take pride in.




Laws & Description:

Pack Alignment: Neutral

Accepted Alignments: Acceptance into the pack will not be restricted to any one alignment. Instead it will be determined on an individualistic basis, with each prospective pack member being inspected and assessed for trustworthiness, temperament, and what contributions they can bring to Secretua.



General:

i. Secretua is a secluded, private sort of community. Expect all visitors and prospective members to be approached with some level of caution.

ii. Respect the pack?s borders. Trespassers will not be tolerated.

iii. All visitors will be stopped at the border and greeted by someone of the Liaison or Command tier; how long they stay, whether permanent or otherwise, will be decided by the ranked wolf who greets them.

iv. Because of Secretua?s small size, all pack members are expected to contribute to the pack?s well being. Because of this, the pack?s ?default rank? is that of a Scout so that even those who have yet to choose a task will still have a job to focus on.

v. Camaraderie is greatly encouraged. Some assignments will require the different task groups to cross over and assist one another. Get to know your pack mates and decide who you work well with.

vi. Respect is expected between pack members. Issues and disagreements should be brought up to someone of the Liaison tier.



Regarding Tiers:

vii. Each tier within the pack has its own specific name and its own specific function.

viii. Tier one is the Command tier. This tier focuses primarily on diplomatic affairs involving wolves and packs outside of Secretua as well as designating the rules and guidelines the pack will follow.

ix. Tier two is the Liaison tier. This tier focuses primarily on the internal affairs of the pack, including member satisfaction, disagreements and issues, and productivity.

x. Tier three is the Advisory tier. This tier focuses on monitoring and supervising the exercises and assignments of the Task tier, as well as conducting instructional meetings.

xi. Tier four is the Task tier. This tier focuses on the individual?s chosen task and completing the exercises and assignments delegated to them by the Advisory tier.

xii. Tier five is the Protected tier. This tier, as the name implies, is composed of those wolves who are to be respected and protected by the other members of the pack for their knowledge, skill, and youth.

xiii. Tier six is the Probationary tier. It consists of only one rank and will be composed of wolves who are either being given a second chance or who need to prove themselves trustworthy, productive members of the pack.



Regarding Training Exercises/Assignments:

xiv. Training exercises and assignments will be conducted and given out by those of the Advisory tier for their respective task groups when they see fit for them to happen. These include patrols, hunts, gathering assignments, and instructional meetings.

xv. Patrols will consist of at minimum one Scout and one Guard, with a maximum of three wolves per patrol. Simply walk the border and make sure it feels safe for the pack within.

xvi. Hunts will be led by either the Huntress/Huntsman or a Hunter with two to four other volunteers of any task group assisting as needed. Collect small game, track prey through the territory, or combine your skills to catch larger meals.

xvii. Gathering assignments will consist of one to two Medics and one to two Guards, with no more than three wolves in each gathering group. Used for gathering useful plants outside of the pack, the Medic will find the needed plants and the Guard will ensure they both return safely.

xviii. Instructional meetings will be conducted by the Advisory ranks personally and will be open to all interested parties of the pack. These will include but are not limited to fight training, spars, and healer?s lessons.



Regarding Meetings:

xix. Meetings will be conducted on an as-needed basis revolving around important events that affect the entire pack as a whole. Expect them to be infrequent so long as the pack is running smoothly.

xx. Regular meetings, either formal or informal, will take place between the Guardian, the Warden, or the Caretaker and those within the Advisory tier to keep everyone informed of the pack?s status within and outside of itself.

xxi. Any changes or additions to the functions of the Task tier will be announced by their respective Advisor through individual Task meetings.

xxii. Pack members with information or knowledge they would like to share with the pack or certain areas of the pack should bring it to the Guardian, the Warden, or the Caretaker or the appropriate Advisor so it can be passed along through the proper channels.



Regarding Inter-Pack Diplomacy:

xxiii. Diplomatic affairs between Secretua and its neighbors will only be conducted by those of the Command tier. Do not speak on their behalf.

xxiv. Because Secretua is self-reliant and private, it will have minimal dealings with its neighbors and will be incredibly strict about any alliances or partnerships it agrees to.

xxv. Keep in mind: Secretua comes first and its own personal safety and stability will always come above those of its neighbors.



Regarding Inheritance:

xxvi. When the Guardian deems the timing appropriate, he or she will step down and allow the Successor to take their place if the Successor is of the proper age to do so.

xxvii. Should the Guardian be unable to fulfill their duties and the Successor is too young to inherit the rank, the Warden will step in to claim the Guardian rank and act as a regent until the Successor is of age.

xxviii. Should the Guardian be unable to fulfill their duties and no Successor be appointed, the Warden will have the opportunity to step up and claim the rank.

xxix. Should the Guardian be unable to fulfill their duties and no Warden or Successor is in place to inherit the rank, the Caretaker will then have the opportunity to step up and claim the rank.

xxx. Should the Guardian be unable to fulfill their duties and no Warden, Successor, or Caretaker be capable of inheriting the rank, leadership of the pack will be left up to the Peacekeepers, in particular whichever should step up to claim the rank first.

xxxi. If no one of the Command and Liaison tiers are capable of taking the rank of Guardian, then leadership of the pack will be open to the first pack member to step up and claim the rank.



Disclaimer: Pack rules are subject to change as the Command and Liaison tiers see fit. However changes will only apply to circumstances that occur after it has been put into effect, not before.




Tier 1: Command Tier Ranks and Descriptions

Rank Name: Guardian


Rank Description: The Guardian is the Alpha or leading figure of the pack. He or she will be responsible for maintaining a stable, self-sufficient pack through heavy involvement amongst the pack's members, setting guidelines and rules those of the pack will need to follow, and by making decisions based on the pack's best interest. Specific duties include but are not limited to accepting/removing members, appointing ranks, setting up meetings, conducting training exercises/assignments, attending diplomatic meetings, and securing alliances. (1 position)



Rank Name: Warden


Rank Description: The Warden is the Secondary Alpha or right-hand-man/woman of the Guardian. He or she will be hand-picked by the Guardian to assist in all of his or her endeavors by providing insight, opinions, and suggestions, as well as stepping up to act as the Guardian either temporarily or permanently should the Guardian not be present or capable of doing so for his or her self. Specific duties include but are not limited to accepting/removing members, appointing ranks, setting up meetings, conducting training exercises/assignments, and attending diplomatic meetings. (1 position)



Rank Name: Successor


Rank Description: The Successor is a younger wolf, either a relative of the Guardian or a promising youth, who acts as the Heir to Secretua. He or she will be responsible for following the Guardian and Warden to observe and learn how it is they will need to conduct the pack in order to be ready once it is time for them to inherit the Guardian rank. Inheritance/Promotion will occur at the Guardian?s direction and when the Successor is at least 2 years of age. Specific duties include accompanying the Guardian/Warden during their activities within the pack, attending diplomatic meetings, providing input and opinions when requested, and accepting/removing members. (1 position)




Tier 2: Liaison Tier Ranks and Descriptions

Rank Name: Caretaker


Rank Description: The Caretaker is the Lead Beta or the head of internal affairs of Secretua and will also act as a second secondary alpha within the pack. Their focus will rest solely on the pack?s comfort and productivity, ensuring that any disagreements or issues that arise are dealt with and that the pack members themselves are doing their part to contribute to the well being of Secretua. They will be responsible for keeping the Guardian and Warden informed of the goings on within the pack when or if they need to be caught up. Specific duties include but are not limited to accepting/removing members, appointing ranks, setting up meetings, conducting training exercises/assignments, and mediating through any disagreements or issues that might arise in the pack. (1 position)



Rank Name: Peacekeeper


Rank Description: The Peacekeepers are the Betas or assistant Caretakers in the pack. Their focus is to do what they can to gauge the moods of the pack?s members and try diffusing any unrest or potential problems before they can escalate by being involved in daily pack activities like training exercises and assignments. Any difficulties they have in performing their task or important issues that arise needing the attention of the higher ranks should be brought before the Caretaker. Specific duties include accepting members, appointing ranks, involving themselves in training exercises and assignments, and mediating through any disagreements or issues that might arise in the pack. (2 positions)




Tier 3: Advisory Tier Ranks and Descriptions

Rank Name: Sentinel


Rank Description: The Sentinel is the lead fighter or Guard for the pack. He or she is responsible for coordinating the movements and training exercises of the Guards and Scouts as well as holding open instructional meetings for all interested pack members to be trained in basic fighting/defensive skills. Specific duties include setting up meetings, conducting training exercises/assignments, coordinating with the other Advisors, and reporting progress to the Guardian, the Warden, or the Caretaker. (1 position)



Rank Name: Huntress/Huntsman


Rank Description: The Huntress/Huntsman is the lead hunter or provider for the pack. He or she is responsible for managing the Hunters during their hunts and tracking assignments, as well as holding open instructional meetings for all interested pack members to be trained in basic hunting and tracking skills. Specific duties include setting up meetings, conducting training exercises/assignments, coordinating with the other Advisors, and reporting progress to the Guardian, the Warden, or the Caretaker. (1 position)



Rank Name: Healer


Rank Description: The Healer is the lead Medic of the pack. Their responsibility focuses primarily upon training Medics to ensure they know a wide variety of plants and their uses, as well as gathering the necessary plants for storage or use and holding instructional meetings for all interested pack members to be trained in basic plant and gathering skills. Specific duties include setting up meetings, conducting training exercises/assignments, coordinating with the other Advisors, and reporting progress to the Guardian, the Warden, or the Caretaker. (1 position)




Tier 4: Task Tier Ranks and Descriptions

Rank Name: Guard


Rank Description: The Guards make up the main fighting force of the pack. They are those who are strong and capable of putting up a strong defense against any wolf or wolves who might wish harm on one of Secretua?s own. Their primary focus will be to keep themselves in shape and to fulfill their training exercises and assignments. Specific duties include fitness training, sparring, patrolling with a scout, and accompanying medics on gathering assignments. (Unlimited)



Rank Name: Hunter


Rank Description: The hunters are the primary providers for the pack. They are responsible for catching enough game to feed the pack as well as monitoring the movements of the prey within Secretua?s borders to be able to find them when necessary. Specific duties include conducting/participating in hunts, tracking prey, and attending training meetings. (Unlimited)



Rank Name: Scout


Rank Description: The Scouts are the swift runners of the pack. They are responsible for using their speed to run ahead on patrols in case assistance is needed at the border and to intercept visitors before they trespass if a Command or Liaison tier wolf is not there to do so. Specific duties include participating on patrols, running messages, and greeting visitors at the border. (Unlimited)




Tier 5: Protected Tier Ranks and Descriptions

Rank Name: Medic


Rank Description: The Medics, though not a part of the Task tier, are still considered to be a Task group. They are composed of the healers of the pack and focus on assisting in medical issues that arise amongst the pack members as well as gathering plants when stocked stores begin to run low. Specific duties include healing injured/sick wolves, training to better improve skill, and gathering and storing useful plants. (Unlimited)



Rank Name: Youth


Rank Description: The Youths are those wolves below the age of 1 year who are still learning about themselves and trying to find their place in the pack. They are to be encouraged to try out each different task available to them to see where their strengths and interests lie and to step up to assist the Task tier if they believe their skill to be advanced enough. Specific duties include finding out who they are, choosing a Task to study toward, and learning how to be involved in the pack. (Unlimited)



Rank Name: Elder


Rank Description: The Elders are wolves who are over the age of eight and are no longer required to hold a specified task in the pack. They are to be revered for their knowledge and experience and to be assisted as needed. Specific duties include regaling youngsters with stories of their youth, napping, and using their knowledge and experience to assist in the betterment of Secretua. (Unlimited)




Tier 6: Probationary Tier Ranks and Descriptions

Rank Name: Watched


Rank Description: The Watched are wolves who are undergoing a probationary period within the pack, either because they have done something to lose themselves the trust of the pack or because their initial meeting with a ranked wolf yielded an inconclusive decision regarding their trustworthiness or intent in joining. The amount of time one will be required to stay within the Watched rank will be determined individually and by circumstance. At the end of their probationary period wolves will either be accepted into the pack and assigned a task or removed and escorted from the pack?s territory. Specific duties include clearing his or her name and/or proving their worth to the members of Secretua. (Unlimited)