Yfir

Ardent · (This post was last modified: 05-28-2016, 09:06 AM by Katja the First.)

PACK RANKS

Wolves of Yfir will be awarded ranks through deeds well done, or hard work. The ability to battle for ranks will be limited but still allowable. Dreng may battle for a full warrior's rank if they feel their mentor is holding them back unfairly. Thegn may battle the herse for his or her title. If a karl wishes to join the thegn as a full warrior, they may battle for recognition, and if proven worthy will be allowed to swear their oath and placed as a thegn by either of the alpha pair. Those wishing to find recognition amongst the healers may not fight for rank as it is their knowledge of healing that will avail them, not battle, but they may be tested in other ways to prove their worth. A wolf wishing to swear themselves to the service of the gods needs not be tested, but must prove themselves sufficiently knowledgeable and experienced to move to full priesthood.

TIER ONE These wolves are the ultimate authority in Yfir

Dróttin: (1) The Dróttin is the highest authority of the pack and all other decisions made by lesser ranking wolves are subject to their veto. They are expected to lead by example, to shirk no duty and to do what is best for Yfir rather than what is most comfortable for them. If they make a judgement, they are expected to be the one to carry out the sentence rather than simply pass it off to another. They must be involved, even if peripherally, in every aspect of pack life whether it is the larger picture of pack alliances and wars, or the minutiae of the lives of each pack wolf.

Jarl: (1) The Jarl is the Dróttin’s most trusted friend and ally, their second in command. Sometimes they are a mated pair - usually they are not, and may in fact be the same sex or siblings. Regardless of the relationship, the Jarl is the wolf the Dróttin can rely on the most and so much be chosen with the utmost of care. They are the Dróttin’s near-equal in power and are trusted to make all the same decisions as the Dróttin and to speak with the Dróttin’s voice in all matters.

Erfingi: (1) This is the wolf whether offspring of one of the alpha wolves or simply the most qualified young wolf, chosen as the Heir to the pack. While their status should be shown respect they must still earn their responsibilities through hard work and by proving themselves truly capable. They can eventually earn the ability to accept wolves into the pack, though they cannot appoint wolves to higher ranks without the approval of the alphas. They are being groomed specifically to one day take over the pack - this is not a responsibility to be taken lightly. They can expect a great deal of highly specialised training from all the various wolves of the beta council as well as the alpha pair.

TIER TWO These wolves will, along with the hofgodi, make up the beta council, the elite members of the pack who have earned the trust of the alpha. They will not always be called upon for their opinions in matters but they are trusted to be able to go about their duties and to lead the other members of the pack without constant orders from the alpha.

Stallari: (3) fyrstr Stallari, annarr Stallari, þriði Stallari - These wolves are more than simply the betas of the pack. They are each leaders in their own right, with many of the rights and responsibilities of alphas. In war, these wolves each marshal their forces under the direction of the Drottin. They may lead their warriors in raids at their own discretion, though they must consult with the alpha if they intend to lead a raid against an ally, or lead wolves not strictly within their own band. In peacetime they act as advisors for the alpha pair and directly oversee the wolves in their line of command. If both halphas have fallen and the heir is unable to assume the throne due to age, the senior stallari - fyrstr Stallari - will act as regent for the heir until they are of age, or in the event of the death or abdication of the heir they will become alpha. This rank may be challenged for, but whether the winner of the challenge becomes Stallari is subject to the decision of the alpha, for the Stallari must be much more than simply a strong fighter and they are a crucial part of the council. These ranks are named in order of seniority and experience with the rank rather than age, and a wolf may move from annarr Stallari to fyrstr Stallari, or priði Stallari to annarr Stallari, if the wolf senior to them steps down or is replaced. The bands take their names from the seniority of their Stallari, so a warrior in the annarr Stallari’s band would be called annarr thegn.

TIER THREE This rank includes those who have worked hard to distinguish themselves from their fellow packmates by training hard in a field of their choosing. They are dedicated to the service of the pack and all its members and have chosen to put that service before themselves. These wolves acknowledge that the care of the pack must come before the care of individual families within it, and have given up much to join these ranks. Though they may still have families of their own and are indeed encouraged to, they have sworn themselves to Yfir.

Hofgoði: (1) - the head priest of the pack, they exist outside the pack’s hierarchy, answering only to the alpha and the gods themselves. They are expected to see to the training of new priests as well as the spiritual education of the pack’s young. While the alpha has charge of the pack’s secular ceremonies, the hofgoði has sole charge of the pack’s religious rites.

Herse AND Eir: (6) Each Stallari’s band will be able to choose from within the ranks of the senior warriors and healers one leader from each branch. The herse will serve as lead warrior for the band, and the eir as head healer. Both will be expected to offer advice and guidance to their Stallari, but are subject to the Stallari’s judgement. They have the power to call meetings for those they oversee as well as organize training in their specialty, and will be expected to do so on a regular basis or lose their rank.

Huskarl: (∞) These wolves will be diplomats, traders, and thinkers of great skill and experience, and will be respected within the pack. They will be expected to give counsel not only to the pack members, but to be called on by the alpha in important matters. Certain aspects of law will be shared with them, such as trading, overseeing diplomatic encounters with members of other packs, and assisting in passing judgments on those who have acted against Yfir. They will oversee the karls and the family matters of the pack as well, including assisting in the training of young wolves in matters of pack etiquette, economics, society, and navigation among other things. These wolves will often, though not always, be among the elderly wolves who hold much experience but who are not yet ready to retire despite the infirmity of their bodies.

TIER FOUR This rank includes those who have worked hard to distinguish themselves from their fellow packmates by training hard in a field of their choosing. They are dedicated to the service of the pack and all its members and have chosen to put that service before themselves. These wolves acknowledge that the care of the pack must come before the care of individual families within it, and have given up much to join these ranks. Though they may still have families of their own and are indeed encouraged to, they have sworn themselves to Yfir. It also includes the craftsmen and traders who have not made such oaths but are to be held in high regard for their work.

goði: (∞) the fully trained priests of the pack, they fall outside the normal pack hierarchy, belonging to no one band but rather to the pack as a whole. They act as the packs’ conscience and guidance, their link to the gods. They may have secondary skills, whether as a hunter or fighter, healer or trader, but they are sworn foremost to the gods. Though all vikings may converse with the gods as they wish, the goði are sworn solely to their service. They may act as emotional mentors, as storytellers, as historians, much as the huskarl do, but while the huskarl may act from a practical, earthly standpoint the godi are generally more concerned with the spiritual aspects. They carry the history of the pack, of the families within it, and the stories of the gods in an oral tradition and so must have well-trained minds in order to memorize what they must recite at need. Goði will be expected to act as mentor to at least one gyðja in their lifetime, so that their way of life might be preserved for the next generation. No wolf younger than three years old may find themselves in this rank.

Thegn: (∞) The thegn are the elite warriors and hunters of the pack. They will be expected to learn both arts though it is accepted that they focus their concentration on one or the other. They will be the first line of defense when war comes, as well as provide most of the hunting for the pack for those who cannot feed themselves. They will be expected to mentor one or more dreng in the art, as well as participating in any training to improve their own skills.

Hirdha: (∞) The hirdha are the elite healers and medics of the pack, trained in both the curing of diseases - including those of the mind - and in the chaos of battlefield medicine, though it is acceptable for them to chose to concentrate on one or the other. They are also expected to take on one or more skald from the pack's youth to educate as they age, as well as participate in any training to improve their own skills.

Kaupmaðr: (∞) These are the pack's craftsmen and traders. Though they may have other skills that they may be called upon to use in emergencies, these wolves have chosen to pursue a life dedicated to the finer arts. Craftsmen are greatly honored and lauded for their artistry, and are encouraged to take an apprentice or two who shares their passions to pass on the knowledge of their craft. Traders often travel far distances from the pack for their goods, learning their way through many types of terrains and knowing many wolves, and when needed may act as scouts or spies. They have made no stringent oaths but are expected to act in such a way as to honor Yfir and to protect their brethren - though of course they are encouraged to make a profit while they're at it.

TIER FIVE These ranks and up are reserved for those who are considered full adult members of the pack - though the student ranks may in fact be filled with wolves under the age of one, they have earned the right to be considered adults through their oath of service and are full members of the pack. Karl are divided equally among the bands, while the skald and dreng will join the band of their mentor to work beside them. Concubines join their patron’s band upon entering into their agreement. Taking a mate in another band is allowed without question and ranks may be rearranged to allow families to remain comfortably within the same group if desired, though it is preferred to keep mates separated to minimize the likelihood of pups orphaned if a band is wiped out in war.

Skald AND Dreng: (∞) These are the wolves who have sworn themselves to the service of the pack and have earned a rank as a junior warrior or healer. This is not a rank conferred automatically but one that must be earned through hard work and perseverance while among the lower ranks. Apprentices to their arts, this rank is not limited to the young and they include newly joined adults wishing to join the ranks of thegn or hirdha who have not yet proven themselves fully trained. Dreng are the junior warriors and hunters, while skalds are those students studying the arts of the eir. Neither a skald or a dreng will not be able to advance in either order until their mentor feels them fully trained or they can sufficiently prove themselves to the alpha.

Gyðja: (∞) The priest-trainees, these are wolves who have sworn themselves to the gods but are too young and inexperienced to join the ranks of the priests. They are outside the normal order of things, belonging to no one band but rather to the pack as a whole. A Gyðja may not advance to goði until their mentor judges them to be ready, both intellectually and spiritually, or they can sufficiently prove themselves to the hofgoði or alpha.

Farmaðr: (∞) Apprentice traders and craftsmen - though they like their mentors swore no extra oaths they are expected to dedicate themselves to learning their crafts thoroughly, and to comport themselves with the proper manner when trading among strangers.

Karl: (∞) The karls make up the rest of the population of the pack, those who choose to join neither order or those unable to perform those duties. Heavily pregnant or nursing mothers among the thegn and eir will be moved to this rank until the pups are old enough to begin official training. Those who have fallen ill or been injured will be moved to this category as well until they can return to their duties once again. The honored elderly will also find themselves in this rank and are to be held in the highest of respect for the deeds they did in the past and the knowledge they still hold despite their retirement. Unless pregnant, ill, or infirm, karls will be expected to hunt for themselves to the best of their ability and all able-bodied Karls are to join together for pack hunts.

Hirdhmadhr AND Fóstru: (∞) Equal in rank to the Karls are the Hirdhmadhr and Fóstru. These are wolves who have skill in their chosen field (Hirdhmadhr being warriors, fóstru being healers) but choose not to take the oaths to be an elite warrior or healer. They will train with the Thegn and Eir when called upon by their band’s leaders and may be entrusted with additional duties but will otherwise be considered equal to and a part of the Karls.

Friðla: (∞) The least among the full members of the pack, friðla are the concubines - wolves who would have otherwise been of a low class had they not entered into concubinage with a member of the pack. They are expected to participate in pack life as though they were a karl, though they essentially belong to a single member of the pack.

TIER SIX This rank belongs to the children of the pack. Though no child truly outranks another - and in fact it is expected of the pups to sort out their own social structure without adult interference entirely aside from their rank in the pack itself - pups of certain families will have responsibilities and lessons not expected of others and so are ranked accordingly within the pack. Pups will belong to the band of their father regardless of their mother’s status.

Kynslóð: (∞) These are the natural-born children of the Dróttin’s family, conceived of in marriage or through the blessing of a blót. They are likely the future rulers of Yfir, and should be treated with respect though their rank does not entitle them to soft treatment - if anything, more will be expected of them rather than less. The line of succession will default to the oldest child of the Dróttin if one has not been chosen among them, but it is the pup who shows the most promise that will be appointed to heir no matter what the age.

Kind: (∞) While the duties of a pup will be few, note will be given to the children of those who have proven themselves exceptional. This rank will consist of the base-born children of the Drottin’s family, as well as the natural-born children of the elite ranks in the pack. It will be expected of the pack to treat these youths with respect, out of respect for the parents, but like the kynslóð they will not be entitled to soft treatment nor allowed to be disrespectful of the pack members. These children will be expected to learn skills from both thegn and eir at a young age and much will be expected of them.

Barn: (∞) While they may lack the rank inferred by highly respected parent, children of any birth will be well provided for within Yfir and can expect to find a mentor among whatever branch interests them. They will be cared for by any and all members, and it shall be the duty of all wolves to ensure that no harm comes to them. The children of Yfir are the future, and the security of the future is paramount.

TIER SEVEN This rank belongs to those who are not considered to be full members of Yfir. They are also not divided among the bands as full members are, but are instead the sole responsibility of the Drottin. Among them number the slaves, the prisoners of war, or oathbreakers awaiting trial, as well as refugees who have sought protection from Yfir but have not chosen to join Yfir’s ranks.

Gjalda: (5) The Refugees, the temporary members of Yfir who have been granted asylum for a short time. They are not considered full members of the pack but they gain the protection of all of Yfir while they are among them. They are to be treated as respectfully as one would treat a full member of Yfir, but they must also be prepared to obey the orders of any adult member of Yfir - only the thralls must obey a refugee.

Thrall: (∞) Thralls are the slaves of Yfir, those who have been force-claimed into the pack and may be expected to either serve the one who claimed them, or the pack as a whole. They must obey the orders of and show respect to any pack member right down to the children and the refugees, and though they are not required to obey the immediate commands of oathbreakers and prisoners they must still show respect. They may follow no orders that would result in the death or injury of an Yfir pack wolf, no matter what punishment is given for disobedience. Thralls are given some rights within the pack and may be able to eventually earn their freedom or a full rank within the pack. Pack members are expected to keep a close eye on any thrall's activity.

Nár: (∞) The oathbreakers, this rank is reserved for any who would go against their pack and either break the laws or betray a fellow packmate, and they will be demoted to this rank until punishment is carried out. Lawbreakers should take great care until they are officially punished, as they have few rights at this stage and may face abuse by those members of the pack wronged by their actions. Pack members are expected to keep the closest watch on any Nár among them.

Fangi: (∞) Prisoners taken in battle will be of this rank until they are ransomed or released, or taken as a thrall for nonpayment, or unless they chose to join Yfir of their own volition. They are to be treated with respect, and any unnecessary abuse of a Fangi will be considered a breach of trust with Yfir and the abuser punished accordingly. That said, any Fangi attempting to run away or leave Yfir lands unchaperoned, or in any way break Yfir’s laws, will be punished harshly, and abuse directed at Yfir warriors by a Fangi will immediately call the attention of the alpha… and you really don’t want that. Just keep your head down and be respectful and you’ll make it through your captivity unharmed.

UNOFFICIAL These are not real ranks and will be applied to wolves who are not in the pack and may be a different pack and rank altogether.

Nástrandir : The exiles, the condemned, the damned: these are wolves that have been ejected forcefully from Yfir's ranks and cursed to wander alone, an enemy of Yfir. Any Yfir wolf caught interacting with them in a friendly manner for any reason whatsoever will find themselves dropped to Nár and may face being enslaved or maimed for their betrayal. Any pack who has taken one in will find themselves the brunt of Yfir's suspicion.

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Yfir

Ardent