Ranks and Roles
A description of the various ranks and roles wolves can hold within the pack.
Wolves in Lustre Pack each have a combination of a rank and a role. Ranks correspond to a wolf's experience and the level of respect they are given by the pack. Roles correspond to specialized sets of duties that wolves carry out.
Alphas, Betas, Omegas, and Pups do not have roles.
Ranks:
Alpha: The leader of the pack. An Alpha is expected to be able to make quick decisions and represents the pack to outsiders.
Beta: Second in command in name, but nearly equal to the Alpha in power. When difficult decisions arise, the Alpha and Beta must agree on a course of action together.
Gamma: Gammas are a group made up of the most experienced members of each role. They are highly respected, and considered to be experts at their roles. Alphas and Betas will almost always defer to them on matters related to their specific roles, and they are often included in matters that affect the entire pack.
Deltas: The most common role in the pack, Deltas are wolves that have committed to a role. They carry out the day-to-day duties of the pack.
Omegas: Omegas are wolves of at least a year old that have not yet chosen a role. They are expected to try out various roles to see what suits them best, and even to leave the pack to go and see how other wolves live. There is no shame associated with choosing to live with another pack at this point, although a wolf's friends and family are certainly sad to see them go. This is also the role given to newcomers to Lustre Pack while they learn the ways of the pack and of each role.
Apprentice: A rank given to wolves between six months and one year old. Apprentices are taught critical survival skills, as well as information about the world and the general functioning of the pack. The most important part of an apprentices training is the skills that will be needed to keep them safe as Omegas seeking out other wolf packs.
Pups: The youngest members of the pack. Pups have no duties, and are cared for by wolves of the caretaker role.
Roles:
Hunters: Hunters are tasked with feeding and defending the pack. They are a close-knit group that is expected to be very highly coordinated with one another. They are the most skilled in fighting, and have devised a simple code that helps them communicate quickly from a distance.
Healers: Healers are tasked with preserving the health of the pack. They are expected to be highly knowledgeable about illnesses and injuries, and able to act decisively under pressure. They maintain stores of herbs and medicines, and are sometimes called upon to help wolves with personal struggles.
Caretakers: Caretakers are wolves tasked with watching over pups. They are expected to be extremely knowledgeable about the well-being of pups. They work closely with healers, and are expected to be familiar with identifying and treating common puphood illnesses. They may also be called upon to help with sick or injured wolves with conditions that need to be closely monitored.
Couriers: Couriers are wolves that travel between packs, carrying messages and news. They are considered expert surivialists, and as such, play a strong role in training apprentices. One of their most important duties is keeping an eye on Omegas leaving the pack- while they are forbidden from interfering with an Omega's choices, they monitor their location and well-being, and if an Omega chooses to stay with another pack, it is the Couriers that take this news back to Lustre pack.
A note about names: Wolves in Lustre Pack are typically named after gemstones and minerals. Wolves joining the pack from outside are not required to change their names, but doing so is seen as a sign of commitment to the pack.