Wolf Ranks

Ranks

All ranks in order

All ranks in a pack will contribute to the packs well-being, and each pack member has a role to play.  Almost every pack member has the respect of their higher ups, equals, and the ones looking up to them.  Every pack member has responsibilities they must fulfill.

Note:  I researched actually ranks within real wolf packs, I'm not going off other books, this is all fact based on scientific observations of wolves and tweaking to fit this for a hypothetical werewolf pack.

The higher ranked of the pack have an air of dominance about them and may often display it.

High Ranks

Alpha - The alpha of the pack is the leader. He is the main one in control and sets the laws of his pack. They are not required to hunt with the pack, but most normally do. They demand respect and are in the position to exile, banish, or even kill those who do not show it. Though it is rare, this position can be challenged and if the challenger wins the fight than the challenger, being the new alpha, can do what he/she pleases with the previous leaders. This does not normally happen because it would result in a huge change within the pack.

Beta - The Beta is the second in command and enforces the law when the current alpha is not present. If all of the alpha family die or in very special circumstances, than the beta(s) take the alpha position and lead the pack, unless the alpha has said otherwise. This position cannot be challenged without the alpha approval.

Sentinel - There are four sentinels, two mated pairs, in the pack. Each pair is specially chosen by the alphas and betas. The alphas and betas train the sentinels to take their places if anything should happen to them. The sentinels, since becoming one can start as early as one year, don't usually have authority over the pack unless the alpha or beta have publicly given it to them. They are respected though. Messing with a sentinel is messing with the alphas and betas themselves. This rank cannot be challenged whatsoever.

Elders/Gamma - The elders of the pack are sixty years and older. They are filled with wisdom and renowned strength. They are the ones that the alphas normally go to for advice. If they are wise, the elders are the only ones to whom the alphas may submit themselves to. The are respected as much as the alphas by the entire pack.  Those holding this position are usually if not always the oldest and wisest of the pack. Through their stories and their phrases they pass on to the others within the pack their wisdoms. They delight in telling stories to pups though sometimes what they tell is just legend, but still each story usually has some sort of moral to it. At one time they may have been the Alpha and usually that is true. However the current Alphas may put others here should it seem right to them. There is usually only a dozen or so elders deemed worthy of they Gamma position, and are given this title based on experience and knowledge gained. Those who hold this position are much respected and loved by the rest of the pack.  Note: just because they have reached the age of sixty, doesn't mean they will become a Elder, they must be selected by the Alpha, Beta or Epsilon. (Elders)

Zeta - The war general of the pack. They take direct orders from the Alpha in case of a war. The Alpha may be the one to declare war, but the Zeta leads the army and makes the plans for war. They also train new recruits for position as a Assassin or more to take his or her place in the future. Normally there is only a single Zeta, but if the populace is high there can be as many as three. (War General)

Epsilon - They are the Guardians of the pack. Their job is to ward off intruders and are responsible for the safety and well-being of the pack. They should have at one time been either an Zeta or Lead Warrior for they will need the skills of peace and fighting. Though they should only resort to violence should peaceful persuasion fail. (Guardian)s

Delta - They are the messengers of the pack, the go between among the allies and sometimes even the axis. They risk their own lives by doing so, but it is their duty and must make sure that those who need to know are told. Often they work in conjunction with the Alpha, Beta, Sentinel, Gamma and Epsilon and must be able to keep peace and at the same time hold their ground. Those who seek this position must be agile, patient and have an even temperament while speaking with other packs. Messengers of the pack.

Assassin - This position is given only to a Changer*.  Assassin is the most fitting name for this rank because it is self-explanatory. They are also spies for the pack. There can be a total of only four assassins in each pack, no matter the size.

Low Ranks

The lower ranked of the pack respect the higher ranked wolves and will ultimately submit themselves to the alphas and betas.

Lead Warrior - The lead warrior takes his/her orders directly from the alpha, and sometimes the beta. They are the main leader, general, or captain of the warriors in the pack. There is only one.

Theta - They are the lead medics within the pack, they can work in a pack hospital or in the field during war or other, they are known to have a rival amount of knowledge. They help with childbirth(pups), and healing of the packs in other ways. Respected as much as a Gamma if not a little less. (Lead Medic)

Warrior/Eta - The amount of warriors depends on the size of the pack. For a small pack there can be up to 50 and for a much larger pack there can be up 5000. They are the guardians and protectors of the pack. The warriors will roam the pack lands ensuring it's safety. They are the ones that will keep watch at night. The warriors must be quick to think and remain calm in any given situation.

Lead Hunter/Kappa - The lead hunter is the one who leads the hunts. There is only one lead hunter. Whoever becomes a hunter must be quick to think as well.

Hunters/Lambda - Like the warriors the amount of hunters depend on the size of the pack. Every member of the pack hunts, but these are the main hunters.  They follow the Alpha, Beta or Kappa in the hunts. Those who hold this position are loyal and quick to follow orders. They have stealth and agility on their side and together are able to take down larger prey.

Lead Scout - The lead scout is the leader of the scouts.

Scouts - The scouts are the scavengers of the pack. They will hunt small creatures and will help survey the land with the warriors.

Sigma - The Sigma are the Tutors of the pack. They know much about each thing. They often work in order to teach the pups as well as the subordinates and others who might need a bit more knowledge within the pack, and train pack members who are entering new ranks that they were not trained for before that.  Respected like higher ranking wolves. (Tutors)

Pup Watchers/Phi - These are the pup sitters of the pack. They will keep watch over the pups when the others may be out hunting or at battle. Don't be fooled into thinking that they are weak and soft. On the contrary the pup watchers can be the most vicious members of the pack, as long as you don't mess with their pups. They only watch pups up until the age of 12. There is only up to about three pup watchers in a pack regardless of the size.

Subordinates/Psi - These are the non-ranked members of the pack. They will still participate in fighting and hunting though.  Often the majority of the female aspect of the pack or pack members that don't have jobs inside the pack.

Omega - The omegas are the lowest of low in the pack, lower than the subordinates. Don't be surprised if they don't receive much respect if any at all. They are only placed in this position if they've done anything to disrespect the alpha. Sometimes a new member may be placed with this rank if the alpha is a bit mistrustful of them.

Pups - I'm pretty sure that this is self-explanatory.

*Changers/Shifters - Werewolf that can shift fully into a wolf, not all children born of werewolves will have the ability to shift into full form, but nevertheless shall always have heightened hearing, strength and speed.