Cassiopeia Ranking System

[Blackie]

cassiopeia ranking system

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maintaining the pack

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shaman.[/color] The spiritual head and healer of the pack. He is the leader of the pack, for all intents and purposes: the Chieftain and Chieftess (traditionally) must seek both the Shaman and the Spirits' blessing before making any major decision. Sometimes the Shaman will leave the decision up to the Chieftain and the Chieftess as he sees fit. Assigns birth totems. Assists individuals on their spiritual journey. The Shaman sometimes takes the Medicine Wolf as his mate so that the Medicine wolf may learn more quickly.
chieftain.[/color] Second only to the Shaman, the Chieftain still takes care of most of the day-to-day jobs, including diplomacy. mate to the chieftess. Expected to operate as one unit with the Chieftess.
chieftess.[/color] Second only to the Shaman. mate to the chieftain, with the same tasks. Expected to operate as one unit with the Chieftain.

the respected

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weavers[/color] those wolves who have spent their lives learning the lore and myths that are passed down and taught to each member of Cassiopeia. a skilled weaver does not just learn the stories, but how to tell them. there is often singing and dancing when the stories are told.
medicine wolves:[/color] wolves who assist the shamans in healing and spiritual guidance. on the lifelong journey required to become shamans.
elders:[/color] retired wolves. they receive much respect in the cassiopeia.
swift-eyes:[/color] in charge of the prey-catchers and usually the best hunter in the pack. reports prey conditions to the chiefs and organizes hunting parties.
fire-hearts:[/color] in charge of the pack's brave-fangs and usually the strongest wolf. reports any border activity to the chiefs and organizes territorial patrols.

villagers

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prey-catchers[/color] hunt for the pack.
brave-fangs[/color] make sure borders aren't crossed and fight during wartime. since the cassiopeia is a fairly peaceful pack, there is little need for brave-fangs (and therefore only a small number of them) unless the pack is at war. what few bravefangs there are go through rigorous physical and mental training to stay battle-ready.
fleet-runners[/color] pack scouts. take missions from the chiefs and -- (and sometimes other wolves of a higher ranking if the need arises) and report back to them. a fleet-runner is always present on a border patrol to report back to the chieftains, should a skirmish occur.
brutes[/color] male members of the cassiopeia without any particular job. take up any necessary jobs or may even be moved to another rank if those groups need assistance.
femmes[/color] female members of the cassiopeia without any particular job. take up any necessary jobs or may even be moved to another rank if those groups need assistance.

fresh minds

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nursers[/color] females expecting or nursing pups, or who have chosen to care for pups and yearlings as a job.
yearlings[/color] young wolves between one and two years of age. it is at this age they must take up the ritual to find their first totem or spirit guide. yearlings attend lessons every other day. apprenticeships* begin at this age.
pups[/color] young wolves under one year of age. have recieved their birth totem.

gone from our minds

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disgraced[/color] wolves who have committed a crime. they receive little respect from the pack and are shunned.
exiled[/color] banished from the cassiopeia for felony.
deceased[/color] cassiopeians who have since left us, though their spirits still survives in the hearts of those who loved them. they may yet return to us to live new lives, if the great spirit wishes it.

*Apprenticeships: because of the relatively short lifespan of a wolf, one must start early to learn the advanced skills needed for certain positions in the tribe. Apprenticeships are available for:

• Weavers
  
• Medicine Wolves
  
• Brave-fangs
  

Yearlings looking to take up these roles attend lessons with the wolves who have mastered these jobs. They must also keep up with the traditional lessons given to all yearlings.

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