Post by Huang Jin on Feb 28, 2007 20:29:01 GMT -5
Xiaoli Wolf Pack
Thick-furred and muscular, relying on endurance and strength rather than stealth or camouflage to take down their prey, these mountain-dwelling wolves are tough and serious. Their leader, Rui, is a stoic wolf of many seasons who gives allegiance to nothing but his own senses and denies the existence of any immortal powers. His mate Ao died two winters ago in a wild snowstorm when she desperately left the shelter of the pack’s territory to search for food for the youngest pups. Of these none survived, and so the only living descendant of Rui is his adult son, Dijun, who is ranking second beside his father and expected to become the leader should anything tragic happen to their current one. The Xiaoli are a small, close bunch, who have a distinct social structure determined by tussles and the occasional spat. Might makes right for these atheistic canines, and although Rui is edging out of his prime years he's still quick to make known who is the boss whenever any question of rank arises. He is the ruler of the mountain, in command of the three seperate platoons of wolves who roam the snow and ice and only join together as a group in times of great war or jubilation. A wolf can be transferred from one platoon to the other if many members are lost within one, or if a wolf is exiled from the platoon as punishment. The three platoons are Platoon Snow, Platoon Wind, and Platoon Sky, the leaders of which report to the Ranking Second and also directly to Rui.
Ranks
The Leader (“Captain”)
The ultimate boss who all respect and take orders from. The pack members affectionately call him (or her) Captain, and for anyone not directly related to the leader to use their first name without permission is a grave insult. Although on generally friendly terms with his pack, a leader may be occasionally aloof or rough with his underlings.
Ranking Second
The second-strongest in the pack, often an advisor to the leader. Anyone with this rank commands great respect, and is expected to eventually take over as leader unless something unexpected happens and they are unable to.
Platoon Leader
These wolves are capable, intelligent, quick to react, and respected by both their betters and their lessers. Each Platoon Leader is in theory equal to the other, but they will be treated differently based on what their platoons have accomplished during their time as leader.
Patrol
Members of the patrol are all adult wolves able to hunt and fight, expected to find food sources, areas with good shelter from storms, and potential threats. Once a pup is able to stalk and kill an animal on its own, it is expected to join the patrol.