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Packs
All wolves feel compelled to join a pack. Some are born leaders, while the rest fit as varying degrees of followers. Packs are structured groups where werewolves can find acceptance, kinship, and education. They keep the wolves in check and leave them feeling balanced. They are also territorial.
There are currently two packs around Keystone: the Keystone Pack, and the Wapiti Pack.
Keystone Pack
This is the name given to the pack in residence, which has inhabited the Keystone area since the resort was built. However, recently the pack has undergone a forceful regime change, in which the former Denver Pack ousted or killed the original alpha and his loyal followers. Those who remained were allowed to do so under the provision that they would fight loyally for the new alpha and follow his orders.
Wapiti Pack
The former members of the Keystone Pack, who were either forced out or left on their own, were not willing to leave the area or to go without a pack. They pulled together those who were willing and created their own pack, one newer and smaller than the Keystone Pack but with the goal of reclaiming the territory that is rightfully theirs.
Please note, there is now a cap on characters with relatives who were killed during the Keystone takeover. The Keystone pack has no more than 40-50 members, probably less, and only a very small handful would have laid down their lives for their alpha.
Rank Structure
As mentioned, werewolf packs are structured so that everyone has their place, from alpha to omega.
Alpha: The leader of the pack, whose word is final. Alphas not only command the wolves beneath them, but are responsible for their safety. To become an alpha, one must form their own pack, challenge the previous alpha (either to certain victory or death), or inherit the role should the prior alpha die or leave for whatever reason. Most of the time, those who inherit the alpha role are betas within the pack, or outsiders. The alpha is usually male.
Beta: The second in command, and mostly likely by far to take control of the pack should anything happen to the alpha. They assist the alpha in taking care of or commanding the pack, but their word is never above the alpha's. There may be more than one beta, and they are usually either promoted from a delta position or closely related to the alpha. These are usually male, but can include females.
Delta: Third in command, and the last of the leadership positions. While these would not expect to take over the role of alpha without a catastrophic event, they do have the chance to move up to a beta position once they've proven themselves capable and responsible enough. A delta can come from any other rank in the pack, except the omegas. Deltas may double as enforcers, and there can be more than one. These can be male or female.
Warriors/Sentinels: Members tasked with protecting and guarding the pack on a daily basis, in the event of an attack, or other emergency. They are considered on the same level as caretakers, but with different roles, and are above omegas. These can be male or female.
Caretakers: Members tasked with taking care of the pack house, pack members, arranging activities, providing food, caring for the young, et cetera. They are considered on the same level as warriors/sentinel, but with different roles, and are above omegas. These can be male or female.
Omegas: The lowest and most submissive members of the pack, whose rank is practically an insult. Omegas are essentially the whipping boys/girls for the other members, and are offered no protection from teasing, or even bullying. Some higher ranks may offload their stress or less desirable tasks on omegas, or even just make them perform tasks for them. The omega has little choice but to comply. Not all packs have an omega, but usually include one. These can be male or female.
There are currently two packs around Keystone: the Keystone Pack, and the Wapiti Pack.
Keystone Pack
This is the name given to the pack in residence, which has inhabited the Keystone area since the resort was built. However, recently the pack has undergone a forceful regime change, in which the former Denver Pack ousted or killed the original alpha and his loyal followers. Those who remained were allowed to do so under the provision that they would fight loyally for the new alpha and follow his orders.
Wapiti Pack
The former members of the Keystone Pack, who were either forced out or left on their own, were not willing to leave the area or to go without a pack. They pulled together those who were willing and created their own pack, one newer and smaller than the Keystone Pack but with the goal of reclaiming the territory that is rightfully theirs.
Please note, there is now a cap on characters with relatives who were killed during the Keystone takeover. The Keystone pack has no more than 40-50 members, probably less, and only a very small handful would have laid down their lives for their alpha.
Rank Structure
As mentioned, werewolf packs are structured so that everyone has their place, from alpha to omega.
Alpha: The leader of the pack, whose word is final. Alphas not only command the wolves beneath them, but are responsible for their safety. To become an alpha, one must form their own pack, challenge the previous alpha (either to certain victory or death), or inherit the role should the prior alpha die or leave for whatever reason. Most of the time, those who inherit the alpha role are betas within the pack, or outsiders. The alpha is usually male.
Beta: The second in command, and mostly likely by far to take control of the pack should anything happen to the alpha. They assist the alpha in taking care of or commanding the pack, but their word is never above the alpha's. There may be more than one beta, and they are usually either promoted from a delta position or closely related to the alpha. These are usually male, but can include females.
Delta: Third in command, and the last of the leadership positions. While these would not expect to take over the role of alpha without a catastrophic event, they do have the chance to move up to a beta position once they've proven themselves capable and responsible enough. A delta can come from any other rank in the pack, except the omegas. Deltas may double as enforcers, and there can be more than one. These can be male or female.
Warriors/Sentinels: Members tasked with protecting and guarding the pack on a daily basis, in the event of an attack, or other emergency. They are considered on the same level as caretakers, but with different roles, and are above omegas. These can be male or female.
Caretakers: Members tasked with taking care of the pack house, pack members, arranging activities, providing food, caring for the young, et cetera. They are considered on the same level as warriors/sentinel, but with different roles, and are above omegas. These can be male or female.
Omegas: The lowest and most submissive members of the pack, whose rank is practically an insult. Omegas are essentially the whipping boys/girls for the other members, and are offered no protection from teasing, or even bullying. Some higher ranks may offload their stress or less desirable tasks on omegas, or even just make them perform tasks for them. The omega has little choice but to comply. Not all packs have an omega, but usually include one. These can be male or female.