Melfwort

BACKSTORY

Melfwort did not come into the world easily. After the births of her older siblings, it took a couple more hours of painful labour from her mother before she finally joined the pack.

"Melfwort then, after the herb," the pack Advisor whispered soothingly as she comforted the mother wolf. "It is a plentiful herb that could grow anywhere. This little one had struggled so much to come to us, let us hope that she would grow to thrive effortlessly regardless of where she chooses to be."

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SOCIAL HIERARCHY

Unlike most other packs where the wolves all belong to the same family, the Wandering Vagabonds are essentially two family lines living alongside each other in harmony. The highest positions in the pack are Pack Lead and Pack Advisor. These titles are held by one wolf in each family line, interchangeable between generations.

Melfwort is a descendant of Maliketh, one of the Founders of the Vagabonds. She and all pups in her bloodline will belong to the First Line of the pack.

The First Line is separated into a Main Branch and a Side Branch. Wolves from the Main Branch are considered permanent members and may hold commanding positions within the pack. Wolves from the Side Branch are not guaranteed a place in the pack and might be asked to leave should the need arise.

As one of Maliketh's firstborns, Melfwort is a member of the Main Branch by birthright, and is eligible for the title of Heir. She will be competing with other siblings in the Main Branch of the First Line for this title. If she does not become Heir, she still has a permanent place in the pack but her children will be part of the Side Branch and might be asked to leave when they are old enough. If she becomes Heir, she will be eligible for either Pack Lead or Pack Advisor position. Her firstborns will also have a permanent place in the pack as members of the Main Branch and might be eligible to compete for the position of the next generation's Heir.

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TITLES

This wolf is a member of the Main Branch of the First Line.
This wolf is eligible for Heir position.


- Pack Lead: Leader of the pack, top of the social hierarchy and makes the final call on important pack decisions. The Pack Lead and Pack Advisor are a pair of closely bonded wolves - but they are not a breeding pair. A new pair of Pack Lead - Pack Advisor is chosen from Heirs of all generations upon the death or retirement of the previous pair.

- Pack Advisor: Second in command of the pack, advises the Pack Lead on important decisions and leads the pack in the temporary absence of a Pack Lead. The Pack Lead and Pack Advisor are a pair of closely bonded wolves - but they are not a breeding pair. A new pair of Pack Lead - Pack Advisor is chosen from Heirs of all generations upon the death or retirement of the previous pair.

- Elder: A Pack Lead or Pack Advisor who has retired due to the death of their counterpart. The Elder is a well respected member and held in high regards among the pack. Socially speaking they are ranked only under Pack Lead and Pack Advisor, but this is an advisory position and Elders may not make the final call on important matters of the pack.

- Heirs: The title of Heir is contested among all eligible Main Branch wolves of the same generation. For each generation two Heirs will be chosen, one from the First Line and one from the Second Line. These wolves will be bonded as a pair (though not a breeding pair) and if chosen, can replace the current pair of Pack Lead and Pack Advisor upon their death or retirement. As several generations of wolves might coexist, so there might be several pairs of Heirs in the pack at any one time, separated by their generation (i.e. G3 Heir). The top positions of the pack are chosen from the strongest pair of existing Heirs. Heirs of a lower generation, if not chosen, remain Heirs and may contest for the top positions when it is once again open. Heirs of a higher generation who got skipped will earn the titles of Honoured Ones instead.

- Honoured Ones: Heirs whose generation got skipped in the running for new Pack Lead and Pack Advisor, which only happens in the case of a younger generation providing Heirs more exceptional and better suited for the positions of leaders. These wolves hold an advisory position in the pack, and in the social hierarchy they are considered lower than an Elder but higher than Heirs.

- Unique Titles: Unique titles might be earned by performing an exceptional feat (i.e. Founder titles are granted to only the two wolves that first formed the pack). These titles cannot be inherited, but some might be re-granted to the wolves that live up to that feat after the predecessor who originally earned that title has passed away.