Each pack has a different hierarchy and different tasks assigned among their population.
Alpha
The leader of the pack. The Alpha is the highest voice of authority, and their final word is law.
Beta
Hand chosen by the Alpha. The are the voice of the pack and serve as the Alpha’s right hand.
In the event that the Alpha is called away for pack relations or falls ill, the Beta will lead in their absence. The Beta is not the Alpha's successor - however, if a successor is not named in the event of the Alpha's death, the Beta and Council will convene to appoint one.
There is only one Beta, and the rank must be earned - it is not purchasable. Wolves must be Theta rank to be considered.
The Beta remains in the Hearth, like the Alpha, and relinquishes their trade to serve as second in command. They only travel beyond the borders under special circumstances.
Theta
The Council of advisors who give counsel to the Alpha and Beta.
Masters of their trades and that have proven their competence and dedication to Skydas. Commonly referred to by the title of "Paladin."
They oversee the organization of their trades and relay orders from the Alpha to their subordinates.
There are two Thetas per trade.
Gamma
Wolves who have become experienced in their trade.
Mentors to the ranks below their own. There are no mentor/apprentice pairs, all Gammas work together to guide the lower ranks.
Delta
Wolves who have taken up a trade, and have just begun to learn it under the guidance* of their Gamma peers.
*Unlike Stonehaven, Skydas does not have a rigid mentor and apprentice system. Deltas receive guidance from all of the Gammas above them.
A wolf must be aged Young Adult or older to become a Delta.
Omega
Unranked wolves who have not chosen a trade. Pups and adolescents also fall under this rank, since they cannot take a trade.
Omegas eat last from hunts, may not leave the territory, and may be enlisted to assist the ranked wolves with menial tasks.
It is encouraged for Omegas to take on a trade, but not required. If a wolf chooses to remain an Omega, they are considered a civilian of Skydas. They are never looked down on or treated as lesser than working wolves; the only exception to this is prisoners, who are omegas that have been demoted for their crimes.
Alpha
Beta
Theta
Gamma
Warden: Hawthorn, Toril, Elijah, Randvi, Thirdghost, Dionysus, Kollan, Percival
Seeker: Andorh
Meister:
Delta
Omega
Caius, Nettle, Pekhat, Elvan, Sukka, Kalleis, Fawn, Kalda, Fennick, Runa, Rayn, Eidolon, Andromeda, Norí, Imrie, Melpomene
Pups + Adolescent Omegas
None
Mated Pairs
Toril & Eurus, Petra & Thirdghost, Nott & Notos
Retired as NPCs
Mulvey, Endive, Paxton, Ilkay, Benji, Yuliya, Tobias, Usha, Lyria, Euryale, Hew, Altair, Zephyrus, Finn, Mesmer, Jedediah, Nausicaa, Phoebe, Timeo, Alphaeus, Alastor, Tovah, Giselle, Aylin, Ramses, Polymnia
The Fallen:
Nimrod, Juniper, Olin, Snegir, Betony, Loch, Varnas, Nikare, Levute, Pariah, Orianthi, Kyla, Nerudas, Saviin’ka, Sahar, Harun, Sabah, Marco, Svea, Puffin, Rook, Amalthea, Laurence
The Adrift: Pre-history transfers are marked by a (P).
Left Skydas: Nita (P), Robin (P), Jackal (P), Jerome (P), Vashti, Fluke, Elara, Golaneir, Aivar, Faye, Aira, Sparrow, Evar'la, Jerome (P), Whiskey (P), Halvar
Missing: Ýsenlin (P), Mórgacht (P), Tévas (P), Cheyenne, Shardae, Lugh, Solveig, Alcyone, Florence, Dvasia, Eggsy, Hecate, Lyall, Halliwell, Gaia, Pelle, Dharma, Colton
Presumed Dead: Anemone (P), Lorien, Petrichor
Warden
Combining the Einar and Guardian trades of Old Tundes under a single title, Wardens are the defenders of Skydas.
Day to day, they are tasked with patrolling Skydas's borders to ensure the pack's security. They also oversee regular training sessions for mandatory self-defense training, which all Skydas members must participate in.
As the pack's first line of defense, Wardens often will be the first to encounter visitors at Skydas borders. Gamma Wardens are the only wolves besides the Alpha, Beta, or Paladins who may grant entry to outsiders.
There is no place among the Wardens for savagery, as Skydas does not tolerate violence or in-fighting. A reliable and level-headed Warden will easily earn respect from their peers, and uses force only as a last resort.
Wardens are expected to protect the pack, and do not travel beyond Skydas borders. They may only leave the territory if assigned to escort a Seeker or Emissary for safety, and in both cases must be ranked Gamma or higher.
Harvester
The harvesters are wolves who have committed themselves to the art of herbalism and living off the rugged lands within Cliffside.
Natural remedies are commonly used to treat most ailments, but magic is just as welcome should a wolf with healing abilities wish to join the ranks.
Any Harvester may train with the Wardens to learn combat tactics so they may protect their packmates from harm as well as heal them. This training is optional, NOT mandatory.
A battle-trained Harvester may not perform the duties of a Warden such as patrolling, teaching self-defense, or escorting packmates into the Freelands. They must not neglect their trade duties or encroach on another's.
No rank is considered higher priority than another in Skydas, and Harvesters are expected treat every wolf with equal care. All wolven life is sacred, and should a harvester be discovered deliberately withholding treatment from someone, or used their knowledge of deadlier flora to harm a fellow wolf, they will be swiftly stripped of their rank and punished.
Despite the rugged terrain of Cliffside, herbs can be found in abundance inside the territory, so Harvesters don't typically travel elsewhere for herbs. However, Harvesters may venture into the Freelands if ranked Gamma or higher, with permission from the Alpha. They should never travel more than a few hours from the borders and return to the territory within the same day.
Hearthkeeper
Where many of Skydas’s trades are rooted in defense, travel, and communication, Hearthkeepers are the caregivers of Skydas, and the second line of defense after the Wardens.
All skydans are capable of hunting individually, but Hearthkeepers dedicate themselves solely to the well-being of Skydas. Their time is spent providing for the pack, reporting and hazards within the territory, tending to younger packmates, or watching over visitors alongside the wardens.
Hearthkeepers must remain in the heart of Skydas territory and help keep the peace inside their pack, and thus do not have permission to travel outside the borders.
Seeker
Those who choose the Seeker task must be swift and capable of traveling long distances, as they are constantly on the move.
Seekers are the scouts of the Skydas. They are tasked with monitoring herd movements, searching for missing wolves, and patrolling locations of interest.
Seekers often work closely with Emissaries while navigating the Freelands so that if a discovery is made, the Seeker can stay to investigate further while the Emissary returns to Skydas to report it.
Locations that the Seekers patrol: Soren Coast, the Ruined Spire, the God's Pass, the Freelands stone circle at Raat's Pass, Melusine Lake, the Ithunnwood, and the human ruins beside Stonestep and God's Pass.
Seekers meet every new moon in the Fell to share news with each other and make sure everyone is on task.
Interaction with other packs is minimal, except for special cases (such as the current Skydas representatives). Seekers work discreetly and from a distance, gathering information through observation rather than direct interaction.
Seekers have the freedom to pass in and out of the territory as needed, as it is the nature of their work to explore the island and report any findings to the Paladins.
Emissary
Perhaps the most well-known trade of Skydas, Emissaries have honored the spirit of Tundes peacekeepers and became ambassadors for their pack. Similar to their predecessors, they strive to maintain peace and communication between all packs.
An Emissary is the Alpha's first choice to send messages to other packs.
Interaction with other packs is the focus of the trade, but not so common that it occurs regularly, due to the isolated nature of Stonehaven, Kol, and Taika. Emissaries serve as couriers; they travel so that wolves from other packs can come across them and relay a message to Skydas, or vice versa.
Additionally, Emissaries will often pair with Seekers to relay messages back to Skydas if the need arises.
Emissaries have the freedom to pass in and out of the territory as needed, as it is the nature of their work to travel and relay messages across the island. They may interact with other packs but are instructed to be respectful and not do anything that would compromise pack relations.
Meister
A trade founded shortly after the second Spring Gathering, the Meisters are dedicated solely to the pursuit of knowledge. Their work focuses on deciphering messages hidden within visions, signs, and the history of Almos.
Meisters must be open-minded, adaptable and communicative. The island is constantly changing, and a meister must flow with the current of change to understand it.
Wolves in this trade are expected to obtain a detailed comprehension of Almosian myths and history, so they may more accurately interpret future discoveries and offer sound advice to the leaders of Skydas. They gather knowledge by visiting with their packmates to inquire or listen to accounts of visions, stories, and signs, as well as making occasional expeditions beyond Skydas territory.
Meisters may venture into the Freelands only while escorted by a Seeker ranked Gamma or higher, and investigate these four specific locations: the stone circle at Raat's Pass, Melusine Lake, the Ruined Spire, and the ruins beside Stonestep.
Beyond visiting these locations, meisters may NOT freely travel elsewhere in the Freelands at this time. Their focus is on building up Skydas’s knowledge first and foremost.
The study of magic is equally important to a meister’s work, for answers may also lie in the powers granted to the wolves of Almos.
Skydans experiencing the manifestations of magic are encouraged to speak with a meister about its effects– in this way, if the same ability should arise in another wolf, the Meisters can be better prepared to identify it and assist them if needed.