Each pack has a different hierarchy and different tasks assigned among their population.
Akis
The Eye. The leader of the pack.
The Akis is seen as the one best able to interpret messages and signs from the island and the Spirits in order to best guide the pack with their wisdom and foresight.
The Wills
A council for the Akis that helps inform their decision making. Gifted in studying the will of the island.
Hand selected from the ranks by the Akis, a rank amongst The Wills must be properly earned. This rank cannot be purchased.
Each trade has one representative within the council of The Wills.
Grand Master
The most knowledgeable and highly trained of their trade.
Grand Masters often fully align with the intent of Taika, striving for peaceful isolation and spiritual connection to the Island.
Often act as leaders of their trade, being the ones to organize patrols, missions or studies.
Master
Skilled and knowledgeable, these wolves have completed adequate training in order to be confident enough to fully commit to their chosen trade.
While they still look to Grand Masters for instruction, they are often tasked with collectively training Apprentices.
Apprentice
These wolves are students to their trade and taught* by the Masters.
*Unlike Stonehaven, Taika does not have a rigid mentor and apprentice system, instead Apprentices take collective guidance from all/multiple of the Masters above them.
It is common for Apprentices to try out multiple trades before they settle on one, this is respected, if not encouraged.
Changing specialities will still have to be purchased as changing a trade through the shop.
Darys
Nicknamed to "will-do's" as they are unranked and, therefore, will do any task not covered by ranked wolves. Such as serving elders, taking care of pups, rebuilding/re-enforcing dens and helping tasked wolves.
There is great honour in serving others, in giving a part of one’s self to the pack, but it is not encouraged to remain a Darys forever.
Upelis
Translates to "creek" or "streamlet"
An affectionate title given to pups in Taika; the little streams who have yet to grow into stronger rivers.
Vandenynas
Translates to "ocean"
Flowing water always leads to the ocean; just like the water, these wolves have grown older and wish to retire from their trade.
Highly respected individuals due to their wisdom, even the Akis will go to the Vandenynas for guidance.
Akis
Elara
The Wills
Healer: None
Sentinel: None
Mediators: None
Lorekeepers: None
Grand Master
Healers: Neeve, Kai, Hakan
Sentinels: Alvyra, Arlen
Mediators: Bellassez
Lorekeepers: Jorel
Master
Healers: Lucian
Sentinels: Akstis, Maeve, Emirhan, Golaneir
Mediators: Elenora, Rigel
Lorekeepers: Moirae, Fesch, Almantas, Tamsyn, Grimm
Apprentice
Healers: Enid, Baely
Sentinels: Etna, Vetch, Carda, Evar'la, Kaladin
Mediators: Amberly, Hollyhock, Caliadne, Cove
Lorekeepers: Sweetpea
Darys
Bugs, Bellis, Aislinn, Dieve, Sonjiador, Amaryllis, Aeluni, Hemlock, Monroe, Jukko, Jerome, Whiskey, Dáithí, Felix, Mo, Bindweed, Qwil
Upelis
None
Vandenynas
None
Healers
"Serve the needs of others, and all your own needs will be fulfilled. Through selfless action, fulfillment is attained."
Taika sees themselves as healers of the land, therefore great emphasis is placed on trained Healers within the pack, though it is not uncommon for each trade to know the basics of herbal knowledge.
These wolves are proficient in the properties and uses of herbs for healing practices.
However, some of these wolves are also practiced in healing the mind and spirit by being a support network, offering a listening ear, and a shoulder to lean on to aid those with their external struggles. Not every wolf that has knowledge of healing herbs is also suited to help others through their mental struggles. In some cases wolves may excel in both areas.
Sentinels
"The soft and pliable defeat the hard and strong."
Guardians of the pack, these wolves range along the borders. They scout for anything unusual, such as strange wolves along the borders, or changes in the movements of prey. They are the only wolves trained in defence.
Their fighting techniques are to flow with the attacker's movements, using their own energy against them. The theory is to be soft like water, for water is gentle, adaptable, and yet it can break stone with time, and patience.
Fighting, however, is only used in defence. Injury should not be inflicted, and mercy should always be shown.
Mediators
"The Island is impartial. To it, none are especially dear, nor is there anyone it disfavors. It gives and gives without conditions, offering its treasures to everyone."
These wolves are to be impartial like the Island. They treat everyone the same, neither better or worse than anyone else.
They see themselves in others, and in doing so, they can better solve conflicts, be it between pack members, or if conflict at the border arises.
Usually, mediators and sentinels will work together on patrols.
Mediators are often sent as messengers between packs.
Lorekeepers
"To know where we are going, we must know where we have been."
There is a great amount of history to remember. Stories must be told. History must be remembered.
Lorekeepers are revered for their memories, for it is their memories that hold the stories of everything. From fantastical, to recounting of supposed historical events, and to even remembering the current events to tell to the next generation, the Lorekeepers know them all.
Their storytelling skills may often be beneficial to lift the spirits of others around them. It is always wise to know where one has been in order to learn from the past and create a better future.
Not only storytellers, Lorekeepers also study the stories of the past. Often spending time or traveling to important landmarks to study the stories and lessons that may be hidden within.