Clans of Aryn

• • Revering any creed above the One will lead only to self-destruction.Their ways are not necessarily easy, but they are the only path to success. Forgetting this will lead only to pain, if not in this life, then the next.

  • Nothing should be placed before the One - not personal gain, security, family, or even life itself. All of these are gifts, and none are as important as the One who gave them out.

  • Treat the One with reverence and humility, as an alpha and a parent. Remember all blessings come from the Great Spirit and are meant to be used to glorify them, not one's self.

• • One should treat others with kindness and generosity. No matter their birth or inclinations, all souls are created as equals. The Great Spirit formed, cares for, and watches over each and every one. Even those which do not acknowledge the One remain their children. 

  • Arrogance is not the only sin under this tenant. Acts such as laxness, theft, assault, rape, and deceit are also seen as ways of putting others below one's self.

  • Forgiveness should be offered freely. It is the Adversary who is the enemy, and not those he manages to corrupt. We are all brothers and sisters of One creator; all wolves share this bind.

  • All dead should be treated with dignity, and proper burial rituals undertaken to ensure they are able to pass on properly to the next life.

• • Every action, no matter how small, carries incalculable meaning. Caring for and about one's self is an act of worship, no matter how humble the task.

  • Wolven life is sacred, and the careless taking of it can have many unseen ramifications in mortal and spiritual realms. Those who commit such an atrocity are accursed, for there is no greater mortal crime than to murder a fellow wolf. Helping to plan a murder also makes on culpable, even if a plotter makes no physical attack themselves. And in some cases, deliberate failure to attempt to save another may also be considered guilt.

Honor

• Vows made in the name of the One are not to be made lightly or broken freely, disloyalty to your word is a great moral failing and great shame.

• Accusations of cowardice, (harmless) dishonesty, laziness, or similar attacks on one's pride may be answered with the challenge to a duel. These organized spars made before the pack body last until one wolf is pinned to the ground. After this, the matter must be considered settled. Blood must not be drawn; to do is considered a great shame and cause for punishment by the Three Bodies.

Hunting & Patrolling

• Blood is sacred. Wolves should not hunt more than is needed to survive, and should always show respect and gratitude to fallen prey for its sacrifice.

• Eat in order of need. Pups and nursing or expecting mothers always eat first. The sick and elderly have priority over healthy and fit individuals.

• Fledgelings and Epsilon are forbidden from hunting alone and must be accompanied by either a Courser of Gamma rank, or other wolf ranked Beta or above.

• Stay within the safety of pack territory, and ensure each foray beyond the borders includes an experienced wolf in the patrol. Only members of the Three Bodies may grant permission to travel outside the territory.

• Pups may not leave the densite without being accompanied by a wolf of Delta rank or higher, for their own safety.

Mates, Marriage, and Litters

• A wolf is permitted only one mate, sworn to each other in the name of the One, and their bond is a sacred vow which lasts until death. 

• Adultery is the only permissible grounds for divorce.

  • • There are no particular rules about intimacy between unwed packmates, adultery applies only to affairs that break the oath of matrimony.

• Romantic or intimate attachment of any kind outside the pack is impermissible. A wolf's loyalty to clan and family should not be separate.

• Aryn's Penns must approve any litters (usually this falls to whichever is capable of pregnancy.) This is to prevent undue strain on the pack's resources. Having pups is restricted to Gamma and higher ranked wolves, and only those bound as mates.

Processes & Penalties

• Pack members in general conflict with one another should first attempt to resolve the issue themselves. Failing that, an elder or rabbi should be brought in to mediate. If the mediator cannot settle the dispute, it should be brought before the Three Bodies for a final verdict

• Role-specific violations, such as coursers breaking formation in a hunt or wardens behaving too roughly are punished as seen fit by their relevant Rah'at members - who's experience in the task makes them best qualified to regulate it. 

• Non-role-specific misbehavior such as theft, border violations, and unsanctioned litters, are punished as seen fit by the Three Bodies.

• Blood crimes such as adultery, careless spilling of blood, rape, witchcraft (or the use of a witch's services), and malicious deceit are punishable by scarification and/or exile. 

• Treason - deliberate attempts to usurp or undermine the established leadership of Aryn - result in the scarification AND exile of the instigator, alongside any who maintain loyalty to them over the Three Bodies. Better to be dispersed than divided.

• To murder another wolf is highly forbidden, and the attempt thereof the only crime punishable by death. Killing may be practiced solely in self defense, and only as a last resort. 

• Apprentices caught in bad behavior are managed primarily by the mentor assigned to them, but cannot be exiled and can only receive scars by the Three Bodies.

• Pups too young for apprenticeships cannot be subjected to scarification or exile for any reason, and will generally have significantly lighter punishments while still learning the ways of the pack

Outsiders

• Wolves of Aryn have a responsibility to provide hospitality and protection to guests who seek these in good faith. Stranger, friend, or rival, if an outsider is anointed as an Honoured Guest, they are entitled to the same shelter and protection due a packmate.

• Aggressive outsiders should be captured if possible to attempt negotiation and interrogation away from the main den, in case their aggression comes from ignorance or desperation, and to assess the risk of further incursion. 

• Exiled wolves attempting to return will generally be forced away. Repeated infractions can lead to additional scarification and even maiming.

The Great Spirit

Often called simply "The One" - the Great Spirit is just that, The One, who created, rises above, and presides over all things. They are not considered a god, but rather the God. An eternal being, who exists outside of time and territory and created both. Explaining what the One truly is has been a matter of great debate among Vicars for generations. However, most have come to agree that it isn't possible to truly comprehend such a being, for there is nothing else like him. (And therefore nothing to compare him to.)

Though there are a few inarguable tenets, each individual's relationship with the One is greatly personal. Members are encouraged to find their own unique path in the Great Spirit's plan. The One speaks to everybody differently, and finding your true purpose within God is considered the most noble of accomplishments. 

The One's true form is incomprehensible and so they take other shapes that are easier for to understand. They are often depicted as a great glowing wolf or a starved, sickly looking loner - the latter meant to symbolize that no matter an individual's circumstance, they are never separated from the Great Spirit.

All creations were given the gift of free will. Though the Great Spirit's Path is the only way to true, eternal happiness, it must be chosen by the individual. The One may call upon their creations, but will never force any beast to seek or serve.

The Great Adversary

In addition to the Great Spirit, the wolves of Aryn speak of a Great Adversary. While some consider this to be a real figure, others view him as a merely metaphorical representation of wolven imperfection and evil - the innate darkness everyone is capable of indulging.

The Adversary was said to be created to be Guardian of the Song. He was beautiful, powerful, second only to the One. But in his privilege the Adversary grew jealous. He believed he deserved to be ruler of all, and answer to none. He spread his jealousy throughout the Spirit Pack, turning nearly half of the One's followers to rebellion. They attempted to usurp the Great Spirit - a coup which inevitably failed. 

Unremorseful, the spirit lord was stripped of his name and title, and cast out of the heavenly realm with all his followers. He is a demon, cursed to wander the earth until the end of time, when the Great Spirit will bring him forth for judgement. The Adversary and his followers hate all who remain loyal to the One and will stop at nothing to see them fall. If they cannot be turned against the One, then the Adversary will attempt to destroy them.

It is well known that the Adversary may take any form he wishes and prefers to appear as something beautiful. It is rare for him to appear in a blatantly evil form, and when he does there is always more to his plan. He prefers to mask his true intentions under the faces of friends and reason. Servants of the Great Spirit must remain ever vigilant against the Adversary's wiles.

The Song & The Path

"The Song" refers collectively to the divine will of the One, Their creation, and the connection between the wolves and their God. In the beginning all wolves are said to have known the Song. In their hearts, they still do, but it has since been forgotten or corrupted by the Adversary. "The Path" is the spiritual journey all wolves undertake to return to the Song.

It is not simply metaphorical. Aryn's religious lore is considered a living history. They are all part of it. All actions, even down to the most mundane, are believed to carry great importance. The Great Spirit's presence can be seen in all nature, so, to walk the Path means to be in harmony with these things. The very act of living is a kind of prayer; no part of it should be taken for granted.

The One and Aryn

Aryn's society and religion are inextricably entwined. Lords/Ladies are considered ordained leaders, chosen by the Great Spirit to lead the pack. Their word is law. The Grand Vicar is also considered chosen by the One, and serves as the religious expert of the pack. Grand Vicars safeguard the pack culture and collective knowledge. The Rah'at is an esteemed council of experienced wolves who have all pledged devotion to the One's teachings. These three bodies collectively guide and protect Aryn. 

Aryn considers wolves to be a chosen species presiding above and stewarding others because of their knowledge of the Song. They do not consider themselves to be a superior type of wolf, however, and so do not strictly categorize themselves as a holy pack or sacred people. They do however, take great pride in a multi-generational history of adherence to spirituality and can at times be boastful of this tradition. 

Other Gods & Religions

Other celestial beings certainly exist, but they are all of them submissive to the Great Spirit and should not be worshiped. Some serve the One, others are agents of Adversary, and some are simply lost souls, unable to find their way to peace. Aryn often draws comparisons between similar religions, considering, for example, Aniwaya's "Mother" spirit to be a divergent visage of the One. 

Among the wolves of Aryn, members who do not believe in the Great Spirit are still able to attain respect and live productive lives. Certain tasks and ranks, however, will be unavailable or difficult to achieve. The Rah'at, for example, is comprised solely of those who have sworn to uphold the Great Spirit's teachings. Titles of authority are both material and spiritual callings - indeed for Arynians, there is no separation between these two things. 

This is not to say that unbelievers are thought less of or considered inferior, but rather it is firmly entrenched in cultural belief and generations of tradition that the pack can only succeed if its leaders take to heart the tenets of the One. 

The Circle of Time

A great emphasis is placed on the world's circular nature (ex. moon cycle, change of seasons, passing of generations.) Aryn believes that events constantly reoccur and every ending is also a beginning. Sets of three are highly revered for their relation to the circle and unity of time. (ex. Beginning, Middle, End | Past, Present, Future | Faith, Hope, Love)

Creation and Life

It is told that there was nothing. Time did not exist, past or present or future. You could not call it a vast emptiness, for vastness requires space and there was no such thing. Light and darkness were but dreams. Less than dreams, for dreams did not exist either. There was no thought, no creation. No life or death. 

But there was the One. And in their wisdom they saw fit to sing of existence, and bring all these sacred things into being. First came the heavens and the earth beneath it, though formless and desolate and dark. Then the One sang of light, and as they sang, it was so. The sun rose for the first time, and the moon set before it. 

Next they sang of stone and water and sky, and all came to the call of the One. It pleased them to cover the stone with seeds of all kinds, and fill the earth with bounty and colour. The sea they filled too, with its own seeds and bounty. And the wind carried the seeds across the earth to all places.

When all the world was filled with green, the Great Spirit saw fit to call fish and fowl and beast into existence, each bearing its own form, but all of them perfect and beautiful and good. They spread across the earth, following the seeds and multiplying according their design.

Once all these things had come to pass, the One sang of wolves. As the wolves took shape, they heard their maker's song, and sang back. For the One had given them a voice like Theirs, and a heart to guard it, and a mind to understand it. And the wolves knew they had been blessed, and vowed always to love the One who was their mother, father, leader.

At last the One rested, and as the pale moon rose in the sky full and bright, they declared that this should be a holy day of remembrance, in order that none should ever forget the gifts which surrounded them or the Song which brought all things into being.

It is said that in the first days, the One walked beside their children. When the Adversary was cast down, however, he was quick to find his way into the wolves' hearts. Promising marvelous power and great secrets, he managed to convince the wolves that their Father was misusing them, restraining their greatness and subjecting them to His will. The temptation proved too great, and those who were born singing with the One turned their backs on goodness. 

And so sin came into the world as the first wolves abandoned the Path. Hatred crept into their hearts and evil tainted the earth. The One no longer walked their creation, but neither did they abandon their children. The One calls still, leading those who will listen back to Their side. 

Death and Afterlife

Death is considered the conclusion of a long journey for the wolves of Aryn. At the end one passes from the mortal world into the eternal one. It is not to be feared, being only a milestone on the path to the One. Spirits go to Sheol, an underworld devoid of emotions like joy and fear, and physical needs like hunger and sleep. Good and evil alike descend without variance. 

It is believed that those undecided or with great attachment to the mortal world may remain trapped in between, shadows trapped in torment and unable to find peace - known as dybbuk. These spirits can wreak great havoc upon the living, even possess bodies as they attempt to claw their way back to life. Vicars may be called upon to exorcise the frightened departed and send them properly back into the circle of life. It is also believed that certain profane rituals can summon the dead from Sheol and force them to speak or perform certain tasks - but these are considered perversions of life and great blasphemies.

The End of Time is said to occur when war and evil consume the earth entirely. A great battle is prophesied to take place between the followers of the One and the followers of the Adversary. It will be when the Adversary and all his followers are defeated a final time. Those who choose the One over the Adversary in life will be brought immediately into a heaven of eternal peace. Those who chose the Adversary will be sent to a dark place, full of trial and suffering, called the Valley of Fire. Whether this is a permanent condemnation to eternal darkness or a sort of "cleansing" like the fires that allows new life to sprout and ultimately returns the afflicted to the Song, Vicars have often debated intensely. But what is clear is that at the End of Time, all fates will be decided once and for all. The world will be reborn; death and sorrow will wiped away.

The Pilgrimage Verse

Often spoken before a great journey, either material or spiritual.

"Guide us, Great Spirit of ours and our ancestors. Let our Path lead us to peace, and may we reach this place in safety. Rescue us from our foes who would deceive us, and spare us from punishment. Bless our steps, grant us grace in Your eyes and the eyes of others. You hear our Song because you gave us the voice to sing it. Blessed be the One." 

________________

The Guidance Verse

A blessing spoken by the Vicars, usually as a group, and then followed by a collective howl. Invoked to ward off evil and to help a wolf find their way back to the Path. 

"May the One bless and guard you, May the One shed light upon your Path and be gracious to you, May the One sing to you and grant you peace." 

________________

The Verse of Praise

Verses typically recited (in whole or in part) and meditated upon during pilgrimages and holy days.
(Adapted from the Anim Zemirot)

"Soothing is the song I sing as my soul longs for You. My soul longs for Your wisdom, my heart longs for Your love. Therefore I shall honour You forever. I howl in Your name, but You are beyond my understanding, I cannot comprehend Your true greatness. I cannot describe Your true strength. 

"They speak of You and Your many forms, yet You are, One in all the different forms. At the end of moons, You will be our Salvation. You will be honoured through me. I will be carried through You. You see my value; You give me a place at your side, You accept me, and bless me, and heed my humble voice. Young and old, we seek your Path and find meaning.

"I give You this voice which You gave me, my Song so that I will find joy. Hear my praise, accept my prayer, let me draw near to You. May the song of the poor be like a song of sacrifice. You sustain us like water. Sing to me, oh One, accept my praise. I hope to please you with these words of longing." 

________________

The Verse of Sorrows

A hearfelt exclamation of grief and despair, typically associated with Mashak. Used to offer solidarity, especially in times of tragedy.

"Great Spirit, you are the One who saves me; day and night I call out to you. May my song reach your ears; hear my cry!

"Troubles overwhelm me and my life draws near to death. I am like one without strength - like one who goes down into the chasm. I am set apart with the dead, like the lost who lie in sheol, as though you have forgotten me, as though I am cut off from your care. 

"You have put me in the lowest chasm, the darkest depth. Your wrath presses greatly down on me; your waves have overwhelmed me. You have taken my closest Brothers and Sisters away from me and made me repulsive to them. I am trapped with no escape; my eyes are dim with grief. 

"I call to you, oh One, every day! I raise up my voice to you. Are your wonders meant for the dead? Do ghosts lift themselves up and give you praise? Is your love declared in sheol, is your faithfulness Destruction? Are your wonders known in oblivion or your righteous acts found in the place of Darkness?

"But I sing to you for help, Lord! In the morning my cry comes before you. Why, Great Spirit, am I rejected by you? Why do you keep your face from me?

"Since a Fledgeling, I have been wounded and brought to death; I have endured your nightmares and now despair. Your wrath is overwhelming; I have been destroyed by your horrors. Like a flood they surround me day and night; I am swallowed by them. You have taken away my kin and my clan — darkness is my closest companion."

• Guests

  • • Guests are anointed with a sprinkling of oil upon their reception to the main den by the Lord or Lady. This signifies that for the duration of their stay, the guest should be welcomed and cared for as one of Aryn's own. They must be offered food and shelter within the densite, and protected from harm while in Aryn lands.

• The Sickly

  • • The sickly are sometimes anointed with rowan berries if it is believed an evil spirit torments them. They may also be "washed" in medicinal herbs for the purposes of healing and cleansing wounds.

• Puppies

  • • When given their names, cubs receive a small swipe of oil across their brow to welcome them into the pack and confirm their place within Aryn. After being anointed, the pups are usually carried from their secluded whelping den to the main den, so that scents can be learned and the youngsters can be socialized as they grow.

• Newlyweds

  • • If a packwide ceremony is held, newlyweds are anointed together with a paw's dab of oil between their ears, as a confirmation of their vows and new bond to one another.

• Aryn's Leaders

  • • Aryn's Grand Vicar, Penns, and Rah'at are anointed with a "crown" of oil, and prayed over at the time of their rise to authority, reminding them that their duty to the pack is a holy calling conferred upon them by the Great Spirit.

Death is considered the conclusion of a long journey for Arynians, and as such the passing of an individual is treated with great respect and a proper send off. Just as a helpless pup is washed clean when they are born, so is the body cleansed for a wolf when they pass on into the next life. Additional rituals serve to comfort those who live on after the departed. 

It is believed that the spirit lingers around its body for three days after death, sometimes being greatly attached to and distressed to lose its mortal figure, or otherwise unwilling or unable move on. Without a proper send off, the spirit may become a dybbuk, and live trapped as a tormented ghost between worlds which may need to be exorcised by a Vicar. Through shemirah and tahara, living wolves can comfort the souls of the dead and help them to pass on to the next life with dignity and peace.

This process ties heavily into Arynian emphasis on the circle of time, and the dual nature of endings and beginnings. Death is not just the end of a wolf's mortal life, it is a new beginning for them on the spiritual plane!

From the time of death until the burial, the task of shemirah (lit. watching/guarding) is considered of utmost importance. A dead body cannot be left unattended. Family and friends of the deceased take turns; if the deceased had neither of these, then other Arynians will be asked to fill the role. Referred to as shomer for males and shomeret for females, these guardians are tasked with watching the body to prevent it from coming to any harm or indignity, as well as comforting the soul near it by their presence and encouraging it to find rest. They may sing spiritual verses, but cannot eat, drink, converse, or do anything else to distract from the task at hand. Shemira is a sacred rite, and the time should be spent reflecting on the life of the departed wolf.

The rituals for burial are collectively known as tahara. Vicars first immerse it in living water, and then groom the body. These cleanse the body spiritually and physically. For many Vicars, this is an intimate process, providing them with a keener appreciation for the both life and death. Vicars typically do not discuss the details of this process with mourners, but it is common for a higher level of solidarity to arise between the attending Vicars and aveilim (mourners.)

Afterwards, the body is laid in a clear, flat place and "dressed" with a branch from the Old Rowan, as well as flowers, feathers, and other decoration, and items the deceased may have had a special affinity for in life. Beforehand, these items are also washed clean in living water. This is symbolic preparation for the great and sacred journey their soul is about to embark on, in which they will be reunited with the One. Most bodies are laid near Falcon Creek or in High Country, but the base of Adamant Peak and the woods surrounding Rockhollow Tarn are also known places for interment.

The final step involves most of the pack, but particularly those closest to the one who has passed on. Each wolf takes at least one stone, washes it clean, and places it around the body. Stones are added until the body is entirely covered so that no insects or scavengers can easily reach it. After the burial is complete, those gathered sing cerdd requiem, a "Poem for the Dead," composed for the individual being buried about their life. Mourners may linger at the site and even visit it for Pilgrimage in years to come. Some will return to lay Rowan branches down when the tree blooms each year in remembrance.

Following the burial, seven days of mourning called shiva are practiced. Mourners undergo ritual purification after the completion of the burial mound. Packmates will provide these aveilim with a freshly gathered "Meal of Comforting" immediately upon their return home. This meal is provided to stave off the risk of aveilim starving themselves out of grief, and is additionally a display of compassion from pack Brothers and Sisters. For the next seven days, mourners remain at the densite together and sleep under the stars. They do not perform their routine tasks, but may participate in the Full Moon Festival should it fall on a day of mourning. Shiva is about comfort for aveilim, meant to stave off the loneliness of those left behind, and to remind them that there is still goodness and light in the world.

For one moon following the death, mourners typically recite prayers and abstain from excess pleasures. If especially close, such as children, siblings, mates, or total bros, mourners recite prayers for the departed daily until the return of the season (one year.)

Titles & Terms

Amen - A religious exclamation of faithfulness or certainty, it expresses belief in or care for something/someone . Often attached to the end of prayers as an affirmation.

Arur - "curse," a prophetical malediction typically announced by Ro'ei on behalf of the One, predicting divine consequence for great wrongdoings. These are rare, and taken quite seriously when they occur.

Avel (plural: Aveilim) - Term for a wolf who is mourning in accordance with Tahara.

Black Ones - Derisive term for Nokoni, who are believed to have sworn allegiance in this life and the next to the Adversary.

Blood/My Blood - Formal title for kin.

Brother - An address for male wolves of equal or lower rank.

Cariad - lit. "strong affection," a nickname or description for a lover.

Fawr - "the Great," a suffix attached to the names of heroes and great leaders in Arynian mind. The closest equivalent would be sainthood.

Fledgling - An apprentice, esp. one who has only just begun learning their task. 

Hinneh - a concise and definitive interjection most closely meaning, "pay close attention to what I'm about to say, this is extremely important!" 

Hinterland - Name often used for the overall territory of Aryn, i.e., "Arynian call the Hinterland their home."

Hiraeth - A word spoken with great reverence. It is longing, yearning - an earnest desire and a heartfelt sorrow. Grief for someone who is departed, homesickness, nostalgia for that which is lost or perhaps never even truly was. It is the voice which calls Rangers home, the dreams of the exiled, the Song that lies hidden in the hearts of all wolves.

Master - An address for a member of the Rah'at (supervisors of their task and recognized authority figures in Aryn)

Mashak - closest equivalent would be "darkness like the grave, without faith, hope, or dreams." A poetic word used only during prayers or times of great reverence, used to describe one's intense grief/suffering. All wolves are believed to face mashak at some point along their Path, and the experience is considered sacred.

Mishpat - "the pattern; the proper way; informally: justice" An older term for The Path. It means doing something according to the tenets, living life in service to the One as though it was a prayer, as well as the actions of the One themselves. 

Neshama - "my soul", a reverent nickname for a lover, not to be used lightly.

Penn - "chief", "head", "summit" - a title affixed to the names of Aryn's serving alphas.

Rabbi - An honourable address given to respected teachers within Aryn.

Ro'ei - An address given to wolves believed to possess the ability to perceive things beyond the natural senses. Such wolves are generally identified by their apparent "sixth sense" and propensity for prophetic dreams/visions. Most are believed to be able to discern spirits.

Shemirah - "watching; guarding" The sacred task of guarding a dead body from the time of passing until burial, during which wolves are expected to meditate on the life of the deceased and refrain from other activity.

Sheol - The realm of the dead, where spirits await the End of Time.

Shomer/Shomeret - m/f respectively, the title of wolves tasked with shermirah, who are guarding a body before it's burial.

Sister - An address for female wolves of equal or lower rank.

Tahara - The burial rituals of Aryn, which consist of ritually cleaning the body physically and spiritually, placing it in a burial mound, and comforting the aveilim.

Tum'ah - Ritual impurity, typically associated by contact with dead bodies or plague-carrying creatures, which must be cleansed by bathing in an immersion pool.

The Three Bodies - Aryn's three authorities - the Alphas, Rah'at, and Grand Vicar.

Expressions & Phrases

Blessed be the One. - Spoken after experiencing or hearing of great tragedy, especially death, and meant to acknowledge the divine wisdom of the Great Spirit even in the face of mortal grief.

Fortune favour you. - Used to express desire for another's happiness and wellbeing.

Go with what strength you have, mighty warrior. - An encouragement to do the best one can, even when feeling unworthy or unqualified. Comes from an old story of a Fawr who was very fearful, but was called by the One to fight a fierce battle, and came out victorious thanks to the Great Spirit's aid.

Good moon. - Spoken as a friendly greeting during the Full Moon Festival held by Aryn once a month on the (you guessed it) full moon.

I will walk beside you over many paths. - a declaration of devotion and loyalty to another; it may be romantic or brotherly. (Adapted from Glas by Bryan Martin Davies)

My soul sings to see you. - In line with Aryn's belief of an eternal spiritual life and their connection to the One through song, this greeting implies the comer is of spiritual importance to the speaker.

Peace be upon you. - Alternative to Shalom.

The scales were lifted from their eyes. - "They saw the truth, they were no longer blind."

Shalom. - lit. "Peace," traditional saying used as both a greeting and a farewell.

Sheol take you! - A curse considered to be especially distasteful - even punishable to speak. Damning someone to Sheol implies the wish to see them removed from all that is good in the world before their time.

Sheol's teeth! - A vulgar expletive in response to something distasteful or unpleasantly alarming.

Two hearts, one wish. Two tongues, one Song. Two souls, one Path. - A sort of 'wedding vow' most often spoken before the pack during a formal wedding ceremony.  (Adapted from Priodas by Dic Jones)

Proverbs

A black bird can lay a white egg. - A reminder the sins of the father are not the sins of the son; or more literally, an evil parent can produce a good child.

The deer is all the dearer for tasting bitter at first. - Things which are obtained after toil or discomfort are more rewarding for the effort.

All things in this world are borrowed - Nothing in this life is permanent or guaranteed, nor does it truly belong to us.

As the heart desires, so it becomes. - Motives will translate into personality.

He that flees the night will never see the moon. - If you cannot bear the bad, you will not find the good.

If I am I because you are you, and you are you because I am I, then I am not I, and you are not you. But if I am I because I am I, and you are you because you are you, then I am I, and you are you. - We should not define ourselves by how others think of us. (Also a favourite tongue-twister enjoyed by pups.)

If you desire honey, you must bear the sting. - You must be willing to work for due reward. Nothing worth doing is easy.

If you face a bear and a boar, choose one lest they both overwhelm you. - Hesitation is often more dangerous than making a difficult decision.

The One will fight for you, be at peace. - Security lies in trusting the One, who exerts a real force upon the world.

Prophecies will cease, tongues will be stilled, knowledge will pass away. But love never fails. - Love is the ultimate and most valuable virtue.

The Path confounds, but there is no coincidence. - Everything, no matter how small or strange, happens for a reason.

The snake slithers without pursuit. - The guilty will often reveal their guilt.

The surest way to accept a gift is to return it. - Acts of kindness and goodwill are deserving of equal reciprocation. Generally applied spiritually in reference to the blessings of the One, but also practically applied between wolves.

Walk not the Path of grief alone, the song of tears should be sung together. - In times of great sorrow, an encouragement to seek out solidarity, even if the only song in each heart is tears.

Wolves plan, the One laughs. - A reminder of one's mortality and limited perspective.

During patrols Vicars may follow in order to collect herbs, or to offer help should someone injure themselves.

In hunts these wolves do not usually take part. However, they may accompany a hunting party to provide assistance in the event of an accident. 

Around the den Vicars care for the sick and elderly. They also watch pups, teaching them about the pack's history and the Great Spirit. Vicars oversee many purification rituals and rites, and counsel packmates.

As diplomats Vicars usually accompany alphas on missions of negotiation. They advise and provide insight to the will of the One. 

It is unusual, but not unheard of, for a wolf who does not believe in the Great Spirit to become a medicine wolf. These wolves are simply known as 'healers' rather than 'Vicar', and still serve the pack with their knowledge of herb lore. They should be careful, however, that their methods do not slip into anything considered profane witchcraft.

During patrols these wolves travel within a larger group. Their main task is to protect, and should intimidation fail, wardens are the primary fighting force in a violent conflict. 

In hunts these wolves wait in ambush for coursers to drive the prey forward. Wardens possess the necessary strength to bring down large game without injuring themselves or their packmates. 

Around the den Wardens guard. They make sure no outsider gets close enough to pose a threat. They are also tasked with keeping track of who leaves and returns. In the event that packmate(s) go missing, the guards are expected to know when they left and in which direction. Warden's also assist with watching young. 

As diplomats they are sent as guards in hostile lands, or to fight.

During patrols they usually run ahead or behind a larger group, and are tasked with giving the rest of the patrol an early notice regarding anything which might be dangerous. If an encounter turns violent, coursers are expected to fight. 

In hunts these wolves chase and maneuver startled prey into position for ambush. They may also bring down faster and smaller game such as hare, pheasant, and fish. 

Around the den coursers assist with regular tasks such as watching young, caring for elders, and keeping the den clean. 

As diplomats a wolf of this task primarily relays messages between packs. In rare cases Coursers may also be sent to spy out rival territories. They may not leave pack lands without the company of another courser or a ranger.

During patrols Rangers may accompany a larger patrol if there is good reason, but most often travel singly and unseen. They should fight to protect their own life and the lives of packmates, but otherwise the potential for deadly injury far from home is too great. Rangers are expected to disengage from violent conflict as soon as they are able, and to report back to the Alpha. 

In hunts these wolves track game. Herd movements, new warrens, and plentiful fishing grounds are the knowledge of the ranger. They bring this information back to the rest of the pack, so that hunting parties may be organized. 

Around the den rangers assist with whatever needs doing. Rangers usually return home only to rest or relay a new bit of information, and then set out again. 

As diplomats they come as spies into all territories, friendly and hostile alike. Some come peacefully to interact and learn about outsiders and set the foundations for alliances. Others stay out of sight, watching from a distance. Both tactics provide insight to the rest of the pack. Rangers may also bring new recruits to the clan.