Post by La Luna on Mar 16, 2011 23:17:51 GMT -6
Lycan Handbook
Pack Hierarchy
Werewolves typically live in family groups called "packs." There are many different meanings as to what a lycan pack is. A lycan pack is mainly refered to as a large gathering of werewolves, forming one big family. The pack contains weres of different qualities, and depend upon each other to survive. The weres of a pack are bound together by a special power and each and everyone has the responsibility to watch over one another. Packs rarely tolerate outside annoyances, but are very warm and welcoming to wolves that look like they may make a good addition to it. Some packs are guided by a single alpha, either for not having mated yet or for having lost their mate.
In exceptional cases, an unrelated were may be adopted into a pack. A dominance hierarchy exists within all werewolf packs, and because pack hierarchy is very important to wolves, much of the body language weres use is related to affirming it. There are many different rank that lycans can hold within a pack. These include:
(1) The Alphas are the most dominate and respected lycans of the pack. If these two Alphas are not given the respect that they deserve, they will demand it, and if it comes to fighting, so be it, for disrespect will not be tolerated. If these two Alphas see that another lycan is not getting respect that they deserve, then they will see that that lycan does get the respect that he or she deserves.
The Alphas try to know what has been going on between members of the pack and, moreover, between members of other packs; they try to "keep up with the times." Alphas have the final say in all decisions, and it is their duty to do what is good for the pack. Even in personal decisions, they must do what is best for the pack. This includes hearing the opinions of all the others and making a decision based on all circumstances. They usually decide what goes on at any given time in a pack: hunting, exploring, meetings, etc. These two are the most responsible and reliable wolves of the pack. The female is in charge of females, and the male is in charge of the males; however, both Alphas will be equally respected by all lycans, regardless of gender, age, pack, etc.
(2) Betas: The Betas lycans play a very simular role as the Alphas. Betas are usually looked upon as second in command, taking over while the alphas are not present. They are able to make the same decisions and have the same amount of respect as the alphas. They answer to no one but their Alphas. While the Alphas are present, Betas are mostly used to settle minor jobs or disputes.
(3) Omega lycans. The Omega of the pack is lowest ranking wolf, only higher then the pups. The Omega is usually a werewolf that is either very new to packlife and still learning or a lycan that has been lowered in rank due to wrong actions. The Omega may even growl or nip at the learning pups, teaching them the Way of the Pack and their place within the hierarchy. Ironically, other adult werewolves may growl or nip at the Omega in the same manner for the same reasons. Still what seems to be 'bullying' is much more complicated than it appears. If a pack's survival depends on the acceptance of hierarchy, then it is crucial to learn this well and early.
(4) Juveniles. These would be young lycans that have not yet secured themselves a position within the pack's hierarchy. However, young lycan pups will "play-fight" and this often results in the formation of a dominance hierarchy among the juveniles. This juvenile hierarchy often changes frequently.
(5) Elders - The Elders of the pack are usually the oldest, wisest, and most experienced lycans in the pack. The elders are usually werewolves that have the ability to be high ranking. They are constantly looked to for advice, even by the alphas and betas. They are highly respected lycans. The elders know the packs history and are often the storytellers. Their job is to keep records of all the recent events going on in the clearing, along with getting their hands on any peices of art, poems, stories a werewolf might come up with and keep a log of it for future reference, or just to keep as part of the heart of the pack.
(6) Pack Members: Not all lycans hold positions, either for being new additions to the pack or not having defined their abilities yet. The Alpha(s) take great care in selection of which position a werewolf will be allowed to maintain. As the pack members gain time in the pack, their actions will dictate if they are to be advanced.
Werewolves in the wild have a lifespan of 500 – 1000 years. They age much like a human in the first twenty to thirty years of their life then it slows down considerably.
Bullying of an omega is another behaviour which leaves some doubt about its offensive / defensive motivation and it can certainly be regarded as a special case of status guarding. An omega animal is one which is of such low status that it is effectively off the bottom of the hierarchy ladder and used as a punch bag by all the other animals.
Social Testing: This behaviour is yet another way in which wolves find and maintain their place in the social hierarchy and it involves producing deliberately disrespectful and quasi-aggressive behaviour. It is designed purely to test other animals' characters. Wolves are complete social opportunists and exploit each others' physical and mental weaknesses ruthlessly to gain and keep social status. Testing consists largely of mock-attack moves and threatening body language and offers them a chance to evaluate their pack-mates' strength of will, bravery and gullibility.
Pack Hierarchy
Werewolves typically live in family groups called "packs." There are many different meanings as to what a lycan pack is. A lycan pack is mainly refered to as a large gathering of werewolves, forming one big family. The pack contains weres of different qualities, and depend upon each other to survive. The weres of a pack are bound together by a special power and each and everyone has the responsibility to watch over one another. Packs rarely tolerate outside annoyances, but are very warm and welcoming to wolves that look like they may make a good addition to it. Some packs are guided by a single alpha, either for not having mated yet or for having lost their mate.
In exceptional cases, an unrelated were may be adopted into a pack. A dominance hierarchy exists within all werewolf packs, and because pack hierarchy is very important to wolves, much of the body language weres use is related to affirming it. There are many different rank that lycans can hold within a pack. These include:
(1) The Alphas are the most dominate and respected lycans of the pack. If these two Alphas are not given the respect that they deserve, they will demand it, and if it comes to fighting, so be it, for disrespect will not be tolerated. If these two Alphas see that another lycan is not getting respect that they deserve, then they will see that that lycan does get the respect that he or she deserves.
The Alphas try to know what has been going on between members of the pack and, moreover, between members of other packs; they try to "keep up with the times." Alphas have the final say in all decisions, and it is their duty to do what is good for the pack. Even in personal decisions, they must do what is best for the pack. This includes hearing the opinions of all the others and making a decision based on all circumstances. They usually decide what goes on at any given time in a pack: hunting, exploring, meetings, etc. These two are the most responsible and reliable wolves of the pack. The female is in charge of females, and the male is in charge of the males; however, both Alphas will be equally respected by all lycans, regardless of gender, age, pack, etc.
(2) Betas: The Betas lycans play a very simular role as the Alphas. Betas are usually looked upon as second in command, taking over while the alphas are not present. They are able to make the same decisions and have the same amount of respect as the alphas. They answer to no one but their Alphas. While the Alphas are present, Betas are mostly used to settle minor jobs or disputes.
(3) Omega lycans. The Omega of the pack is lowest ranking wolf, only higher then the pups. The Omega is usually a werewolf that is either very new to packlife and still learning or a lycan that has been lowered in rank due to wrong actions. The Omega may even growl or nip at the learning pups, teaching them the Way of the Pack and their place within the hierarchy. Ironically, other adult werewolves may growl or nip at the Omega in the same manner for the same reasons. Still what seems to be 'bullying' is much more complicated than it appears. If a pack's survival depends on the acceptance of hierarchy, then it is crucial to learn this well and early.
(4) Juveniles. These would be young lycans that have not yet secured themselves a position within the pack's hierarchy. However, young lycan pups will "play-fight" and this often results in the formation of a dominance hierarchy among the juveniles. This juvenile hierarchy often changes frequently.
(5) Elders - The Elders of the pack are usually the oldest, wisest, and most experienced lycans in the pack. The elders are usually werewolves that have the ability to be high ranking. They are constantly looked to for advice, even by the alphas and betas. They are highly respected lycans. The elders know the packs history and are often the storytellers. Their job is to keep records of all the recent events going on in the clearing, along with getting their hands on any peices of art, poems, stories a werewolf might come up with and keep a log of it for future reference, or just to keep as part of the heart of the pack.
(6) Pack Members: Not all lycans hold positions, either for being new additions to the pack or not having defined their abilities yet. The Alpha(s) take great care in selection of which position a werewolf will be allowed to maintain. As the pack members gain time in the pack, their actions will dictate if they are to be advanced.
Werewolves in the wild have a lifespan of 500 – 1000 years. They age much like a human in the first twenty to thirty years of their life then it slows down considerably.
Bullying of an omega is another behaviour which leaves some doubt about its offensive / defensive motivation and it can certainly be regarded as a special case of status guarding. An omega animal is one which is of such low status that it is effectively off the bottom of the hierarchy ladder and used as a punch bag by all the other animals.
Social Testing: This behaviour is yet another way in which wolves find and maintain their place in the social hierarchy and it involves producing deliberately disrespectful and quasi-aggressive behaviour. It is designed purely to test other animals' characters. Wolves are complete social opportunists and exploit each others' physical and mental weaknesses ruthlessly to gain and keep social status. Testing consists largely of mock-attack moves and threatening body language and offers them a chance to evaluate their pack-mates' strength of will, bravery and gullibility.