Post by TheSeaWolf on Oct 21, 2018 6:24:35 GMT
General Wolf Rules
I. Don't have overly rude or aggressive characters. You can have difficult, aggressive characters, but don't have characters that are overly angsty and obnoxious for the sake of it. Don't have characters that are so angry and aggressive that they constantly disrupt the plot to the point of trolling.
II. Don't have mary-sues. Your wolves can't be good at everything! Your character should have a flawed personality, not just a flawed past.
III. No wolves should have any sort of powers, nor should they have accessories such as necklaces or earrings. Some wolves may get radio collars in the future. Some rare characters with accessories like collars will be available in the shop and future giveaways.
IV. Wolves should have realistic coats and eye colors. If your wolf is from the coast, they should have a reddish brown/gray or pure black coat. If they were born farther inland, they can have standard wolf pelts like gray, brown, or black. Characters should not be created as white wolves! White wolves can only be purchased in the shop, as they are rare in this part of the world.
V. Don't give wolves warrior cat style names like "Feathertail," and don't give wolves silly names like "Chair" or "Donut." Wolves shouldn't be named after human objects. Besides that, you're free to be creative!
VI. Wolves can use human words to describe objects, but human phrases like "amen" or "I'm just pulling your chain" shouldn't be used.
Pack Ranks & Ranking System
Azure Mist has a different rank system than most wolf RPs! Instead of being able to apply for certain ranks, everyone starts as either a pup or a subordinate. You will be sorted into different ranks based entirely on how your character acts. If your character is often alert, notices danger well, or is good at sniffing out prey, they may be assigned as a scout. If your character is quick on their feet, have good reflexes, and a fair amount of strength, they may become a hunter. Promotions will also be based on how you and your character act. If your character shows responsibility, good decision-making skills - in addition to you yourself being active, friendly, and helpful - then you may be promoted!
Please note: In basing ranks off of character skill, we are making the RP vulnerable in a way. If your character matches the skill set of any job too well, and have few or no flaws, you will be warned. The point of this rank system is to make a more interesting and dynamic roleplay experience. Having a wolf that is super fast AND really strong at the same time defeats this goal. A quick, weak wolf will still make a good hunter. A strong, slow wolf will as well. A wolf with good eyesight and average hearing can still be a good scout. Having balanced characters will make daily life for our wolves be much more interesting and natural. Please avoid making your wolf accomplish too much as well. Having a wolf who you want to be a hunter catch a rabbit every day will get you nowhere! This kind of behavior will earn a warning as well. If warnings are ignored and your character continues to be unbalanced, you may very well be removed from the RP entirely.
Here are all of the different ranks and rank levels.
High-Ranking Positions
Alpha - The alphas are the ones who make decisions and make sure that the pack is successful. They organize where hunters and scouts will go and decide how many pups the pack can support each breeding season. Kaira is the current leader and has yet to choose a mate. Alphas choose mates who will help them lead the pack.
Beta - The betas are second-in-command to the leaders. There can be one, two, or even three betas at a time. They help the leaders make decisions, and do their best to keep the pack safe.
Hunt Leader - These wolves are the best of the best when it comes to hunting. They know the patterns of moving prey, where and when to find food, and lead hunts. They often advise the leader on how best to find food at any given time.
Scout Leader - With sharp eyes and ever-alert ears, these wolves know the best places to watch for and expect danger. They're in charge of sending out scouts and listening to reports. If so much as a single tree falls in the territory, they'll probably know about it. They report to the alphas if danger or food has been spotted somewhere, and seem to always make sure to be friendly to ravens...
Mid-Ranking Positions
Hunter - These wolves are either fast, strong, smart, durable, or some combination thereof. They're the ones who take down deer and scan beaches for food. They tell the pack if they find anything to eat. A good sense of smell and creativity are just as important to a hunter as quick feet!
Scout - Responsible for the pack's safety, scouts always have either an eye or an ear out for trouble. While they're looking around for bears, they often take note of the territory itself. Scouts can help advise hunters on which way prey is headed. And if a dead whale washes ashore, you can bet they'll let everyone know! Good for so much more than mere security, scouts are the eyes and the ears of the pack.
Healer - If a wolf gets kicked in the face by a deer, it's a good idea to give them some medical attention. That's where healers come in. They know what healing herbs grow in the rainforest, and can usually do a pretty good job of patching up sick or hurt wolves. But there aren't always wolves that need healing, so don't think that they can't hunt or help scout as well! Healers are not spiritual in any way.
Elder - Sometimes, after a lifetime spent in a place that rains all the time, arthritis and crabbiness start to set in. When a wolf gets to be too old to safely participate in strenuous pack activities, they retire and become an elder. They will splinter away from the main pack and dig their own den. But being too old to travel with the pack doesn't mean that they're forgotten. Pack members will still visit them, bring them food, and protect them from danger.
Entry-Level Positions
Subordinate - An adult wolf with no sure place in the pack yet. Everyone adult wolf who joins the pack starts out as a subordinate, and every pup will start out as a subordinate once they're old enough. They pitch in wherever they're needed, and while they do so, the leaders and betas keep a close eye on them; trying to discern where these wolves would fit best in the pack.
Pup - Born to members of the pack in the spring, puppies become the main focus of the entire pack for the better part of a year. They are doted on, fed as much as possible, and completely adored. And between you and me, adults will ALWAYS look the other way if they're chewing on someone else's tail. They don't have any real responsibility within the pack, but they must learn how to hunt and socially interact.
Low-Ranking Positions
Omega - These wolves have done something very wrong and have now been thrown to the very bottom of the social order. If a wolf tries to hurt a fellow pack member in cold blood, harms puppies, or commits some other atrocity, they may become an omega. These wolves are often a means for other wolves to vent their frustration and may be pushed around a lot. They may never rise from the ashes. However, they can still contribute to the pack. Gracious omegas often try to reduce tension within the pack, which can be very valuable in times of hardship.
Sometimes, a pup may be naturally submissive and feel as though they can't contribute much to the pack. Perhaps they just want to help everyone feel good during stressful times, or they don't have as sharp of senses as other wolves. If it is truly their heart's desire, they may ask the leader if they can be an omega. No one will ever be assigned as an omega without doing something wrong, but they are allowed to become one of their own free wills. These omegas are treated with more kindness and respect than those that were forced to take the role as punishment.
Lone Wolves
Players can actually apply to be lone wolves, and may leave the pack anytime! Perhaps your wolf lost grace with the pack and decided to leave the pack altogether rather than become a lowly omega. Lone wolves can do whatever they wish! They can try to find another lone wolf to start a pack with or try to survive alone. They can go to the coast to try and find a new territory, or they can stay on the archipelago and risk being killed by Azure Mist wolves as they scavenge kills and try to seduce subordinates.
Player Ranks
Scribes - The rank of Scribe is strictly for players, and not wolves. Scribes are responsible for taking note of what happens when the pack RPs in private WolfQuest servers. They will take notes on the events that happened, write them into a summary, and post that on one of our threads here in the forum. Anyone that is literate and dependable is allowed to become a Scribe!
Alpha - The alphas are the ones who make decisions and make sure that the pack is successful. They organize where hunters and scouts will go and decide how many pups the pack can support each breeding season. Kaira is the current leader and has yet to choose a mate. Alphas choose mates who will help them lead the pack.
Beta - The betas are second-in-command to the leaders. There can be one, two, or even three betas at a time. They help the leaders make decisions, and do their best to keep the pack safe.
Hunt Leader - These wolves are the best of the best when it comes to hunting. They know the patterns of moving prey, where and when to find food, and lead hunts. They often advise the leader on how best to find food at any given time.
Scout Leader - With sharp eyes and ever-alert ears, these wolves know the best places to watch for and expect danger. They're in charge of sending out scouts and listening to reports. If so much as a single tree falls in the territory, they'll probably know about it. They report to the alphas if danger or food has been spotted somewhere, and seem to always make sure to be friendly to ravens...
Mid-Ranking Positions
Hunter - These wolves are either fast, strong, smart, durable, or some combination thereof. They're the ones who take down deer and scan beaches for food. They tell the pack if they find anything to eat. A good sense of smell and creativity are just as important to a hunter as quick feet!
Scout - Responsible for the pack's safety, scouts always have either an eye or an ear out for trouble. While they're looking around for bears, they often take note of the territory itself. Scouts can help advise hunters on which way prey is headed. And if a dead whale washes ashore, you can bet they'll let everyone know! Good for so much more than mere security, scouts are the eyes and the ears of the pack.
Healer - If a wolf gets kicked in the face by a deer, it's a good idea to give them some medical attention. That's where healers come in. They know what healing herbs grow in the rainforest, and can usually do a pretty good job of patching up sick or hurt wolves. But there aren't always wolves that need healing, so don't think that they can't hunt or help scout as well! Healers are not spiritual in any way.
Elder - Sometimes, after a lifetime spent in a place that rains all the time, arthritis and crabbiness start to set in. When a wolf gets to be too old to safely participate in strenuous pack activities, they retire and become an elder. They will splinter away from the main pack and dig their own den. But being too old to travel with the pack doesn't mean that they're forgotten. Pack members will still visit them, bring them food, and protect them from danger.
Entry-Level Positions
Subordinate - An adult wolf with no sure place in the pack yet. Everyone adult wolf who joins the pack starts out as a subordinate, and every pup will start out as a subordinate once they're old enough. They pitch in wherever they're needed, and while they do so, the leaders and betas keep a close eye on them; trying to discern where these wolves would fit best in the pack.
Pup - Born to members of the pack in the spring, puppies become the main focus of the entire pack for the better part of a year. They are doted on, fed as much as possible, and completely adored. And between you and me, adults will ALWAYS look the other way if they're chewing on someone else's tail. They don't have any real responsibility within the pack, but they must learn how to hunt and socially interact.
Low-Ranking Positions
Omega - These wolves have done something very wrong and have now been thrown to the very bottom of the social order. If a wolf tries to hurt a fellow pack member in cold blood, harms puppies, or commits some other atrocity, they may become an omega. These wolves are often a means for other wolves to vent their frustration and may be pushed around a lot. They may never rise from the ashes. However, they can still contribute to the pack. Gracious omegas often try to reduce tension within the pack, which can be very valuable in times of hardship.
Sometimes, a pup may be naturally submissive and feel as though they can't contribute much to the pack. Perhaps they just want to help everyone feel good during stressful times, or they don't have as sharp of senses as other wolves. If it is truly their heart's desire, they may ask the leader if they can be an omega. No one will ever be assigned as an omega without doing something wrong, but they are allowed to become one of their own free wills. These omegas are treated with more kindness and respect than those that were forced to take the role as punishment.
Lone Wolves
Players can actually apply to be lone wolves, and may leave the pack anytime! Perhaps your wolf lost grace with the pack and decided to leave the pack altogether rather than become a lowly omega. Lone wolves can do whatever they wish! They can try to find another lone wolf to start a pack with or try to survive alone. They can go to the coast to try and find a new territory, or they can stay on the archipelago and risk being killed by Azure Mist wolves as they scavenge kills and try to seduce subordinates.
Player Ranks
Scribes - The rank of Scribe is strictly for players, and not wolves. Scribes are responsible for taking note of what happens when the pack RPs in private WolfQuest servers. They will take notes on the events that happened, write them into a summary, and post that on one of our threads here in the forum. Anyone that is literate and dependable is allowed to become a Scribe!
Forming New Packs
This is the roleplay for the Azure Mist Archipelago Pack. With this being said, a pack can only accommodate so many wolves. Having a lot of wolves can be helpful in some regards - hunting is easier, and staying safe from predators or rival packs is easier. But you can certainly have too much of a good thing. If you have a ton of wolves, no matter how much you hunt, someone will always go hungry. Wolves need limited resources, like food and space. Wolves can also be extremely dramatic! If you have lots of wolves in one pack, with only a few wolves in charge, some of the other wolves may decide they'd rather be the leader. A great real-life example of this is the Druid Peak Pack in Yellowstone. They were once the largest recorded wolf pack with nearly 40 wolves, but eventually got torn into smaller splinter packs by food shortages and social disruption.
Players are entirely allowed to try and usurp the current leader. Maybe one wolf wants to be the new leader, and some of the other wolves support them, leading to a faction that either succeeds in replacing the leader or sets off on their own. Perhaps there will simply be too many wolves to sustain within the archipelago, so some will leave. When this happens, the new pack will have to go stake out their new territory and figure out their own social structure. New boards will be made for them as they expand their territory. This won't happen anytime soon, but it is something to look forward to in the future!
Character Aging, Ailments, Injury, and Death
To have a realistic roleplay, a few things have to be included: aging, death, sickness, and injuries. These are all very real threats that wolves face, so let's learn how they will be handled in the RP!
Aging
All wolf pups are born in the spring. It is physically impossible for wolves to have pups at any other point, because females only go into estrus (aka "heat") once a year, and this always happens during the winter. Therefore pups are born in the early spring, usually in the month of April. Because of this, a character will add one year to their age every time the in-game season changes to spring. There will be a site-wide reminder to update your characters' ages each spring.
Death & Injury
Characters should not be killed or injured without the player's permission. Potential deaths and injuries will be discussed in the Shoutbox when dangerous things such as hunting large prey, fighting off predators, etc. are happening. I hope to improve on this in the future, and this topic will be something that I discuss with the RP members.
One inevitable cause of death is sickness from old age. A wolf should generally die somewhere between 10-15 years of age, and the absolute maximum age is 17.
Sickness
Sickness is a brutal thing, especially out in the wild. A player may give their own character a sickness (perhaps a pup ate berries they shouldn't have and got a bellyache, or an old wolf develops hip problems or a cataract), and other times, potential sicknesses will be discussed with the community and may be carried out. Larger sicknesses could be anything from a strange parasite popping up in prey to contagious diseases. This will help make the RP realistic, and will challenge us as we try to survive through the hardships.