There are three stages to becoming a member of the Wolfkin; Wanderer, Wolfcub and Wolfbrother/Wolfsister. As a Wanderer, you are still new to the experience of your wolfish side and the strange urges that are called “the Howling”. You don’t know how to control it and you know even less about how it came to you. This is where you are when you are met by another member of the Wolfkin and taken back to the Stedding. You begin basic classes there and you progress to Wolfcub status. As a Wolfcub, you know what’s happening, but you’re still learning to basics to be able to control it. With training, you learn a little control over your dreams and how to cope with the Howling. Once you establish this sort of control, you are considered a full Wolfbrother or Wolfsister, though you remain uncommitted to a course.
On reaching this point, you will begin training to become a member of one of the four subdivisions within the Wolfkin; the Rangers, Watchers, Trackers and Sages. Each has their own requirements for their job within the Wolfkin but once you meet those and have gained the proper proficiency, you will then earn full status within those groups along with all the ranks and privileges that come with it.
To progress, here is what you need to do:
Wanderer:
This is anyone new to the Wolfkin. There is no minimum Experience Score (ES) or Dream Score (DS) to attain to become a Wanderer. This is the stage where you will begin role playing, meet the Wolfkin and come to the Stedding.
Wolfcub:
To become a wolfcub you need to gain:
• ES of 3* (1 Pick Up/Sage Check, 1 Senses Lesson & 1 Weapons Lesson)
• DS of 4 (Dream Lessons 1 & 2)
Wolfbrother/ Wolfsister:
To become a full member you need to reach:
• ES of 6* (1 Senses Lesson, 1 Herb Lesson & 1 Weapons Lesson)
• DS of 8 (Dream Lessons 3 & 4)
(*In rare instances a WK might not be able to pick up a weapon. If this is the case, an appeal needs to be made to the DL in writing, explaining why the character cannot learn to defend him or herself. Not liking a weapon does NOT qualify, though having experienced extreme trauma might. If you appeal and are granted the exception, your character will have to atttempt training, but fail and will not be allowed to leave the Stedding without protection from a capable fighter.)
At this stage, you will choose what subdivision you would like to be part of. You will need to contact the DL with your choice and she will pass it along to the Head of that subdivision. Once that is announced, you will be able to start your training for that subdivision. Of those, there are four:
Rangers – The Stedding’s protectors who learn the blade and its dance.
Sages – Our healers and wisdom who tend to us in all our needs.
Watchers – Our eyes and ears in the world, who travel the land to make sure we know what is happening in our isolated Stedding.
Trackers – Our meeters and greeters who bring in our lost Wanderers and who explore the world around us.
The training for each is as follows:
Rangers (Guardian)
• Reach Min. ES of 8
• Reach min. DS of 8
• Way of the Warrior – This can take anywhere from 8-12 posts to complete depending on who is teaching it and how the player responds. The purpose of this lesson is to teach the Guardian how to remain calm and focused under the most extreme levels of stress.
• Fight Club -This lesson takes roughly 5-8 posts to complete and starts off with a Guardian learning how to fight “open handed”. Once this part of the lesson is completed the Guardian is shown the dubious “delights” of RiverWinds Folly. This is an assault course designed to test the physical stamina of a Guardian to the max.
• The Spring – This lesson is where the Guardian is taught the secret to the Rangers’ fighting style and stamina. The Guardian is put through his/her paces with a variety of disciplines until they have mastered The Spring or The Void and can call on it at any time and use it at their bidding.
• An outline for Character Development must be submitted to the DL and subdivision Head, detailing any RPs that will need to happen before the character is truly ready to take on the role of Ranger *See notes.
Sages (Apprentice)
• Reach Min. ES of 6
• Reach min. DS of 12
• Participate in two healing classes. One herb class is mandatory, but any other healing, be it tending someone who is sick, learning something more advanced, spending time with one of the Wanderers who needs help adjusting … anything that could be constituted as healing. (PC if possible. NPC with DL approval only)
• An outline for Character Development must be submitted to the DL and subdivision Head, detailing any RPs that will need to happen before the character is truly ready to take on the role of Sage *See notes.
• Their character needs to grow into the part over the period of their training.
Watchers (Trainees are called Scouts)
• Reach Min. ES of 8
• Reach min. DS of 10
• Must have gone with anyone of Watcher rank to pick up supplies or make contact with any person in the information network. (PC if possible. NPC with DL approval only)
• An outline for Character Development must be submitted to the DL and subdivision Head, detailing any RPs that will need to happen before the character is truly ready to take on the role of Watcher *See notes.
Trackers (Pathfinders)
• Reach Min. ES of 8
• Reach min. DS of 10
• Must have gone to foreign lands as a Pathfinder, be it to pick up a new wanderer or for other reasons.
• Mental: Your character has to resolve any inner problems they may have. Be it a fear of non-Wolfkin, fear of oneself, etc.
• An outline for Character Development must be submitted to the DL and subdivision Head, detailing any RPs that will need to happen before the character is truly ready to take on the role of Tracker *See notes.
* Character Development can be anything the player deems need to be addressed before the character is ready to take on the role they are assuming. If this is overcoming a fear, or learning a skill others would know and they don’t, it’s a list of things you believe needs to be RPed out before they can come to terms with their world and their place in it. There is no minimum to this and no right or wrong. Role plays can be solo or PCs with no minimum post requirement. The outline submitted will be binding though so think it out. Don’t be afraid to talk to the DL and the Head of the subdivision to get ideas. We’re here to help you. And remember, character development is the fun stuff! It can be as simple as learning to swim, or overcoming a fear of spiders! Have fun with it!
