Alpha Rank/Title in Life After Moonrise | World Anvil
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Alpha

Requirements

There's no specific qualification or rules to become a pack's Alpha. Generally speaking, the pack will follow the leader they have the most faith and trust in. This isn't necessarily the strongest in the pack. It is whoever the bulk of the pack believes will be able to lead them. Generally speaking, once a figure is alpha, the others will continue to see them as alpha, until a challenger rises up to explicitely challenge the way things are going.   In order to become Alpha, while there already is one, a wolf would have to challenge their Alpha. From there, it can devolve into a fight to a death, that alpha can willingly step down, or in more dire circumstances, the entire pack will revolt against their current Alpha and forcibly remove them from their position.

Appointment

Overtime, a wolf aiming to be Alpha must show support and leadership to the others in the pack. They have to prove, through actions, that they care for and will protect the pack. This isn't a simple political act. This is years of being there for the other wolves, putting in the work to help them through their bad spots, at all hours of night, being helpful, caring, and otherwise a part of their lives.   Overtime, the pack's opinion of this prospective leader will improve and they'll become willing to follow them.   Rarely, a single moment of upset will leave the pack following multiple leaders until a set alpha or pair of alphas can be found to be put in charge. In some circumstances, a challenge to the alpha will leave both opponents dead or the alpha will unexpectedly die or leave, in either case, the pack will care for itself, collectively, while a leader is 'felt' out.

Responsibilities

The Pack Alpha is responsible for the care and wellbeing of every wolf in the pack. Everything else pretty much flows from that. In practice, taking care of the pack means proactively finding external threats, handling diplomacy with other packs, maintaining the pack home, having escape plans for an emergency, working with individual wolves who are struggling or having problems. They need to listen to every single voice in the pack for whatever is concerning them. They need to be a military leader, the head of a familiy, and more.

Benefits

Leading a pack is no small thing. The pack alphas can pay themselves from pack assets, use the pack assets as they desire, they're leading a private army of wolves, they gain immense political power within the pack and potentially with other super naturals. Depending on the size of the pack, their condition, and local politics, this influence can swell massively. A more powerful pack can command influence with local politicians, the police, and more. Their influence can run deep, just like a gang. Influence an alpha has access and control of, to use or to squander.

Grounds for Removal/Dismissal

Removing a pack alpha is usually a bloody and violent affair. The pack will trust and follow their leader, up to the breaking point. After that? It all depends.   A wolf in the pack can challenge the alpha, if they have the support of the rest of the pack, then the old alpha will be removed. That can be peacefully stepping down or it can be violent and bloody. It's not that the two wolves will fight and the winner rules. A fight can be a factor, reducing the pack's confidence in their leader until they will force their alpha out collectively. This doesn't mean the challenger will get to be that alpha. The pack's leader is always picked organicly from whoever the pack trusts.
Type
Familial
Equates to
The Alpha of a pack is on par with the Master of a vampire family, the head of a military unit, the CEO of a company, the preacher in charge of a church, and so on. Everyone in the group answers to them. They head all plans, management, and work with other similar groups. They're simply the one in charge.
Length of Term
Life
Related Organizations

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