A Guide to Wildlands

Blurb
This will be a guide to an up-coming book I have planned (that may be turned into a series if people actually like it). This will tell you the history, terminology, geography and anything else about the book that people would to know (this is a guide after all). With that said, let’s dive into the world of Wildlands.

Meet the Packs
Within the world of Wildlands, there are six rival packs, who constantly fighting to survive in a changing world. Here they are.

Swift-Winds Pack
Fast and agile, these saber-toothed cats (oh, I forgot to mention their saber-tooths) are much leaner that most, and more akin to hunting faster prey than other packs. They are also amazing strategists and great problem-solvers. They are very cautious and relie on their wits rather than others.

Rising-Tide Pack
Strong and graceful, the members of the Rising-Tide pack are amazing swimmers and talented fishers, much more able to hunt fish and aquatic creatures. They are eternal optimists and have hearts of gold. Their entire pack seems just like one big happy family to most. These cats are very friendly and are usually quite social.

Raging-Flames Pack
Large and bulky, these cats are bulit for strength, they are the best mammoth and ground-sloth hunters around. They are brave, loyal and courageous. They fight united and relie on each other to get things done. They are known to be rule breakers and would gladly lay down their lives to save those they love.

Whispering-Pines Pack
Lean and small, the saber-tooths within this pack are built for stealth and climbing trees. They are sly and ambitious. They will only trust those who they believe can help them to reach their goals. Unlike most, they prefer to hunt their prey using traps.

Jagged-Cliff Pack
Powerful legs and a thick coat give the members of this pack everything they need to survive in the mountains. They are snobby towards others and are quite hot-headed, however once they trust you, they will try their hardest to protect you.

Autumn-Leaves Pack
This pack is a melting pot of personality. Outcasts from the other five packs and pack-less cats formed this group. Here, everyone uses their special talents to help contribute to the pack. While some say it isn't a true pack, the Autumn-Leaves care for one another and they could care less about what the others thought.

Leader
The pack leader leads the pack in a aspects. Whether it’s heading into battle, excepting outcasts or bannishing those who have broken Pack Laws, they make the big decisions and their word is law (with most things, but we’ll get into that later). They represent the pack at Equinoxes and Solstices (meetings), preform ceremonies and occasinally train a pupil. Female leaders generally don’t have kits, as it would take them away from their duties.

Lieutenant
This is the leader’s second-in-command, which is traditionally the leader’s first-born or only. If the lieutenant is to die, a new shall be chosen at dusk, which is either another one the leader’s offspring or their most trusted guard or hunter. The lieutenant takes responsibility over assigning hunting patrols, border patrols and helping to make decisions. Female lieutenants are generally forbidden to have cubs, as they must be prepare to take the leader’s place at anytime. They sometimes train a pupil.

Shaman
Shamans play an important role in the pack. They help to heal the injured with natural remedies, medical knowledge and spells. Shamans also hold an important spiritual connection with The Great Spirits. They interpert signs from The Great Spirits and recieve dreams. They also attend annual meetings at Sana’s Roost in the Claw mountains with other shamans and their pupils. These signs help the leader make important decisions. Shamans are allowed to have mates and female shamans are allowed to have cubs, so long as there is another shaman. There is a maximum of three shamans per pack, although there is usually only one. They are above normal pack rivalries.

Shaman-In-Training
Shaman trainées are training under the current shaman. They will one day recieve their new name and assume full shaman duties. While they are training, they learn about herbs and natural remedies from the current shaman, as well as spells and special ceremonies. They also learn how to interpret signs from the spirits.

Seeker
These are rare and if a pack does have a seeker, it is usually only one. They are the explorers, traveling the land. They can enter the darkest and cursed lands without been shunned afterward. They are usually charged with seeking out hunting grounds, water sources and new camps if needed.

Seeker-In-Training
There is rarely ever a Seeker-In-Training, even if the pack has a Seeker. Most training seekers don't live through to the end of their training and those that do still have a high chance of dying. Most pupils are to scared to become a seeker. Those that do are seen as brave and free of spirit.

Nest-Mother
Nest-Mothers are female hunters/guards/shamans/seekers that are pregnant or nursing cubs. They retire temporarily from their duties to raise cubs, then return to their duties after their cubs become trainees. During this time they live in the nursery and hunters will hunt for them. Some Nest-Mothers will stay in the nursery to help other mothers.

Elder
Elders are sabers who have lived their lives in service to their pack and, when they have become weak with age, retire to the Elders den to be cared for by the rest of the pack. Elders are respected by all for their sacrifies, wisdom and stories from when they served the pack.

Guard
Guards along with hunters, make up the body of the pack. They defend the pack, go on patrol and will invade another packs’ territory on leader’s notice. They will also take up tasks the pack needs done when no other rank can do it.

Senior Guard
Senior Guards are the older, more respected guards who many be called upon to advise the leader and lieutenant. They have the same responsibilities as a guard and often have a higher chance of being given a pupil.

Head Guard
The Head Guard gives orders to senior and normal guards. They are partly in charge of assigning patrols and posts for guards. Female head guards are usually not allowed to have cubs as it would take them away from their responsibilities, however if it does happen, a substitute will chosen until she has returned.

Hunter
Hunters, along with guards, make up the body of the pack. They go on hunting patrols and bring back food for the pack. They will defend the camp if necessary. They will take up tasks the pack needs done if no other rank cam do it.

Senior Hunter
Senior Hunters are older and more respected hunters. They may be called upon to advise the leader and lieutenant. They have the same responsibilities as a hunter and are more likely to be given a pupil.

Head Hunter
Head Hunter gives orders to senior and normal hunters. They are partly in charge of assigning hunting patrols and picking the location. Female head hunters are usually not allowed to have cubs as it would take them away from their responsibilities, however if it does happen, a substitute will chisen until she can return.

Mentor
Mentors are hunters or guard who have the honor of training a pupil. They are responsible for training their pupil, as well as the usual warrior duties. Female mentors are not supposed to have cubs as it interrupts pupil training, but if it does happen their pupil will be reassigned. Mentors usually train their pupils for eleven months before returning to regular status when they decide their pupil is ready to become a guard/hunter.