Ranks
The ranks are based on the government put in place in Lacedaemon (aka: Sparta) by Lycurgis. They were chosen for the irony between the Lacedaemon's purpose for using them and Shadowed Sun's. They were chosen because the governing system of Sparta combined aspects from many governments, but was also set up to prevent change and promote traditionalism. The former aspect reflected Shadowed Sun's diversity, and the latter was acknowledged as being everything Shadowed Sun is not!
The ranks are based on one's activity, primarily on post count. (Rank evaluations are done at least once a month). The ranks signify a character's political standing within the pack. Co-ranks can be applied for that indicates a character's area of specialization.
Oros Daskalos (Mountain Teachers; Leadership Tier)
The Agiad and Eurypontid ranks are competely equal to one another and are the two "kings" of Sparta. These two families were said to be descendants of Heracles, and might have been to appease the two royal families, or to avoid any forms of (modern etymology of) tyranny.
The kings carry out the functions of the pack, and act as the overall morale boosters, organisers and mediators.
The Ephors were the officials; they were elected annually by the popular assembly and could not be reelected. The Ephoroi presided over the meetings of the Gerosia and supervised the affairs of the state and important judicial functions. Although the kings were thought to be the head of power, in ancient Sparta, the Ephors possessed the true power, and the kings were figureheads presiding over the military and religion.
Within the pack, the Ephors act as advisors to the kings. They act as pack ambassadors, and are expected to manage much of the foreign affairs of the pack. They assist the kings in many of their duties and manage the pack's equivalent to a civil court. They oversee those that hold the co-ranks of Ambassador, Spy and Scout, and most likely hold one of these positions.
The Gerousia was the "senate": a council of elders. It consisted of twenty-eight male members, who were chosen by lot from the remaining Spartiates over the age of sixty-five. They oversaw the criminal court system, could initiate new legislature. After their term, they were evaluated at a court; if their actions were found to be unconstitutional, they could be charged.
The Gerousia serve as the pack-maintainers. They are entrusted with the task of keeping affairs within the pack running smoothly. They report to the kings and assist them in many of their affairs. They oversee those that hold the co-ranks of Guardian and Protector.
Philologos (Member Tier)
The "equals," these were the most notable of the Spartiate class, the men eligible for fighting. They were, essentially, the upper-class and elite of Sparta.
The upperclass members of Shadowed Sun. They are the elders of the pack and are expected to take on many organisational roles within the pack, mostly dependant on their co-rank. They are the most respected members of the pack and are referred to for their wisdom regarding pack matters and special talents. They may take on an apprentice to teach their skill to.
The "trainers," they were the overseers of young Spartiate education in the agoge. At the age of seven, Spartan boys were sent to the agoge to train, and it was the Paidonomous' who instructed them.
Within the pack, the Paidonomous' are also the trainers of the puppies, the Nioti. They teach the Nioti to hunt, fish, and fend for themselves. They work closely with the Philohos and assist in determining a Nioti's prospective co-rank.
The "tribes" of the largest political subgroups in Sparta. They managed more local and municipal affairs. The phylae encompassed all citizens. The Phylae were comprised of: Hylleis, Dymanes and Pamhyloi.
Within the pack, the Phylae are organisational administrators of sorts, and oversee hunts. They work closely with the Lead Hunter and the Hunter in the pack and report to the Gerousia or two kings.
The "officials" of Sparta; they were paid and fed out of the public expense. They formed governmental positions such as clerks (grammateis) and heralds (kerykls). They were also known by the name of 'Ephoes.'
The Hyperitai work as minor officials within the pack, working to keep the various aspects of the pack running smoothly. They handle most pack matters and oversee maintainence of the pack, working closely with the Phylae and the Gerousia.
The "cheerleaders" / "assembly" of Sparta; all male Spartiates over the age of 30 were automatically a part of the Apella. The Apella had few powers, and could only approve legislation put forward by the Ephoroi and Gerousia or vote it down.
Within the pack, the Apella organise outer-pack relations and activities. They work closely with those who hold the co-ranks of Ambassador, Spy, and Scout, and report to the Gerousia and two kings. They are the lesser officials that organise information about other packs, as brought to them by the Spy or Scout, and may hold the co-rank themselves. Although they are not official reconnaissance works, they are organisers and keep the records and manage the affairs.
The "warriors" of Sparta. All Spartiates belonged to a lochos as it denoted the largest divisions of the population capable to bear arms. There were 5 Lochos, and one per village.
The Lochos are the apprentices of the pack. They are encouraged to find a higher-ranking member to speak with about obtaining the rank, and may also find another with a co-rank willing to teach them their trade. The Lochos, though not the bulk of the pack's numbers, are the ones most constantly assessed for promotion.
The "dwellers around" Sparta. They held something similar to the Roman civitatus sine suffragio: citizenship without the vote. They did not have full citizenship like the Spartiates, and were mostly farmers and merchants living around or near Sparta. They were the only Spartans allowed to travel without needing permission, but could not marry Spartan men or women or participate politically.
The "subordinates" of the pack. All newcomers are given this rank upon joining, and will most likely remain there for a month or two to prove themselves and gain a higher rank. Although they have no formal duties, the Periokoi are expected to work with the Lochos to try and learn a trade, and simply acquaint themselves with Shadowed Sun and its lifestyle. Since they are the bulk of the pack, they are the ones who participate in pack hunts and other various activities.
The "serfs" of Sparta. They made up around 90% of the population and were the conquered people of Laconia. They were allowed to remain on their farms, but were serfs to the Spartans, having to give much of the profits to the Spartans.
The "omega" rank. It is assigned to any wolf that has shamed themself, their fellows, or the pack as a whole. The helot is similar to a serf, and thus, the wolf holding this rank is expected to do everyone else's work to get back into their good graces. A newcomer is very rarely given this rank unless under special circumstances, in which it functions as the "outsider" rank, in which the newcomer is expected to work to become a full-fledged member of the pack.
Neolaia Philologos (Youth Tier)
Youths fresh out of the agoge were organised into groups called the Krypteia. They were sent into the countryside to prove themselves, and it acted as a 'manhood' ritual of sorts. They policed the helots and executed those who were found to be causing trouble to Sparta.
Puppies are given the rank of Krypteia at the age of six months. They work closely with the Paidonomoi of the pack, learning to hunt and fend for themselves. They remain at the rank of Krypteia until they reach the age of nine months, in which they are given a rank in the Philologos.
Literally translated as "youth," these children might not have been called this, but it refers to those still too young to fight, within the agoge.
Puppies are given the rank of Nioti at the age of two months and retain it until they turn six months old. They may be ranked according to skill as they are learning, using the greek alphabet:
Alpha Nioti
Beta Nioti
Gamma Nioti
Delta Nioti
Epsilon Nioti
Zeta Nioti
Eta Nioti
Theta NiotiIota Nioti
Kappa Nioti
Lamda Nioti
Mu Nioti
Nu Nioti
Xi Nioti
Omicron Nioti
Pi NiotiRho Nioti
Sigma Nioti
Tau Nioti
Upsilon Nioti
Phi Nioti
Chi Nioti
Psi Nioti
Omega Nioti