General Attributes (All Wolves) ~ Hierarchy & Roles ~ Mateship & Breeding

Being as the "base creature" type played in Paragon is that of a grey wolf that has been enhanced by the elements; each wolf will have similar body, age, and even personality specifics that do not change "en masse" from element to element. One could play either a very scrawny fire wolf or a very buff fire wolf, and so on for each element type. It is truly up to the player; however, all must stay within the listed specifics listed below!

It is possible to have slightly smaller or slightly larger specimens in height however, deviations may not exceed a minimum of 24 inches or a maximum of 40 inches. Wolves may be of any composition: short, tall, stocky, scrawny, etc. The maximum or minimum length of a wolf does not change even if there's a slight deviation in the height dimension.

Height: 0.6–0.95 meters (26–38 in) at the shoulder
Weight: average of 32–62 kilograms (70–135 lbs) (Keep in mind you can have a specimen lighter or heavier than this, but keep in mind height, or you'll be describing a very frail or very heavyset wolf!)
Length: 1.3–2 meters (4.5-6.5 feet) nose to tail tip

~ All Paragon wolves, with the exception of the Spiorad, make the same sounds as "normal" wolves; barking, growling, yipping, howling, yelping; any type of canine sound. They do not actually "form" speech, nor do they have a language of writing. Their language is still the same harmony of wolf sounds as well as body language to get their point across. In RP we specify this as "writing" as if they are "speaking", though really they form no words.
~ Paragon elemental wolves do see color, unlike normal wolves, as a function of the changes that ensued upon becoming one with their elements.
~ Wolf speed is approximately 8 mi/hour for a lope and 30 mi/hour for a fast run. Wolves run in "short bursts" however, as much of their travel on "paw" would likely be in a lope, so an "average travel time" for a wolf going cross-country in their native form would be around 20 mi/hour.

Pups are role-played anywhere from newborn - 8 months. In-game, you cannot join as a pup character unless you are adopting someone's pups. Adoption of a pup happens either from a parent that is going to give birth in-game or via the Pre-Made Adoptable Character Thread if pups are available there. Wolves under 8 months are not considered pack members, rather, subordinates of their guardians. Without a guardian or a parent, a pup would die on it's own, and realistically, a wolf cub abandoned by it's parents might rather be killed or simply abandoned by the pack as an unnecessary drain on resources.

In Paragon, there are three distinctions for colors of a wolf, which are listed on each wolf's element page:

~1.5 years is considered sexual maturity for the wolves of Paragon. Breeding cannot happen prior to this age for both parents!
~Wolves can live up to 13 years in the wild, however this is rare, as usually they tend to become too old to continue to catch game and the like on their own after about 9-10 years and will slowly waste away without another wolf aiding it somehow. It is possible to role-play an older wolf, but be aware that you'll be near toothless and weak.

Alphas are the leaders of the pack, Chosen in this way by their Celestial, thus what they say is law. They have the ability to lead their pack in whichever way they see fit. They are also the "paragon" of their particular element; and on their own lands and on the unclaimed lands will show prowess over another wolf of a lower rank; even of a different element. Since they are always in their element; they are so hard-core they bring the elements with them. On their own territory, their power is undisputed. Alphas can do things that would be the paramount of power over their element; entire trees moving and twisting in the forest in groups or using wind to toss a couple of full grown wolves through the air! It is never wise to challenge the Alpha of a territory; however, Alphas must be sure only to use their charms in dire need; not for facetious reasons! In the Unclaimed Territories, with the aid of their focus, only another alpha can challenge their power. However, when an alpha steps onto a claimed territory, they are no more powerful than that pack's beta.

Alphas ALSO are responsible for filling any 'roles' that are not assigned via having a Beta to fill them. For example; if a pack only has two 'Beta' wolves in it; the Alpha fills the other roles themselves and trains Omega apprentices until they are suited to rise up in rank!

Each of these wolves has an official pack role, serving as an intermediary between the rest of the pack and the Alpha. Pack roles are assigned to the wolf based on their skills and relationship to the Alphas. Thusly, the roles are given by the Alphas, not chosen by the wolf. Each elemental pack has their own name for the Beta wolves; for example Critheans call theirs Wardens and the Anord call theirs Tempests.

Elemental power wise, on their own lands, they are second only to their alpha. Whereas an alpha can sustain their powers for quite a long time and control multiple things at once, Betas can only do a few things at once, and get more weary with work. When they step into the Unclaimed Territories, their powers diminish accordingly, though they still have enough elemental control to easily fend off an omega. When they enter another pack's domain, they are only as powerful as that pack's omegas. Beta wolves are chosen by virtue of their relationship to the pack's Alpha and their skills. (Out of character-wise, Betas are chosen by player role-playing and involvement!)

The enmasse 'group', most often will be chosen as responsible for aiding in puppy-rearing and other tasks for the Alphas and Betas such as providing entertainment, forming hunting groups, etc. They serve as Apprentices to the Beta 'roles' so that they may assist in said roles if needed or asked to by the Alpha. Each of the main packs on Paragon has two Omega roles per Beta role, with the exception of Sentinel and Ranger, which have one additional Omega slot apiece.

As far as elemental power, Omegas are the weaker wolves of the group. They have minor control over their element, meaning they can only perform one charm at a time, and not sustain for very long, which manifests best when on their own pack lands, meaning an Omega still can fend off wolves of another element on their own lands. When an omega walks the Unclaimed Territories, their elemental power is further diminished, and competes only with other omegas and even then, it is barely strong enough to last long. Omegas on other pack lands are basically no more than wolves of a different color; almost detached from their focus, they can barely manifest any elemental charm.

Puppies are not considered pack members, and thus under care of the adults. When they turn 8 months of age, they can be accepted into the pack as adult wolves. Puppies are required to have adult guardians that care for them.

The pack roles all encompass a "primary" element. This does not mean that said pack role has to deal with that particular element; it is merely a good way to look at how the energies of the role work!

Shaman: The Shaman exists in the realm of Spirit, and is often the wisest wolf in the pack. They are the wolves with the most contact with their Celestial, and can often read the signs of the Celestials better than any other wolf. They also can "see" spirits of the dead when and if they return to the surface of Paragon, able to communicate with them, and in some cases of weak Shaman, be posessed by them. However, they have minds that seek knowledge and understanding so as to better apply it to their pack.
Ranger: A Ranger aids the pack by hunting and foraging for food, and knowing the lay of the land so as to lead others through it if need be. As well, a Ranger can also be one whom quests for knowledge and understanding from the outside physical world in a similar manner to the Shaman, but in a more direct manner so as to prevent ill occurrence from happening to the pack. At times, they will be asked to help patrol the borders and aid in keeping others from getting lost within the lands, most especially if they do not belong there!
Sentinel: A Sentinel serves as the pack's guardian, often the silent watcher that ensures that no rogue wolf steps paw in the packlands without a good explanation. They seek first and foremost to strike back against any that would threaten the sanctity of the packlands, especially the Alpha and pups. Not just one to start battles, a Sentinel is also responsible for preventing them by defense of the pack and it's ideals, when needed.
Mediator: The Mediator is often the voice of reason, not just for the pack Alphas, but for it's members, as well as other packs. They are the ones that will try to resolve conflicts peaceably by working through misunderstandings, and help to keep every wolf in a pack on good terms with one another. Tending to be the most emotionally balanced wolves, they strive to ensure that conflicts do not get too far out of hand so as to need to employ violence.

Wolves within a pack can become mates whenever they wish, no permission needed. In fact, the Alphas generally encourage packs becoming close in such a way, as it says a lot for the togetherness of a pack. However, inter-elemental mateships are not looked upon well.

Suffice to say, it generally will seem to the Alphas and the Celestials that you are turning your back on your element if you find love outside of your pack. As such, it is not something that is recommended, or welcomed by the pack Alpha, and can have severe consequences for the character! Alphas that are very vigilant may find out about the relationship oftentimes prior to the wolves choosing to reveal said connection.

Thus, there are only two options for those that try to break convention:

• One Joins the Other's Element:
  This will work as thus: an air male and an earth female become close and wish to become mates. The earth female wishes to leave her elemental pack and join his. Thus, she expels herself, spending the three days away that it takes to become 'displaced', then spending the two out of character weeks as a displaced wolf, and finally attempting to join the air pack. She must gain the alpha's acceptance, and complete the ritual, to become an air wolf; after that, she is completely an air wolf, and no longer of the earth!
• Both Wolves Become Displaced:
  Not wanting to try and rejoin another pack, both wolves can become "displaced", meaning they lose their elemental abilities and return to normal grey wolves. They may, at a later date, attempt to either:
  • Try and re-join an elemental pack together and become reaffiliated with the elements.
  • Live as "Displaced" Wolves, on the fringes of the packlands, nomadic and without any elemental powers. Pups can not come of this sort of union, as once the elements are lost from the wolf, it inhibits their breeding cycles.
  
  Note: displaced wolves do not have an easy life, and 90% of them end up dying in various ways (other wolves, lack of proper shelter, lack of proper food, etc.) so if your wolf intends to be displaced, you must roleplay this realistically and realize that at any time, you could be put in a situation where death is imminent!

The elements allow for the wolves to become mated and breed at any time of the year. There are guidelines for doing so, however:
Breeding Age is 1.5 years, which both wolves must attain to breed!
Permission must be gained from the Alpha(s) of one's pack to have pups, otherwise they could face death. (Meaning that yes, the Alpha gives permission and Oocly tells you how many pups you are allowed.)
Gestation period is 45 days, this time passage does happen "in real time".
Litter Size is no more than 2-3 puppies, as often the elements are unstable and cause death in the womb. (Again, when an Alpha gives you permission, they will also give you a limitation on this for the most part.)
Elemental Traits begin to show at two months of age and pups will need to be taught by their parents on how to work with said traits.
Inter-Elemental Breeding does not work. Different elements can NOT produce a puppy between them, as the elements clash.