Ranks

Ferox Ranks

Every rank has a Head; there is a Head Talon, Head Anecdotist, and Head Gatherer. They all hold the same amount of power. Initially, Strategists held more power than the others, but once their rank was done away with, it leveled the playing field. Now all Heads have equal say in what goes on. Heads have frequent committee meetings and discussions.

A powerful combo of brain and brawn, Talons (initially two separate ranks, Falcons and Strategists) plan out raids, patrols, and basically anything that needs structure, and are also on the front lines to fight and guard the Hollow while Gatherers swoop in from behind. Talons usually stay close to home, as its their job to protect and strategize, not to wander—though if they're needed for a Gatherer raid on the city, they'll happily oblige. Talons are usually in either the front or back of patrols, but they're certainly always there to act as extra muscle if needed.

The healers of the Ferox, though they are trained to fight as well as heal. During raids into the city, Gatherers and Talons will always have an Anecdotist with them to heal on a moment’s notice if needed. They carry herbs around in sacks that the Gatherers steal from Rome. There will always be an Anecdotist accompanying patrols into the city, just in case he or she needs to drag an injured feline out of battle at a moment's notice.

Gatherers are active warriors. They teach Initiates and show them around the territory. The Head Gatherer decides when an Initiate is ready to choose what rank they want to join, or if they wish to leave Ferox altogether. Gatherers are the cats that the Strategists send into the city with the intention of breaking out Coliseum cats. Gatherers who have a good idea of the layout of the city are highly valued. The Gatherers have created secret passageways and routes in and out of Rome. Smaller-sized Gatherers are typically in charge of stealth missions, while larger Gatherers are in charge of distractions and fights, though sometimes exceptions can be made. The Gatherers work closely with the Talons when coming up with battle plans, though most of the Talons don't know the city streets as well as the Gatherers do.

Initiates are cats who have recently escaped Rome. They are the students—no matter what age. They are taught about life in Ferox and in the wild and are expected to decide what rank they wish to join, if any at all. After Initiation, felines may choose their own rank, but may be given suggestions from the Gatherers. A fully-trained Initiate may also choose to leave Ferox to join the Solus after their training is complete if they feel that the Ferox lifestyle doesn't suit them.

There are apprentices for each of the four main ranks, and each have specific mentors. Apprentices are previous Initiates that were too young to go straight into the main ranks or cubs of cats who have come of age to train. Apprentices will always know which rank they are training for.

Cubs are cats who are far too young to be Initiates or Apprentices and are raised in a nursery until old enough to receive a mentor. They are the offspring of current Ferox members or very young cats who were escaped or were rescued.

Bounty Hunter Ranks

The leader of the Bounty Hunters is in charge of everything. They direct the training, approve of Hunts, and assign tasks. There is one leader. Every Hunter must obey the leader's rule.

The Silver Bounty Hunter is the second-in-command. If anything were to happen to the leader, they would assume the position of leader. The Silver is typically a friend or close confidant of the leader, as the second-in-command must be well-trusted. The Silver assists in carrying out rules and regulations and is the one to assign the new apprentices to their mentors. The Silver Hunter is also the feline who is seen as the main leader of the Elite force.

This is a high rank within the Bounty Hunters. They are a small group of close, trusted, skilled Bounty Hunters that the leader and Silver choose based on observed skill, devotion, and loyalty. They help plan raids on the Defectors and are assigned as patrol leaders. They can be assigned apprentices. They will often form specialty patrols with the leader and Silver. These three ranks will often hold meetings to discuss private and important matters. The Elite act as a counsel for the leader.

The Caretaker is a cat who is assigned to raise and watch over the Tribunes. The Caretaker does not participate in raids and may not leave Rome at any point. They are part of the Hunter ranks solely to watch over the young Tribunes. The leader will often confide in the Caretaker to figure out which of Tribunes have the most promising futures as Bounty Hunters.

This is the common rank. Most Bounty Hunters are at this rank. Hunters at this rank are assigned apprentices and are expected to help prepare the Tribunes for apprenticeship. They must follow the command of their leader, Silver, and Elite Hunters, but the consequences for disobeying an Elite's orders are far less severe than they would be if a Hunter were to disobey the leader or Silver. Bounty Hunters are well-trained assassins who may have been born into their position, or were chosen from the trials of the Coliseum as one of the most skilled fighters in the city.

Apprentices are cats who were chosen to be Bounty Hunters (or born into the occupation) but are too young and inexperienced to carry about actual Bounty Hunter duties. They are assigned a mentor and are expected to obey the orders of any Bounty Hunter that is ranked above them. Apprentices should be no more than two years old.

Tribunes are very young cats that show high potential to be good Bounty Hunters. Tribunes may be chosen because of sorts of potential a human may have seen in them. The offspring of current Bounty Hunters are always immediately put into the Tribune rank, no matter how skilled they may appear. They have no mentors yet but must obey the rules of the Caretaker.

Solus Ranks

The Solus have no ranks. They are all the same level of authority over themselves. They have no leader and no obligation to anyone.

Olum Ranks

The supreme leader of the Olum. While all females have superiority over male members, it is she who is superior to everyone. Even the current heir, who is usually the Matriarch's eldest daughter, holds certain authority over the Olum.

The strong right paw of the Matriarch; typically, Advisors are the siblings of the Matriarch, regardless of gender. Male Advisors are generally powerless in terms of society, as they still have to obey any female's orders. Female Advisors, meanwhile, have almost as much power as the Matriarch herself. They act as the second-in-command of the Olum and, until/unless the Matriarch bears a daughter for the role, the successor to the position of Matriarch.

The religious leaders of the Olum. It is they who announce prayers during feasts, weddings, and funerals, as well as the ones who teach Olum cubs about the Night Matriarchs. Unlike the traditional priest, however, they are permitted to have mates and cubs. Only one cat at a time can be a priest.

The historians of the Olum. They are the ones who gather and record all knowledge of the Olum's past, and the ones who discuss important events that have happened since the last Gathering with the Matriarch. Star Readers also teach history to the cubs and any adult wanting to learn more about Homeland. Only one cat at a time can be a Star Reader.

Exactly what the name sounds like; the Herbalists to the Olum are just like what the Anecdotists are to the Ferox. Despite having the most knowledge of herbs and healing skills out of a warfaring tribe, even Herbalists have to cross over Ferox borders to acquire more knowledge. Only one cat at a time can be a Herbalist.

The Matriarch's personal guard. Unless she personally requests to be alone, the Nights are the ones who accompany the Matriarch on meetings, hunts, and other excursions beyond camp boundaries. Only three cats at a time can be a Night, and only males can hold this rank.

Regular members of the Olum. While all Oluman are expected to obey the Matriarch, all females have authority over males, regardless of skill or age difference. Thankfully, this custom isn't as brutally enforced as it was in the past, but the disobedient Oluman still is the Oluman that won't last long.

The youngest members; they are the offspring of current Olum members or very young cats who escaped or were rescued. Cubs of the Olum are raised in a nursery until they are old enough to go on their first hunt, after which they are recognized as full members of the tribe.