Essential Behavior

Dominant & Submissive Behavior

If you're roleplaying wolves, you should have a pretty good understanding of how wolves and most other canines behave. In particular, you should understand how to exert dominance and submission. Dominant wolves keep their heads and tails high and their ears erect. They will look directly at other wolves and can intimidate via eye contact. Submissive wolves will hold themselves in pretty much the opposite way -- they keep their heads and tails low and their ears pinned backwards. Eyes will usually be averted from the dominant wolf, often looking towards the ground instead. Relaxed wolves will be somewhere in the middle, with head and tails at a casual, medium height, and ears pointed forward. Wikipedia has a fairly comprehensive section on body language you should try to familiarize yourself with.

Dominant and submissive behavior is instinctive, but as more and more wolves at 'Souls choose to adapt to a more human lifestyle, such formalities may be lessened. Leaders may not require that their subordinates act particularly submissive, preferring they all act like equals. Nevertheless, one should keep in mind that no matter how humanized a wolf becomes, he will still retain the instincts that have been present for thousands of years, and will react accordingly. A surprised and scared wolf will likely act submissive no matter how equal he acts in everyday life.

Behavior in Territories

For ranked wolves on pack territories, your character should act differently depending on his or her rank. An omega is required to be submissive at all times, and an alpha should maintain the appearance of dominance most of the time. Wolves should submit and show respect to anyone ranked above them. Most times, a lowering of the head and a less-than-free tail will suffice, but certain higher-ranked wolves may request more of your character.

Unranked wolves seeking to join a pack, or "joiners" as the terminology goes, are generally regarded as little better than dirt. The omega may act like an alpha toward an unranked wolf if he pleases. Extreme submission is most definitely key for an unranked wolf. Joining wolves may howl at the borders or they may sit and wait to be found; either works. Howling is not considered disrespectful behavior, although some may consider it slightly impatient. When approached, a joining wolf should lower his or her body and keep his or her eyes off of the pack wolf, looking to the ground. The tail should tuck firmly between the legs (but not against the belly--such extreme submission is usually reserved for reprimands) and the ears should be kept at half-mast, halfway between pricked and pressed.

When tresspassing on foreign lands as a ranked wolf of a different pack, respect is key. You may not be required to show the same amount of extreme submission as an unranked wolf, but regardless of your home rank, you are a guest on foreign soil.

For unclaimed territories, basically anything goes, unless you encounter a wolf of the same pack, in which case, the same behavior used on the packlands applies.

Hunting

Naturally, wolves hunt to eat. Wolves typically eat any kind of prey in the area, ranging from buffalo and caribou to rats and mice. Larger prey is generally only hunted in groups. Small prey can be taken down by an individual. Group hunts are a very special occasion for a wolf pack, usually called together by either one of the leader ranks or the pack's designated hunter. Once the hunting party is gathered, they track animals and isolate a good candidate for slaughter. Once this candidate -- usually sick, injured, old, or otherwise flawed -- is selected, the hunting party formulates a plan according to their position, the terrain, and the position of their prey. They then act on their plan, and once the animal is surrounded or cornered, take turns slashing and trying to find a good hold on the prey. Wolves' jaws are capable of crushing necks, and throats are also a favorite place to hold.

Common Hunting Patterns



Sounds

© 2001-2008 'Souls