Alphas
The Alpha is the most powerful and respected cat of the gang, and their word is law. With Alphas the only way for a new one to come about is for the old one to die. In the most brutal gangs this can often be from fights or murder. If the Alphas see that another gang member is not getting respect that they deserve, then they will see that that cat does get the respect that he or she deserves. The Alpha try to know what has been going on between members of the gang and, moreover, between members of other gangs; they try to "keep up with the times."

Alphas have the final say in all decisions, and it is their duty to do what is good for the gang. They are also the only ones that can wage war and order fights between gangs. If you are fighting another gang then the two alphas of the gangs fight each other to decide the winner of the battle. Technically only alphas can kill other alphas, but this is often not the case. If an alpha kills another alpha in a war, then the dead alphas gang retreats as the losers, and the Beta will become the new alpha.

Hearing the opinions of all the others in the gang and making a decision based on all circumstances, alphas usually are either cunning or wise. They usually decide what goes on at any given time in a gang: hunting, fights, meetings, etc. This is either the most responsible and reliable cats or the most powerful, commanding and demanding of the gang. They are often murderous cats that lead the gang too. Gender, age, gang, etc. does not matter for this, any cat that can either kill the gang leader or comes Beta will take their place.

In the case that a fight takes place inside the gang and the alpha is killed the winner will become the Alpha, and not the Beta.

Betas
The Betas in a gang play a very similar role as the Alpha. Betas are usually looked upon as second in command, taking over while the alpha are not present. They are able to make the same decisions and have the same amount of respect as the alphas, of course except the alpha does not have to respect them in return. They answer to no one but their Alpha. While the Alphas are present, Betas are mostly used to settle minor jobs or disputes.

They will take over gang lead when the Alpha dies of natural causes, an accident or in war. They are selected by the Alpha as the most trusted to not kill the Alpha or try to take the power by force or greed. Because of this most alpha make the rule that if the Beta is their killer they substitute another cat to rule, to dissuade any betrayal.

Betas can be killed by any rank of cat, but it is unadvisable because the Alpha is most likely to kill you in return. Betas can often also be the Alphas best friend or right-hand-man, in a sense.

Shamans
A cat that shows interest and skill in caring for weakened gangmembers. The Shaman of the Gang ensures when any cat is wounded, they recover properly not putting to much stress on their wounds. They also watch over the older or ill cats of the Gang. They serve as a doctor, and try to keep the gang in a healthy state. Shamans make sure that no cat over exerts themselves in a task.

They will also be there to help with kitting and help nurse (if female) the kits. If male the Shaman will oversee a more experienced mother to assist for first-time-mothers. It is the Shaman's job to name the kits and they also help advise the Alpha and Beta.

Elders
The Elders of the gang are usually the oldest, wisest, and most experienced cats in the gang. They are thus respected for their wisdom and often the Alpha and Beta will look to them for advice. The elders are usually cats that have the ability to be high ranking, but in some cases are just let be disrespected, as they are not officially a high ranking. If they are old and in a not-so-nice gang the Alpha may set cats to test them for their use, if they cannot answer enough questions helpfully and fight for themselves and be capable to hunt alone, then they are often either chased out of the gang or worse, killed.

They are usually highly respected cats by the newer members, such as kits, assessments and omegas. The elders know the gangs history and are often the storytellers. Their job is to keep records of all the recent events going on in base, along with getting their hands on any peices of art, poems, stories a cat might come up with and keep a log of it for future reference, or just to keep as part of the heart of the gang. Unfortunately many elders live in fear of failing a test and being either driven out or killed, many run away when they reach this rank.

Guardians
The Guardians are a larger branch, usually consisting of a few cats, but only around two, three or four. Their job is to watch over the territory and the cats in it. They are usually the bigger, stronger, and more loyal cats to the gang. Their job is to inspect visitors, as well as chase enemies away if there seems to be a threat. They will also have the right to bring a cat to their Alpha for further inspection.

Guardians can be vicious and murderous also, though, and will sometimes kill cats they do not trust. It is important to win over the Guardians on first meeting, as they are good friends to have and hold quite a bit of power in the gang. Occasionally they will act as Scouts if they see a large force that they cannot take alone approaching the territory. They will enforce the boundaries of the gang and are quite trusted cats.

Hunters
The hunters are usually very capable cats that know how to look out for themselves and know the ways of the city well. They must, of course, be good at hunting with city techniques. These cats have been given the job of hunting for food to feed the gang, and are occasionally blamed in crisis's with a lack of food.

Usually they bring along other gang members acting as masters, teaching and helping them to hunt. This is one of the most valualbe positions as these wolves keep the gang alive and healthy. Usually consists of anything above four cats.

Scouts
Scouts are responsible for warning the Pack of dangerous territory outside of their territory, if any. Scouts are mainly wolves known by neighboring gangs and visit around to their allies often. They stay in touch with other gangs and try to keep friendly relations. They are to report any important changes to the Alpha and Beta. These include: if a new Gang has formed; Scouts are to find out who is the Alpha and if the Pack is peaceful.

Another change includes the banishment of a certain cat; Scouts are to find out who was banished from where and why. They will watch for any hostile cats nearby and will rarely go on requested spying into other gangs territory. This is a very dangerous and risky job, and is sometimes not desired due to the risk of death.

Gang Members
Not all cats hold positions, either for being new additions to the gang or not having defined their abilities yet. The Alpha take great care in selection of which position a cat will be allowed to maintain. As the gang members gain time in the gang, their actions will dictate if they are to be advanced.

These Gang Members will sometimes be watched by Scouts, to report to the Alpha of anything suspicious or noteable. This is often the main bulk of the gang's members.

Masters
Masters have proven themselves as great teachers and are the ones that train kits how to live and survive in the city. When there are no kits to train they will learn any news to pass on. Then they will go back to other jobs, some will join the Hunters to pass on some knowledge of how to hunt to the newbies, others will assist the Guardians temporarily.

Most respected with the Alpha and Beta by the Noivces it is a rather high position to earn. If Masters are found misfeeding information then they will be stripped of their rank and sometimes "eliminated". They will also watch the kittery when they have no Novice to teach for any nursing she-cats with kits, to spy for new talent ready to become a Novice. Masters are allowed to punish Omegas for being too harsh to the kits.

Novices
The kits that are now strong enough to start learning how to live in the city, these are the ones that are taught by the Masters and only just beat the Omega in rank. When they succeed in their training they will usually become Gang Members until more defines itself through them. Unlike other places age does not matter, as soon as the kit is seen able it will either become a Gang Member or a Novice.

Masters are the ones they hold highest in their respect along with Alpha and Beta.

Omega
The Omega of the gang is lowest ranking cat, only higher than the kits. The Omega is usually a cat that is either very new to ganglife and still learning or a cat that has been lowered in rank due to wrong actions. They are usually given the responsibilities of 'kitten-sitter', watching over the kits during group hunts and making sure they don't wander into the city. The Omega may even growl or swip gently at the learning kits, teaching them the Way of the Gang and their place within the hierarchy, though they will give as much wide girth of the Masters as possible.

Ironically, other adult gang members may growl or swipe at the Omega in the same manner for the same reasons. Still what seems to be 'bullying' is much more complicated than it appears. If a gang's survival depends on the acceptance of hierarchy, then it is crucial to learn this well and early. The Omega is often used as a cat to take frustration out on, there is always usually only one cat on this rank. Omegas are never fond of Masters as they are ones that constantly punish them for being too harsh to the kits.

Kits
Sometimes a gang decides to have no kits for some time, and a ban on mating for them, to stop population rising too high. Gangs are somewhat strict at non gang-born cats, and will often drive away foreigners even non-gangborn kits too. Some lone kits have become lost from their gangs, wandered off, or due to gangs fighting each other have lost their parents.

Others have been abandoned because they take too much food. Occasionally when a gang is destroyed just the kits are left alone to suffer until it wanders off or dies. But a very small amount escape from human captivity to return to the wild and will wander into a gang's territory. Some will be allowed to remain while others will be chased off or killed. Kits watched by Masters closely for any promise of being a valuable Novice or Gang Member.

Depending on the gang, kits can be stolen from another gang during a fight. If a gang is overpopulated it may donate its kit to another gang, prefferably allied. Enemy gangs can be ruthless and merciless to tresspassing kits so its very important their parents, Masters or the Omega watches them closely.

Assessment
Whenever you join a gang you are a new arrival and are given the rank "Assessement". On this rank you are not quite a member but can partake in the usual gang activities. You have no rank and are therefore the least respected cat, at the bottom of the food chain, basically. Each gang has a different way that you must prove yourself to leave this rank. Sometimes the way up is even worse, to Omega or a rank that is still disrespected.

The Alpha and Beta will decide when a cat has proven itself and if still unable to choose a rank they will move on to Gang Member, where they may possibly be further tested.