Ranks
Alignments
For as long as anyone can remember, Windriver Valley has been divided by war. The age-old conflict has spawned two very opposing groups - those of the Light and Dark alignments. Their feud has put them at odds for hundreds of generations, and their constant hatred has cleft a third alignment, known as the Neutrals.
Lights
Those who align themselves with the Lights have a very distinct set of morals. Lights tend to value friendship, equality, mercy, and all other traits most consider 'good'. They almost always take the moral high road when it comes to settling conflict. The main reason they hate the Darks is because they stand for everything that Lights try to prevent. While they do not typically condone violence, most would make an exception to the rule to eradicate the evil they perceive in Windriver.
Neutrals
Originally, the number of horses falling between the cracks of the light-dark feud was minimal. Over time, however, more and more have come to the conclusion that the war between the two extremes is futile, and harbor little desire to continue the feud. There is a huge range of personalities in this alignment, from quasi-light to nearly-dark. The only common tendency is a general distaste for the ancestral war, and a refusal to definitively take sides (for this, they are much-shunned).
Darks
Considered diametrically-opposite to the Lights, the Darks embrace the ways of the shadows. They tend to be much more self-preserving, ruthless, and have less qualms in doing the dirty work to get what they want. Darks hate the holier-than-thou attitude of the Lights, and often resent the neutrals for not taking a side in the conflict between the alignments. With little regard for 'doing the right thing', and having a strict interest in furthering their own lives, Darks are formidable opponents because they lack the strict moral code of the war-hating Lights.
Hierarchy
Alpha
There are three alphas - one light, one neutral, one dark. As the name implies, they are the top dogs of Windriver, with the power to command any of their followers to do anything that they wish. They may overrule any judgment made by any of their underlings, and their ranks are unattainable. The rank is passed down by generations of male heirs, and while female heirs have never been disallowed, the patriarchal society has never produced a female heir. Alpha stallions choose their alpha mares, and if they dislike their Beta or Gamma counterparts they may dethrone them as they see fit.
Beta
Betas are the second in command to the Alphas. There are, again, three Betas, one per alignment, and they are the ones who ascend the throne in the event that the prior Alpha dies or flees without producing a viable heir. They act as Alphas when the Alpha himself is missing, and choose their heirs and mates in a similar way to their lord. It is a requisite that Betas get in good with the Alpha - for their continued reign depends on being in his good books... or being clever enough to cause his demise without causing scandal. Recently, the Neutral Beta caused quite a scandal in his death, being succeeded by his daughter, who refuses to pass the throne to a stallion (to much controversy).
Gamma
The Gamma rank is the third highest position in the Valley. They are subordinate only to the Alpha and Beta and control the rest of the population beneath them. They cannot lose their rank unless they are demoted by the Alpha, but they cannot move up unless promoted, or unless the Beta is out of the picture. The Gamma is the lowest of the royal ranks, and is closest to the general population. This position allows him to be an extension of the populace, and he generally acts as the voice of the people in matters of politics.
Leads
Lead horses are the highest-ranking individuals of the general populace. They govern their herds as per their Royals' laws, and may supplement these laws with those of their own design. Stallions are the only ones who may claim a portion of land for themselves - from there they can elect a lead and mate of his own, as well as assembling a herd. Lead positions may be challenged for, and the winner of said challenge inherits the old lead's herd and lands, should he desire them. Lead horses are an extension of the hierarchy, and are responsible for maintaining the land governed by their alignment, and for protecting mares and foals of their alignment. Though they are not part of the hierarchy, a close connection with the Royal families never hurts, should a position open and an election take place...
General Population
The general population are the lowest-ranking members of society. They are subjects of the royal families, and whatever laws are passed affect them directly. To ascend the ranks, unranked stallions must claim a land, or win a challenge for an occupied land. Mares are not as fortunate, and must be claimed by a ranked stallion to receive his protection, and from there prove herself to him to ascend the herd hierarchy. Colts and fillies fall under the protection of their parents, and may only attempt to ascend the ranks once they reach the age of maturity (three years old).
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