The canine population
With the threat of the sick and violent just beyond the city gates, BETA has turned to an unlikely solution: Dogs. Specialized, sentient breeds are utilized to keep all threats out and all citizens in. They serve as hunters, trackers, and enforcers. The population of canines, previously used for genetic research, is large enough to sustain a capable workforce.
The culture among the canine population is highly competitive: dogs compete amongst themselves for the best of privileges, and to establish themselves as formidable foes. The weak are culled by their peers, who are applauded for doing so. As the resources have grown scarce, only the strong survive amongst the ranks of dogs. The only way to advance among the ranks is kill or be killed–your peers are as likely to assist you as they are to take you out so they are able to gain the privileges that a dog may have.
Upward mobility is difficult to achieve among the ranks of BETA, and the only way one moves up in the ranks is the deaths of those above them–if they win against a higher-ranking dog in a duel, they get the rank of their opponent, who is left to their mercy.
High command
These five dogs form the leadership of BETA, a council each with their own specialty. Despite this, BETA is no democracy: the Chief has the final say.
Chief Cull
This Cull oversees the canine happenings at BETA. They interface directly with the humans behind the organization and answer only to them. Feared by their underlings, the Chief is responsible for directing, organizing, and keeping the entirety of the canine forces in line–which is not an easy job. The Chief seems to be an ever-changing role, and the position often opens up due to unknown causes–previous Chiefs simply…vanish. A Chief does not often remain in the position for long. It is a risky job to take, however coveted due to the many privileges it grants.
The Chief does not spend much time among the lower regiments, as they are busy with their own duties, however the Elite Regiments are entirely under the jurisdiction of the Chief. It’s rumored that the Chief plays a significant role in the selection of future Culls.
The Current Chief is legendary: she took on the previous Chief and won. The dog that killed a Cull. Dogs avert their gaze when she graces the ranks with her presence. She is known to be volatile and paranoid, dangerously so. Dogs that she sees as a threat die.
There’s an unspoken rule: Do not be seen as a threat.
Lieutenant
Second only to the Chief themself, the Lieutenant works directly under Chief to assist them in their management of the canine forces. Lieutenants are often heavily modified half-bloods, if not Culls themselves. Like the Chief, they do not rise to the role without a significant show of loyalty and brutality. Unlike the Chief, they spend more time working with the regiments themselves, where they control their comings and goings.
The current lieutenant is something of an anomaly. When the current Chief came into power, she went through a myriad of lieutenants, each one meeting their fate as quickly as the last. Until the sitting Lieutenant. Something about her keeps the Chief’s rage at bay, leaving the regiments speculating why.
Commanders
This pair of Culls lead the elite regiments, where their word is law. These dogs come upon their rankings by no accident–they’ve shown the initiative and brutality necessary to fight their way up in the rankings and have survived long enough to earn the privilege of being enhanced into a Cull.
Commanders only come into the rank when another is killed or maimed beyond saving, either by dogs under their command who themselves want the ranking, or those above them who feel that they have gotten too ambitious and prove a danger to the dogs that they answer to.
Schoolmaster
These are the dogs who are in charge of the training of the youth. Any dog ten months and under are separate from the general population of the Canine Forces as they develop and hone their skills. Despite their youth, the environment these dogs are in is highly competitive as they are prepared for the cutthroat life among the regiments.
Schoolmasters are often highly respected, older dogs who have proven themselves as workers and end up being granted the role of schoolmaster. Unlike life among the regiments, the Schoolmaster lives somewhat protected from the cutthroat competition–they are appointed by the Chief, and under the Chief’s protection. They remain in this role until death or demotion by the Chief. By some, schoolmasters are respected for their work. By others, they are reviled because of how untouchable they have become. Schoolmasters are entirely in charge of training and recommending young dogs for placement among the regiments, and a young dog gaining favor with a schoolmaster could be the difference between ending up on the bottom of the pecking order or having a head start in working one’s way up the rankings.
Gaining a Schoolmaster’s favor could be the difference between an unregimented life or one among the elites.
mid-level rankings
These dogs are respected among the canine forces, whether for their expertise or their ability to kill their way up in the rankings.
Assistant Schoolmaster
Chosen by the Schoolmaster with the approval of the Chief Cull, the assistant Schoolmaster has many of the same privileges as the schoolmaster. They work under the schoolmaster’s guidance to help prepare trainees for life among the regiments.
Elite Regiments
Dogs of the Elite Regiments (codenames Foxtrot and Bravo) are tried and tested dogs and half-bloods who make up the small but elite teams made up of a single Bravhund, Farlande, Salka, Louven Bullhound, Lannsea Dovehound, and Alpen Carthound. Each and every dog in the elite regiments is a candidate to be transformed into a Cull, given they play their cards right. They are often away from the Complex on missions–recently they’ve been given one goal: find out if the rumors of a rebellion brewing amongst the dogs of BETA are true, and destroy each and every one of them. A disabling of the Canine forces could mean the loss of control over the city–which could lead to the deaths of everyone inside due to the Weeping.
Dogs in the elite regiments find themselves in a delicate dance between having to trust their comrades and be on the lookout for someone wanting their role–any dog lucky or skilled enough to take them down are granted the privileges befitting the best of the best.
Each Elite regiment has their own culture. Elite regiment Foxtrot is a tight-knit group led by Commander Hoffen. They function far better as a team than Bravo, and it seems they are more often utilized for team missions. Most follow Commander Hoffen’s orders out of respect, rather than fear. However, Elite regiment Bravo is a highly competitive, highly dangerous regiment to be in. Commander Dust Devil leads by fear and expects perfection–those who do not perform to her standards risk her wrath. Despite her sadistic streak, Bravo performs like a well-oiled machine where only the best dogs survive.
Nurse
Nurses have been specifically chosen to work with the human manning the Laboratory–the human behind the hermetically sealed doors mans the electronics, and the nurses guide and communicate with the dogs. The life of a nurse is a safe one, if not rather limited. They are protected from the constant infighting among the dogs at BETA, and are guaranteed their position until they retire. However, they live primarily in the Lab itself and may not leave the compound unless escorted by regimented dogs. Nurses can stabilize dogs and get them safely ready for surgery done remotely by the human of the laboratory, but their paws have limits–they cannot complete medical procedures on their own aside from basic wound care and keeping watch over dogs after surgeries.
Captains - Lower Regiments
Captains lead the lower regiments. They report directly to the Lieutenant, or on special occasions, directly to the Chief. This rank, when available, is highly sought-after and grants some significant privileges. It is a natural gateway into the elite regiments.
Medic
Medics work specifically in the field, and are large, capable dogs– typically Alpen Carthounds– who can stabilize and return dogs to the med bay so they are cared for in the case of severe injury. These dogs are not nearly as well-trained as Nurses, as their only job is to stop bleeding and transport dogs back to the laboratory for care. This is often considered the most honorable profession for an Alpen Carthound to take on, and these dogs are treated much better than their Carrier brethren.
Trainees
Young dogs who have not yet found themselves amongst the ranks of the Canine Forces sre under the protection of the Schoolmaster. They train and live in the Compound, but apart from the Regiments. The only danger to these young dogs is one another–while it is not as encouraged as it may be amongst the regiments, it is not at all unheard of for the trainees to infight or even kill one another.
The trainees that come up on top of their training sessions and classes are eligible to be recommended for higher rankings by the schoolmasters once they are no longer trainees. They are midrank in name only–they are untouchable by adult dogs.
the lower regiments
Most dogs find themselves in the cutthroat lower regiments, where fighting for survival is key. If they ever want to move up in station, it is imperative that they are able to be strategic and prove themselves while not being seen as too ambitious lest another dog take them out for their own safety.
Victor
Victor is the all-purpose regiment made up of Bravhunds-they patrol, they fight, they guard. Victor is primarily responsible for the second sector of the city, where waves of patrols are sent out. Victor might be one of the most competitive regiments due to the sheer amount of dogs within it, as Bravhunds are the most common breed. Many dogs in Victor have higher goals for themselves, whether it be fighting their way up the ranks to the top or simply gaining more privileges, it is imperative that they are able to prove themselves to their commanders and their peers–lest another dog take them out for glory.
Kilo
Perhaps the least popular regiment among the dogs of BETA, the Salka Shepherds of are divided into this regiment, which seems to be designed to create future commanders and dogs of higher rank. Many believe Kilo to have an aura of superiority around it due to the attention they get from those in high command and the human counterparts, and despite being no different from the rest of the lower regiments, many Kilo dogs seem to get special privileges.
Delta
Delta is a dangerous regiment to live in. The Louven Bullhounds of Delta patrol the dilapidated Sector 3 of Salus, risking their lives to keep people in and the maddened intruders out. Delta dogs are tough, hulking creatures who often do whatever they can to work their way up the ranks. The culture of the regiment is brutal: Bullhounds are taught from a very young age that their strength is all they have, and the risk of becoming a carrier looms over them all: a fate worse than death for a Bullhound.
Carriers
The Carrier profession is primarily made up of Alpen Carthounds, and is often considered their “unofficial home regiment.” In truth, Alpen Carthounds don’t have a designated regiment, and instead are managed by a group of Kilo dogs to work under the various regiment captains. Every regiment needs pack mules after all.
Some Carriers aren’t assigned to any regiment, and simply work at the compound to clear debris and haul waste away as needed. Carriers truly are the silent backbone of BETA’s operations. Despite their rarity, it’s often common to see dogs that would typically be classed as Louven Bullhounds working as Carriers. This is due to the overlap between the two breed groupings. For such a dog, being assigned as a Carrier is a dreaded possibility. Bullhound parents often drill their children with the importance of being ruthless and assertive, lest they end up hauling trash around like some Carrier. Carriers are often viewed as being barely better than unregimented dogs, because at the very least they do have a specific role to play in BETA. All Carriers are given the same privileges as regimented dogs, even those not assigned to specific regiments. A warm kennel to sleep in and adequately nutritious meals are provided.
Echo
This versatile group of Lannasea Dovehounds find themselves deployed wherever needed. They track and apprehend fugitives, hunt down intruders, and are tasked with performing reconnaissance in order to know what is happening in the city. Echo is a regiment that many dogs think have it easy, as they do not often patrol the more dangerous sectors unless on the hunt.
retired
Retired dogs have lived and served BETA until their bodies no longer could. Few live long enough to be properly retired, yet it is an honor to be relieved of your duties due to age. Retired dogs are functionally unregimented–little is expected of them, however, they have earned themselves a permanent place among the kennels of the lower regiments and a guaranteed meal–an honor unregimented dogs dream of. Many of them have been known to work among the trainees, but very little is required of them.
Tango
The messengers of BETA, these Farlandes run from outpost to outpost along the city carrying messages between regiments or between bunkers. These dogs often work alone as opposed to the other regiment’s strength in numbers. Speed and quick wits are imperative to surviving. Tango dogs are rarely sent outside of the walls of the city and into the wasteland, but it does happen. Many do not live to tell the tale, but those that do come back…different.
Whispers of illicit racing surround the regiment tango, with bets of food and other trinkets on the line.
unregimented
Being unregimented might be worse than death.
Unregimented dogs take the brunt of the resource scarcity–making them pathetic, bony creatures who are given menial, back-breaking tasks among the regiments. They do everything regimented dogs can’t, or won’t, do themselves, and still find themselves fighting for scraps of food and a warm place to sleep in the freezing cold of Salus.
The life of an Unregimented dog is a cruel one, and they often face little pity for their status–most believe if a dog is foolish or weak enough to end up unregimented, that’s their burden to bear. Their punishment? Digging graves and being used as objects of a training session–the loss of an unregimented dog does nothing but create less mouths to feed, after all.
Unregimented dogs do not live in the Beta compound, and are instead housed in small, cramped buildings adjacent to the compound yards.
outside the compound
Few dogs survive outside the relative safety of the compound, without the food and medical care BETA provides.
deserters
Dogs that turn their back on BETA and hide out in the city, hoping that they are not found. These dogs are fugitives, hunted by regiment Echo and returned to the compound dead or alive–if nothing else, any augments they have can be recycled. Resources are scarce, after all.
Unproven rumors circulate among the Unregimented–whether simply shreds of desperately clung onto hope, or truth is unknown–that there are small groups of Deserters that hide out in the outer sectors of Salus, or even outside the walls.
If that’s true, maybe it is livable outside of Salus.
wild-born
Error, assigned number not found in database…
It is very rare, but occasionally there are dogs born in the unforgiving landscape of Salus without intervention from BETA. These dogs are considered both threats to BETA dogs and potential new recruits. Approach with caution.
Gleipnir
The forgotten pets, seeking to return to pre-weeping ways. Guided through Salus by a rather strange BETA deserter.
An odd group of dogs from the wastes outside the city have made their way into Salus–the first proof in living memory that it might be survivable after the final outpost, after all: something some BETA dogs might be very interested in, whether or not they share the same beliefs as the group of strangers. However, a BETA deserter, sees them as a possibility to overthrow BETA. He thinks he might be able to use them to get to the heart of the organization: its humans, behind their sealed doors. He has decided to play the long game, gain their trust, and potentially use them to infect the humans–which Gleipnir has no idea would kill them.
They've also managed to trap a very small Weeper who they care for, and have come to call Hel.