When I, Alicorn, first began wolf roleplaying as SunWlf, things were very different from the way they are now. Here are a few things that have changed over the years, ways that I have been modified or forgotten. In the past...
Many packs allowed animals besides wolves to become members.
As you can see, in the past, realism was not that important. Throughout the years, packs began making laws that called for realistic roleplay. Magic was no longer allowed, nor were unrealistic characters. Packs only allowed wolves to join, and one could no longer live as a fox or bird without fear of being eaten. Packs stopped allowing the mixture of OOC/IC and created OOC rooms. Behavior had to be entirely realistic, and some packs even banned talking. For many, wolf RP became more of a game than a spiritual adventure.
For those of us who have been around for a while, through the changes, it is not a game. Most who get involved come to realize that was well, but not all. The WolfSong is still strong, perhaps stronger than ever now that we strive so hard to behave as real wolves. There are still traces of the "old world" left. The rank of mage still exists, though these days the mage is the bot operator. There are still "spirit" packs, who prefer not to use the term "roleplay" and still mix IC/OOC as before. It truly makes no difference though, for the WolfSong is alive in us all.
Many of these packs have died, but have left behind a great legacy. There are some of the strongest, largest, and most famous packs ever whose glory is legend. These are packs that have existed in the past seven years of my memory, not necessarily all at once. These are the packs that I remember most vividly. I have tried to list them by age. A * means a pack is still active.
Spirit Winds of #wolfwinds on DALnet, led by Memory, perhaps the strongest and most famous pack ever, highly respected
Many packs allowed magic within their clearing. This, however, began to get out of control, so several packs added the rank "mage" or "mystic." Whoever held this rank was the only wolf allowed to do magic.
Many packs allowed characters to have oddly colored fur, eyes, etc.
The packs were not as connected as they are today.
There were not as many packs as there are today. Packs are also a lot larger now.
Most of the packs ran on DALnet, while today, Sorcery.net is the home of Wolf RP.
Wolf RP was not known as "wolf roleplay," but simply as "wolfing." Many packs mixed OOC and IC together quite often, differentiating between the two by saying "My mun" or "my human..." It was still roleplay, of course, but those who participated didn't consider it a true RPG--more of a way of life.
It was a tradition in most packs to offer the heart of the kill to the highest-ranking member present, as a show of respect. Very few packs still exercise this tradition, except in ceremonies and such.
Many packs required their members to wear tags at the end of their nicknames, such as "GH" for Galaxy Hunters or "MR" for Moon Runners.
There was almost always a mating ceremony when a couple decided to become mates, and wolves throughout the forest attended to give their blessings.
Moon Seekers of #wolf's on DALnet, led by December, also very well-remembered and highly respected
Lan Hunters of #wolfspirit on Undernet, a spirit pack that has been around for years *
Whispering Winds of #Nen on DALnet, led by NyteRain & Blue^Wolf, now by DestinyRose *
Moon Runners of #wolfmoon on DALnet, led by SilverNite.
Galaxy Hunters of #GalaxyHunters on DALnet, led by LunaWolf, later by GalaxyWlf.
Rolling Stones (later called Moon Runners) of #wolfunion, led by NightWhisper and BlueMoonWolf.
Spirit Winds of #wolfspirit, led by wolf`rider and Jadepaw.
Desert Winds of #desertwinds on DALnet/Sorcery, led by GuanaWlf and now by Zephyr.
Glacier Winds of #wolffriends on DALnet, led by ShukuWolf, has been active for years *
Song Keepers of #wolfsong on DALnet/Sorcery, led by Risa and later by CelticMoon.
Black Sands of #wolfsands on DALnet, led by Magi.
Sweet Mystics of #soulwolves on DALnet/Sorcery.net, formerly led by NevaPaws and now by Hunter^. *
Dark Moons of #wolfcastle on DALnet, led by Darkmoonwolf. Split to form the Moon Runners and Silver Nights.
Moon Runners of #wolfmoon on DALnet, led by SilverNite, a short-lived attempt to regroup.
Silver Nights of #silvernights on DALnet/Sorcery.net, led by SilverEyes. *
Night Winds of #nightwinds on DALnet, led by MoOnPaw, which gave birth to the Silver Mists.
Silver Mists of #wolfmist on DALnet/Sorcery.net, led by Alicorn & Katara Amarante. *
Wolf Spirits of #wolfspirit on DALnet/Sorcery, led by Kovo. *
Dream Singers of #wolfvalley on EICN/Sorcery founded by SkyWolf & MoonFang, then again by Sheyin & Feitan