The Great Chain is the center of all cultures, rules, and beliefs of the wolves of the Beyond. Without it, the wolves would break apart and become as savage as outclanners.
Faolan, Edme, Tearlach, The Whistler, Creakle, and Heep are all required to carve the Great Chain on bones. According to Faolan, the Great Chain has many different orders for gnaw wolves to gnaw. Faolan is up to the fourth order because of his amazing carving skills, making many wolves superstitious of him. He is tempted to gnaw the easiest version for his bones of contrition, but the lochin of Duncan MacDuncan inspires him to do his best.
With it snowing in the summer moons, prey is scarce, and many wolves are dying. The order is starting to break down.
Faolan, Edme, Mhairie, Dearlea, and The Whistler talk about how the Great Chain is breaking apart and shattering in the Beyond.
In order to rescue Edme, Faolan decides to make a Great Chain of wolves. Faolan thinks of it because being a gnaw wolf, along with the Whistler, they are very familiar with the Great Chain. Mhairie and Dearlea ask if that's blasphemous, but Faolan and the the Whistler insist it isn't; for the Beyond had broken.
