Common Traits: the Classic Ranger

          While no two rangers are exactly alike in their outlook, all share a set of common traits which form the foundation of their personality. These traits are described in general terms below, You don't necessarily have to incorporate all of these traits into your character, but you should think carefully before setting them aside. These traits are crucial to defining your ranger character.

Strong Ethics

          Rangers have firm values that impel them to promote goodness and justice. Regardless of whether he's lawful good, neutral good, or chaotic good, a ranger has definite ideas about the difference between right and wrong. He behaves honestly, and most rangers believe in altruism and service. Selfishness and greed are antithetical to the ranger. He champions the powerless and fights for the weak. In many cases, a ranger's respect for life extends to animals as well as humans. Though in essence rangers are warriors, most have no fondness for war. Even when fighting for a cause in which he believes, the ranger looks forward to the end of the conflict and the natural healing process promised by peace.

Love of Nature

          A ranger is as much a creature of the wilderness as a lion or wild horse. Many rangers find urban life suffocating and would no more make their homes in a city than volunteer for a prison sentence. A typical ranger prefers songbirds to orchestras, flowers to jewelry, and forests to grand castles. Most rangers are sophisticated enough to handle themselves well in urban settings, but they generally can't wait to finish their business and leave.

Solitary

          By virtue of his duties and disposition, the ranger spends a lot of time alone. Most rangers come to enjoy the solitary life, and have no particular need for the company of other people. In most cases, animals satisfy a ranger's desire for companionship.
  On the positive side, the ranger's penchant for solitude encourages him to be self-reliant and independent. On the negative side, rangers may come across as remote and detached, even antisocial. While a ranger may be perfectly capable of social etiquette, his companions may believe that he's not especially interested in fostering lasting friendships.

Taciturn

          By observing wild animals, many rangers have learned the importance of keeping their emotions in check. A juvenile wolf who charges impulsively is certain to scare away his prey. A young lioness who makes unprovoked, pointless attacks against the pride leader may find herself ostracized and alone. Consequently, rangers often conceal their feelings from friends and strangers alike, revealing little about themselves in actions or words. For all but the ranger's closest companions, it's often difficult to tell if he's happy or sad, angry or forgiving, troubled or content.
          Though rangers certainly experience emotions as deeply as anyone else, many suffer in silence when wounded, and grieve in private at the loss of a beloved animal or comrade. A ranger's companions invariably find him to be a dependable, competent, and trustworthy professional. But as a person, he often remains an impenetrable enigma.

Devout

          Many rangers are deeply and privately spiritual, perceiving their access to spells and their appreciation of nature as gifts from a greater power. Whether a ranger worships nature itself as a unifying force or follows an established religion, he combines his love of nature with his faith to form the foundation of his moral code. Such rangers regularly reaffirm their commitment through moments of quiet reflection.

Daily Life

          When a ranger is not adventuring, he still has plenty to do to keep busy. Some of the more common ranger activities are described below.

Patrolling

          The ranger spends much of his free time patrolling his territory. He may follow the same route every day, or he may wander wherever his fancy takes him. He keeps an eye out for signs of trouble, such as eroded fields or withered plants, and makes contact with other sentient residents, listening to their problems or engaging in small talk. Some rangers ride mounts, particularly if they have a lot of ground to cover, but most prefer to patrol on foot, which enables them to traverse obstacles more easily, as well as minimizing the chance of drawing attention to themselves. Though patrolling is necessary to keep abreast of the condition of their territories, rangers also patrol for the sheer pleasure of basking in the open air and savoring nature's splendor.

Monitoring Strangers

          A ranger is ever-watchful for strangers in his territory. Followers or other contacts may alert him to the presence of strangers, or he may become aware of them himself by noticing disturbances in the terrain or observing them directly.
          In most cases, a ranger monitors strangers discretely, watching them from the cover of trees or shadows, or requesting his followers to make regular reports of their activities. Usually, a ranger can ascertain the intention of strangers without ever making direct contact with them. Most turn out to be harmless travelers or hunters who pose no threat to the ranger or his territory, and the ranger leaves them alone.
          If a stranger's motives are more ambiguous--for instance, if he's chopping down trees or hunting animals beyond his needs--the ranger will confront him, politely but firmly inquiring about his intentions. Generally, the abrupt appearance of an intimidating ranger, particularly if he's accompanied by a bear or two, elicits immediate cooperation. If the stranger explains himself satisfactorily, the ranger departs, perhaps implying that he'll be back if the stranger doesn't keep his nose clean. Should the stranger resist the ranger's authority, the ranger may take whatever actions he deems necessary to ensure compliance, using violence as a last resort.
          However, physical confrontations are rare. More commonly, strangers require directions, medical care, or advice. A ranger is usually willing to help, especially if his assistance facilitates their leaving his territory more quickly. If the strangers are lost, the ranger will point out the best route leading to their desired destination. In some cases, he'll volunteer to guide them. Most rangers have a rudimentary knowledge of first aid, and can bind sprained ankles, splint bones, and attempt to resuscitate for drowning victims. A ranger can explain which plants are edible and which are poisonous. He can direct strangers to sources of fresh water, orchards of ripe fruit, and safe campsites.
          In return, the ranger may well insist that strangers clean up after themselves, avoid disturbing local habitats, and preserve the natural beauty of the environment. Those who violate the ranger's trust can expect a brisk escort out of his territory.

Trailblazing

          A ranger who occupies an undeveloped wilderness must spend a fair amount of time making and maintaining trails. Some of these trails may be permanent roads or paths, usable by anyone traversing the ranger's territory. Other trails may be known only to the ranger, concealed by dense woods or similar terrain. The ranger and his followers use these concealed trails to get from place to place while monitoring the movement of strangers. Although animals in their native habitats are efficient trailmakers, the ranger may improve their trails by making the footing safer, or linking feeding grounds, watering holes, grazing pastures, and lairs.
          An effective trail system requires a thorough understanding of the land, including the precise location of streams, hills, and other significant terrain features. A ranger occupying a small territory may be able to hold this information in his head. For larger regions, the ranger may need to keep maps. In this case, a conscientious ranger will regularly review and update his maps, adding new features and looking for discrepancies.
          Constructing a new trail begins with clearing debris and smoothing the ground. This may involve cutting trees, pulling stumps, and filling in holes. If a road passes though a valley or ravine, the ranger may have to dig ditches to direct rainwater away from the trail. He may then need to plant grasses along the roadside to prevent soil from washing into the ditches.
          Trail maintenance is an ongoing chore, requiring weeding in the spring and ice removal in the winter. In exceptionally harsh climates, the ranger may have to build snow fences, which are constructions of wood or stone that run parallel to a trail. During blizzards, blowing snow piles up along the fence instead of covering the trail.

Wildlife Management

          A dutiful ranger looks after the interests of the wildlife in his territory. He tracks down poachers and unprincipled hunters, relocates creatures that have been displaced by natural disasters, and cares for young animals whose parents have been killed. He notes fluctuations in animal populations and tries to determine if an excess of predators (or prey) is only a temporary adjustment to current conditions, or if it foreshadows a more serious problem. A sudden drop in the number of songbirds or frogs, for instance, may indicate that the insects they eat have been poisoned by some outside source.

Conservation

          A ranger is dedicated to the preservation of his environment. He uses timber, water, and other natural resources judiciously and encourages others to do the same. If he cuts a tree, he replaces it with a new seedling. If he raises herd animals, he keeps them moving so as not to overgraze a pasture. If he farms, he rotates his crops so as not to exhaust the soil, replacing the nutrients with natural fertilizers.
          Unfortunately, the ranger must continually struggle against the carelessness and greed of those who don't share his concerns. They strip the land of timber and minerals, and level entire forests to build new cities. For commerce or sport, they hunt scarce species to extinction. They relentlessly farm the same acreage until the soil can no longer support crops, and dump raw sewage and other waste products into lakes and rivers until the water is no longer fit to drink.
          The ranger employs several methods to counter this selfishness and indifference. He educates travelers passing through his territory, demonstrating the importance of proper waste disposal and the danger of smoldering camp fires. He negotiates with local villages to regulate mining and farming, and to set aside virgin forests and jungles as protected sanctuaries. In extreme situations, a ranger may resort to guerilla tactics, such as sabotaging oppressive and ruinous activities.
          A ranger must also be constantly vigilant for natural disasters. As prevention is the key to effective disaster management, a ranger remains alert for the earliest signs of trouble, taking immediate steps to intervene before the problem becomes a full-blown catastrophe.
          Here are some the most common natural disasters a ranger might have to face:
         Insects/Disease. Infestations of beetles, locusts, aphids, and other insects can strip forests and pastures in a matter of days or weeks. Molds and rusts can ravage woodlands if unchecked. Old trees, which aren't as resistant to disease as younger ones, are particularly vulnerable. To prevent the spread of destructive insects and fungi, rangers remove and dispose of infested plants as quickly as possible.
          Flood. An excess of precipitation, sudden snowmelt, or high winds producing strong coastal waves may result in flooding. Floods can wash away valuable topsoil, destroy trees and buildings, and drown the unprepared. Rangers reduce the severity of river flooding by planting and maintaining the trees and grasses in elevated lands. This vegetation controls runoff and absorbs melted snow, preventing it from running off into rivers and causing the water to rise over the embankments. Ambitious rangers with leadership skills will sometimes coordinate the local population to assist him building levees to contain rivers prone to flooding. This must be handled with care, as such rivers can silt up, causing worse problems later.
          Seacoast floods, on the other hand, are almost impossible to prevent. A ranger's best strategy for dealing with them is to become familiar with the weather patterns that precede them. With sufficient warning, a ranger can warn others to seek protection in the highlands until the storm subsides.
          Earthquake. Violent shifting of the earth's inner layers may produce earthquakes, which can occur anywhere in the world. Earthquakes can indirectly cause flooding and fires, but the biggest danger comes from avalanches, falling rocks, trees, mudslides, and collapsing buildings.
          As with seacoast floods, there's not much a ranger can do to prevent earthquakes, but he can learn to recognize the signs that precede them. Unusual animal behavior (such as the agitated prancing of small mammals), spontaneous geyser eruptions, and clusters of small tremors often indicate an impending major earthquake. While the warnings may not come long in advance, a forewarned ranger can spread the word to head for plains or open fields, which may be safer havens in the event of a major earthquake.
          Drought. Higher than average temperatures and a lack of rainfall may result in a drought. When water is scarce, rivers dry up, vegetation withers, and animals suffer from dehydration.
          Rangers can't accurately predict when droughts will occur. However, in regions of irregular rainfall, he can check tree rings, which give an excellent indicator of rain received in previous seasons. Thick rings occur in wet years, thin rings in dry years. Since wet periods tend to alternate with dry periods, studying the rings can help the ranger anticipate the next drought. A ranger can't offset the overall effects of a drought, but he can reduce the local impact of the drought on marginal habitats by storing water, and encouraging others to do the same.
          Fire. Fires are perhaps the most devastating of all natural disasters. A fire not only wipes out trees and vegetation, it also kills animals and pollutes lakes and rivers with ash. Travelers who carelessly burn trash or toss unwanted torches into the brush are a common source of fires. While lightning strikes are a primary cause of forest fires, some fires are intentionally set by enemies.
          Rangers occupying forests or other territories susceptible to fire constantly watch for smoke. Tall mountains make the best vantage point, but where mountains are unavailable or where scaling them frequently is impractical, rangers may construct lookout towers--simple platforms supported by long poles and nearby trees. A rope or wood ladder gives the ranger access to the tower.
          Fighting fires isn't easy, nor is it something one ranger can effectively do alone. Because fires spread so rapidly, particularly in dry seasons, a ranger's chance of stopping a fire decreases with every moment it's allowed to burn. Water or dirt can be used to smother small fires. If a ranger has prepared for help beforehand, he can coordinate the building of a fireline--an area cleared of all vegetation and other combustible material. This helps contain larger fires, but an adequate fireline usually requires the efforts of many individuals working as a team. Once a fire is extinguished, a close watch must still be kept for many days, lest a smoldering limb start the fire blazing once again.

Law Enforcement

          Certain rangers, such as Wardens and Sea Rangers, may be charged with enforcing the laws of the local ruler. They arrest and punish poachers, patrol the lands they guard, and sometimes negotiate land use agreements with farmers, loggers, and others. If a royal decree protects a particular animal species, the ranger may be charged with enforcing it. Some rangers have the authority to act as judge and jury, allowing them to try cases on the spot and pass sentences as they see fit. Fines may be levied for minor infractions, such as trespassing, while more severe crimes, such as killing an animal from the king=s private stock or picking fruit from the king's tree, may be punishable by death. In such cases, the ranger will have a charter or royal writ from the ruler.


Of course, not every ranger regularly engages in all of these activities. A ranger occupying an arctic territory doesn't have to worry much about forest fires, while a Warden probably spends more of his time enforcing laws than a Greenwood Ranger or Feralan. Still, the activities described here should give you a good idea of how a typical ranger fills his day.


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