Rangers
The Rangers are the border-keepers of Olaran. They view themselves as the true champions of the ordinary citizen, and as such they guard the roads and wayside taverns as diligently from bandits and foreign enemies as they do the borders. They are masters of the woods and woodland skills, and their training fortress in the Thornwood is renowned as a bastion of training in skilled warcraft. With their skills in tracking, stealth, and hit-and-run tactics, they often work in small teams to seek out and destroy their enemies.
The First Rangers...
The first king of Olaran, Alirion, brought peace and stability to his realm, but once his kingdom was consolidated, he needed to guard and protect its borders. The lawless lands between its villages, towns, and cities needed guardians, and so it was that the Rangers were established.
The Rangers, overseen by a council of senior members, are handpicked for service from the ranks of the kingdom’s forces, and trained in the ways of wilderness survival and tactics. Rangers may spend a good deal of time surviving on the frontier or even in foreign territory in service to the Kingdom. These assignments can take a Ranger far and wide and last for long periods. Since Rangers spend a significant amount of time away from the major population centers of Olaran, they tend to be more in touch with the needs and struggles of the average Olar citizen. Because of this, they can tend to think of themselves as a protector of these people, sometimes more so than of the Kingdom itself.
The Ranger Conclave broke with the Kingsmen in YL 1124. Now they fight enemies both in the realm and without: whoever stands between them and the peace and justice they seek for the ordinary folk in Olaran.
Culture and Look
Emblem: The Gray Fox Head
Culture:
The Rangers long served as Olaran's special forces and intelligence gathering service. They specialize in irregular warfare and reconnaissance and work in squads to patrol the frontiers. As such, a Ranger's kit can vary wildly but tend to be practical to their role as hunters, trackers, and scouts. During the recent wars, they have learned to train as heavier combat troops and form shield walls while remaining true to their purpose as versatile and rugged warriors using flexible skirmish tactics. Rangers run light and fast - their goal is to defeat the enemy before the foe even knows they are there. Aesthetically, they draw inspiration from medieval English infantry, foresters, wardens, and scout archers. Culturally, they are based on 18th-century Colonial Rangers and modern-day special forces units.
Equipment: Their colors are subdued olive and dark greens, tan, browns, grays.* If they wear armor, they wear chainmail, brown/tan leather armor, and brown leather studded/steel-reinforced armor. They wear sallets and nasal helms that allow for visibility and flexibility.
*Black garments/leather armor are not allowed.
*** Please note that players MAY NOT wear the primary colors of another faction***
Note: All kits, weapons, and in-game accessories must be approved by faction leadership. Please email rangers@weekendwarriorexperience.com and include links and photos.
Check out the video below for tips on how to put together a Ranger kit.
Arm Yourself Properly
Rangers are never in one place for long. They need to pack light but essential gear to stay adaptive. Often, these warriors pick up odd pieces of gear to fit their tasks as they roam the countryside. Some of these pieces include:
Green - Use the Hyperlink to purchase fabric.
Paint code is Olympic Royal Hunter Green Flat OL704.6
Dark Olive - Use the Hyperlink to purchase fabric.
Brown - Use the Hyperlink to purchase fabric.
Tan - Use the Hyperlink to purchase fabric.
Follow the Leader
Captain Tiergan O'Dale
In his youth, Tiergan O’Dale fled his home in Goltha and collapsed in the woods near a border outpost in Olaran garrisoned by Rangers where he recuperated from the mountain crossing. The camaraderie, trust, and skill that was evident among the Rangers surrounding him filled O’Dale with a sense of awe. Upon inquiring on how he could join such a group, O’Dale learned that the only ways to join were to be chosen from the the best the Olar military had to offer or to be directly invited. With this news O’Dale set out to the nearest Olar Army recruiter to prove that he was worthy to join these men and women that he revered and owed his life. After five years in the Army O’Dale received his invitation and began the process of becoming a Ranger. O’Dale was driven by his sense of duty and what he considered a debt of honor to the Rangers who had saved his life. As tensions grew between the different factions and war broke out, O’Dale’s leadership qualities helped him climb quickly through the ranks, eventually being promoted to Captain by Commander Brandis. When Brandis returned to the capital to meet with the Ranger Conclave, the role and responsibility of Commander fell to Captain O’Dale. In the chaos and discord of the rise of the Regency, Commander O’Dale looks to the future with determination, confident that his stalwart Rangers will rise to any challenge.
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Dallin Rivera started attending Weekend Warrior in 2020, and assumed command of the Rangers in 2023. He loves the stories of heroism, daring, and hilarity that emerge from each event.
Jan Wolfsbane