Kings Ranger

Overview

The Kings Rangers are viewed with fear and mystery within Bordevar. These expert archers and woodsfolk protect the Kingdom from within and without. Ranging far into enemy lands in pursuit of treachery against Bordevar and searching out spies and traitors within the King's lands. Skilled combatants, cunning spies and loyal to the end, the King's Rangers are part espionage, part paramilitary and part honour bound loyalists.

Need:

Archer / Combatant

Kings Rangers are renowned for their skill with a bow. Less well known is their work behind the scenes, protecting and pursuing the interests of the Realm, even when it comes to sharp blades and dark deeds.

While not essential, a Military Investment allows a Kings Ranger to take the ‘Scout The Frontier’ downtime action, gaining useful information on the foes of Bordevar and of the goings on beyond its borders. A group of Kings Rangers travelling far and wide is a great idea for a military investment.

Shouldn’t:

Divine Lore: Anarch

The Rangers are dedicated to the nation and are seldom ones for rocking the boat. The ever antagonistic nature of Anarch is not welcome here. At least for now.

Costume Marker:

Gryphon Bracer

Each King's Ranger can be recognised (when they chose to be) by an archers bracer on their bow arm. At a minimum, these bracers will bear the image of the royal beast, a Gryphon. However, some rangers of particular skill or seniority may choose to embellish the iconography, having the whole bracer dyed royal purple or adorning with steel backing if they also use heavier armour.

Depending on if they see their loyalty to the crown of the Bordevarian people, these Gryphon Bracers may also slightly change. Royalist Rangers will often adorn the bracer with the image of a crown as well, whereas Rangers who tie their loyalty to the Bordevarian people often mark is simple images of swords, grain or wheels.

History:

Willikin Ladure came across from Drummond with his master, the would be King Bordevar, in his late years. The aging Master of the Hunt and Hounds had spent as much time raising Artourius as any had, and with the death of the late King Bordevar, he remained as one of Artourious’ few true confidants. Legend has it that Willikin promised the new king that while his bow arm was not what it used to be and his eyesight was failing, he would raise a force of warriors that the King could trust as they would lack the ambition of nobility and would ensure that he was always warned about the treachery of his neighbours.

In the waning years of his life Willikin assembled a paramilitary fraternity which was given royal blessing as ‘The Kings Rangers’. Kings Rangers travelled far ahead of the armies of King Bordevar in search of enemy weakness as he conquered his way west from the coast. When Bordevar was finally settled at its height, they began to work in the neighbouring regions, infiltrating in search of espionage against the new kingdom while also seeking out information of their own volition. Sometimes a Kings Ranger would be seen in a small Bordevarian township, pursuing a spy or traitor to the crown, only to have somone disappear to a cell in the dead of night.

Before the arrival of the Onyx Aristocracy, the Kings Rangers were clashing with the Inquisitors of the Church of Lumos. Many Rangers would join the Lightbringers in their pursuit of sin and treachery within the Kingdom, weakening the organisation and just as many were targeted by this fervour. When the Onyx Aristocracy arrived the Kings Rangers were a shadow of what they once were, but perhaps the Concord can offer them a future.

Now the Kings Rangers are few and far between. Well regarded for their martial and espionage skills, they operate as spies, scouts and stay-behind forces for the Kingdom, reporting to no one but themselves and the wise council, when the councillors remember they exist. Like all of Bordevar, they are split as to their Kingdoms future. Some believe that a return of the King will see Bordevar return to greatness and have begun referring to themselves as Crown Rangers, whereas others believe that the Kingdom is burning down on their watch, referring to themselves as Rangers of Bordevar. Both groups are still seen as Kings Rangers by the layman.

In 224 the Wise Council reinstated the title of Royal Ranger, reflecting the importance of Rangers to the Realm's future.

Becoming a Kings Ranger:

Like many crafts the world over, becoming a Kings Ranger begins with apprenticeship. Young people of Bordevar between the ages of ten and fourteen who are apprenticed to a variety of wilderness professions such as Foresters, Huntsmasters, Houndkeepers, or Scouts. This equips the young person with the skills required to walk in the wilds, survive off of the land, and if the circumstances require it, kill.

Sometimes an experienced ranger will reach out to these professions to see if they have any skilled apprentices they would be willing to part with. Most do, if only to avoid trouble with these eyes of the crown. In these situations the ranger may need an assistant, be eager to grow the ranks of the discipline, or simply have a whim. Regardless of the reason, if they find a young person with the skills they may take them on as an apprentice.

Alternatively, it is not unheard of for those interested in the profession to seek out a ranger and request apprenticeship. Such acts are uncharted territory as there is no formal process for requesting apprenticeship, the experience ranger must simply be convinced to take on the would-be apprentice. Some rangers put their candidates through trial periods, others make the process public knowledge, some take one look at the candidate and make a decision on the spot. This process is also the most common route for those individuals who are not young persons to begin training as a Ranger, although a Ranger’s Apprentice is treated no different if they are fifteen or fifty.

Once accepted, an Apprentice resides with their mentor, living the Ranger’s life and receiving training. This process generally takes three years and is split into two parts.

For the first two years an Apprentice is known as a ‘Greenbow’ and is marked with the symbol of a bow on their person, generally a badge, embroidery, or on their armour. Greenbows are expected to serve their mentor, learn the trade by exposure, and generally be as useful as they can make themselves. In exchange, their mentors are expected to test them, ensure their moral and martial fortitude, and do their best to prepare them for the life of a ranger.

After a year as a Greenbow, an apprentice can request a ‘Comrades Test’ or be subjected to a Comrades Test at any time their mentor deems fit. Comrades Tests are challenges set for an apprentice by an experienced ranger who is not their mentor. These tests are generally gruelling physical exertions intermixed with mental tests. The role of this test is to ensure the apprentice has been learning over the past year but also to act as the final barrier for those who may not be cut out for the lonely life of a Ranger. During a Comrades Test, an apprentices mentor may offer no aid and may not be involved in preparing the test beyond providing information about the apprentice.

The strangest tradition is that every apprentice fails their first Comrades Test. Regardless of skill, ability, or knowledge. This first test preys upon their weaknesses, exposes shortfalls, and is generally unfair. The purpose being to teach durability, critical thinking, and a willingness to learn from disadvantage. However, apprentices who treat their first test with flippancy due to this tradition risk being expelled altogether. A catastrophic or complete failure of the first test is just as likely to get your apprenticeship removed as any other.

Those Greenbows that pass their Comrades Test are known as ‘Journeyman Rangers’. Journeymen are still apprentices but are not shackled to their mentors so directly. They still report to their mentors at least once a week, but at this point they are entrusted to undertake tasks on their mentors behalf. These tasks vary but include carrying messages (be that across town or across the Realm), seeking out contacts, apprehending criminals or spies and everything up to and including a full Rangers duty, only at the guidance and behest of their mentor. It is expected that during this time they will undertake much of the work of a Ranger, learning from the experience and often working alongside other Rangers. Journeymen rangers are marked by a symbol of a bow and an eagle on their person generally a badge, embroidery, or on their armour.

After at least a year as a Journeyman an apprentice can request a Review by Council. If their mentor believes they are ready, a council will be organised at the nearest convenience. The Council in this circumstance must be made up of:

An experienced ranger (not their mentor, ideally the Royal Ranger)
A notable noble of the Realm (ideally a title holder, preferably a Duke)
A notable Knight of the Realm (ideally a title holder)
A notable Commoner representative (ideally a title holder)

During the Review by Council the Mentor will present their apprentice, detailing how they came to be an apprentice, their actions and training, and any other notable details. Each member of the council will then ask the mentor one question about the apprentice to which the mentor should answer to the best of their ability. This is to be completed in the absence of the apprentice. Following this, the process will be completed by the Apprentice. They will introduce themselves, explain their story, their skills, and their hopes. Each member of the council will then ask the Apprentice one question each.

With the review completed, the Council will adjourn and consider the answers. The Council must rule three-to-one in favour of the Apprentice being granted recognition as a Ranger. It is tradition that at least one member of the council must rule against the apprentice, so that there is always doubt to ensure loyalty. An apprentice that only receives two votes in favour is permitted to re-request a Review in a season's time. An apprentice that receives one or no votes in favour has failed their apprenticeship and must either seek a new profession or begin anew as a Greenbow. Because of this pressure, it is vital that apprentices wait until they and their mentor feel they are ready before requesting review.

An apprentice that passes their Review by Council is recognised as a ranger by both the Realm and other rangers. It is tradition that their mentor gift them their first Gryphon Bracer, marking them out. Such graduations, like all things Rangers do, are seldom dramatic affairs. Often a dinner with close friends and a few drinks will suffice. Regardless of pomp and ceremony, the achievement is immense and to many rivals obtaining one's Valours or Virtues.

Three Things Kings Rangers Are:

The Arrow of the Nation

Kings Rangers do what they have to to keep Bordevar and its people safe. They are spies, military scouts and more as the situation demands it. They are equal parts patriots and warriors, dedicated to the nation, its people and its crown.

Wilderness-Cloaked

While many Rangers are practiced spies, they often prefer to observe from a distance in the wilds, where camouflage, long travel and survivalism can win the day, as opposed to going undercover or infiltrating cities and towns. Rangers value the open wilderness, a campfire and a long days travel over the hustle and bustle of the cities they support.

Peasant Prowlers

To become a Kings Ranger, an applicant must have no noble blood going back three generations (to guard against the ambitious treachery of nobles) and must apprentice to an established ranger, much in the same way a blacksmith would. Being a Kings Ranger is a calling exclusively for the peasants of Bordevar, and is conducted in a very grounded manner.

One Thing Kings Rangers Aren't:

Robin Hood

While they might dress the same as their roving do-gooder, Kings Rangers are agents of the state, not saviours of the downtrodden. They are more likely to bring ill tidings than relief.