I
Table 58: Weapons
cost wt. Speed Damage
(gp) (lb.)
Item Sue me Factor S-M L
Flail, Grain 3 3
M B 6 d4+1 ld4
Snow Blade 10 3 M s 4 ld4 ldi
(iuak)
Optional Weapons from The Complete Fighter s
Belaying Pin 2 cp 2 B 4 ld3
Gaff /Hook
saire 15& 5 MP L ld6cl ld&l
*Theharness knife's cost is included as part of the cost of the wilderness harness (Table57). The knife
itself weighs only a few ounces.
Optional Weapon Notes
Belaying Pin: A short wooden rod used on ships (rigging lines are tied to them). This can be used as an
improvised club. If using related proficiencies, the belaying pin is related to club and mace.
Gaff/Hook This is a metal hook with a metal or wooden crossbar at the bar-. "Attached means the hook
has been used to replace a hand.
Main-Gauche: A large-bladed dagger with a basket hilt, used as a seconaary weapon in a two-weapon
fighting style. Gives +1to disarm attempts. Hilt gives +1to parry and the effectof an iron gauntlet when
punching.
Stiletto: A narrow-bladed knife, with a sharpened point only. Has a non-magical+2 bonus against ring
mail, chain mail, and plate mail. Knife profiaency covers the stiletto.
Cutlass: Short heavy slashing sword, sharp along one edge, with a basket hilt (+1to parry, punch as iron
gauntlet). If using related proficiencies, related to dagger, knife, and short sword.
Rapier: Long-bladed sword, with point only, requires its own proficiency. A basket hilt can be added for 2
gp (+1to parry, +1 lb., punch as iron gauntlet). If using related proficiencies, this is related to sabre.
Sabre: A light slashing sword. Can be fitted with a basket hilt for 2 gp (+1parry, +1lb., punch as iron
gauntlet). If using related proficiencies, this is related to rapier.
100 Chapter Seven
Each ranger is a unique individual with his own Race
feelings, motivations, and personal history.
Because there are an endless number of possibili- Unless the demi-rangers described in Chapter 4
ties for ranger personalities, step-by-step guide- are allowed in your campaign, rangers must be
lines for generating them are not practical, nor are human, elf, or half-elf. Roughly 70%of all rangers
they particularly desirable. Strong characters have are human, 10%are elves, and 20% are half-elves.
constantly evolving personalities, reflecting their Even in demi-ranger campaigns, less than 1%of
experiences as well as their players’ inclinations. the ranger population are dwarves, gnomes, or
Just about anything goes, so long as the DM halflings.
approves and the resulting character is fun to play.
Gender
Look over the topics in this chapter and con-
sider how they relate to your character. Ask your- Gender plays no part in determining one’s
self how he become a ranger in the first place. aptitude for becoming a ranger. About half the
Where does he come from? What drives him? ranger population is male, and the other half,
female, reflecting the percentages in the general
What makes him feel angry, happy, fulfilled?How population.
does he spend his free time? As you answer these Social Background
and other questions, your mental image of the
character should begin to sharpen. Before you No particular social background predominates
know it, he’ll be as familiar as an old friend. in the ranger population. Lower, middle, and
upper class rangers are more or less equally repre-
Demographics sented, with a slight bias toward the lower classes
at low levels because these are closest to the land.
The total number of rangers is difficult to deter-
mine. Because of their independent nature and Certain kits also tend to favor certain social
tendency to avoid civilized society, rangers aren’t classes. Feralans and GreenwoodRangers tend to
likely to cooperate with a formal census. Addi- come from lower economic backgrounds, while
tionally, many rangers reside in the most remote Falconers, Sea Rangers, and Wardens often come
regions of the world, making a population count from wealthier families. Social class, however, is
impractical if not impossible. only one element that influences a ranger’s per-
sonality. A Guardian with a lower class back-
Still, it’s safe to say that rangers are among the ground who has worked his way up might
less numerous of the character classes, if for no behave little differently than one with middle
other reason than the demanding ability score class origins.
requirements limit their number. It’s a good bet
that there are fewer rangers than bards. They’re Family
perhaps more common than paladins. Beyond
these generalities, it‘s anybody’s guess. More relevant to the ranger’s choice of career is
the size of his family and his role within it. Because
Terrain preferences are a little easier to ascertain. his duties place him into a life of relative isolation,
Most rangers prefer forests, hills, and plains, thanks the best candidates for rangers are those with few
to the flourishing animal life and comfortable cli- family ties. Orphans and late children are dispro-
mates. Rugged mountains, and jungles attract the portionately represented in the ranger population,
more adventurous rangers, while only the hardiest as are those who have been disowned or cast out
rangers make their home in the harsh lands of the by their families.
desert and arctic. As a rough guideline, assume that
about 40% of all rangers have Forest as their pri-
mary terrain, about 15%have Hill, another 10%or
so each have Jungle, Mountain, or Plain, and the
rest are more or less equally divided among- Swamp,
Desert, Arctic, and Aquatic.
Role Playing 101
i. . ,. ... ;. p. ,,,...,..:,..".&..
.;;;, ,.. '. . " . e"
Age values, ensuring that his philosophy will live on.
Friends or family members of the elder make ideal
There are no rigid age requirements for rangers. candidates for apprentices, as do orphans and
However, few adolescents are capable of com- human followers.
manding the respect due a ranger, while many
older individuals have trouble managing the rig- Suggested Kits: Falconer, Forest Runner, Green-
ors of the wild. Consequently, the majority of wood Ranger, Guardian, Pathfinder, Sea Ranger,
rangers fall between the ages of 18-60. Seeker.
Alignment Self-Determination
Allrangers are of good alignment, and the num- Individuals attracted to this character class
may take it upon themselves to master the neces-
ber of lawful good, neutral good, and chaotic sary skills without a formal apprenticeship. Such
good rangers are approximately equal. The more an individual may be motivated by curiosity
independent and isolated a ranger, the less likely (he's fascinated by nature and longs to learn
he'll be lawful good. Lawful good rangers are what books can't teach), a compelling event (an
often drawn to the Guardian, Justifier, and War- army of orcs makes a surprise attack against his
den kits. The Pathfinder and Explorer kits tend to village from an unpatrolled forest; he vows to
have more than their share of neutral good guard the forest to prevent a recurrence), or a
rangers. Chaotic good rangers are generally asso- restless urge to explore the world (he feels smoth-
ciated with the Feralan and Mountain Man kits. ered by the secure but boring life his parents
have planned for him).
Becoming a Ranger
A self-determined ranger often takes a cir-
Unlike many other character classes, rangers cuitous route to learning his craft. He may begin
have no clear career paths. Wizards may be by petitioning his lord or king to allow him to
taught in magic academies and clerics may be accompany military personnel on wilderness
recruited by a church, but no structured training excursions, learning from observation how sol-
centers exist for rangers. There are guilds for diers survive in the field and track their enemies.
thieves and worldwide hierarchies for druids, He may offer to keep house or work for a sage or
but rangers stubbornly resist organizations of hedge wizard in exchange for private lessons in
any kind. Since the ranger class stresses self- botany and other natural sciences. A few years as
reliance and independence, it's not surprising a neophyte in a nature-oriented church may give
that the circumstances under which they acquire him access to priestly magic. And a surreptitious
their skills are as varied as the rangers them- partnership or adoption by a notorious thief may
selves. Here are some of the most common ways teach him the knack of hiding in shadows and
to become a ranger, along with a few kits typi- moving silently.
cally associated with them. Of course, the stan-
dard ranger might have any of these. Suggested Kits: Explorer, Forest Runner,
Guardian, Justifier, Pathfinder, Sea Ranger, Seeker,
Apprenticeship Stalker.
An elderly ranger may wish to make sure that Conscription
his territory will be in good hands after his death.
Rather than award conservatorship of the territory Occasionally, a king or other official requires a
to another ranger or a local government, he may ranger to explore, settle, or administer a recently
instead decide to recruit an apprentice. The elder annexed territory. A replacement may be needed
not only teaches the ways of the wilderness to the for a ranger who has retired or died. If a suitable
young man or woman, but also passes along his candidate isn't available, the most suitable young
man or woman may be drafted. Generous authori-
ties may reward the draftee's family with a
102 * (:hapter Eight
monthly stipend in exchange for the cooperation of quests and training exercises to develop the
of their son or daughter. More often, however, the
authoritiesoffer no remuneration, expecting some skills necessary to become a range. In some cases,
type of service from all citizens; recruitment as a the gods may grant him the skills directly.
ranger is generally preferable to the risky life of a
soldier or dull routine of a bureaucrat. Suggested Kits: Beastmaster, Greenavood Ranger,
Conscripted rangers often receive first-class Guardian, Justifier, Mountain Man, Sea Ranger,
training, perhaps at the hands of elder or retired Seeker.
, rangers. Some countries have special units of bor- Social Misfit
der runners or scouts, which can provide a train- Society has no use for some of its citizens, shun-
ing ground for the potential ranger. Terms of ning them because of their appearam, race, social
services range from several years in most cases to standing, or nonconformist phi lo so@^+^ Outcast
a few decades in extremely militaristic societies. youths often find solace in the wilderness. Ani-
Though many choose to re-enlist when their ser- mals, they discover, are far less judgmental than
vice terms expire, most conscripted rangers even- humans. In time, those with strong wills and a
tually part company with the established rulers knack for survival may become rangers through
and continue their careers as free agents. sheer tenacity.
Suggested Kits: Justifier, Giant Killer, Pathfinder, Suggested Kits: Feralan, Greenwood Ranger,
Sea Ranger, Warden, Stalker. Guardian, Mountain Man, Stalker.
Happenstance Common Traik: the Classic r
A common way fora young character to become Perhaps the most important aspect of creating
a ranger is though circumstancesbeyond his con- a three-dimensional character is determining his
trol. The following are typical. A youth who core traits, the values and principles upon which
makes his way to an uninhabited island after his he bases his philosophy.A characterwith specific
ship sinks has to master the skills of a ranger in values tends to be more consistent in his reac-
order to survive. The lone survivor of a pioneer tions. And while few real-world people are
family slaughtered by grizzly bears wanders for
years in the wilderness, becoming a ranger in the wholly consistent, the more consistentlya char-
process. A youth captured by slavers escapes into acter behaves, the more lifelike he’ll appear in
the wilderness and eventually learns ranger skills. the context of a game.
He returns much later as an accomplished ranger
with a mission to destroy or drive out the band of While no two rangers are exactly alike in their
slavers who imprisoned him.
outlook, all share a set of common traits which
Suggested Kits: Beastmaster, Explorer, Feralan, form the foundation of their personality. These
Guardian, Mountain Man, Pathfinder. traits are described in general terms below, and
are not intended to straitjacket a good role-player.
Divine Intelvention A player doesn’t necessarily have to incorporate
all of these traits into his character, but he should
For purposes of their own, the gods may choose think carefully before setting them aside. In a
a mortal to receive the skills of a ranger. If the sense, these traits are as crucial to defining the
gods see a need for a protector of a favored tract of
land, or desire an advocate for threatened animals, ranger character class as his ability scores.
they may seek out a youth with the prerequisite
physical skills, mental agility, and moral attitude. Strong Ethics
If the youth is open to their offer-generally, the
gods won’t bother with an unreceptive candi- Rangers have firm values that impel them to
d a t c h e will be guided through a lengthy series promote goodness and justice. Regardless of
whether he’s lawful good, neutral good, or chaotic
good, a ranger has definite ideas about the differ-
ence between right and wrong. He behaves hon-
estly, and most rangers believe in altruism and alone. Consequently, rangers often conceal their
service. Selfishness and greed are antithetical to feelings from friends and strangers alike, reveal-
the ranger. He champions the powerless and ing little about themselves in actions or words. For
fights for the weak. In many cases, a ranger’s all but the ranger’s closest companions, it’s often
respect for life extends to animals as well as
humans. Though in essence rangers are warriors, difficultto tell if he’s happy or sad, angry or for-
most have no fondness for war. Even when fight- giving, troubled or content.
ing for a cause in which he believes, the ranger
looks forward to the end of the conflict and the Though rangers certainly experience emotions
natural healing process promised by peace. as deeply as anyone else, many suffer in silence
when wounded, and grieve in private at the loss
Love of Nature of a beloved animal or comrade. A ranger’s com-
panions invariably find him to be a dependable,
A ranger is as much a creature of the wilder-
ness as a lion or wild horse. Many rangers find competent, and trustworthy professional. But as a
urban life suffocating and would no more make person, he often remains an impenetrable enigma.
their homes in a city than volunteer for a prison
sentence. A typical ranger prefers songbirds to Devout
orchestras, flowers to jewelry, and forests to
grand castles. Most rangers are sophisticated Many rangers are deeply and ly spiri-
enough to handle themselves well in urban set-
tings, but they generally can’t wait to finish their tual, perceiving their access to spells and their
business and leave.
appreciation of nature as gifts from a greater
Solitary
power. Whether a ranger worships nature itself as
By virtue of his duties and disposition, the
ranger spends a lot of time alone. Most rangers a unifying force or follows an established religion,
come to enjoy the solitary life, and have no partic-
ular need for the company of other people. In he combines his love of nature with his faith to
most cases, animals satisfy a ranger’s desire for
companionship. form the foundation of his moral code. Such
On the positive side, the ranger’s penchant for rangers regularly reaffirm their commitment
solitude encourages him to be self-reliant and
independent. On the negative side, rangers may through moments of quiet reflection. (See Chapter
come across as remote and detached, even antiso-
cial. While a ranger may be perfectly capable of 9 for more about rangers and religion.)
social etiquette, his companionsmay believe that
he’s not especially interested in fostering lasting Daily Life
friendships.
When a ranger is not adventuring, he still has
Taciturn plenty to do to keep busy. Some of the more com-
mon ranger achvities are described below.
By observing wild animals, many rangers have
learned the importance of keeping their emotions Most of a ranger’s daily routine occurs off stage;
in check. A juvenile wolf who charges impulsively that is, neither the player nor the DM need keep a
is certain to scare away his prey A young lioness detailed record of what a ranger does between
who makes unprovoked, pointless attacks against adventures. However, a creative DM may use ele-
the pride leader may find herself ostracized and ments of a ranger’s routine as the basis for an
adventure-while patrolling his temtory, a ranger
intercepts a goblin who turns out to be a scout for
an advancing army; or as a springboard for a
ranger to acquire a new follower-a bear rescued
from poachers takes a liking to the ranger. A
ranger’s routine might also generate encounters to
introduce him to important NPCs-the ranger
provides first aid to a hunter who turns out to be a
powerful official in a prosperous kingdom; or gain
him experience-the ranger earns experience
points by fighting a small forestfire.
Of course, not every ranger regularly engages
104 * Chapter Eight
in all of these activities. A ranger occupying an Though patrolling is necessary to keep abreast of
arctic territory doesn't have to worry much about the condition of their territories, rangers
forest fires, while a Warden probably spends patrol for the sheer pleasure of basking i
more of his time enforcing laws than a Green- open air and savoring nature's splendor.
wood Ranger or Feralan. Still, the activities
described here should give you a good idea of Monitoring Strangen
how a typical ranger fills his day.
A ranger is ever-watchful for strangers in his
Patrolling territory. Followers or other contacts may alert
him to the presence of strangers, or he may
The ranger spends much of his free time become aware of them himself by noticing distur-
patrolling his territory. He may follow the same bances in the terrain or observing them directly.
route every day, or he may wander wherever his
fancy takes him. He keeps an eye out for signs of In most cases, a ranger monitors strangers dis-
trouble, such as eroded fields or withered plants, cretely, watching them from the cover of trees or
and makes contact with other sentient residents, shadows, or requesting his followers to make reg-
listening to their problems or engaging in small ular reports of their activities. Usually, a ranger
talk. Some rangers ride mounts, particularly if can ascertain the intention of strangers without
they have a lot of ground to cover, but most prefer ever making direct contact with them. Most turn
to patrol on foot, which enables them to traverse out to be harmless travelers or hunters who pose
obstacles more easily, as well as minimizing the no threat to the ranger or his territory, and the
chance of drawing attention to themselves. ranger leaves them alone.
If a stranger's motives are more ambiguo
for instance, if he’s chopping down trees or hunt- linking feeding grounds, watering holes, grazing
ing animals beyond his needs-the ranger will pastures, and lairs.
confront him, politely but firmly inquiring about
his intentions. Generally, the abrupt appearanc-e of _ _An effective trail system requires a thorough
an intimidating ranger, particularly if he’s accom-
panied by a bear or two, ekcits immediafemoper-- -un.derstaKd&.of the land, including the precise
abon. If the stranger explainshimself satisfactoidy, location of streams, hills, and other significant ter-
the ranger departs, perhaps implying that he’ll be Tairrf@atm@P;ltmngemeeupyinga small temtory
back if the stranger doesn’t keep his nose clean. may be able to hold this information in his head.
Should the stranger resist the ranger’s authority, For larger regions, the ranger may need to keep
the ranger may take whatever actions he deems maps. In this case, a conscientious ranger will reg-
necessary to ensure compliance, using violence as ularly review and update his maps, adding new
a last resort. features and looking for discrepancies.
However, physical confrontations are rare. Constructing a new trail begins with clearing
More commonly, strangers require directions, debris and smoothing the ground. This may
medical care, or advice. A ranger is usually will- involve cutting trees, pulling stumps, and filling
ing to help, especially if his assistance facilitates in holes. If a road passes though a valley or ravine,
their leaving his territory more quickly. If the the ranger may have to dig ditches to direct rain-
strangers are lost, the ranger will point out the water away from the trail. He may then need to
best route leading to their desired destination. In plant grasses along the roadside to prevent soil
some cases, he’ll volunteer to guide them. Most from washing into the ditches.
rangers have a rudimentary knowledge of first
aid, and can bind sprained ankles, splint bones, Trail maintenance is an ongoing chore, requir-
and attempt to resuscitate for drowningvictims. A ing weeding in the spring and ice removal in the
ranger can explain which plants are edible and winter. In exceptionally harsh climates, the ranger
which are poisonous. He can direct strangers to may have to build snow fences, which are con-
sources of fresh water, orchards of ripe fruit, and structions of wood or stone that run parallel to a
safe campsites. trail. During blizzards, blowing snow piles up
along the fence instead of covering the trail.
In return, the ranger may well insist that
strangers clean up after themselves, avoid disturb- Wildlife Management
ing local habitats, and preserve the natural beauty
of the environment. Those who violate the A dutiful ranger looks after the interests of the
ranger’s trust can expect a brisk escort out of his wildlife in his territory. He tracks down poachers
temtory. and unprincipled hunters, relocates creatures that
have been displaced by natural disasters, and
Trailblazing cares for young animals whose parents have been
killed. He notes fluctuations in animal popula-
A ranger who occupies an undeveloped wilder- tions and tries to determine if an excess of preda-
ness must spend a fair amount of time making tors (or prey) is only a temporary adjustment to
and maintaining trails. Some of these trails may be current conditions, or if it foreshadows a more
permanent roads or paths, usable by anyone tra- serious problem. A sudden drop in the number of
versing the ranger’s territory. Other trails may be songbirds or frogs, for instance, may indicate that
known only to the ranger, concealed by dense the insects they eat have been poisoned by some
woods or similar terrain. The ranger and his fol- outside source.
lowers use these concealed trails to get from place
to place while monitoring the movement of Consewation
strangers. Although animals in their native habi-
tats are efficient trailmakers, the ranger may A ranger is dedicated to the preservation of his
improvetheir trails by making the footing safer,or environment. He uses timber, water, and other
natural resources judiciously and encourages oth-
ers to do the same. If he cuts a tree, he replaces it
with a new seedling. If he raises herd animals, he vated lands. This vegetation controls runoff and
keeps them moving so as not to overgraze a pas- absorbs melted snow, preventing it from run-
ture. If he farms, he rotates his crops so as not to ning off into rivers and causing the water to rise
exhaust the soil, replacing t h e n u k h t v d h n a t z
ural fertilizers. _arrertheembadma&Amb.itiowxangers with
leadership skills will sometimes coordinate the
Unfortunately, the ranger must continually 1 o dpopuhtionrto~assist-himbuilding levees to
struggle against the carelessness and greed of
those who don’t share his concerns. They strip the contain rivers prone to flooding. This must be
land of timber and minerals, and level entire handled with care, as such rivers can silt up,
forests to build new cities. For commerce or sport, causing worse problems later.
they hunt scarce species to extinction.They relent- Seacoast floods, on the other hand, are almost
lessly farm the same acreage until the soil can no impossible to prevent. A ranger’s best strategy
longer support crops, and dump raw sewage and
other waste products into lakes and rivers until for dealing with them is to become familiar with
the water is no longer fit to drink. the weather patterns that precede them. With
The ranger employs several methods to counter sufficient warning, a ranger can warn others to
seek protection in the highlands until the storm
this selfishness and indifference. He educates subsides.
travelers passing through his territory, demon-
strating the importance of proper waste disposal Earthquake. Violent shifting of the earth‘s inner
and the danger of smoldering camp fires. He
layers may produce earthquakes, which can occur
negotiates with local villages to regulate mining anywhere in the world. Earthquakes can indi-
and farming, and to set aside virgin forests and rectly cause flooding and fires, but the biggest
jungles as protected sanctuaries. In extreme situa- danger comes from avalanches, fallins rocks,
tions, a ranger may resort to guerilla tactics, such
trees, mudslides, and collapsing building
as sabotaging oppressive and ruinous activities. As with seacoast floods, there’s n o h u c h a
A ranger must also be constantly vigilant for
ranger can do to prevent earthquakes, but he can
natural disasters. As prevention is the key to effec- learn to recognize the signs that precede them.
Unusual animal behavior (such as the agitated
tive disaster management, a ranger remains alert prancing of small mammals), spontaneous geyser
for the earliest signs of trouble, taking immediate eruptions, and clusters of small tremors often
steps to intervene before the problem becomes a indicate an impending major earthquake. While
full-blown catastrophe.
the warnings may not come long in advance, a
Here are some the most common natural disas- forewarned ranger can spread the word to head
ters a ranger might have to face: for plains or open fields, which may be safer
havens in the event of a major earthquake.
InsectslDisease. Infestations of beetles, locusts,
aphids, and other insects can strip forests and pas- Drought. Higher than average temperatures
and a lack of rainfall may result in a drought.
tures in a matter of days or weeks. Molds and When water is scarce, rivers dry up, vegetation
rusts can ravage woodlands if unchecked. Old withers, and animals suffer from dehydration.
trees, which aren’t as resistant to disease as Rangers can’t accurately predict when droughts
younger ones, are particularly vulnerable. To pre- will occur. However, in regions of irregular rain-
vent the spread of destructive insects and fungi, fall, he can check tree rings, which give an excel-
rangers remove and dispose of infested plants as lent indicator of rain received in previous seasons.
Thick rings occur in wet years, thin rings in dry
quickly as possible.
Flood. An excess of precipitation, sudden years. Since wet periods tend to alternate with dry
periods, studying the rings can help the ranger
snowmelt, or high winds producing strong anticipate the next drought. A ranger can’t offset
coastal waves may result in flooding. Floods can the overall effectsof a drought, but he can reduce
the local impact of the drought on marginal habi-
wash away valuable topsoil, destroy trees and tats by storing water, and encouraeing others to
buildings, and drown the unprepared. Rangers
reduce the severity of river flooding by planting do the same.
and maintaining the trees and grasses in ele-
Fire. Fires are perhaps the most devastating of The Ranger’sPersonality
all natural disasters. A fire not only wipes out
trees and vegetation, it also kills animals and pol- After considering the ranger’s background, core
lutes lakes and rivers with ash. Travelers who traits, and routine duties, let’s focus on his person-
carelessly burn trash or toss unwanted torches ality. The purpose of this section is to help players
into the brush are a common source of fires. While and DMs determine how ranger characters may
lightning strikes are a primary cause of forestfires, behave in a campaign-for instance, how he
some fires are intentionally set by enemies. responds to Nl’Cs, interacts with other PCs, and
reacts in combat situations. There are several
Rangers occupying forests or other territories courses to consider.
susceptible to fire constantly watch for smoke. Tall
mountains make the best vantage point, but To begin with, you can consult the previous vol-
where mountains are unavailable or where scaling umes in the Complete Handbook series. The first
them frequently is impractical, rangers may con- four books The Complete Warrior, Priest, Wizard,
struct lookout towers-simple platforms sup- and Thief provide lists of archetypes drawn from
ported by long poles and nearby trees. A rope or literature, film, and other fictional and mythologi-
wood ladder gives the ranger access to the tower. cal sources. In these books, players are encour-
aged to adopt the Folk Hero, the Vigilante, or
Fighting fires isn’t easy, nor is it something one other archetypes as models for their characters’
ranger can effectively do alone. Because fires personalities. Many of these archetypes can also
spread so rapidly, particularly in dry seasons, a be adapted to ranger characters; the archetypes in
ranger’s chance of stopping a fire decreases with The Complete Fighter’s Handbook are especially
every moment it’s allowed to burn. Water or dirt
can be used to smother small fires. If a ranger has I
prepared for help beforehand, he can coordinate
the building of a fireline-an area cleared of all applicabie.
vegetation and other combustible material. This The Complete Bards Handbook features a series of
helps contain larger fires, but an adequate fireline
usually requires the efforts of many individuals tables containin”e traits associated with intellect.
working as a team. Once a fire is extinguished, a
close watch must still be kept for many days, lest a interests, and other personality components. The
smoldering limb start the fire blazing once again. key traits listed on these tables can be picked or
determined randomly The tables can be used for
Law Enforcement rangers as well as bards (or for that matter, any
other character).
Certain rangers, such as Wardens and Sea
Rangers, may be charged with enforcingthe laws You can also refer to the kit descriptionsin Chap-
of the local ruler. They arrest and punish poachers, ter 4 of this book, many of which suggest traits
patrol the lands they guard, and sometimes nego- associated with a particular ranger type. Players
tiate land use agreements with farmers, loggers, can use the descriptions as springboards for work-
and others. If a royal decree protects a particular ing out the details of their rangers’ personalties.
animal species, the ranger may be charged with
enforcing it. Some rangers have the authority to Another way to shape a character’s personality
act as judge and jury, allowing them to try cases is to come up with a single word that summarizes
on the spot and pass sentences as they see fit. his identity. This word-which we’ll call the defin-
Fines may be levied for minor infractions,such as ing characteristic-describes the essential nature of
trespassing, while more severe crimes, such as the character and how he comes across to others.
killing an animal from the king’s private stock or While a character’s personality is comprised of
picking fruit from the king’s tree, may be punish- many elements, the defining characteristic is the
able by death. In such cases, the ranger will have a most dominant, the trait from which all other per-
charter or royal writ from the ruler. sonality components arise.
If basing a personality on a single word seems
restrictive or artificial, think about how you
describe people in your own life. A particular
teacher may be crabby, a close friend may be funny,
a favorite game designer may be eccentric. Defin-
ing characteristicsmay also spring to mind for fic-
108 * Chapter Eight
I
tional characters; consider the noble Sir Galahad, characteristics, or ignore them altogether. You may
the brilliant Sherlock Holmes, the stingy Ebenezer also use the defining characteristics in conjunction
Scrooge. The defining characteristic forms an with the archetypes from the first four Complete
overall impression. The details come afterwards. Handbooks or to supplement the trait tables from the
Complete Bard. Regardless of your approach, the
There’s no best method for choosing a defining goal remains the same-to create ranger personal-
characteristic.Whatever word seems appropriate ties that are believable and interesting.
to you is good enough, so long as it brings the
character into focus and feels right. To get you List of Defining Characteristics
started, a sample list of defining characteristics
appropriate for rangers is given below. The Altruistic
A selflesshumanitarian who puts the welfare of
descriptions are intentionally vague, since per-
sonal interpretations are more important than others before his own, the Altruistic ranger tire-
rigid definitions. After all, it‘s your character! lessly fights for the common good. Unhampered
by jealousy or self-interest, he commands respect
You’ll know if you’ve chosen a good defining from friends and foes alike. He showsmercy to his
characteristic if you can immediately begin to opponents, compassion to the dispossessed, and
unwaveringloyalty to his friends.
visualize how the ranger will respond in various
situations. For instance, an arrogant ranger may Corollary Characteristics: Kind, honest, reserved,
introverted, reverent, courteous.
enter a deserted castle without hesitation, certain
that he can contend with whatever dangers wait Suggested Kits: Beastmaster, Greenwood Ranger,
inside. In combat, he may fight aggressively and Guardian, Seeker, Warden.
enthusiastically, each blow accompanied by a
declaration of his own magnificence. If defeated, Analytical
the arrogant ranger may sulk for days, his ego An agile mind and eclectic interests mark th’e
taking longer to heal than his fleshly wounds. Of
course, it’s not necessary to think through every Analytical ranger. He loves knowledge and rel-
ishes every opportunity to ponder the mysteries
situation before it occurs-having your character of nature. New cultures, unusual creatures, and
react spontaneously is a big part of what makes scholarly strangers fascinate him. He respects
intellectual prowess more than physical skills, and
role-playing fun-but deciding on a primary may seek to negotiate with a potential opponent
rather than engage in combat.
characteristic can be a lot of help in getting him
Corollay Characteristics: Ponderous, meticulous, .
off the ground.
If you like, you can choose secondary traits that dignified, thoughtful, cautious, dispassionate.
Suggested Kits: Explorer, Seeker, Stalker.
complement the defining characteristic.These sec-
ondary traits, called corollary characteristics, add Arrogant
dimension to the character; in combination with An arrogant ranger believes he can do no
the defining characteristic they help define a
unique individual. The entries below list several wrong. He views indecision as weakness and
compromise as cowardice. He glories in the mem-
corollary characteristic suggestions for each de&- ory of his accomplishments, which typically have
ing characteristic. Choose one or two that appeal been both numerous and impressive. If there are
stronger, smarter, or more skilled rangers than
to you, or make up your own. Any corollary char- himself, he is unaware of them-or at least, he
acteristics are fine, so long as they don’t contradict chooses not to acknowledge them.
the defining characteristic; an arrogant ranger
might also be proud and but it‘s unlikely he’d be Corollary Characteristics; Haughty, confident,
shy, too. patronizing, energetic, extroverted, optimistic.
Some kits work with certain defining characteris- Suggested Kits: Falconer, Forest Runner, Giant
tics better than others, and each entry below lists a Killer, Mountain Man, Warden.
few recommendations. However, don’t feel
restricted by them. You can use any defining char-
acteristic with any kit that feels right to you. Like-
wise, you can mix and match the various corollary
Boisterous always lends his neighbor a helping hand.
A boisterous ranger has little patience with Corrollary Characteristics: Steady, thoughtful,
social etiquette. He says what he thinks and pithy, keen, practical, skilled, canny.
behaves as he pleases, and may be oblivious to Suggested Kits: Falconer, Guardian, Justifier,
how his actions might offendothers. A man of
action, he likes to get to the point, avoiding what Pathfinder.
he considers to be time-wasting conversation and
endless planning. Beneath it all, there often beats a Melancholy
heart of purest gold. The melancholy ranger shoulders the weight of
Corollary Characteristics: Brash, impulsive, lusty, the world. Plagued with self-doubt and tormented
spontaneous, intimidating, vulgar. by the injustice of a seemingly indifferent uni-
verse, he is preoccupied with his own misery and
Suggested Kits: Feralan, Forest Runner, Giant prone to deep depression. Ironically, though he
Killer, Mountain Man, Pathfinder. may perceive himself as a failure, he may actually
be quite accomplished. Whatever success he expe-
Distrustful riences, however, doesn’t seem to bring him much
Usually as a result of limited contact with other pleasure.
people, the distrustful ranger remains emotionally Corollary Characteristics: Brooding, quiet, cyni-
distant from strangers and comrades alike. He cal, tentative, impulsive, neurotic.
may be cordial and cooperative, but he rarely gets
close to anyone other than his animal followers. Suggested Kits: Guardi
He is awkward in social situations,uncomfortable Justifier,Warden, Seeker.
in large groups, and suspicious of friendly over-
tures. The reason is usually hidden in his past. Meny
The merry ranger is full of the joy of life. He
Corollary Characteristics: Suspicious, paranoid,
cold, reflective, lonely, moody. spreads springtime and sunlight wherever he
goes, regardless of how bleak the situation may
Suggested Kits: Beastmaster, Falconer, Feralan, be. Always ready with a tale, a story, or a practical
Forest Runner, Mountain Man. joke to break the tension, he puts the counsel of
the eternal doom-sayer to shame. Though he may,
Inspiring in fact, have serious problems of his own, these
The inspiring ranger radiates authority and con- never discourage him for long, nor does he inflict
them on his companions.
fidence, making him a natural leader. He instinc-
tively takes charge in times of crisis, displaying Corrollary Characteristics: Bright, flippant, vibrant,
bold initiative when others hesitate to act. His honest, buoyant, optimistic.
companions depend on his decisiveness and com-
mon sense, and he rarely lets them down. Always, Suggested Kits: Forest Runner, Mountain Man,
he is the first to the battIefieTd~and~thlaest to~leave. Pathfinder, Sea Ranger.
Corollary Characteristics: Flamboyant, fearless, Mysterious
cheerful, driven, virtuous, honorable. The mysterious ranger envelops himself i
Suggested Kits: Explorer, Forest Runner, Justifier, aura of secrecy, keeping even the most pedestrian
Sea Ranger, Warden. details of his background hidden from his com-
panions. He seldom speaks, and when he does, his
Laconic words may be ambiguous or laden with cryptic
The laconic ranger is a soft-spoken, thorougl overtones. Though he dutifully fulfillshis role
within a party, he minimizes his contact with his
professional. He says little, sees much, and let! comrades. For no apparent reason, he may disap-
others go their own way as he goes his. He takes pear for days at a time, then reappear as unexpect-
quiet pleasure in a job well done, and avoids edly as he departed. He may whisper poetry to his
needless confrontation with lazy, the foolish, and followers, make bizarre notations on the trunks of
the incompetent (though he might remark with trees, or brew sweet-smelling soup which he
shrewd humor upon their foibles). He nearly
110 * Chapter Eight
dumps on the ground rather than drink, all with- Table 5 9 Ranger Experience XP
out explanation. His strange behavior may be due lO/level
to religious reasons, cultural requirements, or Action
merely a desire to keep his companions at arm's Per hit die of creatures defeated TYP*
length. Monster experience
Other group experience TYP*
Corollary Characteristics: Eccentric, threatening,
somber, distant, taciturn, studious. * Typ =Typicalshare of experienc
in the DMG.
Suggested Kits: Feralan, Pathfinder, Seeker,
Stalker. Table 59 is fine as far as it goes, but for those
using the guidelines in this book, it may not go far
Nurturing enough. If the DM decides that a little more detail
The nurturing ranger serves as a caretaker and is needed when determining experience awards
for rangers, he may decide to use Table 60 to
counselor, supporting his companions and follow- award experience points instead DM.
ers in times of stress. He comforts the troubled,
reassures the doubtful, and soothes the anxious. He Table GO: Optional Individual
has a kind word for all and strives to bring out the Experience Awards
best in his friends by bolstering their self-esteem.
He may leave leadership roles to others, preferring Action XP
to work in the background, or a loss of leadership
or sudden crisis may bring him to the fore. Per spell level cast to overcome foesor
Corollary Characteristics:Diplomatic, inquisitive, problems, or further ethos* 100
philosophic, humble, passive, empathetic.
Per successful use of special ability
Suggested Kits: Falconer, Guardian, Greenwood
Ranger, Seeker. (classor kit) 100
Obsessed Per Hit Die of creatures defeated lO/level
A single, all-consuming goal motivates the
Per Hit Die of species enemy
obsessed ranger to the exclusion of all else. Typical
obsessions include destroying a species enemy, defeated 20/level*'
revenge on an overlord who illegally annexed his
territory, or locating a animal believed to be Follower, per trick or task trained 100
extinct. Though an obsessed ranger may function
effectivelywithin his party, the party's objectives Monster experience
are always secondary to his own. Often, such a
character will mature out of the obsession as the Other group experience
campaign continues.
'Like priests, rangers gain experience for using
Corollary Characteristics:Irritable, grim, passion-
ate, anxious, determined, tireless. spells to promote their philosophies and princi-
ples. A ranger who's accepted the responsibility of
Suggested Kits: Explorer, Giant Killer, Justifier, protecting a forest would not gain experience for
Sea Ranger.
using charm person or mammal to coerce an wood-
Experience cutter into finding some tasty fruit, but he would
gain experience for using the spell to ensure the
As explained in Chapter 2 of the DUNGEON
M A S T E R Guide, rangers gain experience much woodcutter helps him put out an uncontrolled fire
like other warriors. Table 59 summarizes their
standard experience awards. in the forest.
** The ranger receives double the normal
amount of experience points when defeating a
species enemy (20/level).In addition he receives a
1,000 experience point bonus for defeating the
long-range plans of a species enemy.
*** Typ = Typical sh-70 of experience, as
described in the DMG.
Role Playing 111
Rangers and Religion
Most rangers are privately religious, convinced Types of Faith
that there are powers at work in the world much
greater than themselves. Though different rangers Many rangers venerate nature itself. Others
may worship in different ways, all regard the develop private faiths, more follow recognized
embodiment of their devotion with awe and religions that are based on established traditions
respect, and try to abide by the ideals it represents. and doctrines. Rangers aren’t necessarily affiliated
with churches or monasteries; m fact, rangers gen-
Aspects of Faith erally avoid formal religious organizations, pre-
ferring to worship alone or with a small group of
Rangers manifest their faith in a number of trusted followers. Certainly the travels of most
rangers often take them far from the centers of
ways: organized religion. As a rrsult, a ranger’s worship
may differ from that of a priest, even if they tech-
Inner Peace nically share the samefaith.
ranger’s devotion gives him a sense of pur- Regardless of how a ranger practices his faith,
there will be some power that is the beneficiary of
,a feeling that his life has a purpose. Even his devotion. Most rangers worship the divine in
nature; monotheistic rangers worship one particu-
ough his role may seem at times to be minor, lar god, while polytheistic rangers may worship
te feels that he has a definite place in the scheme several. A few base their faith on an individual
philosophy. All of these approaches provide sup-
Code of Behavior port to their disciples, as well as access to the
spells available to the a ranger. In game terms,
A ranger’s beliefs give structure to his life by they all function identically
’ providing a set of principles for him to follow. Nature
Being of good alignment, rangers tend to adopt
Many rangers choose nature itself as the focus of
beliefs that encoura”ge honestv. comuassion. and their devotion. Nature worshipers revere nature as
a process and a source of life; whether it was
In practical terms, the access to spells enjoyed designed by a greater intelligence or arose from the
by the high level ranger is one of the most imme- interaction of primal forces is largely irrelevant.
Ethics and morals are derived from observing the
diate and visible results of a life of service. Much natural order, and the perception Qf the majesty of
the natural world and its relationshp to the ranger
like a druid, the ranger receives his spells as a con- is a closely personal one. The natural life force of
sequence of his beliefs. Though prayer or medita- felt by the ranger who becomes
tion, the ranger asks for the spells he wishes to attuned td it Ant ranger maybe drawn to the wor-
memorize, and in most cases, his reauests are ship of nature. For some rang&s, particularly those
with few ties to the civilized world (suchas Beast-
grant masters, Eeralan, Greenwood Rangers, and Moun-
Un and other priests, the ranger’s tain Men),the pull is especiallystrong.
access to spells is limited. A priest, after all, Gods
devotes much enerev to the service of his faith.
while a ranger’s ot$& activihes and duties place Gods are supernatural bellc5aconslurlcu UY
great demands on his time. For this reason, the their worshipers to be the supreme sources of
might and authority. Often, a god embodiesa par-
ranger is able to acquire spells only when he ticular principal that is manifested or promoted in
reaches 8th level, and then has only minor access
to the plant and animal spheres. The ranger can
fill his spell slots with any spells of the appropri-
ate level listed for those spheres. Some kits may
have expanded or restricted spell use.
Rangers and Religion 113
the material world. tiuns and qukoku, see the FORGOTTEN REALMS'
The total number of gods is impossible to know, FR14 Great Glacier sourcebook.)
as are the number and identities of the rangers Expressions of Faith
who worship them. These factors will vary from
campaign world to campaign world. DMs who Regardless of whether a ranger worships nature,
design customized pantheons for their own cam- gods, or a philosophy, he is assumed to engage in
paigns should consider including gods specifi- various practices to affirmhis faith. Some of these
cally intended for rangers. Gods concerned with practices may be formally established; for
agriculture, animals, plants, birth, fertility, geol- instance, a particular group of disciples may be
ogy, weather, and hunting are appropriate, pro- required to kneel before the setting sun every day.
viding they're of good alignment. One place to go Other practices may be self-imposed; a ranger
for ideas is The Complete Priest's Handbook, which may decide for himself that the best way to express
contains many suggestions for adding religions to his devotion is to refrain from violence during
a campaign, and dozens of sample priesthoods. nights with a full moon. Once a player establishes
a practice as routine for the ranger, the player and
Rangers with gods worship them in a variety of DM can assume the character continues it "off
ways. Some may erect simple shrines to their deities stage" unless campaign events dictate otherwise.
that complement the natural features of their pri-
mary terrain. For instance, a ranger whose primary It's up to the DM, in conjunction with the player,
terrain is Forest might plant a private grove. An to decide what, if any practices a ranger should
Arctic ranger might build a towering ice pillar. follow in order to remain true to his faith. Typical
practices might include any of the following:
Religious practices for the same deity may also
vary from ranger to ranger, depending on their pri- Meditation. Having private moments of quiet
mary terrain. Prior to an important hunt, a Desert reflection and communion is a common practice.
ranger might immerse his hands in the sand, a For- These may take the form of the soft verbal reatation
est ranger might conduct a spirited dance under a of sacred verse, spoken at the same time every day,
tall tree, and a Plains ranger might snap an arrow in to periods of silent meditation, performed when-
two to attract the god's attention (a smooth break ever the ranger gets a chance. Observing particular
may be interpreted as an omen of a favorablehunt, phenomena, such as a shootingstar, or experiencing
while jagged edges may indicate that the god dis- certain events, such as acquiring a new follower,
courages hunting at that particular time). may inspire special periods of thistype.
Philosophy Offerings. The ranger make regular offerings of
food or treasure. Offerings may be given to the
A belief system derived from intellectual con- underprivileged, cast into the sea, or buried in the
cepts rather than supernatural forces or the nat- ground. Small offerings, such as a scrap of meat or
ural world may also be the basis for a ranger's a few copper pieces, usually suffice.
religion. The sheer intensity of the believers' devo-
tion is sufficient to attract the magical energy nec- Symbol Display. The ranger may declare his
essary to cast spells. devotion to the world by displaying the symbol of
his faith. The symbol may be a distinctive article of
Worshipers of philosophic faiths tend to concen- clothing, a brooch or pendant, a tattoo, or a tiny
trate in small sects in isolated areas of the world. mark made on a tree or stone wherever the ranger
For example, the Iulutiun rangers of the Great Glac- spends the night. The ranger might mark his ani-
ier, for example, follow an animistic philosophy mal followers with the deity's symbol. The symbol
called qukoku, which holds that all creatures share a may be engraved in a collar or bracelet, shaved into
life essence called eaas. The teachings of qukoku the animal's fur, or notched in the animal's horn.
maintain that all creatures are morally equivalent,
and that animals and men share the same emotions Pilgrimage. The ranger may make a periodic
and intellect, which their eaas compels them to journey to a sacred location, such as a temple,
express in different ways. (For more about the Iulu- mountain peak, or holy village. The pilgrimage
may take place on a particular date (say, the first
114 * Chapter Nine
day of spring) or whenever he gets the chance with them on projects of mutual interest and occa-
within a particular timeframe (he must make the sionally call on them for guidance or advice, but
pilgrimage once a year). otherwise the rangers go their own way, oblivious to
how druids exercisetheir faith and not particularly
Taboos. Some faiths may impose strict prohibi- concerned with what goes on in their places of wor-
tions on the ranger’s behavior. For example, the ship. In special circumstances,however, rangers and
ranger may not be allowed to eat meat, wear head
coverings,or start morr thanone firein the sameday. druids may establish more formal alliances, espe-
cially when a druid becomes a ranger’s follower.
Players and DMs may also make up their own
religious requirements. Remember that a ranger Any ranger may acquire a low-level druid as a
might follow practices unlike other disciples of follower,and may do so for a variety of reasons. If
the same faith; just because most worshipers of a the ranger is skilled in areas in which the druid is
nature deity make shrines out of polished stone deficient, the druid may seek him out as a teacher.
doesn’t mean that a ranger can’t build a shrine out The druid‘s superior may instruct him to serve a
of deer bones. Care should be taken to ensure that ranger as part of a penance, or to serve as a go-
the practices don’t conflict with the requirements between for a network of wildernessprotectors that
of the ranger’s character kit (it‘s unreasonable to exchanges information and favors. Or like other
expect a Sea Ranger to make an annual pilgrimage human followers, the druid may be drawn by the
to the middle of a desert). ranger’s reputation, hoping for a working relation-
Most importantly, any routine practices should ship that will allow the projects of both to prosper.
be simple enough that they don’t distract from the Secretive and mysterious, a druid may never let
campaign or tie u p an undue amount of the
ranger’s time and effort.A ranger who has to on as to why he’s chosen to follow a ranger. He
come up with a weekly offering of 500 gp or must
spend four hours per day in solitude won’t be may simply show up, tag along, obey orders, then
welcome in very many parties. abruptly disappear a few weeks later. His initial
appearance may be equally cryptic; a ranger who
Once the practices are established, the ranger is believes he’s acquired a lizard or raccoon follower
expected to follow them. Should a ranger fail to may be shocked to discover that the animal is, in
uphold the requirements of the religion, or inten-
tionally violate them, he may lose the use of his fact, a shapechanged druid.
spells for a brief period, he may become ill, or one Likewise, a low-level ranger may become a fol-
or more of his followers may desert him. The DM
determines the penalty based on the severity of lower of a druid. Though many druids are reluc-
the ranger’s negligence. In most cases, a warning tant to take on such strong-willed characters,
should be enough (which the ranger may experi-
ence as a dream or vision), but continued abuse open-mindeddruids are often receptive to rangers
may call for a more severe response. with a thirst for nature lore and a commitmentto
Rangers and Druids conservation.
Most of the time, however, rangers and druids
Rangers have much in common with druids.
For instance, both classes are predominantly ori- operate independently. On occasion, they may find
ented toward nature. Both receive spells in similar themselves competing for dominance of the same
ways; in fact, both of the ranger’s spheres are temtory. A novice ranger who wishes to move into
shared with druids. Both strive to live up to the a region occupied by a druid may be wise to peti-
tenets of a higher power. They are natural allies
against raiders, evil humanoids, and others who tion for permission, even though such permission is
would despoil and ruin the land. rarely requiml by law. Failure to do somay result in
lasting resentment at best, open hostility at worst.
Some rangers won’t form anything other than Should the ranger act courteously and respectfully,
casual relationships with druids. They may work permission is usually granted.
Conversely, an initiate assigned to a ranger’s
territory would do well to request an audience
with the ranger before settling in. Most rangers
will appreciate the gesture, which minimizes the
likelihood of misunderstandings or conflicts. A
ranger probably won’t attempt to drive away a
Rangers and Religion
druid who doesn’t bother to make contact- with some of the ranger’s religious requirements;
assuming that the druid otherwise behaves him- for example, the cleric might handle the blessing
self-but relations between them may remain
strained indefinitely. of new followers, or come up with the daily offer-
ing of food or treasure. If they share the same
Because their outlooks are so similar, rangers faith, the cleric may teach the ranger new ways to
and druids can usually share the same territory
without any trouble, though their paths may sel- worship, as well as engaging him in enlightening
dom cross. Druids tend to keep to themselves conversations concerning all things spiritual.
even more than rangers. They are less likely than
rangers to involve themselves in the affairsof As with all followers, a cleric will remain in the
men. Since they’re of neutral alignment, druids company of a ranger as long as the relationship is
aren’t particularly interested in promoting the mutually beneficial. When the cleric reaches the
ranger’s conception of justice. Rangers tend to
work more openly,druids more deviously end of his penance or learns what he wants to
know, he may express his desire to leave. A gra-
Rangers and druids may informally agree to cious ranger will grant this request, either dis-
divide the responsibilities of their territory. The missing or releasing the cleric at the earliest
ranger may agree to deal with human and demi-
human travelers, while the druid handles the opportunity. Should the cleric prove to be a nui-
problems of the native animals. They may join sance-or worse, if the ranger finds the cleric’s
forces to contend with a natural disaster, only to religious practices to be unacceptable-the latter
part company when the danger has passed.
may be dismissed without explanation.
Rangers and Clerics Conversely, a ranger may find it advantageousto
Low-level clerics may become followers of serve as a temporary follower of a cleric. He may
rangers for many of the same reasons as druids. seek out a cleric because an obligationrequires him
Not all clerics make suitable followers. The cleric to spend a period of time working for a church, or
must be of good alignment and should be several
experiencelevels lower than the ranger. Since most becausehe wishes to learn more about that religion
rangers are human or half-elven, clerics of these in a structured setting. Alternately, a ranger may
races are the most likely to sign on, though a ranger volunteer to protect a clerical stronghold, or his
will rarely reject a follower solely on account of deity may have commanded him to become a fol-
race. Gender considerations usually aren’t impor-
tant, but a cleric with a strict upbringing may hesi- lower to show his dedication. Regardless of his
tate to follow a ranger of the opposite sex. motivation, a ranger usually serves as a follower
for a limited period of time, seldom exceeding a
The faith of a clerical follower should be com- few months. He typically begins his term of service
patible with that of the ranger. This doesn‘t mean
that the faiths must be identical-an inquisitive earlyin his career,usually before reaching3rd level.
cleric might want to follow a ranger solely to When his term ends, however, he may continue an
study the nuances of an unusual religion-but the informal relationship with that particular church
goals of the faiths can’t be diametrically opposed.
For instance, if the clericbelieves that anyone who for a much longer period.
prays to inanimate objects is a heathen, he won‘t Clerics of 8th level or higher who establish large
followa ranger who worships mountains.
places of worshipmay accept ranger followers.Some
A cleric serves the ranger in the same way as clerics may have gender,racial, or kit preferencesfor
other followers-assisting him in combat, per- their followers,but usually they’ll accept any ranger
forming routine chores, and offering advice. In
turn, the ranger benefits from the cleric’s priestly whose faith is compatible with their own and who
skills and loyalty. The cleric may be able to assist demonstrates a sincerecommitment to serve. Once
accepted,the ranger is expected to obey his clerical
superiors and adhere to their traditions. The ranger
may be quired, for instance,to pay a weekly offer-
ing for the upkeep of the fortification,take a vow of
chastity,or wear a distinctivecloak or other garment.
He may alsobe expected to perfom any number of
specialduties.Typical duties might include:
Performingroutine maintenance on the strong-
hold. This may include repairing damage,
116 * Chapter Nine
sweeping floors,polishing metalwork, cleaning extreme cases, the ranger's superiors may be able
latrines, and so on. to exert their influence to permanently separate
Constructing a wilderness shrine or temple. the ranger from their religion, causing him to lose
Usually, this is performed under the supervi- all associated privileges and benefits.
sion of a superior. The ranger handles most of
the manual labor. In the context of a game, a ranger's term as a cler-
Recopying faded sacred texts on fresh parch- ical followermay take place between adventures, or
ments. Often the language will be unfamiliar it may be incorporated into a campaign, possibly as
to the ranger, as some clerics believe that a springboard for an expedition involving the en&
copying foreign script enhances the discipli- party (the ranger must complete a quest for his
nary benefits of the practice. cleric, and recruits other companions to help him).
Supervising the fortification's herd animals.
This includes feeding, watering, administering A ranger's term as a clerical follower may
to sick animals, and cleaningbarns and stables. have a variety of consequences, for weal or woe.
Tending the church's gardens and harvesting
the crops. On the good side, he may make some powerful
Protecting the stronghold against monsters new contacts and learn some new skills. He may
and enemy armies. even acquire a new follower or two of his own (a
A ranger can expect to be disciplined if he low-level cleric or fighter decides to accompany
refuses to obey his superiors or becomes derelict
in his duties. For minor infractions,he may be the ranger when he leaves). On the other hand,
confined to his quarters or given additional the ranger may become burdened with new
chores. Major infractions may result in beatings or
even a banishment from the fortification. In duties to perform (in exchange for his training,
his clerical superiors now expect him to offer
extra donations every month in their honor). At
any time, he may be unexpectedly summoned to
the clerical stronghold to help train novices or
defend against attackers.
-Rangers and Religion 117
Though they generally avoid organizations and Types, Sites, and Dates
communal events, many rangers participate in
informal get-togethers called forgatherings or There are as many types of forgatheringsas there
moots. At forgatherings, rangers can exchange are rangers. Some are held in well-traveled forests,
ideas, barter for supplies, and participate in con- others in remote deserts. Some attract only specific
tests of skill, as well as catch u p on gossip and kit types, such as Mountain Men or Sea Rangers,
blow off steam. Attendance at forgatherings is by while others are primarily intended for spedfic races,
no means mandatory, but most rangers look for- such as elves. In general, however, most forgather-
ward to the opportunity to spend a few days ings are open to any ranger who caresto come.
socializing with others who share the same gen-
eral philosophy and professional challenges. Though some established forgatheringsocca-
sionally change locations and dates, most are
These are oftentimes of much merriment and held in the same place and at the same time
celebration. Old friends are greeted warmly and every year for the convenience of the attendees.
new rangers are initiated, sometimeswith raucous Any open wilderness area, reasonably isolated,
practical joking. There are food and fun for all, can serve as a forgathering site. Forests, moun-
and tests of skill and prowess to pass the time and tains, and plains are preferred, as they give the
take each other’s measure. easiest access to the greatest number of rangers.
Because travel can be difficult in the winter, and
Attending a Forgathedng summer can bring uncomfortably hot tempera-
tures, forgatherings are usually held in late
A ranger can go through his entire life without spring or early fall. Most forgatherings last from
ever hearing about a forgathering, let alone attend- two to three days, but some drag on for several
ing one. But chances are that sooner or later, he’ll weeks or until the last few diehards call it quits
hear a rumor about an upcoming forgathering, or and head for home.
receive an invitation from another ranger. He may
also notice strange symbols etched on trees or Specifics about individual forgatherings are
stones, intended as guideposts to lead attendees to hard to come by, since rangers tend to keep the
the forgathering site (depending on how secret is details to themselves. Brief descriptions follow,
the location of the meeting, a ranger might need the pieced-together bits and pieces of information
the trail sign proficiency to translate the symbols). that have trickled out over the years regarding a
few of the best-attended and longest-lived meet-
In most cases, forgathering attendance requires ings: feel free to add to them and adapt them to
no prior arrangements. These gatherings are by your campaign world.
their nature informal, and they are rarely inter-
rupted by serious business except under the most Equinox Festival
unusual circumstances. Any ranger who shows
u p is usually welcome; rangers who bring extra One of the most important annual meetings is
meat, fruit, or wine to share are welcomed with the gathering at this festival, held during the six
open arms. Attendees are expected to supply their days following the first fullmoan after the autumn
own bedding, tents, and food. First-timers may be equinox. Rangers of every type and specialty can
required to perform extra chores, such as guard be found here, though standard rangers outnumber
duty or trash disposal. all the others. The site shifts every other year, alter-
nating between a heavily forested area and a plains
A ranger may bring non-ranger companionswith region, far from any civilized settlement. The orga-
him as guests, providing the guests keep to them- nizers announce next year’s site at the end of the
selves and stay out of the way. The ranger is respon- current festival. As this is primarily a trade fair,
sible for his guests’ behavior; should they cause rangers bring a wide variety of goods to sell, and
trouble or make nuisances of themselves, both the haggle with each other long into the night. Prices
ranger and his guests will be summarily ejected.It‘s tend to be high, but so does the qualiv.
unlikely that ranger will be welcome at any future
forgatherings unless thingsare smoothed over.
118 * ChapterTen
Forgatherings 119
Class €ye Concourse wood, stones, and mud. Here are a few features
This is one of the wildest and least structured for- common to most sites:
gatherings, attracting Mountain Men by the dozens, Sleeping Area. The driest and clearest patch
along with a few rowdy Giant Killers, Pathfinders,
and Forest Runners. The name derives from the per- of ground makes the best sleeping area. Atten-
son who organized the first of these forgatherings,a dees pitch their tents or lay out their sleeping
rowdy Mountain Man who lost an eye in a drunken bags in lines, spaced well apart. In colder cli-
sharpshooting contest. Held near the base of a tall mates, the sleeping area is located where the sun
mountain in mid-spring, the Glass Eye Concourse
features a weekend of physical contests, lewd jokes, (whatever there is of it) can warm the earth
and lots and lots of cheap ale.
before nightfall. In warmer climates, shady loca-
High Tide Assembly tions are preferred.
In contrast to most forgatherings, the High Tide Dining Area. A typical dining area consists of a
Assembly is downright sedate, emphasizing few benches or logs for sitting on, some stone bar-
philosophic discussion and formal lectures. This becue pits, and a simple lean-to for storage. The
forgathering takes place during the first high tide optimum location for the dining area is several
of spring on a quiet seashore. The Assembly lasts
for three days. Seekers, Sea Rangers, and Explor- hundred feet from the sleeping area, positioned so
ers are the primary attendees. By tradition, the for- that breezes don’t carry the cookfire smoke in the
gathering climaxes with a wild boar hunt. direction of resting rangers. A stream nearby for
Following a traditional feast, the bones of the wild washing up is also desirable, if available.
boars are tossed into the sea, to the accompani-
ment of triumphant cheers and whistles. Fire Pit. A pit for burning waste is constructed
near the dining area, preferably away from trees
Solstice Jamboree
or brush to minimize the chance of a fire getting
Most often held in a central plains location, the out of control. It’s located where the prevailing
SolsticeJamboreeattracb all types of rangers, as well breezes don’t carry the smell of burning garbage
as a number of bards and druids. The event lasts for toward the sleeping or dining areas.
six days, beginning on the first day of the summer
solstice.Lavish banquets, featuringexotic meats and Barn. A barn, stable, or pen is constructed to
rich candies are held three times daily, and general house the rangers’ animal followers for the dura-
good fellowshipis encouraged. This is an important tion of the forgathering. Large forgatherings may
event, for much serious business is discussed on the require several pens and stables to accommodate a
side. Comrades who died the previous year are hon-
ored on the last day of the forgathering with poetry variety of species. Rangers are responsible for the
recitations and silent meditations. feeding and grooming of their animals, and are
also held accountable for their animals’ behavior;
Physical byout it’s considered a grievous breech of etiquette for a
Most forgathering sites have few permanent lion follower of one ranger to eat the goat follower
features or structures. Upon their arrival, atten- of another ranger.
dees construct any necessary buildings or fixtures,
and take them down when the forgathering ends. Chapel. The forgathering chapel may be as sim-
Forgathering fixtures are simple but functional,
with building materials consisting usually of ple as a stone platform, or as elaborate as a full-
sized cabin with a podium and wooden pews.
Religious symbols are not exhibited here, so that
the chapel may accommodate worshipers of
diverse beliefs. Most often, the chapel is isolated
from the main forgathering site, erected in a
nearby woodland or other quiet location.
Campfire. The communal campfire, typically
constructed in a central location, serves as the
focal point of the forgathering. The campfire
burns all night and day, continually tended and
fed deadfall logs. At any hour, rangers can be
found crowding around the camp fire, roasting
meat and exchanging stories.
-120 ChapterTen
Activities and Events Training.
The typical forgathering attracts rangers with a
As forgatherings are primarily intended as wide range of skills. Often, they're willing to give
social events, rarely are there fixed agendas or instruction to novices for a small fee or as a ges-
schedules. Activities tend to develop sponta- hue of friendship. If he locates a willing teacher, a
neously, continue as long as the rangers show an ranger may be able to pick up hunting& tracking
interest, and end when the participants have had tips, acquire cooking secretsfroma master chef, or
enough. Following are a few of the activities and learn how to construct emergency sheltersfrom an
events most likely to occur: elder woodsman. (The optional training rules in
Chapter 8 of the DUNGEON MASTERTMGuide
Trading. can be used to allow rangers to acquire new skills
Trading goes on virtually non-stop at most for- as a result of their forgatheringexperiences.)
gatherings, ranging from private transactions
between individuals to dozens of rangers ped- Contests.
dling their wares in what amounts to an open air No forgathering would be complete without
market. Merchandise includes both the common games and contests for rangers to demonstrate
(rope, saddles, boots) and the unusual (chainlink their skills and compete for prizes. Conservative
leashes, camouflage paint, homemade wine). forgatherings feature debates, target shooting, and
Weapons and maps are especially in demand, knotting matches (where contestants see who can
particularly bows and quarterstaves with hand- untangle complex knots in the shlrrtest time). The
carved designs, and maps of exotic territories Glass Eye Concourse and similarly rowdy for-
that detail the newest trails. Rangers pay for their gatherings feature contests of a more physical
purchases in fur, food, and trinkets as well as nature, such as head-slamming (contestants butt
gold pieces. heads as hard as they can until one passes out),
dagger juggling (often done blindfolded), and
Magical items are occasionally available, but bear wrestling.
many rangers are more inclined to loan them to
needy comrades rather than sell them outright. Mountain Men in particular have a tradition of
Rangers who borrow magical items are expected rather intense competition.
to return them at the next forgathering. Being men tain Men enjoy a bizarre dr
and women of integrity, the borrowers rarely fail bitter roots, fish scales, ro
to honor their agreements. other distasteful substances are
whoever consumes the mo
News and Gossip. declared the winner.
Information flows freely at forgatherings, and
most rangers are eager to learn about the trials Other contests commonto forgatherings include
and tribulations their comradeshave experienced horse races, rabbit hunts, and
in the previous year. They hear of marriages, swords and spears bound w
births, and deaths, as well as followers acquired cloth. Winnersare awarded silver pendants, hik-
and abandoned. They learn which expeditions ing boots, or other prizes donated by the more
resulted in new discoveries and which ended in affluent attendees. If donations aren't available,
disaster. Rumors abound of lost civilizations, hid- each participant puts a few coins in a pot before a
den treasures, and gruesome monsters. An atten- contest begins; whoever wins claims the pot.
tive ranger may hear about employment Wagering is rampant for all types of contests, with
opportunities or new hunting grounds. If he's rangers betting everything from animal pelts and
lucky, an unattached ranger may make contact dried meat, to arrowheads and leather gloves.
with a potentidl mate.
Forgatherings 121
Class Description Table 62:Attacks Per Round (1st Edition)
Rangers are a sub-class of fighter who are adept Level Attacks/Round*
at woodcraft, tracking, scouting, infiltration, and 1-7 1/1 round
spying. All rangers must be of good alignment, 8-14 3/2 rounds
although they can be lawful good, chaotic good, 15+ 2/1 round
or neutral good. A ranger must have a Strength
score of at least 13, Intelligence of at least 13, Wis- * This applies to any thrusting or striking
dom of at least 14, and Constitution of at least 14. weapon.
If the ranger has ability scores of greater than 15in
Strength, Intelligence, and Wisdom, he gains the Special Abilities
benefit of adding 10% to experience points
awarded by the referee. In addition to considerable prowess as fighters,
rangers have druidic and magical spell capabili-
Unlike other members of the fighter group,rangers ties when they attain high levels. Thus, they are
have eight-sided Hit Dice (d8)but at first level they very formidable opponents, for they have other
get 2, rather then 1, Hit Dice. It should also be noted abilities and benefits as well.
that rangers get 11Hit Dice rather than the 9 of other
fighter-types.Table 61 shows the experience points When fighting humanoid-type creatures of the
needed for each level, along with the associated titles. “giant class,” listed hereafter, rangers add 1 hit
Table 62 lists the number of attacks per round a point for each level of experience they have
ranger can make at various levels. attained to the points of damage scored when they
hit in melee combat. Giant class creatures are
Table 61 :Experience Levels (1st Edition) listed on Table 66. Example: a 5th level ranger hits
a bugbear in melee combat, and the damage done
Level Xl’ HitDice Level to the opponent will be according to the ranger’s
1 (d8) weapon type, modified by his Strength, and +5
2 Needed 2 Title (forhis or her experience level) because the oppo-
3 0 3 Runner nent is a bugbear (a “giant class” humanoid).
4 Strider
4 2,251 5 scout Rangers surprise opponents when rolling 1-3on
4,501 Courser ld6 and are themselves surprised only when
10,001 rolling 1on ld6.
8 150,001 9 Ranger Tracking is possible both outdoors and under-
ground (in dungeons and similar settings).Under-
ground, the ranger must have observed the
creature to be tracked within 3 turns (30 minutes)
of the commencement of tracking, and the ranger
must begin tracking at a place where the creature
was observed. Table 63 lists the ranger’s chance to
track creatures underground in various situations.
* Rangers gain 2 hit points per level after the Table 63: Underground Tracking Chances
10th. Creature’s Action Chance to Track
** 325,000 experience points per level for each Going along a normal passage or room 65%
additional level above the 12th. Passes throuEh normal door or uses stairs 55%
Goe5 through a trap door 47;
-122 Appendix
Outdoors, a ranger has a base lo%, plus 10% Special Restrictions
per level, chance of following a creature (1st: 20%, Any change to non-good alignment immediately
2nd 30%,etc). Table 64showsthe modificationsto strips the ranger of all benefits, and the character
becomes a fighter, with eight-sided Hit Dice ever
the base chance. after. He can never again regain ranger status.
Table 64:Outdoor Tracking Modifien Rangm may not hhemen-at-arms, servants, aides,
or henchmen untilthey attain 8th level or higher.
Situation Modifier
For each creature above 1in the No more than three rangers may ever operate
+2% together at any time.
party being tracked -10%
For every 24 hours that have elapsed -25% Rangers may own only those goods and trea-
For each hour of preparation sures which they can carry on their person and/or
place upon their mount. All excess must be
At 8th level, rangers gain limited druidic spell donated to a worthy communal or institutional
ability Additional spells are added through 17th cause (but never to another player character).
level. At 9th level, rangers gain limited magic-user
spell ability, as with druidic spell ability (see Table Rangers do not attract a body of mercenaries to
65). Rangers can't read druid, cleric, or magic-user serve them, but when (and if) rangers construct
spells from magical scrolls in any event. strongholds, they conform to the fighter class in
other respects.
Table 6 5 Spell Progression
(1stEdition) The following is a list of "giant class'' creatures for
which the ranger receives his specialcombatbonus.
Spell Level Table 66:Oant Class Creatures
Ranger Druidic Magic-User**
Level 123 12 bugbear kobold
cyclops meazel
8 cyclopskin norker
dune stalker ogre/merrow
12 21- 2- ettin ogre mage
giant (all) o@on
13 21- 21 giant-kin (all) orc/orog
gibberling
gnoll/flind quaggoth
goblin spriggan
grimlock
hobgoblin/kaolinth tasloi
troll/scrag (all)
xvart
*Maximumspell ability Optional Rule (from Unearthed Arcma)
**Theranger must check which spells he can The Ranger's Weapons
learn, just as if he was a magic-user.
By the time a ranger gains a fourth weapon pro-
At 10th level (Ranger Lord), rangers are able to ficiency at 4th level, the character's weapons must
employ all non-written magical items which pertain include:
to chiraudimce, clairvoyance, ESP, and telepathy.
a bow (of any sort) or light crossbow*
Also at 10th level, each ranger attracts 2-24 a dagger or knife
(2d12) followers. Note that these henchmen once a spear or an axe
lost can never be replaced, although mercenaries a sword (any typc
can be hired, of course. These followers are deter-
mined by the DM who then informs the ranger. * This choice must be made at 1st level.
ADLLD" 1st Edition Ranger * 123
-Player Ranger Kit Record Sheet
Character
Kit DM Campaign
Ability Scores Requirements
Alignments Races
Species Enemy Primary Terrain
Followers
Description**
Role**
Secondary Skills Weapon Proficiencies Nonweapon Proficiencies
B = Bonus R = Required S = Suggested
1ArmorlEquipment
Special Benefits*
Other
I #3
#4
Special Hindrances*
I
Notes
** =These categories should be fully detailed on another sheet of paper.
Th,i'ormmaybePhOIOCOPl~d10,P8180"81Yle~"PlsY~"gliD8~game*
I24
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Ranger'Character Record Sheet
Player
Date Created
Race -AlignmeM
ixperience
Ability Scores Ibs - %% m a BW Yo -10% Bonus if
( 1in20 LiRGates
DEX surprise i - 3 , n i o % Individual XP
CON ~~siernsmck 1-
Thief Skills # Worth
INT (Missingentnesgoinomerareapoflhlo~sheel)
spell Level8 PHBR or OMG
WIS M W kF R&O" Sp&d Abilily
CHA Henchmen ~ m i nm i i m
khurhnent
I Hit Die Defeated
Speclff Enemy
Savin Throws 4- Candll8on c CaMffiO" mer
p-Hit Points 1 - Armor Class KITAL 71I
+c Condmon L-l h l Level -6 -7 -8 4 - 1 9
I
BASE COndlb" I
I 4-
II
lSh.91hlBV81=i d l o +
lGlhon=+3only (COIL)
Regenerate I
troDeaw Max In~ia(lCon. + 1)
To dale ~ ReS""R60"
S"ryi"*l
Target's AC 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 -1 -2 3 -4 -5
Attack Number II I II
WeaDon Slots
= 4 + l l a t 3 6 9 12 etcI THACO~201-1svervlsveloastlsl~
IIIII I I Ill
I l lI I I I 11-
+I- Attack Both +I- Damage
I Canddon +I- Condition COndlU.3"
I i
Ranger Character Record Sheet
Nonweapon Pmficiencies Notes
Slots 0+- + 3 + (1 at3,6,9, 12, elc.)
I H Secondary Skill: Racial Abllltles
Thief Skills Base Race Dex. Armor Kit Total
Hide in Shadows IIIIIII
I Move Silently ~
Primary Teerain
Animal Empathy Modifier Tracking Smre
~ (= Wis.)
(beginal-l;level4,-3al
lwel 7 . 4at level I O , etc.)
Vital Statistics PersonalityTraits
-+- Dale Bom Heighf I
Natural Unatural Year WeigM
Hail
Middle -1 Slr &Con: +1 I l l8 WIE Eyes
Skin
Old -2 Slr & Dex:-Con: +1 Wis II
Ve"en$(e -1 Slr 8 Dex &Con; + In18 Wis
0MaximurnAge
Followers
~
lates
II III I
II II I I
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rder runner, bounty hunte
in1 of the ranger class has neve]
ow. Come learn the inner mosi
of one ofthe most popular AD&DE charactei
Details on every part of the Ranger’s life, from
rest brethren to unusual outdoor equipme
ing character kits, this book IS
for the AD&D Game.
les r the lninal
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