Rangers - A guild or a way of life?

Bragbub · Post by **Bragbub** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 5:52 pm

Lately I've come across many rangers who act as if being a ranger is being part of a guild or association. I on the other hand believe that being a ranger is living a certain lifestyle; living off the land, protecting the creatures of the forests and the forests themselves, being guides for those who find themselves lost in the forest realms, etc. Also I've come across many rangers who find my ranger to their dislike because he does not strictly believe that the Warden Ranger should be seen as an actual leader of rangers ( which would mean that rangers in fact are a guild ). I have always thought of most rangers to be loners, following their instincts and points-of-view from their ancestry rather than policies created by a leader. Many are thinking that all rangers should act like the Warden and strictly follow his policies but that should not be so.

From PHB 3.5 "Most rangers are also chaotic, preferring to follow the ebb and flow of nature or of their own hearts intead of rigid rules."

So my point is, should rangers be seen as a unified guild, with a leader and guidelines or should being a ranger be seen as a way of one's lifestyle?

Rhytania · Post by **Rhytania** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 6:33 pm

When ever I get on the topic of the Warden with new Rangers and old ones alike, I always say he is the chosen one of the Maiden and should be respected as so. I at some times disagree in character with some things he says and/or does, but I always make the point that he is the Chosen and it is not my place to argue but to advise. I see him not as a leader of a guild, but as a voice of Mielikki.

Isaldur · Post by **Isaldur** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 6:52 pm

They are both.

Just like being a fighter is a "way" of life where you master the use of melee or ranged combat, being a ranger is also a way of life. It however, is also a guild when like minded rangers want to form one.

Are all rangers in the same guild? In Forgotten Realms, no. In Forgotten Kingdoms? Well for the sake of how the class system works I'd say yes unless you specifically set yourself apart from the afairs of other rangers.

So the answer is, rangers can be loners, or they can have a guild, or a loose network. Just because you're a class doesn't mean you're not a person.