Crystal Lotus Rangers: Clay Richmond

The great wooded forests and glades of the world are the ancient homes of Elven kind, in fact the very cradle of their race. For thousands of years they and they alone were masters of their realm, and lived in perfect harmony with nature. When the Firstborn first came to be known in the world, much of this began to change. The nature of the Elven race began to evolve in order to survive. Today, although none surpasses the knowledge of wood lore available to them, the bulk of Elven forces have evolved to take advantage of the greater armor and weaponry available in the modern world. But, as in any great social change, not all were so willing to give up the life that their forefathers lived. Now, though they are few, pockets of Elves still live in small communal groups deep within the forests. Sometimes these groups are even accompanied or lead by Elven Druids, the ancient predecessors of the Lotus-Eaters.

Elven Rangers hale from these groups and are the manifestation of the ancient skills that highlighted the Elven race. Young elves in these groups wishing to earn the title of “Ranger” live a harsh life and spend their waking moments honing their special skills under the watchful eye of a personal mentor. After many years of training and experience, the initiate is given a series of tests. Little of what these tests consist of is known. What is known however is that nearly half of them that take the tests don’t survive, and that the final test includes unarmed combat with some unfriendly denizen of the deep forest. Those that successfully complete the final test then go through a highly secret ceremony. The senior members of the Druid circles attend this and it is this ceremony where the Elf is presented with the coveted “Rangers Shroud”, the ancient magical mantle of the ranger. Rangers are a highly sought after warrior class by many of the great Elven factions.

Rangers use guile, speed and wood lore in battle instead of the heavy armor their brethren are so fond of. Their cloaks make them nearly invisible to missile weapons and the fast and agile bodies make them a difficult target for even the best swordsmen. Armed with a weapon in each hand, they dive into combat like a whirlwind of cutting steal. Elven rangers are often used as scouts or on special operations as they excel at using stealth to get close to the enemy before attacking and overwhelming them. 

Special Abilities:         All members of the Warband have the Forest Warrior, Chameleon, Thrown Weapon, and Secondary Attack Special Abilities.

Equipment:                    Ranger – Longsword & Hunting Blades

                                        Leader – Longsword & Hunting Blades

                                        Master – Longsword, Hunting Blades, and a Longbow

                                        Keeper of the Horn – Longsword, Hunting Blades, and a Stag Horn

Structure:                     Warband (2-8 Rangers, 0-1 Keeper of the Horn, 0-1 Ranger Master [must have at least 4 regular Rangers to purchase 1 Ranger Master], 0-1 Leader)

Ranger Stag Horn       The Ranger Stag Horn is a horn like no other. Its thin note carries with it the sound as well as the spirit of nature. Rangers revere the stag horn as they use its sound to represent the nature they love and are sworn to protect. Hearing the sound of the stag horn always puts new resolve and determination into the Elven Rangers to rid the field of the enemy’s polluting presence. The presence of the Stag Horn in a warband of Rangers gives them the Ferocity Special Ability.