The Order of the Unicorn
Protectors of the Wild
This is the only version of the Ranger class on Gero.
They are not known by that name, but rather as the
Unicorn's Children. They actually are in the service of
an extraplanar entity they refer to as the Unicorn, which
seems to be the equivalent of a Race Totem. This has led
some to speculate that the Children are not really
Templars, but rather highly militant Priests.
Other sages say the Unicorn is actually a spirit
representing the untamable grandeur of the wilderness,
thus making the Order a "Demon Cult".
Initiation:
All members are personally selected by the
Unicorn. This usually occurs in their youth, but many have
been chosen in their autumn years. The most important
criteria seems to be a desire to defend the deepest
wilderness from those who would damage or exploit it.
Most often, a prospective Child is approached by the
Unicorn while in the wilderness, but some have told of
seeing the manifestation of their Totem in the city, and at
least two said they encountered Her (for the Unicorn is
believed to be female) while underground. She then leads
the prospect to the nearest shrine, bestowing a blessing
upon him or her that is immediately recognizable to other
Children. These then begin the instruction of the
Initiate, which takes from one to four years.
Structure:
The Children have little by way of heirarchy. No ranks
or special honors are bestowed upon members, who refer to
each other as Brother or Sister. The only real difference
lies in whether or not a Child has a fixed "home base",
almost always a permanent Shrine on some sacred site. Even
these Tenders, as they are known, roam the terrain around
their Shrine, searching for the encroachment of the evil or
the unnatural. Others, who are sometimes called Rangers,
travel endlessly, crisscrossing the land without any clear
direction, seeking to aid travellers and penetrate into
lands held under evil yokes. Children often switch roles
multiple times over their careers, while others maintain
the same status throughout their lives.
Any Child may request sanctuary for himself and his
companions at any Shrine, and will not be refused.
Dogma:
Follow the will of the Unicorn. Be the instrument of
Her designs.
Protect the deepest wilds, for there dwells our Patron.
Track and destroy those who would slay unicorns,
whatever their reason.
Evil seeks to destroy and dominate the wilderness for
its own ends. Battle evil wherever you find it, even if it
does not currently threaten the wilds, for if it is allowed
to grow, it will eventually turn to our home.
Good men often seek to tame the wilderness. Seek to
deter them using reason, diplomacy and guile. If these
fail, do not be afraid to resort to force, but use it only
in moderation.
Befriend the Fae, for they, too, are the Unicorn's
children.
Game Notes:
As Ranger class, with the following alterations:
All Children are CG alignment.
Order members are all from areas where unicorns are
sighted. Therefore, their wilderness survival skills may
only be selected from the following areas: Mountain,
forest, jungle, desert, plains, tundra. (The unicorns of
Gero really get around.)
Children who identify themselves as such will get an
automatic +3 Reaction bonus from any Fae.
Get your own Free Home Page