The Raven Rangers

No one is sure where they came from, they have just always been here, the Raven Rangers. There are rumors that they came from a different plane, long before the Great Fallen Incursion, but no one is certain. They say an elf-like race of explorers, warriors and adventurers found its way through to the material plane, possibly from the Feywild. No one is sure what they were looking for; a new home, fleeing some ancient strife, or just caught in a wanderlust, but they seem to have found here.
The original warriors were rumored to be tall, broad with vibrant hair and shimmering skin. If that is true, whatever characteristics from that plane have long since merged with bloodlines of the material plane, most strongly the elves of mountains around which they settled.
The original explorers settled high in the mountains, eventually carving out a vast stronghold, Lordiadon, secure and isolated. They flourished in this isolation, but over the generations, the wanderlust called again, pulling Rangers to the far corners of the realm, exploring and seeking adventure. In preparation for a life of exploration, Raven Rangers are trained extensively from a young age in all manner of war-craft. They become adept with all manner of weapons and tactics, a necessity to survive the large animals, harsh climate and aggressive tribes and bandits that surround their mountain home.
Rangers do frequently return to their mountain stronghold to exchange stories, trade and just socialize with their kin. With a similar lifespan to elves, most Rangers live long and travel far, bringing treasures and relics from across the world. With such influence, the mountain stronghold has become quite the repository of historical, magical and unique artifacts with a robust library and collection of spells and knowledge. With access to such a large fount of knowledge passed down through generations, most Raven Rangers are well versed in the histories of the realm and have a great thirst to learn and contribute to this great wealth of accumulated knowledge.
As a traveling companion most, Rangers are fairly social, getting along well with most races and species. They do not usually seek out personal fame or grandeur and usually avoid settling down. Instead, the call of new lands and adventure keeps them moving, equally at-home exploring alone or with a small band of like-minded adventures. They tend to be annoyed with rash show-boaters and selfish companions.

Naming Traditions

Unisex names

Names are unisex in nature, and often translate to the names of animals, or other aspects of nature:
Thenbuk Jerudek Bhiralk Glorister Amenaklin Agrimbard Durkon Tharukhil Erthen Faduruar Racer Aukruar Duermar Jarlglen Udualk Dekubar Onicth Dakgert Londbyr Kilent

Family names

The Raven Rangers usually do not use family names, preferring only a first name, sometimes with an epithet.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

After having lived so long on this plane, the Rangers speak elvish, but with a slightly clipped accent, making the usually flowing melodies of the Elvish language sound a little more staccato to native Elven speakers.

Shared customary codes and values

The Raven Rangers are a tight knit clan that values skill at arms over most everything else, except loyalty to the clan. Being disloyal to the clan is the greatest crime a ranger can commit and often results in the ritualistic suicide of the clan member once they are confronted with the evidence.  If the disloyal Ranger refuses to end their lives, they are banished from the clan, and considered dead.  Loyalty to the clan, includes truthfulness, honesty, sacrifice and hard work on the clan's goals.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Beauty to a Raven Ranger is measured in prowess, either in arms or skills. While the Rangers recognise things as having beauty, they tend to ignore the physical aspect of people and instead admire and love their abilities.

Gender Ideals

Aside from procreation, the Rangers do not see one gender as different from the other. Both are expected to become competent warriors and develop as skilled hunters.

Courtship Ideals

Courtship is a long process. One must make sure that the match is evenly balanced before committing to a relationship that can last 1000 years. Courtship usually begins with an interested party presenting a gift to their interest in the form of an animal that they have hunted. If the receiver of the gift is interested, then the giver is invited to feast together that night on the food given. If they are not interested, the gift is accepted and acknowledged, but no invitation to join the feast is given. This does not usually cause any problems, and often it takes many such gifts before one is invited to feast together.

Relationship Ideals

Before committing to life-long partner, the Rangers are very open to relationships of a more fleeting nature, and will often have dalliances with each other, and with those outside of their clan, knowing that it is just a passing moment in their long journeys.  However, once they have begun courtship, their frolicking with others comes to an end as the focus turns towards their future partner exclusively.