Ranger Saga
"Train as if you will be the hardest person that Fiend will ever go against. Like you've got the spirit of a demon in your heart." - Quartermaster Don to his son, Joules
Career
Career Progression
Rootlet
A person who is born into or joins a Lodge at a young age, presumably before the age of 9 for Old Bloods although other Bloods vary. These people learn basic tasks and are conditioned to challenges that they will face ahead in life, i.e. of harsh weather and monsters. The Rootlet also earns at least a basic education during this time although the quality and time of schooling varies from Lodge to Lodge.Sap
At the age of 10 years, that is for Old Bloods, the Rootlet becomes a Sap. The Rootlet undergoes a day long initiation process where they are blessed by their respected Lodge's favored creature. After this, the Ranger-in training becomes a Sap and gains limited but serviceable magical abilities to aid them in their training. This training varies from Lodge to Lodge but they are always taught advanced lessons in politics and survival, as well as martial training. Should a Sap become excommunicated or run away from their Lodge, they lose their magical prowess. Not all Sap's become Hunters as many people within the Lodges are better destined to stay in domestic environments be it because of health, inability to progress further or other factors.Hunter
The Hunter finally comes to fruition as the Sap, should the Sap have managed to progress to this stage is an accomplishment in itself. In order to become a Hunter, a Ranger must sponsor a Sap and take them as aids for at least a year. Once this year is complete, the Sap, assuming they survive or do not forgo their duties, progress to a Hunter. With advanced abilities, Hunter's make up the bulk of a Lodge's armed forces as many of them do not progress past this rank at all. Due to this, Hunter's are often used to guard Gates, Lodges and act as bodyguards for a variety of political figures.Ranger
To become a Ranger, one must have the final blessing of their Lodge's favored creature. This often comes from the finishing of a relatively grand task put onto a Hunter by the creature. Once done, assuming the Hunter survives, they are promoted to Ranger. It is Lodge law that each Lodge may only have up to 5 Rangers within it at a time. Because of this, each Lodge typically values this role immensely for a variety of reasons. Rangers typically act as political spearheads, bounty hunters and patrolmen in the prime of their career. Rangers in their later life typically relinquish their rank and aid in matters around their own Lodge, such as teaching Saps and acting as a pro-Lodge figurehead.Payment & Reimbursement
Rangers in their established surroundings, such as guarding a Gate, typically are reimbursed with that they have a decent place to rest, typically indoors, and that their needs are taken cared of by the Gate's staff. The Rangers themselves are required to meerly aid in taking care of the establishment they find themselves in and protecting it.
When outside an establishment, say a Lodge or Gate, Rangers are funded what is expected of them by their Lodge. However, these situations are only that of when they are gone for prolonged periods, such as longer than a week. In cases where they may be out of personal contact of their Lodge or Gate for a month, they may be expected to earn their own payment through odd jobs or other means.
Perception
Purpose
Rangers have always operated under the expectation that a third party, them, is required in order to prevent inter-Gate war. Since the Mediator, though the Lodges have faltered, the Rangers have always intended to prevent enough bloodshed that could tear the Realms apart.
It should be noted that as the Ranger is one of the six Eternal Sagas, they also fulfill a religious role, namely as acting as divine diplomats and harbingers, especially where there are a lack of Saints and Paladins.
Social Status
Rangers tend to be respected in all courts and across the Abbocy, lest they earn the ire of the rest of the Lodges. Because of this, they are the most universally honored Saga, as even the beasts themselves bow to an approaching Ranger.
Rangers within their own Lodges are typically tight nit and while they may serve nearby societies, Rangers most often find that their heart lies with their respected Lodge. Because of this, nearly all new Rangers are the descendants of other Rangers and as such are brought up within their Lodge from birth.
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