Rangers of the North
Rangers of the North, simply known as the Rangers, were a northern wandering people of Eriador, the last remnant of the Dunedain of Arnor, who had once peopled the North-kingdom of Arnor. They protected the lands, wandering the wastes of Eriador, although their secretiveness made the people of BREE and the SHIRE consider them dangerous and distrustful.
They were grim in appearance and were usually dressed in grey or dark green, with a cloak-clasp shaped like a seven-pointed star.
The term "Rangers of the North" was used most often by those who lived in the southern lands of ROHAN and Gondor, perhaps to distinguish this people from their distant cousins, the RANGERS OF ITHILIEN. Like the Rangers of the North, these were also Dúnedain, but belonged to the South-kingdom of Gondor, and their ancestors had been divided from the Northern Dúnedain for some three thousand years.
Structure
This was a purely ad hoc group, with each taking on duties as they came up. They patrol in small bands and take on tasks alone or in small groups. Command is dictated by skill and personal honor gained over the years.
Culture
This is a group of honor standing quietly in the shadows to ward off the darkness from the East.
History
The Dúnedain of Arnor dwindled after the breaking of Arnor into three kingdoms and the wars with Angmar. CARDOLAN and RHUDAUR soon fell and only the petty-kingdom of ARTHEDAIN maintained the royal line of ISILDUR. Arthedain too was destroyed in the BATTLE OF FORNOST and ARVEDUI, the last KING OF ARTHEDAIN, was lost at sea.
Arvedui's son and heir, ARANARTH, claimed the title of Chieftain of the Dunedain, sixteen Chieftains in total ruling the remnant of the Dunedain. For safekeeping, ELROND was given the heirlooms of the HOUSE OF ISILDUR: the shards of NARSIL, the ELENDILMIR, the SCEPTRE OF ANNUMINAS, and later the RING OF BARAHIR, ransomed from the LOSSOTH.
Each of Aranarth's heirs (who, like him, could trace their descent back to Isildur) would be secretly fostered in RIVENDELL.
The remaining Dúnedain became the Rangers, a secretive wandering and nomadic people around Eriador, far from Sauron's spies, little known or remembered, and their deeds seldom recorded.
The Watchful Peace followed the loss of the North-kingdom and after its end, the Rangers' enemies concentrated attacks mostly against RHOVANION and Gondor. During that time, the Rangers fought minor battles and skirmishes against Orcs and wolves in order to keep the scattered peoples of their former realm safe. The HOBBITS of the Shire flourished under their protection.
During ARASSUIL's reign, the Orcs of the Misty Mountains became more bold, daring to invade Eriador. The Rangers fought many battles trying to hold them back, but one party managed to reach the Shire, and were fought off by a party of brave Hobbits under BRANDOBRAS TOOK in TA 2747. Soon after, the LONG WINTER arrived, many lives were lost, and Gandalf, the Grey and the Rangers helped the Hobbits of the Shire survive.
In TA 2911, during ARGONUI's rule, the Fell Winter began with the BRANDYWINE RIVER freezing over. This was a catalyst for WHITE WOLVES invading Eriador from the North which must have harassed the Rangers. The following year, great floods devastated ENEDWAITH and MINHIRIATH leaving THARBAD ruined and deserted. The next century was mostly peaceful although ARADOR was killed by HILL-TROLLS and his son ARATHORN II was killed while hunting Orcs.
Arathorn's son, Aragorn II succeeded him, who between 2957 to 2980 took great journeys, serving in the armies of King THENGEL of ROHAN, and Steward ECTHELION II of Gondor.
For over a thousand years, the Rangers of the North have faithfully preserved the Line of Elendil and the ways of the Dúnedain, and the four known heirlooms of the House of Isildur. Like all Dúnedain, they are friendly with the Elves, particularly those of Rivendell, where each heir would be raised. They secretly guarded and protected Eriador from spies, invaders, brigands, and worse.
Type
Military, Paramilitary/Militia
Alternative Names
Rangers, Dunedain
Leader
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