Keepers of Haerfestland

In the land of eternal autumn, Haerfestland, it is the land who stands as queen. Druids take the form of the land's voice, but a voice can only do so much to guide the wilds. This is the role of the Keepers, an order of rangers who work directly for their local druids to enforce the laws of their magical forest and more importantly protect their forest. 
While there are many rangers who live in Haerfestland, as it is largely a fact of life in the autumnwoods, Keepers are selected by the order during their childhood. It is an honour to live and work with the druids of the land, and this honour begins very early in life. Keepers are the strength of the forest itself, and stand at the ready to fight, bleed and die for their forest trapped in its age of Twilight.

Career

Qualifications

Children who show an aptitude for bowmanship, magical arts and natural knowledge are taken by the order at a young age and brought to live with the Keepers of Haerfestland for a few years. While with the ranger order, the children are taught a wide range of skills and talents. This training takes the form of an apprenticeship in groups of up to three children working with a single Keeper. If they continue to show their skill through this practical education they are offered a spot among the Keeper's ranks officially. 
If they turn it down, they are welcome to join later but must undergo a trial of their skills before being allowed entry. At that point they return to their lives with their village and families, at least having learned to defend their home like a true ranger.

Career Progression

Once a Keeper has officially entered the ranks of the order, even if they are still children, they are officially recognized as an adult regardless of age. The Keepers operate under a loose set of ranks depending on one's skill and seniority. Members of the Keepers report to the position directly above them, and delivers missives to those directly below them.

1. Fist of the Forest: They serve the strongest of the Archdruids in the forest and command the other direct servants of the lesser archdruids.
2. Headsman: A Headsman directly serves an Archdruid. They take orders from their spiritual leader who speaks on behalf of the forest and has their division enact those orders.
3. High Keeper: A High Keeper is in charge of a detachment of rangers and patrol the forest, visiting and mapping the villages within the Autumnlands, prioritizing missions and seeking out dangers to the Autumnlands to deal with. High Keepers also assess children in villages and request to put them through the training to become a Keeper.
4. Keeper: Keepers are rangers who've completed their training and act on behalf of the Autumnlands. Up to three children are paired with a Keeper for their training as a form of apprenticeship.

Payment & Reimbursement

There is no payment beyond respect of the denizens of the woods as a Keeper. Haerfestland doesn't deal in currency, so the skill of one's hand is their payment, and after becoming a Keeper their skills are highly refined.

Perception

Purpose

Defend the forest and enact the wishes of the Autumnlands.

Social Status

Keepers fall only under the Druids of the Autumn Circle in terms of social status in Haerfestland.

Alternative Names

Ranger, Hunter

Type

Military

Demand

Haerfestland is always in need of stalwart protectors, so many children are put through this training in some form.

Used By

• Haerfestland