Annika Silverwood
Ranger Knight
Among the Ranger Knights of the Gnarley Forest, Annika Silverwood stands out—not for her years or titles, but for her youth, tenacity, and relentless dedication. Elevated to her station not by seniority but by the intervention of Naimur, the Great Druid, Annika carries the burden of high expectations, the whispers of her peers, and the legacy of her fallen mentor. Her role is both political and perilous—guardian of the Lake Verge, buffer against Dyversian exploitation, and the rallying heart of a ranger force still reeling from recent tragedy.
The Young Flame of the Gnarley
Annika is a striking presence in the woods—a young Oeridian-Suel woman, clad in leather armor studded with steel and wrapped in a green cloak, often dyed darker for stealth. Her blonde hair, usually tied in loose plaits, is frequently dyed black to blend into the canopy shadows.
Despite her youth, her expression is often dour and serious, worn like a badge to counter those who doubt her worth. Her green-flecked eyes are sharp, and her presence in the field is commanding in its quiet intensity.
- Armor & Weapons: Studded leather, scimitar, short sword, hunting knife, longbow
- Hair: Blonde (often dyed black), worn in plaits
- Demeanor: Terse, serious, and visibly overburdened
Roots in the Verge
Annika was born and raised in the Lake Verge, a lighter region of the Gnarley Forest just south of Dyvers. Her early life was steeped in hunting, foraging, and forging friendships with the gnomes, fey, and treants that call the woods home.
Apprentice of the Great Druid
Her mentor, Naimur the Oakfather, recognized her potential early and guided her in the ways of The Old Faith, tempering her natural stubbornness with druidic philosophy.
"If the Gnarley is to endure, we must learn to guard it with both blade and diplomacy."
The Ambush on the High Road
Her promotion came in the wake of tragedy—the ambush and death of Ranger Knight Darreth Garlson and a dozen of his rangers by a mysterious necromancer. With no clear successor, Annika's name was put forward. When conflict among the ranks stalled any consensus, Naimur intervened, vouching for her directly.
- Native of the Lake Verge, skilled in hunting and forest lore.
- Mentored by Naimur, who shaped her ideals.
- Promoted following the death of her mentor Darreth Garlson.
- Raised to Ranger Knight by Naimur’s influence, bypassing more senior rangers.
Guardian of the Lake Verge
Annika is tasked with protecting a critical region of the Gnarley Forest—the Lake Verge, a woodland corridor between Dyvers, Free Lands of and deeper forest strongholds. It is a place of encroachment and exploitation, as Dyversian merchants and shipbuilders eye the forest for lumber and expansion.
"Let the old rangers scoff. I’ve walked the roads they refuse to see."
Ranger Commander
Her responsibilities include:
- Monitoring trade routes and roads, especially the High Road, prone to necromantic activity.
- Recruiting and training new rangers to recover numbers lost to recent conflicts.
- Mediating tensions with Dyvers, while keeping her rangers in line despite their doubts.
- Oversees patrols, recruitment, and training across the Lake Verge.
- Watches the ambitions of Dyvers' gentry and merchants.
- Frequently in contact with fey, gnome, and elven allies.
Personality & Motivation
Annika is driven by a deep sense of responsibility. She knows she was elevated not by tradition, but by intervention. As such, she throws herself into her duties, trying to earn the rank she was given.
She is often:
- Terse and overworked, conscious of every mistake.
- Humble in council, especially among the older Ranger Knights.
- Resentful of Dyvers, particularly their view of the Gnarley as mere timberland.
- Feels pressure to justify her position.
- Works long hours and takes on patrols herself.
- Driven to prove her merit to peers and subordinates.
Among Her Subordinates
Some of Annika’s rangers serve her begrudgingly, having hoped to rise in Darreth’s place. There is no treachery among them, but doubt lingers.
"I am not here to follow in Darreth’s shadow. I’m here to cast one of my own."
Annika is seen as “least among equals” when she meets with the other Ranger Knights in Corustaith. Her youth and lack of battlefield legacy leaves her meek and deferential, though her commitment is respected. Her strategy of diplomacy with Dyvers has seen some success in curbing the worst excesses of the merchant gentry, but has drawn criticism from more traditional Gnarley Rangers who feel she spends too much time in civilization. They worry she is losing touch with the deeper forest—and with the old ways.
- Lacks confidence of some subordinates, though trusted by Naimur.
- Respected but junior among the seven Ranger Knights.
- Maintains good ties with fey, gnomes, and a few elven allies.
- Criticized by traditionalists for relying too much on diplomacy and urban contact.
Current Struggles & Threats
Undead & Necromancy
Annika is actively hunting the necromancer responsible for her predecessor's death, fearing their continued influence along the High Road.
Gnoll Enclaves and Forest Raids
Annika grew up in the western Lake Verge and Riverland, where gnoll enclaves, driven into the Gnarley Forest at the end of the Hateful Wars, managed to dig in and remain. These dog-men raiders are a constant threat, harassing homesteads and patrols with brutal regularity. Annika has spent years studying their tactics, and few in the region understand how to hunt, trap, and kill gnolls as well as she does.
She views goblinoids as only marginally less dangerous—especially now that their numbers have been growing in the deeper forest.
- Gnoll enclaves remain from post-Hateful Wars, entrenched in the Riverland and Lake Verge.
- Their raids are frequent and savage, especially against isolated woodfolk.
- Annika is deeply familiar with gnoll tactics, ambushes, and hunting styles.
- She sees goblinoids as nearly as threatening, given their increasing activity in the Gnarley
"Gnolls don’t wait for council meetings. They strike while we argue."
Recruitment Drive
With ranger numbers depleted, Annika is recruiting heavily, hoping to rebuild strength in her region.
- Leads the search for a necromancer active on the High Road.
- Drives recruitment efforts to replace fallen rangers.
- Has an ingrained hatred of gnolls, knowing their tactics and lairs.
"If the city folk can be turned into allies, I’ll endure the stink of politics to make it happen."
Conclusion
Annika Silverwood is a young leader cast into a storm—a flame that flickers but does not fade. Shaped by loss, duty, and the expectations of others, she embodies the struggles of a new generation of Gnarley Rangers. With time, she may rise to become one of the order’s greatest champions—or burn out trying to meet the impossible.
“I was not chosen to be comfortable. I was chosen to do what others would not.”
Annika Silverwood
Female Human Ranger 5, Ranger Knight of the Lake Verge (Gnarley Forest)
Medium Humanoid (Human), Chaotic Good
Armor Class 19 (Studded Leather +1, Ring of Protection +2, Dex +3)
Hit Points 67
Speed 30 ft.
Initiative +3
Proficiency Bonus +3
Saving Throws Fort +11, Ref +10, Will +6
Languages Common, Sylvan, Gnarley Ranger Code
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 (+2) | 16 (+3) | 12 (+1) | 12 (+1) | 14 (+2) | 14 (+2) |
Attacks
- Scimitar (Melee, MW): +12/+7 to hit, 1d6+2 slashing, Crit 19–20/x2
- Short Sword (Melee, MW): +12/+7 to hit, 1d6+2 piercing, Crit 19–20/x2
- Two-Weapon Fighting: +10/+5 (Scimitar) & +10 (Short Sword), 1d6+2 & 1d6+1
- Mighty Composite Longbow (MW, Str +2): +14/+9 ranged, 1d6+2 piercing, Crit x3, range 130 ft
- Rapid Shot: +12/+12/+7
- Hunting Knife (Thrown): +13 to hit, 1d3+2 piercing, Crit 18–20/x2, 10 ft
Ranger Features
- Favored Enemies: Gnolls +4, Goblinoids +2
- Combat Style: Two-Weapon Fighting
- Spellcasting: (Ranger, Caster Level 4, DC 12 + spell level)
- Spells per Day: 1st (3), 2nd (1)
- Memorized: Animal Messenger, Entangle, Pass Without Trace | Cat’s Grace (4 mins)
- Wild Empathy: +7
- Fieldcraft +2, Home Turf II: (+2 to Hide, Spot, Move Silently, etc. in Gnarley Lake Verge region)
- Swift Tracker, Fast March, Woodland Stride
Skills (Selected)
- Survival +12 (+14 in forest, +16 on home turf)
- Stealth (Hide/Move Silently) +11 (+2–4 in forest)
- Nature +8, Perception (Spot/Listen) +8/+10
- Handle Animal +7, Heal +5, Climb/Jump/Swim +8
- Knowledge (Local, Geography) +4–5, Sense Motive +7
- Diplomacy +5 (+7 with rangers), Gather Info +6 (+8 with rangers)
Gear & Magic Items
- Armor: Studded Leather +1, Ring of Protection +2, Cloak of Resistance +2
- Weapons: MW Scimitar, MW Short Sword, MW Mighty Composite Longbow (+2 Str)
- Arrows: 2 Quivers (24 MW Flight Arrows each)
- Combat Gear: 6x Potions of Cure Light Wounds (salves)
- Other Gear: Tent, bedroll, rope, cookware, fletching kit, canvas, oil, tinderbox, etc.
Treasure
- Hidden Cache (beneath a silver oak near her lodge):
- 31 Moonstones (30 gp ea), 16 Amber pieces (12 gp ea), 200 pp
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