Allowing Rangers and Rivendell Elves

[Otaku-sempai]

I think disallowing a Ranger or High Elf has less to do with balance and more to do with roleplay...

It's clear from what's said in the book (and I agree) that Rangers and High Elves do not normally become adventurers and do not involve themselves with people of other cultures as readily as the "basic" cultures.

Okay, I have not been able to read the Rivendell suppliment yet, and probably won't be able to for some while. However, I would think that it would be perfectly natural for a Ranger to go adventuring, particularly in the role of a Warden or a Slayer. Warden especially seems to be a good fit.

[Murcushio]

It's clear from what's said in the book (and I agree) that Rangers and High Elves do not normally become adventurers and do not involve themselves with people of other cultures as readily as the "basic" cultures.

However, I would think that it would be perfectly natural for a Ranger to go adventuring, particularly in the role of a Warden or a Slayer. Warden especially seems to be a good fit.

I would go so far as to argue that the default state of affairs for Arnorian Dunedain is that of adventurers. If you're a male who can bear arms, that's probably literally all you do once you've seen to your basic survival needs.

Remember that line about guarding Bree ceaselessly? That's what Rangers do. They patrol the wild places of Eriador and make sure that the few remaining civilized men still dwelling there aren't overwhelmed by the Shadow. That's what they do. That's all they do.

[zedturtle]

I would go so far as to argue that the default state of affairs for Arnorian Dunedain is that of adventurers. If you're a male who can bear arms, that's probably literally all you do once you've seen to your basic survival needs.

Remember that line about guarding Bree ceaselessly? That's what Rangers do. They patrol the wild places of Eriador and make sure that the few remaining civilized men still dwelling there aren't overwhelmed by the Shadow. That's what they do. That's all they do.

Well, I think the book is arguing for the natural state of the rangers is to have duties that cannot be shirked. If your job is to guard Bree against the Downs, then you can't go to Imladris or Carn Dum or Erebor just because you want to see what's there. You have to stay and guard Bree.

[Otaku-sempai]

Well, I think the book is arguing for the natural state of the rangers is to have duties that cannot be shirked. If your job is to guard Bree against the Downs, then you can't go to Imladris or Carn Dum or Erebor just because you want to see what's there. You have to stay and guard Bree.

My thinking here is that there is a distinction between Dunedain Rangers who have been given a specific mission as opposed to those who are wandering the Wilderland gathering intelligence, protecting travelers and other civilians, and seeking out both threats in general and agents of the Enemy. The latter would probably have to report to a superior from time to time but would be otherwise on their own unless given a more specific mission. Or is that too much like the Harpers of the Forgotten Realms (who may well have been partially inspired by the Rangers in the first place)?

[Glorelendil]

I can see where this conversation is going.

First we are going to look for any hints in the text as to the organizational structure of the Dunedain.

Next we will start extrapolating from there, citing historical precedents, and some of us will argue about what "must" be true because it's historically realistic and therefore what Tolkien intended.

I suggest instead that we have a largely blank slate, so are free to adopt whatever is narratively most fun.

[zedturtle]

Well, of course, it's up to each Loremaster to determine how the Rangers of the North receive their assignments and what sort of latitude they have in carrying out said assignments. As a LM, I'll surely let players have Rangers but also make sure that they have a more broad mission than "Guard this stretch of the Road and let no one see you if at possible."

[Glorelendil]

Well, of course, it's up to each Loremaster...

Oh, absolutely. My whole point was that there is no "correct" interpretation, and there is a huge range of equally valid narratives. The value I find in these discussions is to generate more ideas than I could come up with on my own, not to find truth (or to have it handed down to me.)

[zedturtle]

Well, of course, it's up to each Loremaster...

Oh, absolutely. My whole point was that there is no "correct" interpretation, and there is a huge range of equally valid narratives. The value I find in these discussions is to generate more ideas than I could come up with on my own, not to find truth (or to have it handed down to me.)

Right, I think we're in agreement, more or less. My only point was that saying Rangers are natural adventurers is that it's kind of like saying that a modern day soldier or firefighter is a natural adventurer. They have skills, abilities and knowledge that set them above the average person, but they also have obligations and responsibilities like other people.

Do some of them become "adventurers"? Sure. As many as your story requires. But the rest have a certain set of responsibilities that they can't ignore or avoid.

[Evening]

I can see where this conversation is going.

First we are going to look for any hints in the text as to the organizational structure of the Dunedain.

Next we will start extrapolating from there, citing historical precedents, and some of us will argue about what "must" be true because it's historically realistic and therefore what Tolkien intended.

I suggest instead that we have a largely blank slate, so are free to adopt whatever is narratively most fun.

[Curulon]

I've actually been playing a Ranger of the North (previously Rich H's Culture version and now the official Culture from Rivendell) and one of the things that I spent the most time on was his backstory. I can share it here to see how it was handled in Tales of the North.

Curulon, Son of Curunar, was born in T.A. 2894 in the land between the rivers Bruinen and Mitheithel, known as the Angle. Curunar served his people, the Dúnedain, as a Ranger of the North and as his first son, Curulon would inherit that duty. As a boy, Curulon learned the skills of woodcraft and tracking from his father, and trained in the way of the sword and bow. As he came into his own, he became known for his keen sight and skill in battle.

Curulon saw the reign of three Chieftains of the Dúnedain. First, Argonui served as Chieftain and it was during his reign in T.A. 2911 that the Fell Winter began. Curulon joined the Rangers and the wizard Gandalf in gathering food to provide the Hobbits of the Shire, saving them from starvation. Argonui’s death came in T.A. 2912 and his son, Arador, became Chieftain. It was during his reign that Curulon was sent to join the Rangers guarding Sarn Ford, on the river Baranduin at the far southern borders of the Shire. Arathorn II became Chieftain in T.A. 2930 after his father’s death at the hands of Hill-trolls.

Arathorn’s rule was short, as he was killed by orcs in T.A. 2933. His son, Aragorn II, became Chieftain then, and as was tradition he was sent to Rivendell, his name hidden from the Enemy. Curulon remained at Sarn Ford until T.A. 2941, when he was tasked by Halbaron, leader of the Rangers in Aragorn’s absence, with tracking the Company of Thorin Oakenshield as they journeyed to the Lonely Mountain.

Curulon came to the gates of the Elvenking’s Halls shortly after Thorin’s Company, having learned of their road from Beorn the skin-changer, who had received him in his home. Thranduil welcomed Curulon to his halls, and offered him food and shelter. It was here that he met and befriended Nidhiel, a skilled Elven archer and hunter. Nidhiel informed him of the true purpose behind the Company of Thorin Oakenshield, though he had already begun to piece it together.

Sensing the Shadow that fell over the Greenwood, Curulon sent word to Halbaron of his findings and took to traveling the southern road through Mirkwood. He came upon a nest of spiders, and soon a pack of orcs moving towards the Hill of Sorcery. In November of 2941, Curulon spotted the host of orcs of the Misty Mountains and Grey Mountains moving through the forest, and he began to follow them. His skill of woodcraft kept him from their sight, and soon he guessed their destination.

Curulon joined with the united armies of Men, Elves, and Dwarves and fought in the Battle of Five Armies, his blade felling many orcs and wargs. Curulon joined Thorin and his Company in their charge, alongside the many Men, Elves, and Dwarves, his friend Nidhiel among them. Despite the many losses on all sides, Curulon survived to see the Great Eagles, led by Gwaihir the Windlord, and Beorn the Skin-changer arrive and turn the tide of battle. Victory was secured by the Free Peoples, and Curulon joined Nidhiel in one of the many hunting parties that went in pursuit of the fleeing orcs.

After the battle and the crowning of Dain Ironfoot as King under the Mountain, Curulon knew that the Shadow still lingered in the North and orcs still dwelled deep in the mountains, and that his skills could prove valuable to the Free Peoples. Deciding to remain in Wilderland, Curulon took refuge amongst the Woodmen of Mirkwood, taking the name Hafgrim, Son of Hord, a hunter descended from the survivors of Dale when it was razed by Smaug.

The Woodmen came to know him and soon they called him Hafgrim the Watcher, or simply The Watcher, for few amongst them could match his keen sight. Curulon soon befriended the Woodmen’s patron, Radagast the Brown, and he revealed his true self to the Brown Wizard, though it was unlikely he had truly been hidden from the eyes of a Wizard. The Elves of Mirkwood, too, knew of his true identity and Curulon spent many days hunting orcs and spiders with Nidhiel.

For many years, he has traveled beneath the trees of Mirkwood and along the shores of the Anduin, tracking the movements of orcs, spiders, and other foul things. He made his home in Rhosgobel, dwelling amongst the Brown Wizard and the Woodmen there, though he spends much of his days in the wilds of Wilderland.