Ranger

From Wessexwiki

Revision as of 17:53, 15 December 2008

This is a special rank for ranged fighters. They are made up of the most skillful bowmen. Rather than serving in the rank and file, they specialize in raiding, patrolling and reconnaissance. Rangers are freemen. They answer only to the Forester and the Duke.

Rangers are the best archers or marksmen who have been hand selected by the forester to serve in his landwarding force. Rangers no longer serve in the rank and file of the archery units in warfare. Under the forester, their main duty is to patrol the lands and wilds of Wessex in search of poachers and raiding clans. Rangers should be excellent sharpshooters but also be well armored and skilled in melee combat. In warfare, the ducal rangers will carry out reconnaissance missions and will act as scouts. I am considering declaring rangers to be freemen when they reach this rank.

Rangers are shire defense forces because they "range" all across a large portion of the map. There wouldn't be much point to having rangers ranging a fief. One would get pretty tired walking circles around a village, I should think. Also, rangers are elite enough of a force that it's unlikely an individual fiefdom would be able to yield more than one ranger, and he of course would join comrades in the shire patrol.

Rangers kill foreign poachers and raiders, and fine domestic ones. Villeins and freemen who do not live on a fief may not harvest that lord's limited resources, so there is a benefit to being a villein. Rangers and footsoldiers patrolling roads, who we'll call roadwardens, can also check on whether a certain foreigner should be there - if they are, they'll be recognized as a legal entity authorized by clerks. Individual foreign traders may also get permission to trade in our lands, and will have a clerk's writ declaring that with their names posted on our forums. A ranger or gatekeeper should be able to open the ingame browser to see the writ.

Don't think rangers wouldn't go to war. They serve this scouting purpose in battle.

If you are a footman or man at arms with exceptional skill with a bow you are among the best candidates for promotion to ranger.

Sergeants are the ones who ride cavalry in large scale battle, unless they are a "first sergeant" leading a squad in place of a knight. Rangers' duty is to patrol the wildlands all around Wessex, including spawn points, in and around villages and resource nodes. They will likely do this unmounted. Regular garrisons will rotate patrolling roads only, and it doesn't matter if they wish to ride or not doing this.

Ave Rangers of Hyperion, what follows is a certification system for all ranger units in Hyperion counties. Each Ranger serving in Hyperion will be expected to earn certification ribbons to ensure they are fully trained and knowlegable on what is required of each Ranger. Being in the critical role of information gathering and border protection means you have far more responsibilities than the average soldier. As we all know (or should know) is that information is what wins a battle. Information is one of the greatest weapons to use against your enemy, and Hyperion will have MANY enemies.

You will be pushed to excel, as we cannot afford to be lazy.

You will be the elite, the skirmisher, the solo-specialist, the first recon.

You will ambush, you will surprise, you will ensure the first strike.

You will most importantly, be un-seen.

NOTE: This "system" is designed to be fun, simply a way to record your successes and to earn your ribbons. I will not pass judgement or penalty onto rangers unable to attend certification courses. Each county can send their rangers to certification courses or not, it's up to you. If your unit fails us and we see they have not taken the time to cert up I spose I can send you a very hateful evil message accompanied by a beat-stick-of-won't-do-much-really. It's up to your respective county to handle any punishments. I don't much believe in micro-managing your guild or your units. I am just here to make sure we're being effective, and HAVING FUN.

During war operations I will coordinate with each county and work with high command to ensure we're working under one unified section to ensure we deliver the information and recon that is needed.

Ranger Certifications: (Note some Certs may change based on in game mechanics)

Crosshealing Certification: The Ranger has proven able to effectively heal comrades under duress and combat conditions. Certification includes healing friendlies on the move, crosshealing in formations and mass-crosshealing a targeted ally being singled out by the enemy.

Stealth Certification: Stealth is key to any successful Ranger. This certification includes knowledge of proper armor kits, moving silently and adapting oneself to the art of being invisible while visible.

Archery Certification: The bow is your friend, an extension of yourself and the weapon of choice for Ranger units. Being fully experienced with archery is a must for all Rangers. This certification ensures Ranger know the fundamentals of archery and applying the weapon in various scenarios such as running and shooting, mass-fire attacks, firing from range and height, and timing of ones shots.

Close Combat Certification: A Ranger will not always be at a range advantage, thus a Ranger must know how to combat foes in close quarters or to move in for the kill. Certifications includes light-arms mastery in close combat, and the ability to fend off the enemy to resume ranged combat.

Recon Certification: Recon certification ensures a Ranger is fully capable of reporting in enemy movements, mapping new locations and investigating sources of interest all the while employing the principles of stealth.

Grenade Certification: Rangers will be called upon to infiltrate enemy fortifications and at times, destruct various targets such as cannons. Knowing how to use and operate grenade weaponry ensures Rangers are capable of performing such tasks when required.

Poison Certification: Employing poison warfare is an exceptional boon to ranged combat (and close combat). If able, the Ranger will learn how to apply poison and maintain poisoned weapons on the field especially on arrow supplies.

Individual Combat Certification A: A Ranger will often be sent on solo-operations, and will be required to know how to fight effectively by ones-self.

Individual Combat Certification B: A Ranger while on solo-operations will encounter circumstances where the Ranger must fight against multiple foes. This Certification ensures a Ranger understands how to strike and evade and turn the favor of the combat despite the odds.

Orders Certification: This Certification ensures the Ranger has a firm grasp of the command structure and commands issued on the field.

Survival Certification: Surviving the wilds is a core principle to being a Ranger. This certification puts the Ranger into the wilds, often in dangerous territory, with little gear and provisions and is expected to carry out various tasks. Being able to craft weaponry and arrows, potions, armor and survival tools in the wild may also be expected.

Ambush Certification: A Ranger must know how to carry out a successful ambush on predators and enemies alike. Working both in tangent with other Rangers as well solo-operations.

Ranger Certification: This certification is awarded to Rangers who have been fully promoted to "Ranger" or Ranger-equivilent rank. Rangers with this certification have shown adequecy in basic Ranger courses and have earned the basic certifications. Note: There very well may be full-blown Rangers in counties and shires, this badge will only be awarded to Rangers fullfilling courses and earning certain certifications.

Ranger Command Certification: Awarded to Rangers passing all required certification courses and entering NCO status. This certification allows the Ranger to run a squad and has a fundamental knowledge of leading a unit in combat and various operations. Note: There very well may be full-blown Ranger NCO's in counties and shires, this badge will only be awarded to Ranger NCO's fullfilling courses and earning certain certifications.