The Materia Ranger

Rough and wild looking, a human stalks alone through the shadows of the forest, hunting the orcs he knows are planning a raid on a nearby farm. Clutching a scimitar in each hand, he becomes a whirlwind of steel, cutting down one enemy after another.

After tumbling away from a cone of freezing air, an elf finds her feet and draws back her bow to loose an arrow at the white dragon. Shrugging off the wave of fear that emanates from the dragon like the cold of its breath, she sends one arrow after another to find the gaps between the dragon's thick scales.

Holding his hand high, a half-elf whistles to the hawk that circles high above him, calling the bird back to his side. Whispering instructions in Elvish, he points to the owlbear he's been tracking and sends the hawk to distract the creature while he readies his bow.

Far from the bustle of cities and towns, past the hedges that shelter the most distant farms from the terrors of the wilderness, amid the dense-packed trees of trackless forests and across wide and empty plains, rangers keep their unending watch.

Deadly Hunters Warriors of the wilderness, rangers specialize in hunting the monsters that threaten the edges of civilization — humanoid raiders, rampaging beasts and monstrosities, terrible giants, and deadly dragons. They learn to track their quarry as a predator does, moving stealthily through the wilds and hiding themselves in brush and rubble. Thanks to their familiarity with the wilds, rangers have the ability to cast spells that harness nature's power, much as a druid does. Their spells, like their natural abilities, emphasize speed, stealth, and the hunt. A ranger's talents and abilities are honed with deadly focus on the grim task of protecting the borderlands.

The Call of the Wild Rangers have a special connection with the natural denizens of the wilderness Being an adventurer is the natural job of a ranger, as the wilderness offers an endless supply of danger and excitement. As a member of an adventuring party, rangers are invaluable in getting even coddled city folk through the hardships of natural terrain, acting as guide, hunter, and tracker. A ranger can even count upon the aid of an animal companion. The ranger's companion is more than just a pet: it is their partner and often their only ally when away from civilization. Every beast brings their own set of instincts and tactics to the team, augmenting the ranger's speed, stealth, perception, and ferocity.

Creating a Ranger As you create your ranger character, consider how your character came to become a ranger and why they traverse the wilderness. What brought you into the wilderness, and what allowed you to survive? What tools or techniques did you cling to when all hope seemed lost? Did a mentor teach you your skills or did you have to discover the nuances of the ranger life yourself? What drove you into the lonesome wilderness in the first place? A threat which destroyed your homeland, a wanderlust for the unknown, or a desire to protect your people might all have been factors. Perhaps you fled a boring civilized life to find adventure, only to discover an affinity with the land you would never have discovered had you stayed. Or perhaps you were called upon by your chieftain because of your quick wits and agility, and were groomed for greatness. Perhaps you were raised by wolves and find yourself most at home while surrounded by a pack. What matters is that you learned to use your will and wits to master the ways of the wild and survive. What kind of terrain do you come from, and what creatures are you familiar with? Are you a wanderer of the blasted deserts, surviving alongside camels and warding off vultures? Or perhaps you are a guardian of the deep jungle, the monkeys and insects your allies. Where you range and what you find there are key aspects of any ranger's character and past. Quick Build You can make a ranger quickly by following these suggestions. First, make Dexterity your highest ability score, followed by Wisdom (though some rangers who focus on two-weapon fighting or shields prefer Strength to Dexterity). Second, choose the Outlander background.