the rangers.
The region's protectors and defenders, District Two's tight-knit Rangers prioritize justice for those less fortunate and have a reputation for dismantling entire corporations for their cause. Stealthy and well-versed in survival techniques, they prefer to keep their heads down, many even obscuring their true identities from all non-Rangers for their entire lives. Their exact numbers are unknown, and only the most trusted have knowledge of their underground dealings.
| Established | 180 years ago |
|---|---|
| Founder | Unknown |
| Headquarters | District Two |
| Renown | Mixed |
Rangers are seen as somewhat of an authority in District Two, and are trusted to handle domestic disputes between residents among their normal duties. The vetting process is strictest here, and those who cannot prove their commitment to the cause are turned away, if begrudgingly given second chances to apply again.
They are especially concerned about the natural environment and its longevity. They aren't afraid to broadcast their disdain for major businesses and capitalistic ventures, and take proactive action against them. Aside from that they are most known for stealing from the rich to give to the poor, making them popular among common citizens. Their numbers, training, lack of actual base of operations, and unknown amount of resources make them nearly untouchable as a whole. While higher ranking members carry out heavy tasks, many lesser ones enjoy roles similar to firefighters and environmental activists, patrolling the region consistently and always seeking to get the bottom of an issue.
mission & purpose.
The primary goal of the Rangers is to guard and take care of the misunderstood and downtrodden until they are equipped to handle themselves, so that they may further care for others. They adopt a tough-love outlook and test their members often for sharpness and survival skills, often without warning. Rangers are expected to have their wits about them and be equipped for any situation the wasteland can produce.
Along with protection, they specialize in innovation. Much of Vailra's renewable energy sources were only discovered and harnessed because of the Rangers, who were glad to share it with everyone and instruct them on how to use it. Rangers heavily support farmers and animal rights advocates.
values & principles.
Rangers uphold justice, the truth, and clarity in complicated situations, with a shared desire for equality. They take proactive action in correlation with their beliefs and goals, unafraid of starting conflicts of their own to come to a resolution. They are expected to show mercy to those too-far gone, needing consistent perspective checks to recognize that their desire to save everyone is not always possible.
They are okay with skewing laws in their favor, preferring to live by their own set of rules. They see many authority figures as oppresive despite acting as one themselves.
code of conduct.
- Rangers often hide their identities and do not have uniforms. They are given badges upon their joining, but they're optional to wear and some simply keep them as souveniers.
- They are expected to keep the group's intentions and motives a secret, and loose-mouthed folk are usually made to leave if they happen to spill info to the wrong person.
- As a close-knit group, transgressions against fellow members are off limits and can have serious consequences. Rangers are known to ban their members from the group for intentional harm against others and even run them out of District Two entirely.
- Many of them lead double lives due to the demands of the faction. Rangers are welcoming to those looking to change their pasts, and can overlook prior mistakes in the face of genuine repentance and desire to improve.
ranking.
Initiate
All members of the faction are called Rangers, a term adopted from their beginnings as watchmen of the wasteland. Greenhorns can be referred to as Initiates until they have earned their figurative place in the group.
Warden
Wardens act as subordinates to Overseers but are distinguished from normal Rangers in that they are often team leaders, and have been appointed specifically to manage a certain area and a certain group of lesser experienced ones. This can be in patrols, rescue of the Decayed, or any other task that might require their leadership skills.
Overseer
Few and far between, Overseers are chosen only by the Ranger's leaders for their dedication to the service. They work closely with them, often contributing to important missions with wide-reaching consequences. Tend to be experienced, hardened folk with morals fully aligned with the Rangers as a whole.recruitment process.
While technically a public faction that anyone can join much like the Mercenaries and Couriers, the Rangers have a strict vetting process and are incredibly selective about who they allow within their ranks. If they suspect you are not serious or aligned with their cause they will not hesitate to let you know as they reject your application. Sincerity goes a long way--the worst thing one can do in the face of a Ranger is lie to make themselves look better.
People have a higher chance of acceptance if referred by an already-existing or retired Ranger, but they are careful not to have nepotistic leanings and have been known to push such individuals harder than usual. New members are usually subject to a night-long watch, where they patrol the edges of Liare Forest alone (albeit monitored via observation) until sunrise. This exercise is said to build character and expose one's flaws so they can be addressed.
headquarters.
Rangers do not have a fixed headquarters or building they frequent, keeping their meetings and meeting places confidential to those who have proven their trustworthiness. When needed, they can gather in the middle of the woods based on coded instructions, or in public but basically untraveled areas. Much of their communication with one another is restricted to airwaves, and they use custom handheld radio transceivers for remote contact.
In both the figurative and literal sense, much of what keeps the Rangers running is located underground. The old-world tunnels beneath District Two are managed by them exclusively, where they assist Astrays in their quest to save the Mira as well as store their resources and historical records.
public opinion.
The opinion of Rangers throughout Vailra is steadily mixed. Some laud them for their efforts to improve the region's general quality of life while preserving the environment, but others believe they are controlling and overreactionary when it comes to more material pursuits and think they should keep their noses out of business that isn't theirs.
Mercenaries have a fair amount of respect for them, considering them to be on their level in terms of faction status. The Couriers and Rangers have an amicable relationship as a whole, but they do not interact as often as one might think. Ravagers in particular hate the Rangers, as they're their biggest obstacle in the destruction of Mira and the Cryptids. The Astrays consider Rangers their trusted allies, drawing on decades of mutual assistance. Many Rangers are also Cryptives, and see the faction as a safe place to show their devotion to the Cryptids by working to keep them safe.