The rangers of Algundy are a sometimes mentioned but rarely discussed part of the frontier society of Algundy. Most people if asked are reluctant to discuss the rangers, or think of the typical view, of a well equipped soul dressed for travelling rough across the land. Sitting quietly in the corner of tavern and keeping their own company while observing all that transpires.
The matter therefore is what can be said.
The rangers are a fairly select group of souls who swear fealty directly to the Archduke. They are known for a fierce loyalty to the Archduke and report only to their superiors in the rangers and the Archduke himself. The rangers as an organisation are answerable only to the Archduke himself. They are tasked with enforcing the law, and have the right to arrest anyone they believe is breaking the law and ‘escort’ them to a trial befitting their station. Rangers can therefore be expected to be well versed in the law. All are taught to read and write if they cannot already, and either have a copy of the laws of Algundy in written form or will have read them and have access should they need to refer. Therefore the peasantry will defer to rangers and sometimes query them on legal matters, though rarely, for many rangers portray a taciturn face to the world and have a reputation for being rather tough and difficult to approach.
Many people would consider the average ranger, although there is no such thing, to be a master scout, well versed in the use of weapons, and of peasant stock. However as noted there is in reality no such thing as an average ranger most are fairly exceptional people. Most rangers have some form of exceptional skills, often in scouting but not always. There are rangers that specialise in things other than crawling around Algundys extensive forests. The Archduke after all has need to enforce the law in all parts of his land and not all lawbreakers are bandits in the wild wood. There are rangers who are just as at home in a nobles hall or the meetings of the guildsfolk and capable of investigating matters of interest to the Archduke in these settings.
Also contrary to some of the wilder claims of the peasantry rangers are lawmen, not judge jury and executioner. They do have a reporting hierarchy, and a fairly military discipline, and have to abide by the laws and requirements for a trial the same as anyone else. That said though the rangers have a reputation for dealing with some activities particularly harshly.
| Last Revised | : 2nd August 08 |
| This page copyright | : Mark J. Steedman |