#RangerWeek
What is your favourite Ranger in fiction?
I have no idea really.
The ranger archetype (especially WITH animal companion) is not that mainstream in the pop-culture things i am surrounded with.
There is of course Aragorn but for me he is not a character that is defined by his rangery abilities but by his responsibilities to the throne.
I think a fantasy version of the Falcon (Marvel Comics) could be really cool but the falcon is not a ranger…
I have to think about this more. Hit me with your favourties for inspirations!
Bonus points for mentioning how you could translate some of their related things into DW!
well, Qorin Halfhand is a ranger, I guess…
Ka-Zar from Marvel Comics has an animal companion and does ranger-y things, though I think most might cast him as a barbarian, due to shirtlessness.
Nikitas Thlimmenos no how could i forget that wonderful series?
John Snow is at least a hybrid-class ranger right?
with the animal companion, no less…
No, Jon is a steward and pulled a tantrum about not being selected as a ranger.
I’m sorry, this was horrible even by my standard.
I knew this would come up.
you’re not sorry enough!
Jon Snow is fully a ranger.
How about the Bloodguard with the Ranyhyn from the Thomas Covenant trilogies?
Let’s not forget
“The Ranger that should not be named”
I think that the “raised by the beasts” kind of character, such as Mowgli, could be seen somehow as a ranger. Kinda.
Tarzan and Mowgli definetly are rangers to me.
Could be played as a Barbarian too, depending on what aspect you want to highlight.
The dividing line between Ranger and Barbarian is as interesting, to me, as the line between Cleric and Paladin.
When you expose yourself to the cold vacuum of space, die.
(mispost left standing because it’s funny)
i think you used the wrong threat here Adam Koebel
I’m… er, not quite following…
Ha ha. Yep! Thanks Google.
MOVE STANDS. YOU ARE ALL SPACE DEAD.
lots of cowboys are rangers to me
Here’s how I’ve always seen the divide: Both classes dwell (conceptually and literally) on the borders of civilization.
The Barbarian is from outside civilization, and seeks to tread its thrones under sandaled feet. There is no particular connection with the wild—the barbarian conquers that as well.
The Ranger exists at the border of civilization and the wild, and protects one from the other.
Some more rangers: Dar (from Beastmaster). Grizzly Adams. San (from Princess Mononoke)
Robin Hood is a Ranger, sans animal companion.
The Dogman from Abercrombie’s First Law books. Another character that could straddle the line between barbarian and ranger.
Robin Hood has a bear, as animal comp… Oh, Nevermind!
There is definitely room for a move like this;
Merry Men
Instead of a single animal, your “companion” is a group of loyal brigands, bandits and other such outlaws, bound to your service by trust. They have agency and will act on their own, but serve your best interests.
blah blah mechanical stuff blah
Will Treaty from John Flanagan’s Ranger’s Apprentice series of books.
It’s an excellent, excellent, fantasy line.
Tor and Faramir
oooh, definitely Faramir. And someone from the Brotherhood Without Banners too…
Oh, shit yeah the Brotherhood Without Banners is ranger-heavy.
The Justicar from Paul Kidd’s novels.
For the companion style ranger, any character that ever had an animal companion, like (showing my age) the Beastmaster movie, or even Lady Hawk. Most any “horse lord” character like Hettar from Eddings, Drogo from Martin, etc. It also covers most Scout archetype characters. However, these are generally often relegated to side characters than main characters.
Also, there really aren’t many fictional characters that meet the game’s archetype since the archetype was really born of RPGs unlike some of the others.
Legolas is one, though not my favorite. Merry and Pippin could be, too. Or, Merry with Pippin as animal companion. But my favorite has always been Aragon, for showing off the Hunt & Track move in the movie.
Tanis Half-Elven (as if you couldn’t tell be my Avatar!), though I like Gemmell’s Jarek Mace too. I’m just tucking into Cameron’s ‘the Red Knight’ and like what I see there! Gelfred is a lovely mix of Ranger and Cleric – wonderful 🙂
Belkar Bitterleaf
Beorn from The Hobbit!
Grizzly Adams
Bear Grylls… ok, I’ll stop it now before it gets embarassing…
Red dinoranger. If a giant robot dinosaur can’t be an animal companion, I am clearly playing in the wrong game.
Merida from Brave – crazy archery, loyal horse, quite outdoorsy for a princess…
I misread “Merry and Pippin” as “Mary Poppins” the first time…
How about June, that bounty hunter with the terrifying star-nosed mount from Avatar?
Aang might count too, actually, if you apply the “border walker” bit to the spirit world.
Crocodile Dundee goin walkabout!
Jango Fett? No din’t think so…
Maybe Detritus, with Brick as animal companion. Or, Mr. Vimes with the Beast as animal companion.
Crocodile Dundee is definitely not a ranger. He didn’t befriend crocs, he killed them.
Favored Enemy: Crocodile.