The Gnarley Rangers

The Gnarley Rangers are a dedicated band of warriors, scouts, and woodsmen who protect the Gnarley Forest from threats both natural and unnatural. These skilled rangers and foresters operate independently, but they share a deep bond with the land, its creatures, and the people who dwell within its bounds. Fiercely loyal to their traditions, the Gnarley Rangers serve as the first line of defense against humanoid incursions, banditry, and dark cults seeking refuge within the forest's shadowed depths.

Origins and Purpose

Origins of the Rangers

The Gnarley Forest has long been home to a diverse range of inhabitants, from the Sylvan Elves of Celene to the rugged Woodsmen who live in small, self-sufficient communities. In response to increasing threats from the Pomarj, orc warbands, and incursions by cults such as the Temple of Elemental Evil, the Gnarley Rangers were formed as a protective force. Their foundation is deeply intertwined with the traditions of Ehlonna, goddess of the woodlands, and the Old Faith Druids, who ensure the balance of nature is upheld.

Mission and Duties

• Forest Guardianship: Preserve the Gnarley Forest and prevent illegal logging, overhunting, and encroachments.
• Defense Against Humanoids: Protect the forest’s inhabitants from orcs, gnolls, ogres, and goblins who raid from the Pomarj and The Wild Coast.
• Cult Suppression: Eliminate remnants of the Temple of Elemental Evil and other dark influences seeking to corrupt the land.
• Liaison and Mediation: Maintain relationships with elves, druids, woodsmen, and travelers, ensuring peace among the many factions within the forest.
• Wilderness Training: Train new recruits in survival, tracking, and the ways of the forest, ensuring the continuity of their mission.

Membership of the Rangers of the Gnarley

The Rangers of the Gnarley are a cohesive group of approximately 200 skilled Woodsmen of the Gnarley Forest and rangers, primarily composed of humans but also including a significant minority of half-elves. These members are devoted to preserving the Gnarley Forest, and their dedication to the forest's well-being is deeply ingrained in their daily activities.

• Human Majority: The majority of the members are human, reflecting the demographics of the surrounding areas.
• Inclusion of Half-Elves: The inclusion of Half-Elves within the ranks underscores the group's openness to diverse skills and perspectives, particularly those that can bridge the worlds of elf and human.

Haligants border map of the Gnarley Rangers by Anna Myers

Organization and Structure

Ranger Knights and Leadership

The Gnarley Rangers operate as a loosely structured brotherhood, without a single ruler or commander. Instead, they are led by seven Ranger Knights, each responsible for a different region of the forest. These Knights meet every few months in Corustaith, at the Gilded Acorn, a sacred grove used for planning and diplomacy.

Notable Ranger Knights

• Wyn – beholden to Owain: A veteran ranger and master of survival, Wyn oversees the central Gnarley, ensuring the trade routes from Verbobonc to Dyvers remain safe.
• Owain, Ranger Knight – Kron Woodlands: The oldest and most experienced Ranger Knight, Owain has watched over the southwestern borders for over fifty years. His diplomacy keeps relations steady between rangers, elves, and humans.
• Parsimmon Turmercan – Acting liaison in Corustaith: Parsimmon serves as the face of the Rangers to outsiders, managing diplomacy with Verbobonc, Dyvers, and the Elven Clans.
• Barda Tharrow , Ranger Knight - Riverland: Ranger Knight of the Gnarley Forest, a woman of unshakable resolve and unwavering duty. She watches over the Riverland region, patrolling the mouth of Imeryd’s Flow and the surrounding forests.
• Belgin , Senior Ranger - Lake Verg: Belgin, often called “Belgin the Grim”, is one of the most distinguished and enigmatic figures among the Gnarley Rangers.
• Drey Garson , Retired Ranger Knight - Tor Badlands: a living legend among the Rangers of the Gnarley Forest.
• Annika Silverwood, Ranger Knight- Lake Verge: Among the Ranger Knights of the Gnarley Forest, Annika Silverwood stands out—not for her years or titles, but for her youth, tenacity, and relentless dedication. Her role is both political and perilous—guardian of the Lake Verge, buffer against Dyversian exploitation.
• Henretha, Ranger Knight - Welk Border: Ranger Knight of the Welk Border Guardian of the Southern Verge, Friend of Elves, Bear-Mother of the Gnarley

Ranger Ranks and Membership

• Aspiring Rangers – New recruits undergo rigorous training in tracking, survival, and combat before earning their place.
• Forest Wardens – Senior rangers tasked with leading patrols, investigating disturbances, and scouting threats.
• Ranger Knights – The most experienced members, responsible for maintaining the larger vision of the organization and overseeing operations.

Oath of the Gnarley Rangers

Each ranger swears an oath before their induction

"We are the shadows in the leaves, the whisper of the wind. We stand watch when others sleep, and we guard the sacred heart of the Gnarley. In Ehlonna’s name, we serve the land."

Organization and Oath

The organizational culture within the Rangers of the Gnarley emphasizes personal mentorship and allegiance to the principles of forest protection and assistance to the good people of the forest.

• Mentorship and Training: Each knight is responsible for training and guiding younger rangers.
• Annual Gatherings: Knights host a feast for their followers each Brewfest to strengthen bonds.
• Oath of Service: Members swear to protect the forest, assist good folk, and honor a power of good, typically the goddess Ehlonna.

Activities of the Rangers of the Gnarley

The Rangers are actively involved in various protective and community-building efforts within the Gnarley Forest, focusing on fostering good relationships and safeguarding the forest and its inhabitants.

• Community Building: Efforts are focused on uniting the good people living in or near the forest.
• Alliances with Local Creatures: Strong connections with local Gnomes of the Gnarley Forest, werebears, and Swanmay of the Gnarley Forest, enhancing mutual protection and support.

Relations with Other Factions

Elves of the Gnarley Forest

The four elven clans of the Gnarley Forest—the Sherendyl, Meldarin, Fealefel, and Enlanefel—respect the Rangers for their devotion to the land. However, the elves are still subjects of Queen Yolande, Her Fey Majesty of Celene, who maintains a strict isolationist policy. Relations between Rangers and Elves are cordial but not deeply allied due to political tensions.

Druids of the Gnarley Forest

The druids, led by Archdruid Hrudek, share a deep and mutual respect with the Rangers. While the druids focus on spiritual balance, the Rangers act as warriors and protectors of the wilds. They coordinate on matters of forest conservation, magical disturbances, and dealing with aberrations or dark cults.

Woodsmen of the Gnarley Forest

Many rangers hail from the woodsmen villages, and these communities rely on the Rangers for protection. However, conflicts sometimes arise over hunting restrictions, logging limits, and settlement expansions.

Mounted Borderers of Verbobonc

The Rangers have a respectful but wary relationship with the Mounted Borderers, who patrol the borders of Verbobonc. While both groups seek to maintain peace and security, the Rangers prefer stealth and ambush tactics, whereas the Mounted Borderers favor military discipline and direct confrontation.

Merchants and Trade Routes

Rangers frequently patrol the Forest Road, ensuring safe passage for merchants traveling between the Wild Coast, Dyvers, and the Verbobonc, Viscounty. They collect no tolls but expect travelers to respect the land and its creatures.

Territorial Influence of Ranger Knights

Ranger Knights of the Gnarley Forest maintain a unique approach to territorial influence, opting for informal yet impactful stewardship of their chosen regions. Unlike traditional territorial claims, their areas of influence are marked by personal relationships and alliances rather than geographical boundaries.

• Informal Boundaries: The Ranger Knights operate without formal territorial claims, focusing instead on areas where they have strong personal ties and can most effectively protect and assist.
• Overlapping Areas: Their areas of influence often overlap, reflecting a cooperative rather than competitive approach to stewardship.
• Focus on Relationships: Protection efforts are prioritized based on personal connections and the needs of the community rather than strict territorial control.

Threats and Enemies

The Second Rising of the Temple of Elemental Evil

Though few realize it, the forces of Elemental Evil are once again at work. Cultist agents, brigands, and bandits roam the region, ambushing rangers, raiding villages, and attacking merchant caravans along the forest roads. Cult of the Elder Elemental God

The Jagged Fangs Tribe

A ruthless gnoll warband, the Jagged Fangs Tribe has carved out a brutal reputation in the Gnarley Forest. Their leader, King Korvash Bonegnaw, is a ferocious warlord who has forged an alliance with the Temple of Elemental Evil, thanks to the machinations of Lareth the Beautiful. Under his command, the tribe launches savage raids on ranger outposts, merchant caravans, and isolated villages, leaving nothing but blood and ruin in their wake.

The Howling Moon Clan

A terrifying group of orc werewolves who have infiltrated the western Gnarley Forest, the Howling Moon Clan is led by Zorgrek, Son of Murgz. Bound by dark pacts and lycanthropic rituals, their howls signal death to all who hear them.

The Crimson Reapers

A notorious bandit company with bases in Nulb and Twilight Falls, the Crimson Reapers are ex-soldiers turned mercenaries. Though many see them as simple thugs, they have ties to the Cult of Orcus, taking coin from dark patrons to spread death and chaos.

The Iron Claw Clan

A brutal and well-organized warband of bugbears, the Iron Claw Clan strikes from Varnifane, a former wild elf settlement now twisted into a fortress of war. They have aligned with Commander Feldrin of the Temple of Elemental Evil, making them a deadly force in the region.

The Whiterock Clan

This clan of hill giants and ogres, once mercenaries for the Temple of Elemental Evil, now claims a large portion of the Kron Hills. Strengthened by dark sorcery, they are a constant danger to the Rangers and their allies.