Rangers of Arden

The Rangers of Arden are among the oldest military forces in Amber. Created by Oberon in the times before the kingdom was founded. Assembled in small groups to guard against the invasion of various monsters and creatures from shadow that started being drawn to the growing center of Amber.

Official Designation

Rangers-Fifth Line

Warden's Cord-Symbol of Office.	Second Warden's Cord	Ranger Horse Commander Cord	Ranger Cord

Commander Julian of Arden

Early in his life Prince Julian began spending time with the Rangers and eventually became recognized as their leader before Oberon made the office official.

Over the centuries the Rangers became something close to a personality cult surrounding Prince Julian. Efforts were made by King Oberon to restrict the development of the cult but the individuals serving in the rangers denied it was a cult of any kind.

Inclusion of the Fey in the Rangers

The diverse race of the Fey have been part of the realm of Amber since its creation and long before Oberon came to raise castle and kingdom. However they were relegated to the forests and hid away from the kingdom and its people. Rumors of King Oberon's involvement with the Fey Queen Titania have been fireside and bedside stories for centuries but the fey were never received at court or given public recognition. Officially individuals of the fey races are considered citizens of the Kingdom of Amber with full legal rights but their racial leadership has never forced any changes in the racial status.

Early in his term as Commander Prince Julian received representatives of the fey, respecting their knowledge of the Forest of Arden. Subsequently many fey served in the Rangers and some even married and raised children to serve in Ranger ranks.

Departure of Commander Julian

In 5281, being the 81nd year of Random's reign, the seal on Adagalsack was opened by the entrance of Lord Relmapator carrying a strong shadow of the Jewel of Judgment. Word reached Prince Julian in the first few days of 5282 and he immediatly resigned his wardenship of Arden and traveled to Adagalasck to reunite with the love of his youth, his sister Nina of Adagalasck. Prince Caine left Amber at the same time to reunite with his sister Emily.

This void was immediately filled by the Second in command, Lord Duncan of Arden but the shock of the sudden departure effect the corp of the rangers deeply.

• When word followed that Prince Julian had claimed the kingship of the primal realm of Adagalasck a third of the membership of the Rangers of Arden either resigned or abandoned their posts to take to the Jeweled Road and join Julian.
• A sixth of the Rangers either resigned their ranks or transferred to other services in Amber.

This cost the Rangers of Arden half of their membership. The once nearly fanatical following of the Rangers was deeply shaken.

Commander Duncan of Arden

With the departure of Commander Julian to rule the realm of Adagalasck the post of Warden of Arden fell to his long time second in command, and son, Lord Duncan of Arden.

Commander Duncan's time in shadow was spent in a large number of earth worlds in the epoch of the 1800s. His command style and uniform choices show this.

Recruiting for the Rangers

The sudden and shocking resignation of half the body of the Rangers was felt through Amber, both in its military, and its ties in shadow. The new commander has requested recruiting in force from the other bodies of service through the military of Amber and its allies.

Uniform and Equipment

Under Commander Julian

Uniform

Commander Julian did not require a uniform of his troops. He left a person's attire up to what they found comfortable. In time though a fairly standard kit was developed along the general of boots, trousers, coat, cape, and hat.

Equipment

• Bow was the standard weapon.
• Spear. Boar Spears, short spears, and Javelins were common.
• Sword and knife. The standard side arms were traditional long swords and a short knife similar to a Bowie knife.

Under Commander Duncan

Uniform

As with the previous commander, Commander Duncan does not require a standardized uniform though rumors suggest this may change in time. However his personal style has encouraged many rangers to follow his lead. Those joining the Rangers may choose their own attire but are issued clothes following the new style. They are not required to wear it in the field.

Equipment

• Bow: All rangers are required to be experts with the bow. Yew longbows are standard but short or horse bows are common. The bow is considered the main hunting weapon as well as a combat arm.
• Nail Carbines.

While the Bow and Arrow is by far the most common standard weapon carried by the Rangers recently the new Nail Gun carbine is coming into use. Based on the high tension clockwork design bought to Amber by Prince Caine and adopted by Marshal Benedict for special forces, including the rangers.

• • Long Carbine:The long carbine fires a 3" long, 10 gauge nail at a rate of 2 per second.
  • Short Carbine:The Shot Carbine fires a burst of 10 needle flechettes, 2" long. Fire is 1 shot in 2 seconds. Slower then the long carbine it is effective as a burst weapon to wound and disable foes. The joke made about the short gun is that it is not a tool for fighting. It is a diplomat's tool for negotiations.

This increase in offensive firepower is being eagerly embraced by the newer rangers and seen as sacrilegious by older ones. The Fey-oriented Rangers refuse to use the weapon, favoring their traditional arms.

• Sword and Knife. The traditional edge weapons continue their popularity.

Ranger Horses

The Ranger horses are a complicated topic. Horse breeding and horse acquisition in shadow were main interests of Prince Julian's for thousands of years. He created 5 seperate standard breeds with a wide range of variations for each. Rangers generally used a small number of personal animals for general use but some bonded with their animals which then became the leader of a Ranger's personal stable.

Prince Julian also developed the standard horse used but the military of Amber.

Work Horse

Designed for all kinds of work in civilian and military locations. Strong, dependable, even tempered.

Distance Horse

These are the standard Ranger horse. Breed for distance riding, familiarity with traveling in shadow, able to go long time without food and water. Some Ranger horse bond to their riders and become true companions rather then just mounts.

Navel Horse

It is well known that the Navy of Amber has some of the best cavalry warriors and horses in Amber. These were bred to deal with ship travel. They can swim better then most horses.