Treth
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The Willow Rangers Outpost
Credit goes to Chroncile
Located on the outskirts of Treth and inside the Willow Woods sits a very private property, tucked away from the farming community that neighbors the land near it. This spot of land is about ten acres of nearly undeveloped and natural forest, save for the large wooden complex built from lumber out of the Willow Woods. It is here that this private establishment houses the more secluded faction that serves Ne'haer, serving as protectors of the region throughout the wilderness. This faction is none other than the Willow Rangers that serve Ne'haer, more so it's Council of Minäih, faithfully in their endeavor to maintain natural order within the wilds.
The History
The Glaurid family has always been aptly invested in the preservation and protection of wilderness; for generations they've been raised to understand agriculture and forestry, and it is because of this that they serve as the founders of the Willow Rangers. For Arcs there has always been a Glaurid Patriarch to help run the faction, as the family has cultivate a portion of their private land into a base of operations for this group.
Since the first Council of Minäih the Glaurid clan has been invested in serving namely Reasọä Euthik, and has always provided the services of the Rangers to the Council in honor of her memory. There was once a period in history where the Glaurid's didn't support a couple of the members, and in turn the faction struggled to maintain it's code of honor; until later when the Glaurid's themselves decided to vie for positions on the Council. There hasn't been a lot of Glaurid's to maintain the seat for the position of Agriculture and Forestry, but ever since they started to respect for them grew over the course of Arcs.
For generations there has always been a Patriarch to carry on the will of Reasọä and the Rangers, and it is traditionally the heir of a Glaurid that is proclaimed as the next in line. Only through constant service and dedication however, lest the Rangers lose their well earned reputation.
The Location
Surrounded by mostly undeveloped land, ideally to keep it in it's natural state, the Willow Rangers Outpost appears more like a two story cabin at large. It's massive architecture is built from the wood of the Willow Trees around Ne'haer, with a foundation similar to that of the stone found in the city's walls. The Outpost sits in a very remote location that is difficult to come across, as not even the neighboring city Treth cannot place it's location. Only the rangers know how to find the path that leads to the outpost, recruits are generally required to learn how to get there; as the ranger leading them will not show the route a second time.
Places of Interest
The Courtyard
Pretty much the first thing one finds when they approaching the Outpost, the courtyard is composed of several different areas. There are the shooting grounds where Rangers can improve their archery skills, then there is the open deck patio where rangers and recruits are welcome to lounge around on; whether they're researching the wilderness or taking a load off after a hard trial out on the field. Then there is the training grounds for their mounts, the Willow Redbears, as well as an alcove the Beastmaster's utilize for bee keeping.
The Main Hall
Practically a very large common room filled with tables and chairs, this area is where a vast majority of the Rangers come to eat and drink. Often referred to as "the mess hall" by the Quartermasters, this busy place is where a good number of recruits learn how its earned the name. There is a bar with a bartender as well as kitchen further in, where the cooks put recruits to even more work if they are unlucky. At the center of the Main Hall is a large hearth, often lit with a fire unless it's the warmer seasons, where a good number of Rangers like to gather on occasion. Sometimes there are feasts and celebrations among the Rangers and recruits here, but usually after a recruit has managed to pass the initiation trial and become a ranger.
The Barracks
Tucked deeper within the outpost is the barracks which are often occupied by a few Quartermasters, as they utilize Recruits to maintain gear as well as cleanliness within the place. Here is where walls are lined with weapon mounts, all dull and iron-made, so that recruits can practice whatever weapons they may choose. There are also a number of wooden dummies packed with straw padding, as well as a wrestling mat in the center of the room for those practicing unarmed combat.
The Chambers
When one travels up the stairwell to the second floor of the outpost, the first room they will come across is the chamber where namely recruits sleep. There are a total number of thirty beds situated in just this one room, while the rest of the Rangers are actually capable of sleeping within the wilds if they choose. Each bed is accustomed with a foot locker to house any belongings a recruit brings with them, but privacy is very minimal between each and every recruit that sleeps in this room.
The Archives
The first room that one will quickly notice when they arrive in the chambers, this room is where all the history records as well as research materials on wildlife are kept. It is mainly a depository for books and personal records more than anything, although one can sometimes find interesting things displayed on the shelves. A Lurker skull, a few unusual bones and teeth, even some dried and preserved flora may decorate this area; as it is usually the source of study for recruits seeking to brave the wilderness.
The Strider's Office
Of the several Striders that linger here to run the place, whereas the rest are usually out in the field constantly, this is the office where they all tend to correlate in. It's a modestly large office area with several desks, a fireplace, and a round wooden table with four chairs situated evenly around it. Typically when the Striders all come together here, it's usually to plan or calculate patrol routes or actions for the rangers; otherwise there's only ever two or three here to manage paperwork and maintain the facility.
The Hunting Grounds
When Recruits are ready to become initiates they must first brave the vast wilderness of this remote area. Just north beyond the Rangers Outpost is a maintained area, although maintained is a term loosely used by the Rangers in this instance. The grounds are hunted to reduce any threat levels in the area, so that recruits can undergo their trial with the danger levels at minimum in comparison to the rest of the wilderness. That said however the grounds are still a dangerous place to linger, as a healthy combination of predators as well as prey inhabit this closely guarded area.
It is here where Recruits are brought to undergo the Initiation to become a Ranger, where they are provided only the bare minimum essentials in order to survive. Initiates are armed with a hunting knife, with a bow and a quiver containing ten arrows. From that point on the Initiate is left alone to fend for himself, but secretly watched by the Quartermaster that is responsible for training him. Whether or not they will pass the test is up to the Recruit in question, and how quickly he adapts to the environment he is forced to survive in for five trials.