Hello everyone,
I'm returning to EFU after roughly six years of absence, and am in the process of planning my first character, who'll likely be a human ranger. I first considered making a temporary character to explore the setting with, in order to gather some intel for my main character concept, but it appears I'll have to wait a few days for GOG.com to provide me with a unique CD-key (I received one which is already in use on the server). So, I'll use this time to plan my main character.
Being completely new to this third chapter—aside from being familiar with the Sanctuary background story and having read much of the introductory material on the EFU website—I'd greatly appreciate any advice that might be relevant to a ranger concept. In example, it'd be interesting to know if there's any ongoing plots that are of particular relevance to nature types (aside from the main storyline plots), and if there's anyone else who's starting a new nature type character and might be interested in working out a shared background. I intend for my character to be Illuskan, from a settlement near Icewind Dale, but am willing to modify this.
In any case, I'm glad to be back and am looking forward to joining you in-game very soon.
Welcome back!
Although this is a simplification, there are a few common ways of playing rangers:
Civilization-based scouts, trackers and hunters - You'd likely be based in town, and the typical concept is someone used to living on the fringe of civilization. Associations include:
- The Muster - basically the city guard, you're interested in hunting criminals and/or bounties;
- House Aberdenn - an honor-based, semi-feudal family clan, you're interested in honorable service and promoting the clan's interest;
- Clan Caermyn - a mercantile, mercenary family clan, you're interested in protecting merchants and raising your own stature.
Nature-based guardians of the wilds - These characters are typically more "tribal" or nomadic and unaccustomed to civilization (or actively opposed to it). You'd most likely be based in the mountains and would work with the
Stewards (a DM faction) to fight H'bala.
The DM factions sort of fall in different places along this continuum, but, as a ranger, you can join any of those as well.
Wyrm Watchers is the obvious fit for a ranger, but the
Numinous Order can use them as scouts and the
The Empire of New Netheril can use them as guardians.
All that said, these are not the only ways to think of rangers! Definitely don't be afraid to innovate.
Blatantly advertising the association I'm in right now, but Aberdenn are a lawful family of hunters and knights dedicated to protecting the hamlet of Mistlocke! They're quite nature-oriented but also very traditional and superstitious and are really open to being directed by the PCs!