Demographics

   The total number of rangers is difficult to determine. Because of their independent nature and tendency to avoid civilized society, rangers aren't likely to cooperate with a formal census. Additionally, many rangers reside in the most remote regions of the world, making a population count impractical if not impossible.

   Still, it's safe to say that rangers are among the less numerous of the character classes, if for no other reason than the demanding ability score requirements limit their number. It's a good bet that there are fewer rangers than bards. They're perhaps more common than paladins. Beyond these generalities, it's anybody's guess.

   Terrain preferences are a little easier to ascertain. Most rangers prefer forests, hills, and plains, thanks to the flourishing animal life and comfortable climates. Rugged mountains, and jungles attract the more adventurous rangers, while only the hardiest rangers make their home in the harsh lands of the desert and arctic. As a rough guideline, assume that about 40% of all rangers have Forest as their primary terrain, about 15% have Hill, another 10% or so each have Jungle, Mountain, or Plain, and the rest are more or less equally divided among Swamp, Desert, Arctic, and Aquatic.

Race

   Unless the demi-rangers described in Chapter 4 are allowed in your campaign, rangers must be human, elf, or half-elf. Roughly 70% of all rangers are human, 10% are elves, and 20% are half-elves. Even in demi-ranger campaigns, less than 1% of the ranger population are dwarves, gnomes, or halflings.

Gender

   Gender plays no part in determining one's aptitude for becoming a ranger. About half the ranger population is male, and the other half, female, reflecting the percentages in the general population.

Social Background

   No particular social background predominates in the ranger population. Lower, middle, and upper class rangers are more or less equally represented, with a slight bias toward the lower classes at low levels because these are closest to the land.

   Certain kits also tend to favor certain social classes. Feralans and Greenwood Rangers tend to come from lower economic backgrounds, while Falconers, Sea Rangers, and Wardens often come from wealthier families. Social class, however, is only one element that influences a ranger's personality. A Guardian with a lower class background who has worked his way up might behave little differently than one with middle class origins.

Family

   More relevant to the ranger's choice of career is the size of his family and his role within it. Because his duties place him into a life of relative isolation, the best candidates for rangers are those with few family ties. Orphans and late children are disproportionately represented in the ranger population, as are those who have been disowned or cast out by their families.

Age

   There are no rigid age requirements for rangers. However, few adolescents are capable of commanding the respect due a ranger, while many older individuals have trouble managing the rigors of the wild. Consequently, the majority of rangers fall between the ages of 18-60.

Alignment

   All rangers are of good alignment, and the number of lawful good, neutral good, and chaotic good rangers are approximately equal. The more independent and isolated a ranger, the less likely he'll be lawful good. Lawful good rangers are often drawn to the Guardian, Justifier, and Warden kits. The Pathfinder and Explorer kits tend to have more than their share of neutral good rangers. Chaotic good rangers are generally associated with the Feralan and Mountain Man kits.

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