Ranger Archive

The question has come up nowseveral times as to why we (Antarian Rangers) would allow both factions? Why are you Rebel only? Are you going to be helping the Jedi? Will you be doing Imp raids? Don't you know their history?

Well, I assume most of those questions are from folks who haven't been following the forums or just recently joined. Those of you who have been following my efforts to form a 'Ranger Alliance Force'since my first post, know that my vision of this "association" was to basically have a loose-knit alliance of Rangers that, in essence, is there to help the profession itself.

Among other things, we would help Rangers advance to master, help them sell their resources at reasonable prices, help them find and experience the advanced planets, dungeons, caves and beasties, go on Ranger only hunts, help the community by providing ample and reasonable resources, and help forge the Ranger profession by representing a large unified force on this forum.

Basically, it was imagined similar to a union, open to ALL Rangers, regardless of faction and regardless of PA affiliation. Based on the responses, it looked like many of you liked this same kind of idea.

So, as a result,we had several meetings at which many issues, wants and needs were discussed. (See previous posts). As with most associations, one of these issues was who would be allowed in?

Well, I believethe reason most of the rangers were there at the meeting was for a Ranger only, all-inclusive, close-knit group of great players. I mean, just look at the posts on this board! We have a great forum here with great support for your colleagues and verylittle or no insults or trashing that I have seen!! To me, that just reeks of good fellowship.

But do we care whether or not that poster is Imperial or Rebel? I don't remember seeing any Rangers chastising another Ranger because of their faction, yet many of you openly display it on your profile or signature. When someone makes Master, is the first thing that comes to your mind "Oh that Rebel scum!" or "I hate that Imp!"? And if you are thinking it, evidently you have the decency not to splatter it on this forum. Instead, we pat that Master on the back and say, "Great Job!".

That is the same type of comaraderie I envisioned for an alliance within the game itself. Just a bunch of Rangers across all galaxies looking out for each other when needed, but still being basically free to be loners whenever they wanted.

So what does this have to do with the Antarian Rangers, you ask?

Well, many of you belong to other guilds, which is fine.But some of us, myself included, don't belong to a guild, yet still would like to have an official name/tag to carry around and what better one to have than one that represents this alliance.We needed a name, butit took us a week of goingback and forth between various suggestions. Several good ones were on the list, but it wasn't until just before the final vote that the name "Antarian Rangers" was presented to us. And when we read the history, you couldn't help but feel that these are the types of Rangers we wanted to be associated with. For me, it wasn't the fact that they were Rebel allied, but that they somehow eshewed braveness, nobility, respectand as I found out later,economic success! They just seemed cool!!

And so we adopted the name.

I personally have no desire to be part of a split Ranger guild that will be fighting other Rangers. I don't know why, butfor some reasonI feelthat Rangers (at least all the ones I have met) are a special breed, anddeserve respect. And I would like to be part of an alliance with members that feel the same way and share the same ideals.

This is a game! This isn't a Star Wars scripted movie where everything has to follow according to "the book"!! And since this is a PA of sorts, we can make any rules and policies we want (as long as the majority agree).

So this is the policy we agreed on and this is the name we agreed on. I like it the way it is and have no intention of trying to change it!

Hail the Antarian Rangers!!

/applaud

Excellent post.

First of all, I agree with everything Zkull said about this group, and about Rangers in general.

Second of all, I don't see how this really "violates the continuity" as some people say.

Now, I have not read all the books, but if I understand correctly, the Antarian Rangers were an order of scout/explorer/soldiers who were founded as an aid to the Jedi, and who fought in the clone wars, alongside the Jedi Knights. When the Jedi Order was swept aside, and the Republic became the Empire, one would assume that most of the surviving Antarian Rangers would have joined the Rebellion.

(Someone please correct me if I am wrong about any of the above)

But who's to say that ALL the members would have done so? Perhaps many had mixed feelings about the political upheaval of the Galaxy? Perhaps some had been loyal toAnakin Skywalker (if I understand correctly, Anakin had been a military leader of some sorts during the clone wars, perhaps Episode 3 will shed some light on this), and chose to serve him even after he became Darth Vader? Maybe some favored the Emperor's New Order over the old, corrupt Republic? Or maybe some were ambitious themselves, wishing to serve the Empire in the hopes that they might gain some of the power the empire promised?

Maybe some were disgusted by both sides of the conflict and chose to remain neutral? There are always some who refuse to get involved in a conflict.

Who's to say this might not have happened. History is full of wars that divided members of groups, and many members of those groups remained close friends despite being on opposing sides of the battlefield. When the U.S. Civil War started, there were members of the graduating classes at West Point who had gone through that place together, had been the best of friends for 4 years or more, had even been roommates, who suddenly found themselves on opposing sides of a conflict. Yet, their friendship endured (Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee were one such example). Despite their opposing views and sides, they retained the bond that had brought them close in the first place.

I feel that such is the case with the Antarian Rangers. It is a group that was forged through a common area of expertise, and a common goal of service, that forged a bond of brotherhood among its members. That brotherhood endures despite the current state of affairs in the galaxy, across the lines of battle, and despite whatever opinions may differ.

If that's not a solid idea of what this organization is supposed to be, then I don't know what is.

There is always going to be a need for us in the galaxy. I feel that in a way, the Antarian Rangers are like themselves, Jedi. We come to the aid and service of those who need us. And we will ALWAYS come to the aid and service of our fellow Rangers.

With regard to Faction? I was an Imperial. I was also a Rebel. I was asked to leavemyformerguild because I found neither solace nor comfort in either faction, and thus decided to once again become Neutral. I would sacrifice my life for a fellow Ranger be them Imperial or Rebel. I like what the Antarian Rangers stand for. It is a sense of comradery that should exhist in a galaxy frought by civil unrest, but yet, somehow has the power to be eluded. Do not fire unless fired upon should be a standing order. Those Rangers that bare the <AR> tag after their name, should not fire upon another ranger that bares the same. EVER. If it is a Dispute thatneeds to be settled between twoAntarian Rangers, then it WILL BE WITNESSED bymembers of the guild toensure that it is honourable.

Should a Factional Raid take place, and there are Antarian Rangers present fromopposite sides? Do you have a loyalty to your party? YES. Do you have a Loyalty to your Faction? YES. Are there other targets that you can choose? Of course. Should two Rangers of opposite faction be the only left standing? is therestill a winner? Assuredly.

Loyalties to ourselves should be GOLDEN. We fight becasue we are proud to defend ourselves. We defend that which we believe in. Those whowear the<AR> tag, do so because there is Honour in it. They are our Brothers and our Sisters. And when you face me on a battlefield from the opposite side,tho I may not defend you, i will NEVER shoot at you!

Feagan Martin Master Ranger/Master Creature Handler/Pistoleer Antarian Rangers - Council of the Five - Bloodfin Chapter

I'm going to post my question here opposed to another thread I started on the same topic. I still feel like this issue needs more clarity.

There are instances where you will enivitably encounter a ranger of the opposing faction. Depending on the situation, it may be one where you will need to attack and kill that person.How would this affect your standing in the Antarians?

If you are unable to attack someone based on an alliegance that your group may not understand or be aware of, could affect the outcome of a battle. The US Civil War comes to mind, where brothers were known to kill their own brothers.

I am perfectly okay with this myself, I just think some rules of conduct should be declared to avoid any internal conflicts and we all go into this with our eyes wide open.

Our rangers value the lives of others over their own. To forsake the life of another is to forsake your own honor, surely a fate worse than death itself.

However, when it comes to open combat against members of the most insidiously evil, debauched, diseased butchers the Galaxy has ever seen, the genocidal maniacs that would destroy entire planets on a whim, the murderers of the Jedi Order, our blood brethren,there will be no quarter given, and none asked for. Ever.

The Republic Will Prevail!

-- YP

There is always room for alittle intra-organization feuding. It helps to keep things interesting!

Having said that, I dont endorse Rangers openly killing other Rangers, but each to his own. Some Imperial Rangers may have a perfectly good reason for hating and killing every Rebel, Ranger or otherwise, that they come across. Thats perfectly acceptable, since we can't possibly assume that Every Ranger wants to be apart of this organization, or even veiws the organization in the same light as the next.

I personally like the history and Roleplaying concept that is laid out for the Antarian Rangers, but I expect others to view it as solely a means to keep in touch with other like-minded players and to play the game as is.

It comes down to those that agree with "cross-teaming" (most players) and those that don't (die-hard roleplayer). As long as everyone understands that the next guys playstyle may not be the same has his own, we will be ok.

I am a roleplayer and when it comes to PvP, I am a Rebel Sympathizer. I like the Imperial protection and understand that most Imperials are just soldiers and peacekeepers that are truely trying to make the galaxy a better place, but I also know that there is corruption at the heart of the regeame and will certainly take steps to oppose that darkside every chance I get. With that in mind, I have no problem engaging Imperial Rangers in Combat if the situation arises, but I have a strict code against Deathblows to anyone. I will train and assist Imperials, Rangers or not, but not if they are spewing propaganda and hatemongering (in character or immature, out of character remarks).

Yeah... thats was sort of rambling and incoherent.

I'm sick and tired, literally, so my posts may not make much sense for the next few days (as if they ever do)

Well said all.

I personally have never attacked another player (though I have had oppurtunity to do so).

I find very little honor in the PvP combat that exists in the game right now... Only the glory of the duel draws me to battle (and I've had someextraordinary duels I must say).

However, I play an Overt Imperial, enjoying the added challenge of evading Rebel ambush.

That said, I would enjoy a little camaraderie fromwell balanced, like mindedindividuals... And people who flock to the Ranger profession definitely fit that bill.

So if you decide not tokill me on sight, count me in on this little endeavour.

I would very much like to see us agree upon a standard in the interest of our brotherhood, that let's us, regardless of faction as a Ranger keep things non combative.

I am not a factioned player (I do keep just enough FP's both Imperial and Rebel to join either side whenever I need to) but if I do find myself in the wilds with a TEF, or I am waiting for a resignation to take effect from either faction and I stumble upon another Ranger on the opposite faction, I will call out to them "Hail fellow Ranger!". If I see a likewise reply from them, I will know that I am safe to approach him, andthose he is with. I will likewise do the same for any who call out to me in brotherhood.

As far as the rare instance that I may be engaged in PvP battle and see a fellow Ranger, I will not fire on them, even if fired upon by them. I would choose to flee rather than engage in battle and deathblow them.

If the group I am with doesn't like that, or can't understand it, too bad! There's always another group out there to get into, and will most likely be adult enough to understand my sentiments... I may even tell factioned groups ahead of time from now on that I will not fire on a fellow Ranger. If they don't like it, I'll leave.

Just my 2 credits worth...

Jabourn.

The guild I am currently a member of is having a similar problem. We are trying to stay neutral and not allow any members to be overt. Some of the members dont like this decision but the magnates feel it is best for now to avoid any guild members killing each other over the Galactic Civil War.

I have suggested to my guildmates that if we can put the guild first and faction second we wont have any problems but we all know this cannot be since everyone has a different play style.

I feel more loyal to my guild then to any faction I have joined and will do my best to not attack my guild mates in the heat of battle. The same goes for rangers. We are afamily and we should respect that over any faction we may follow.

These are my opinions and I respect everyones opinions. I will never knowingly attack another ranger.

Okay this is where I stand on the issue. And I apologize if I wasnt specific in my earlier post. As long as I am on the Antarian Rangers Council on Bloodfin, we will allow both Imperial and Rebel Factions into the Antarian Ranger's guild.

For the sake of Role Playing, Brothers and Sisters will not always agree on thier choice of friends. However, there is a certain respect that is always given to FAMILY.

As a Council Member, I am not going to project myself as your Father. However, if one of your Brothers or Sisters has chosen to represent the Galactic Empire (Covert or Overt), and you have chosen to side with the Rebel Alliance, there is littel you should do to try and sway your Sibling's choices. If any ANY factional Member bares the <AR> tag, and you fire upon them. I will turn my back on you in a heartbeat! (i.e., you will stand before a Tribunal, and most likely, ejected from the guild)

When it comes to a fellow Ranger that does not agree with the insights of this guild? Should you happen upon a Ranger of the opposite faction. Take caution, for they may be unforgiving and unchecked. I would like to see such an encounter to be honourable.

It would best be exampled by the "swordplay scene" in "The Princess Bride". You would make yourselves known to one another, and engage in a duel that will end in HONOUR. Deathblows should ALWAYS be optional and agreed upon.

If Faction Points is what you are after, you should consider another guild.

Feagan Martin Master Ranger/Master Creature Handler/Pistoleer Antarian Rangers - Council of the Five - Bloodfin Chapter

Hey, I'm new to SWG so this is the first I've heard of your PA. It sounds like an awesome idea! The loner thing has been getting tedious so I've been looking fora PA to join. Looks like I found it. just need to get to novice ranger status now... Anyway, just wanted to say it sounds awesome. Would you guys mind posting a link or 2 to some info about your name sakes? I'm intrigued.

Raanan:

Here's what I have found up to this point, and it seems to make a pretty good explanation...

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=starwars/article/sw20030710hero

Well that kicks it. If you all will have me, soon as I hit novice ranger I want in. Thx for the link Jabourn