Elven ranger

Elven ranger refers to a ranger of elven ancestry. The term is arbitrarily used, for elven rangers are simply identified as "rangers" in the overwhelming majority of canon sources.
Elven rangers are elite archers turning to nature for aid, befriending animals.Seek the Farstriders Some of them possess minor druidic abilities, as Vereesa Windrunner was able to use the "language of the trees, of all plants", and sense a plant's emotions and history through touch.Day of the Dragon, pg. 167
Most current-day elven rangers are (or were once) part of the thalassian Farstriders.
==History==
===Formation===
Before the Great Sundering, at least one Highborne ranger protected the city of Vashj'ir: High Ranger Valarian. It is unknown if the rangers were a formal organization back then or if ranger was an individual title.
The High elven rangers were created during the Troll Wars, and Talanas Windrunner was the greatest of them.Tales of the Hunt Roughly 500 years ago, a group of high elven rangers formed the Farstriders, an organization officially encompassing their kind. The commander of the Farstriders was given a unique, historic title: Ranger-General of Silvermoon.The Warcraft Encyclopedia/Farstriders
===Second War===
Rangers were a special cadre of elven archers who were intimately bound to the wildlands of Lordaeron. Their pursuit of mastery in longbows, marksmanship, and scouting made them more rugged and even deadlier than their brothers - traits for which they were greatly feared amongst their enemies. These secretive and elite warriors had never involved themselves in the affairs of humans, but when Horde onslaughts threatened to destroy the elven homelands, they quickly offered their services to the Alliance. Although their numbers were few, their presence could change the course of the war if they were deployed wisely.Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual, Alliance Ground Units, Elven Ranger
Rangers were known to gather at the mills staffed by their elven brethren, honing their skills there.Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual, Alliance Buildings, Elven Lumber Mill
Even after the end of the Second War, elite rangers kept patrolling the wilds of Lordaeron under the command of Alleria Windrunner in order to find the last remaining orcs who had escaped capture.Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal manual, Legends of the Land, Alleria One such occasions brought them to the Alterac Mountains.Beyond the Dark Portal, chapter 5
File:RangerVsBerserker.jpg|Ranger vs. Berserker.
File:Rangerwc2.JPG|An elven ranger from the Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual.
===Third War===
Rangers were originally meant to be a hero unit of the Human Alliance. They were described as such:
These fearless Half-Elven women are masters of survival and wilderness exploration. Trained to hunt down renegade Orcs and Trolls in the wildlands of both Azeroth and Lordaeron, the Rangers are a force to be reckoned with. Being Half-Elven, the Rangers are often avoided by members of the High Elven stock. However, these crafty females make their home in the wilds and seldom feel the need for the distractions of camaraderie. Rangers are expert marksmen with the longbow and carry specially weighted bows and magically enhanced arrows. - Web Archives: Warcraft III Ranger Description
Rangers were eventually canceled as a hero unit. Most of their abilities were given to the Priestess of the Moon instead, - Web Archives: Warcraft III Heroes FAQ and their model was reused for the in-game appearances of Sylvanas Windrunner and Jennalla Deemspring. Among the possible random names was "Somand Wayfinder".
During the events of Legacy of the Damned, the kingdom of Quel'Thalas was defended by an organization called the Elven Ranger Corps, which is presumably a different name for the Farstriders.
Several deceased rangers were resurrected in undeath as dark rangers.
===World of Warcraft===
Blood elven rangers still traditionally belong to the Farstriders, staunch defenders of Quel'Thalas. The order endured the Scourging of their homeland and continues to defend the elven kingdom. They are led by Ranger General Halduron Brightwing and are usually stationed in their reclaimed country, holding a presence in the Eversong Woods, Silvermoon City, and the Ghostlands. Ranger Captains serve as intermediate officers.
Of those who chose to remain high elves, most of them rejoined the Silver Covenant or various lodges such as Quel'Lithien Lodge and Quel'Danil Lodge.
The dark rangers decided to serve the Forsaken under their progenitor Lady Sylvanas Windrunner. Nathanos Blightcaller, formerly her student in the arts of the elven ranger, now trains other Forsaken rangers of non-elven ancestry.
Finally, some night elves from the Sentinels recently gained the rank of ranger though it is unknown if it is a recent creation or an ancient tradition from before the splitting with the high elves. One of them is depicted as having the title of Ranger General, something originally thought to be limited to the Farstriders.
==Notable elven rangers==
===Blood elf===
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===High elf===
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===Night elf===
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==Types==
==In the RPG==
The elven ranger is an elite wilderness warrior whose skills are unique to the elven race. These skills are rooted in ancient tradition, from even before the time of Queen Azshara, and survive in the cultures of both the high elves and the night elves. Elven ranger orders exist among both high elves and night elves. Among the modern high elves, the elven ranger is known as just that, but among the night elves the elven rangers are called by their ancient title: Sentinels. The elven rangers of both races are capable of running through rugged terrain to make impossible shots that appear fluid and natural.Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, pg. 73World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, pg. 100
Elven rangers practiced a form of druidism. Those rangers who became dark rangers lost the ability to use those powers.Horde Player's Guide, pg. 41 Elven rangers draw their spells from their relationships with nature and the spirits of nature. As such, their spell lists are focused on archery, wilderness, animals, and stealth.World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, pg. 102 A druidic power called "Speak with Plants" allowed them to talk to normal plants and plant creatures.World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, pg. 269
Night elven rangers were members of the group called the Farstriders based in Farstrider Camp in Ashenvale.
===Epic elven ranger===
Epic elven rangers are highly experienced elven rangers. Stalking the wilderness is the epic elven ranger, a silent, lethal champion of nature. They can bring down their foes with a single arrow from miles away, and their enemies flee from their name. Those creatures they most hate shiver in their dens at night, sure they see them crouching at the edge of their consciousness. Combat, particularly ranged combat, is their forte, so they increase their abilities in that arena. Defensive improvements keep them alive to snipe another day. Dexterity is their most important ability, while occasional wisdom boosts improve their spellcasting and allow them to track, spot and hear their foes better.Shadows & Light, pg. 19
===Sentinels===
Rangers have always remained a large part of night elven society, but among the kaldorei they are called by their ancient title: Sentinels. Sentinels share almost the exact customs as high elf rangers, to the point where you can only tell the difference by race. Many Sentinels fulfill their duties as huntresses, riding astride great nightsaber panthers, or as windwarriors astride hippogryphs.Alliance Player's Guide, pg. 127
==Trivia==
*In the canceled Warcraft Adventures, a lamp made from the skull of an elven ranger could be found in Zul'jin's shop.
==Speculation==
The Wardens of the Sunwell/Sunwell Wardens might be rangers, as they are armed with bows and dual swords.
==References==
 
Category:NPC occupations
Category:Prestige classes
Category:Epic classes
Category:Shadows & Light