Tyderian Rangers

Description
The Tyderian Rangers are an elite military order from the Tyderain Army. They are specially trained scouts and archers. The Tyderian people are known for their fine archery skills but the Tyderian Rangers know no equal. It is said they can shoot two arrows a second on the run into the heart of a moving enemy. They employ many unorthodox and esoteric archery techniques such as holding multiple arrows in their hands vs drawing them from the quiver to achieve these impressive feats. They are trained in tracking, survival, animal handling, reconnaissance, as well as archery and combat. They are typically assigned to various military units as a specialized unit to be at the commander's disposal. They function best in small teams far ahead of the main unit often behind enemy lines. From appearances it is often difficult to tell them apart from any other woodsman or archer except for their composite hornbows that are made from the antlers of the dire-elk and sharowood. Each Ranger is required to stalk and kill a dire-elk and make his own bow. They often employ the use of dogs, wolves, falcons, and other predatory animals in combat and as companions. They are masters of camouflage and stealth and often characterized as the "shadows of the woods". Although they are trained archers they are also highly skilled swordsmen and hand-to-hand combatants and are not to be underestimated when they run out of arrows. To be selected as a Tyderian Ranger one must be nominated from his normal unit and sent to the Rangers to endure the Trials, a rigorous set of physical and mental challenges meant to push the candidate to their uppermost limits. The small percentage of candidates that pass are indoctrinated into the order and undergo intense training before given the title of Ranger.

Appearance
A Tyderian Ranger resembles any other woodsman or archer often dressing in brown, dark green, and black clothing to blend in with his environment. They are not required to wear any one uniform so that they may choose whatever garb is necessary for a given mission or environment. They are never without their hornbow and large quiver of arrows. They typically use a uniquely-shaped short sword that has forward curve to the blade allowing for an aggressive cutting ability with less effort. Sometimes these swords are used in pairs.