HYPERBOREA / Rangers and Otherworldly Enemies

**Posted by mabon5127** 7/02/2018 6:00 am

Rangers have specific training to fight and know on sight certain Otherworldly enemies. In your campaign do you give "Lore" concerning these creatures such as special abilities, habits, etc to Rangers? Should a first level Ranger know everything about these entities?

**Posted by Chainsaw** 7/02/2018 6:59 am

Hmmm, I would probably impart to them the basics and divulge more on case by case basis as they gain more levels.

For example, a low-level Ranger might get, "You recognize the creature as Y, an otherworldy abombination," whereas if a mid-level Ranger found a clue, "You recognize X clue as indication of Ys in the area, an otherwordly creature from Z," whereas a high-level Ranger would likely get almost all relevant info from the entry, including any strengths and weaknesses.

Sometimes a low-level Ranger might get mid-level info or mid-level might get high-level info depending on the situation, like if they'd fought one before or were seeking one as part of a mission (basically, a reason to have studied them more specifically during training).

If a more generous ruling seems to heighten the excitement of the moment or if the player did something creative as part of the inquiry, I would probably also lean toward more over less. I generally enjoy a chance to let a PC's special ability shine.

**Posted by mabon5127** 7/02/2018 8:38 am

Chainsaw wrote:
If a more generous ruling seems to heighten the excitement of the moment or if the player did something creative as part of the inquiry, I would probably also lean toward more over less. I generally enjoy a chance to let a PC's special ability shine.

Thanks for the thoughtful response. I generally lean this way as well. It could be that they are trained in the "old fighting ways" that only begin to make sense in practical situations. Like you said the higher the level the more they have been mentored and the more they have studied.

**Posted by DMPrata** 7/02/2018 6:55 pm

Sounds like a good opportunity for d6 task resolution.

**Posted by Iron Ranger** 7/02/2018 9:02 pm

Given the specifics of the text, I give all Rangers complete knowledge, as the training is not only thorough in identification but to understand their weaknesses, one could reasonably assume the study of all its traits and habits necessary.

**Posted by Chainsaw** 7/03/2018 4:58 am

Iron Ranger wrote:
Given the specifics of the text, I give all Rangers complete knowledge, as the training is not only thorough in identification but to understand their weaknesses, one could reasonably assume the study of all its traits and habits necessary.

I'll have to read it again - I was going from memory. Don't want to shortchange them.

**Posted by Doctor_Rob** 7/09/2018 1:57 am

I’d probably do something like get the Ranger’s player to roll a saving throw for whether the character knows specific details (maybe with a bonus for high Int). The roll improves with level and hence the chance of the specific knowledge. (Although this does interfere a bit with the skill system, but I’d simply look the other way )

**Posted by mabon5127** 7/09/2018 7:39 am

Thanks for all the responses. I will likely give the character knowledge of various powers but the alien agenda would preclude them from knowing exactly when, how, and why they would use them.