Archetypes Compendium

While all paladins have their own codes of conduct, either taught by an order, handed down from the gods, or inspired by personal conviction, an oathbound paladin devotes herself to a singular cause, which grants her additional powers but also gives further edicts she must follow.

Paladins as a general rule, venerate the gods of good and purity, but some take this a step further, dedicating themselves to a specific deity and furthering the cause of the faith.

When faced by evil, the sacred shield reaches first not for a weapon, but for her trusty shield.

While paladins often are seen mounted atop a loyal steed, the shining knight is the true symbol of mounted bravery.

Undead are an abomination in the eyes of the just and righteous.

Some paladins use their gifts to focus on the holy light that shines within their souls.

Armies need clean water, safe routes, and intelligence about their enemies.

Some rangers, particularly those in primitive lands or who were raised by animals, have unusually strong bonds with animals.

Some rangers devote their lives to the woods, becoming hunters, protectors, and wilderness guides among its diverse terrain types.

Rangers have always enjoyed a special bond with a specific animal, but the falconer takes this bond to a deeper level.

Many rangers are loners, but some choose to use their familiarity with the land to guide others safely through the wilderness.

Rangers of the plains use horses or other riding beasts to hunt their lands, forging a near-mystical relationship with their mounts.

Some rangers study their favored enemies and learn their ways, applying this knowledge to their own abilities and using their foes' strengths against them.

Most rangers venture into the wilderness, but there are some who let the wilderness seep into them.

Many rangers rely on spells, but there are some who eschew aid from divine powers for their own reasons.

Some rangers nurture a connection with the spirits that reside in all things.

A trapper is a ranger who focuses exclusively on traps, rather than learning conventional magic.

Some rangers have taken up the mysteries of black powder in order to become big game hunters.

For the urban ranger, the streets and sewers of the city are just as dangerous as the barren wastelands or the deep forests.

All rangers have a bond with the wilderness, but the warden may have the strongest.