Rangers of the Dead Mountains
For the glory of the Crowned Falcon!
Leader - Ranger-Lord Orellian ArgisCapital City - NorthpointDemonym - Old Antadian
Rangers of the Dead Mountains: Guardians of the Faded Glory of Antadour
Organisational Hierarchy and Governance
The Rangers of the Dead Mountains are the organisation that protects and governs the Old Antadian community under House Argis of the Dead Mountains. Their leader is Ranger-Lord Orellian Argis. The Rangers and the population they protect are not interchangeable: Old Antadian settlements include families, craftspeople and other inhabitants who are not warriors.
To ensure the smooth running of this close-knit community, Orellian Argis is aided by a well-organised hierarchy of devoted lieutenants, each assigned to govern a team of Ranger-Captains. These seasoned captains take on the significant duty of overseeing the dedicated Rangers under their charge. This carefully structured chain of command ensures efficiency in decision-making, rapid response in crisis situations, and promotes a sense of unity and purpose within their ranks.
Preserving Culture Amid Ruins
The Old Antadians inhabit settlements among the ruins of the northern kingdom, particularly in the Valley of the Fallen Kings and in underground dwellings across the mountains. They maintain their own economy and traditions, speak Old Antadian, and isolate themselves from Antadon. Relations between Old Antadians and Antadonians are mutually hostile; their shared origins have not produced contemporary closeness.
Their Vision: A Kingdom Reborn
Reclaiming the lost kingdom remains a central aspiration of the Rangers. Alongside that ambition, the Old Antadian community must sustain its settlements, livelihoods and future generations. Its culture has continued to develop through the centuries; it is not an unchanged remnant of ancient Antadour.
Bountiful Natural Assets
Nestled amidst the rugged beauty of the Dead Mountains, the Rangers have access to a trove of natural resources that both sustain their survival and contribute to their resilience. Rich veins of minerals crisscross their lands, providing a wealth of economic potential, while the lush, wooded regions bordering the Mansdon Forest offer generous supplies of timber.
Adding a unique charm to their rugged lives is the ancient tradition of stag breeding. These majestic animals are not just symbols of their connection to nature but serve practical roles as loyal steeds and indispensable work animals, integral to the Rangers' everyday lives and survival.
An Echo of the Past: History Preserved
The First War destroyed the Kingdom of Antadour without erasing its people. The fall of Antadour left two enduring traditions: Antadon rebuilt under Venrisian supremacy, while the Rangers preserved an independent community in the mountains. Antadon means “Southern Home” in Old Antadian; Antadour means “Mountain Home”.
The Old Antadians see themselves as guardians of the lost kingdom and reject the southern political settlement. That claim is part of their identity, not an exclusive right to Antadour’s heritage: both they and the Antadonians descend from the fallen kingdom.
Northpoint
Situated in the Valley of Fallen Kings, Northpoint is the headquarters of the Rangers and a centre of Old Antadian community life. During Eliendir Thorald’s childhood, dark elven attackers breached its defences and devastated the settlement without occupying it permanently. Northpoint was subsequently rebuilt.