Rangers

While the term “ranger” can means several things historically, in the 8th Age the term ranger most commonly refers to the Rangers of Agathos re-formed and updated for modern sensibilities by the United Free People's Federation.

The Ranger Corps, or more officially the Department of the Great Cause of Liberty (DGCL), is an elite branch of the UFPF military that reports directly to the president, side-stepping normal CENTCOM command structures. The organization includes full members, who are often given the honorary rank of Ranger of Agathos (a call-back to the ancient concept of Rangers), as well as support staff and members in training. It is headed by the office of RANGECOM; led by a Ranger whose official title is simply Commander, but who realistically acts as a flag officer with broad strategic authority within both the military and other parts of the federation government.

Rangers, being elite and independent soldiers, are given a certain flexibility on uniform and insignia. Most, however, wear or at least incorporate the standard emblem of the seven-pointed Star of Liberty wreathed by a broken set of chains. Combat rangers, i.e. those active in the field rather than intelligence or command positions, often wear the battle emblem, which features a double-edged sword in front of the star, pointed downwards so that it is set in between the broken chains.

The slogan of the Ranger Corps is “The Tree of Liberty grows by the Blood of Despots” which mirrors the Free People's Army slogan of “Death to Tyrants.” The Ranger motto is “Justice for the Weak - Duty for the Strong - Liberty for All” sometimes shortened to the watch-words “Justice, Duty, Liberty.”

RANGECOM is housed, along with the entire corps, at Fort Vigil a short distance outside Lynpolis, in Rovton province. The main headquarters is housed in the “ranger lodge” - a fortified bunker once designed to protect the Senate of the Old Republic in case of national catastrophe. The lodge entrance is a massive steel door, watched over by the ranger emblem in silver with the letters “GCL” set below. A blue holo-sign of the same design overlays the silver.

At the bottom of the lodge is the “watchtower,” where briefings are held, missions are run, and other command and logistics functions are performed. The watchtower door is watched over by the combat emblem and the ranger slogan.

Rangers are divided into squads of varying sizes, depending on necessity and personnel availability. Pure ranger units larger than a squad are almost never formed, though rangers often attach themselves temporarily to regular military units of larger sizes. Rangers may take direct, though only short-term, command of units up to battalion size, and can with cause countermand orders of higher-level commanders, up to even flag officers.

Ranger squads are ordered by a phonetic alphabet, using names of mythical or supernatural beasts:

A ranger tank lance initially led by the ranger Rook. The lance soon developed Pteros leanings. Self-styled as the “Nightmare of Centria” based on legendary Centrian wars against centaurs of old, Centaur Lance used advanced hover-tank tactics to strike at USC positions with lightning raids.

A ranger squad known for RANGECOM loyalists. Brave in combat, unwavering in support of republican values, and heroes to the common people, Eagle Squad soon became the poster-boy for the organization and was heavily featured in propaganda media and army recruitment campaigns.

A RANGECOM-loyal squad. Best known for their hard hitting raids against Phyrin syndicate members in Pyrkagia.

Icarus Squad included charter rangers Lion, Tomb, and Nimbus, and quickly became the leadership squad for the Eleytheros Pteros Episke ranger camp.

Kraken Squad was a Kingslayer loyal squad made of mostly former FDC and FedInt agents. They focused on intelligence gathering and covert operations deep behind USC lines.

An IWAR focused squad, mostly filled with RANGECOM loyalists.

Seraph Squad was an early Pteros-aligned squad who gained wide-spread fame with their bold victory at Dolmapolis in the early days of RANGECOM. Charter members included the rangers Crownclown, Inquisitor, Nexus, Ruckus, Serenity, Shrike, and Silvertongue. The ranger Ethos soon joined them after his squad was wiped out.

Unicorn squadron was a Pteros-aligned pilot squadron that focused on air superiority and CAS missions. Charter members include the rangers Blackout and Nova.

A kingslayer-aligned squad. Charter members include Nocturne.