Humans and Demihumans

   Humans and demihumans become followers for different reasons than animals. Drawn to a ranger's reputation for honor and integrity, humans and demihumans serve as followers out of respect, admiration, and hero-worship. They remain loyal so long as their basic needs are met, and the ranger doesn't betray their trust.

   Trainability doesn't apply to human and demihuman followers. Instead, they will perform any duties or functions within reason. Typically, such followers serve as soldiers, but they may also work as guards, servants, or personal aides.

   Human and demihuman followers accompany the ranger as long as their basic needs are met and their are fairly treated. Some may serve with the understanding that the ranger will teach them the ways of the wilderness. It's up to the ranger to determine the needs and expectations of each new follower when he arrives.

   A ranger's human and demihuman followers aren't confined to a stronghold. They may accompany him on his travels or undertake independent missions. In other respects, a ranger's followers adhere to the guidelines given in Chapter 12 of the Player's Handbook. The DM should prepare a character sheet with all relevant statistics for each new follower. The DM, not the player, controls the actions of the follower.

   Restrictions. In general, human and demihuman followers should be of 1st to 4th level when they appear; a 15th-level fighter has better things to do than tag along after a 10th-level ranger. Additionally, the follower should be of good alignment; except in rare cases, rangers won't tolerate neutral or evil followers.

   Followers can be of either sex. The age of the follower is also unimportant, although because of their low levels, most followers will be relatively young.

   Personalities. Impressionable youths, curious scholars, impulsive vagabonds, and orphaned wanderers all make good followers. Interesting quirks or personal problems make followers more fun for the players, and also provide springboards for adventures. Chapter 12 of the DUNGEON MASTER Guide offers suggestions for creating NPC personalities, which are also suitable for followers.

   Abandonment. Just as he may do with animal followers, the ranger may dismiss or release his human and demihuman followers. Released followers may rejoin the ranger at a later time. Human and demihuman rangers who are dismissed or otherwise lost can't be replaced.

   Human and demihuman followers may also abandon their rangers. Situations that may trigger abandonment include reckless endangerment, continual verbal abuse, or inattention to the follower's needs. If the ranger commits an act of cowardice or otherwise violates his code of honor, a follower may become disillusioned and abandon the ranger in disgust. The DM might make morale checks to determine if a follower stays or goes, he may resolve the situation by role-playing (the follower requests an explanation for the ranger's cowardly behavior; the follower stays if the ranger offers a reasonable justification), or in extreme cases, he may have the follower simply disappear without explanation.

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