Re: Weapons of choice
Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2017 3:13 pm
Ah ok that makes sense. I like the idea of sword and bow only too.Udwin wrote:"The Company took little gear of war, for their hope was in secrecy not in battle. Aragorn had Anduril but no other weapon, and he went forth clad only in rusty green and brown, as a Ranger of the wilderness." LR Bk II Ch 3.
"All had swords at their sides, and were clad in green and brown of varied hues, as if the better to walk unseen in the glades of Ithilien." LR Bk IV Ch 4
Based on Tolkien's text, I would not advise wearing of any armor for an everyday Ranger (of Arnor or Ithilien), unless you intend specifically to represent the ride of the Grey Company--who wore mail because they were openly riding to war. Note that even Faramir's men--though we see them in action, actively setting an ambush for the Haradrim--are not depicted wear armor: it is not becoming of one needing to be stealthy during guerilla operations. Even when among the Breelanders, wearing armor would serve only to further alienate them from that population.
Since we know that both populations of Rangers had mail available, it is conceivable that a band might don their hauberks if setting out to take out a specific threat (not simply harass and pester the enemy as in Ithilien). But for everyday purposes, No.