Blackraven Scout

This tall, silent man wears a magnificent cloak of raven's feathers and a well-maintained suit of dark leather armor.

Blackraven Scout (CR 5)

Human Ranger 6
Medium Humanoid (Human)
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Initiative: +4
Senses: Perception +10

Speed: 30 feet
Space: 5 feet

Defense

Armor Class: 17, touch 15, flat-footed 12 (+2 armor, +4 Dex, +1 dodge)
Hit Points: 55 (6d10+18)
Saving Throws: Fort +8, Ref +10, Will +4

Offense

Melee: mwk battleaxe +8/+3 (1d8+1/x3)
Reach: 5 feet
Ranged: +1 composite longbow +12/+7 (1d8+2/x3)

Special Attacks: favored enemy (giants +4, humans +2)

Ranger Spells Prepared (CL 3rd, Concentration +4):

• 1st - Animal Messenger, Resist Energy

Statistics

Str	Dex	Con	Int	Wis	Cha
12 (+1)	18 (+4)	14 (+2)	10 (+0)	13 (+1)	8 (-1)

Base Attack Bonus: +6
CMB +7
CMD 22

Feats: , Dodge, Endurance, Improved Precise Shot, Precise Shot, Weapon Focus (Composite Longbow)

Skills: Climb +10, Heal +10, Knowledge (local) +6, Knowledge (nature) +9, Perception +10, Stealth +13, Survival +10

Languages: Common, Skald

Special Qualities: favored terrain (cold +2), hunter's bond (companions), track +3, wild empathy +5

Special Abilities

NONE

Ecology

Environment: Any
Organization: solitary or patrol (2-8)
Treasure: NPC gear (masterwork leather armor; +1 composite longbow with 20 arrows, 20 cold iron arrows, and 5 +1 flaming arrows; masterwork battleaxe; potions of cure moderate wounds [2]; acid [4]; alchemist's fire [4]; cloak of resistance +1; cold weather survival gear; other treasure)


The Blackravens are an elite band of soldiers and scouts who guard the eastern borders of the Linnorm Kingdoms against incursions from Irrisen and other threats, such as frost giants from the Stormspear Mountains and bands of ogres from the foothills that border the Nolands of Varisia. Freyr Darkwine, the castellan of Hagreach, leads the Blackravens, whose main headquarters is a granite fortress called Blackraven Hall, situated next to the Rimef low River near the border with Irrisen.

While the Blackravens count among their number a wide range of individuals from varying races and classes, those most commonly encountered are scouts that patrol the rivers and roads throughout this borderland. These scouts undergo specific training against their hated enemies and are all rangers specialized in fighting in subarctic conditions. A typical Blackraven patrol contains four to six members.

In the open terrain around the Rimef low River, Blackraven patrols are sometimes mounted on horseback, but in less hospitable places, they sometimes use dog sleds, skis, or snowshoes. They patrol the border regularly but in no set pattern, making it difficult to predict their movements.

A Blackraven dons pale leather armor when he needs to blend into snowy environs, or when on reconnaissance missions into Irrisen. Blackraven scouts make extensive use of animal messenger spells to maintain communication over large areas. Specialists at battling trolls, Blackravens typically carry flaming arrows and alchemical fire to inhibit the creatures' regeneration and destroy their remains.