Rangers of the South

The Rangers of the South are not to be mistaken for Chasind Wilders or Avvar tribesmen. Their history goes far back.
When Orlais unified into the Empire we know it as now, Kordilius Drakon I formalized the Cult of the Maker as his empire's religion. It proved to be a beneficial move in the long run as it pulled together many disparate groups, including this large, mysterious group known as the Inquisition.
History primarily remembers this moment as one of unification, but seldom mentions those who did not conform. Most prominent members of the Inquisition bowed out, living the rest of their lives in secrecy under the umbrella of Orlais. With all their heart, they believed that the Templar Order was the answer a desperate Thedas needed in such a terrible time. However, there were those agents of the Inquisition who believed that their work was not over.
One must keep in mind the state of Thedas at this point in time: a world where the only major source of order—the Tevinter Imperium—had just lost its control over more than eighty percent of Thedas' land. People blamed magic for the death of Andraste and the terror they saw every day—and not without reason. Abominations and demons rampaged the countryside. No one was safe.
Stories spanning all across Southern Thedas mention various groups who lurk in the shadows of plain sight and exist to keep the balance of all things in check, while occasionally showing their hand in situations most dire: the Fighters, the Lurkers, Men Who Watch, Red Hands, and several others. I postulate that all these titles are just different names for the same group, one whose name in Alamarri common vernacular is "Rangers of the South". It's also my theory that this organization is from the descendants of those Inquisition agents who refused to disband.
Why they refused to join the Chantry? I presume that they felt strongly about the idea of living in a society where mages were even allowed to exist. It should be noted that this hypothesis only serves as a formal academic guess and nothing more.
Where are they now? Were they truly involved in the legend of Faineth's tale, if the story is any more than something to scare children? What do they stand for? Why do they refuse to enter civilization? Do they even exist? My studies have only made me all the more inquisitive on the matter.

— From Thedas: Myths and Legends, by Ferdinand Genitivi

Alternative Names

The Fighters, The Lurkers, Men Who Watch, Red Hands, Balancers, Equilibrium