The Rangers of the North were wandering vagabonds that patrolled the boundaries of Eriador throughout the later years of the third age. They were Dúnedain, who could trace their bloodline back to the people of Númenor.
Appearance
“A little apart the rangers sat, silent, in an ordered company, armed with spear, bow, and sword.”
The Rangers of the North were tall, grim-faced men of lordly stature. In the Return of the King, Gimli claims that “the Riders of Rohan look almost as boys beside them”. This claim is later reinforced by the Unfinished Tales, which confirms that the height for an average male Dúnadan was two rangar (the length of one stride), or about 6’ 4” (1.93m). In the previous age, many Dúnedain had been even taller, with Elendil being said to have been “more than man-high by nearly half a ranga”.
Rangers of the North were grim in life, appearance, and dress, choosing to wear rusty green and brown. Their weapons would include swords, spears, and bows. Often they would wear hoods, but not always. Dúnedain were also confirmed to carry a sealed wallet on their belts, consisting of a small phial of cordial and wafers of waybread that would “sustain life in him for many days”, not the same same as miruvor or lembas carried by elves, less potent but identical in function.
Culture
The Rangers of the North were always led by a chieftain from the bloodline of Elendil. They were a widely scattered people, and their race was dwindling by the end of the third age. After the fall of Arnor, most of their people retreated to a place called the Angle, a safe haven south of Rivendell, although due to the absence of this area in-game, the largest gatherings of Dúnedain would be in Esteldín and Tinnudir.
They would speak some variation of Sindarin, as well as common speak. They were NOT the same as the Rangers of Ithilien, and have not had direct contact with them since the fall of Arnor.
The Dúnedain lived far longer than average men, with their life spans being about three times that of an average man. Their heritage as Dúnedain was unknown to most people, who would perhaps have heard stories of the Rangers who travel in the wilds, but not know that they are descendants of Númenor.
Rangers of the North would avoid passing through towns and larger settlements whenever possible, to avoid unnecessary attention. In public situations they would often remain quiet, and not mingle with others. They would not have too many friends outside of either their kin, or elves.
They would mostly dwell in the wilderness; defending from orc raids and helping lost travelers find their way. They would rely predominantly on stealth and surprise, rather than an open confrontation, but would be above average in a close-quarters fight. They were also skilled hunters and pathfinders, and used their environment most effectively, which in some encounters would make them seem to be almost inhuman in their ability.
