The Tandis Lists: Introduction

The Tandis Lists are the compiled lists of all of the Old Bears since the First Forgathering of Rangers in 3278ey. They are kept by Tandis of Peakshadow -- a well-respected historian of the Fraternity.

The Old Bear is the Ranger with the most seniority at the time of the Forgathering at which he is named. Not that this is not necessarily the oldest Ranger in attendance, but rather the one who has been a Ranger the longest. Due to their long lives, those with elvish blood are often recognized as the Old Bear at successive moots.

The chief duty of the Old Bear is to officially open and close the Forgathering. While his position is largely ceremonial, one of the last acts of the week long Forgathering is to call upon the Old Bear to name the Captains and Provos (provisional captains) of the numbered Ranger companies, should they be called upon to reconstitute their numbers.