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Imperial Navy
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Aelyria's militant forces of the sea.
Abstract
The Imperial Classii are one of the finest naval forces in the world. Populated by every race in the empire, the Imperial Navy is a source of power abroad and security at home.
Further Reading: Primer to the Military
History
Aelyria gained its first navy with King Constantine's conquest of the Republic of Luctadomum. From the year 8454, when Doge Thoime built the Great Lighthouse and turned his attention to the seas, the Republic began to build an ever-growing navy of triremes, or galleys, to protect its flourishing maritime trade and to bolster its colonization efforts. When the then-Doge of the Republic surrendered to the invading Aelyrian forces in 8795, the Aelyrians gained a fleet as good, or better, than any of its contemporaries. Since then the Navy has been constantly evolving and growing.
Imperial Navy and the Empire
The ships of the Imperial Navy are docked throughout the large ports of the Empire. In times of peace the navy patrols the Empire's shores and is particularly engaged in protecting merchant ships and combating piracy. Because local fleets of any size or firepower are virtually nonexistent, the Imperial Navy is the primary vehicle for local law enforcement on the high seas.
The Sailors
Recruits into the Navy come from across the empire and typically have some naval or combat experience. The able-bodied are conscripted into long-term service. They are expected to learn on the job and promotion is contingent on showing excellence on the waters. Desertion is heavily punished, but if a sailor survives and excels they may expect substantial remuneration upon their retirement.
Organizational Structure
The Ships
While there are ships of all kinds of shapes and sizes in the Imperial Navy, the heart of the Navy are large, heavy ships called galleons. While not very fast, some of them are capable of holding up to 350 cannons (or guns, as they are called), though most will not have that many. The galleons are built specifically for naval combat. Supporting the galleons, and most commonly seen on day-to-day patrols or escorting merchant ships, are the frigates. Frigates are lighter fighting ships capable of carrying up to 70 guns.The Units
The number of men needed on board ship, as well as the number of ships sent on a particular mission, may vary widely. The most important men on board a ship, however, are the helmsman, who steers the ship, the Senior Seaman, elected by the crew as their representative and second in command, and the Captain, who commands the ship.
On occasions when more than one ship are working together, it is common for the Captain of the larger ship to be in command.
The number of ships stationed together will depend on the size of the port in question and may vary greatly. Whatever its size, the local unit of the Navy is called a Classis. The Classis is under the command of the local Navarch.
The Imperial Navy as a whole is commanded by the Imperial Admiral. This military officer has complete control over the overall direction of the entire Imperial Navy. The Imperial Admiral sets the tone for the Imperial Navy, ensures the Navarchs do their jobs, handles the political wheedling and dealings that are part of life in the palace and advises the Emperor on all military matters.A Career in the Imperial Navy
To become a seaman is no small commitment. The shortest term of service with the navy is for ten eras, without the possibility of early retirement; most seamen are career men and women who have devoted their lives to the navy. Desertion is heavily punished. Those who persevere and rise in the ranks, however, may expect prestigious benefits upon their retirement. Promotion is meritocratic, usually happening after a seaman has distinguished himself under pressure.
New seamen must be fit for active service. In keeping with the imperial forces' role as a vehicle for social engineering, seamen are almost never assigned to units stationed near their place of origin. New seamen learn on the job and are quickly integrated into their ship. They are taught basic seafaring Skills as well as basic combat training, usually with the cutlass, and manning the guns.
Credit
Sheng Kaldres, Mimesis -
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