Profile: The Imperial Navy

From the book, “The New Imperial Classii”, by Provost Imperatis Sheng Kaldres with adaptions from the book, “Shield of Ioannes - The Modern Aelyrian Navy” by Admiral Dethus Kimiq, Solace Fleet

“Yoho and a bottle of rum, for we are the men of the sea of rum!” ~ Part of a popular song sung by Aelyrian sailors

The Imperial Classii are one of the finest fighting forces ever fielded in the history of Telath. They are well equipped, well trained, and well led. Populated by every race in the empire, the Imperial Navy is a source of power abroad and security at home. Those who have contributed to its service deserve our outmost respect for their dedication and honor.

"Raise the anchor, and prepare the talisman! We must enter into the skies to rejoin the fleet at 0900. Ensign, I need you to give me a regular navigational report. Remember, the rest of you, report in to your department heads every hour after we're up in the air. We are the pride of the fleet, men. The entire Empire is looking up to us, not just because we are above them, but because we are the future of the defense of this great nation."
-Grand Admiral Gorrel Angelico, "Captain's Log"

The Sailors

At the heart of the Imperial Navy are the men; Strong, capable souls of every race and creed. They are trained thoroughly in the arts of war and of the waters, often learning how to manage several different kinds of ships and weapons. It is expected that a sailor will know not just that of weapons and ships, but also other skills necessary for success on the waters. They learn first aid, enabling them to assist wounded comrades and greatly decreasing the likelihood of a wounded man dying. Communications is also important. In the confusion and noise of battle, these sailors use a variety of flags, whistles, hand signals, and verbal commands to relay information and issue orders. They are trained to work well with others, coordinating with others to make a ship sails and not just a collection of individuals.

Of course, warfare is not the only focus of their lives. For the most part, the military in a region is also the main law enforcement presence. Thus, knowledge of the law is often required as well as the ability to reason and converse with others. As any true sailor knows, if a struggle can be won without drawing a sword or fire a cannon shot, the non-violent method is always preferable.

A typical 15-hours workday for a sailor in the Imperial Classii may go something like this when they are not patrolling the waters:

Assemble for duty; hear the orders of the brightening
Calisthenics and exercises
First rosyun
Military skills practice (close order drill, weapons, etc)
Lecture on some aspect of military history, leadership, etc
Second rosyun
Area cleaning like cleaning the decks
Debriefing, clean weapons
Dismiss, pracenda

or it can be like this:

Assemble for watchduty during ship patrolling
Doing watchduty
Get notice for end of watchduty
Rest for rosyun
Assemble for deck duty
Doing deck duty like setting of sail, washing of decks and maintenance
Ship anchor for the darkening

During the typical brightening of a sailor, a sailor has watchduty during patrols in the sea. The areas which the Imperial Navy will patrol include the various sea, rivers and lakes. Commonly they will patrol out a short distance (up to 50 miles) for a one-brightening patrol, or a very long distance (up to 200 miles) for a several brightenings patrol. In port and on dry land, sailors may engage in patrols within the city walls, but more often than not, the sailors engaged themselves in the maintenance of the ship or if they are free to do so, go to the taverns and get themselves drunk!

It should be noted that, unlike the cultural norm, sailors tend to eat three meals instead of two. This is because the heavy physical exercise they endure requires more food and more often.

During times of peace in the Empire, the common sailor is expected to engage in useful activities. Of these many activities, the soldier can expect to engage themselves in training, patrolling and sometimes engage themselves in meaningful activities for the Empire. An example is the provision of labor and expertise in the maintenance of the various public works like roads and dams. Another example is the supply of labor and expertise in the building of ships for the Imperial Navy. A sailor is expected to work whenever the sailor is needed.

When there are uprisings and wars, the life of a common sailor can be very difficult due to the prolonged outfield living and the constant pushing by the officers. During wars, the sailors are expected to live with just the sea, the sky and each other. Of course, supplies will be available now and then, but even so sailors should not expect an easy time out in the waters, for they are trained to endure the elements and to win wars for the Empire.

The Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs)

The men and women who lead the sailors in the thick of battle are extremely capable. Senior Seamen are first tier of leaders on board a ship. Senior Seamen are the leaders that will lead the Seamen. They are generally experienced sailors, sometimes voted into the position by their peers, but often promoted on the basis of merit by the Trieririus of the ship. They can be expected to know as much if not more than the sailors they lead on any military or naval subject. But they must also be managers, counselors, and second fathers for the men under their command. The men will always look to the Senior Seamen to lead them, and if he or she does not have their trust and devotion, the unit will suffer.

Above the Senior Seamen are the Oar-Navits. These senior sailors are often the best NCOs on the ship. Intelligent and capable, their main task is staff related. They are the ones who make sure the units they are assigned to get the supplies they need, the personnel to do their jobs, and act as assistants to the officers. Most consider them the backbone of the Navy, as they lend their experience to the Senior Seamen and Seamen, and their leadership ability is valuable to the officers. There is an old axiom that is found to be true more often than not, the Oar-Navit’s job is to keep the ship alive and preserve the command of the Trieririus.

The highest rank that a NCO could be is Helm-Navit. Helm-Navits are the best and the most senior of NCOs in the whole Classis. Officers and men alike respect them. It is said that Helm-Navits are the third highest rank on the any ship, for without them, the Trieririus and Sail-Navits would find it hard to sail a ship.

Helm-Navits and Oar-Navits also serve in other functions. They are often referred to by their functional rank. Indeed, it is rather typical for an Oar-Navit to be assigned to assist the Ducor on the Disi level or to Zeton Navarchs on the Classis level. This is the same for Helm-Navits. And sometimes those on the ship level is considered a lower rank than the Disi level, though it is usually only tenure in the service and experience that makes the difference between the two.

The Officers

Officers come in four different flavors; kadet, dandy, savant and mustang. The kadets are those who start their careers in the Officer Ala in the Azimuth Classis. They spend several years studying here, learning protocol, leadership, tactics, navigation, weather, and all the skills needed for the seas. These are the elite of society, the wealthy and the noble born. Although privileged, the men that serve them do not automatically dislike them. Indeed, they are often respected for their knowledge and high level of training. And those who do not respect them find themselves facing the ire of the Oar-Navits rather quickly.

The dandies on the other hand are another matter. These individuals are the officers who are appointed to their ranks by civilian powers. It is unfortunate that such persons obtain positions of power this way, as more often then not they are ill equipped for the job and the sailors suffer the consequences of their incompetence. In fact, these officers are often so despised by the sailors that several dandies throughout history have been killed by the sailors of their own ship (an event called a “fragging”) when it became evident that because of their incompetence they were more dangerous to the ship than the enemy. It is not uncommon for sailors to rise up in mutiny if the ship’s commander was found to be incompetent. This is not to say that all dandies fall into the “kill before he leads us into battle” category. Many take the initiative to learn their new trade, often calling in Oar-Navits, Helm-Navits or subordinate officers they trust to teach them.

Similar to dandies, savants are officer that are directly commissioned as officers. However, the difference between dandies and savants is that savants are recruited based on their abilities. Savants are officers that are recruited because the Imperial Navy needed their specialized skills. These specialized skills can be in the area of trade skills, combat, arcana or lore. Most soldiers respect the savant, but due to their specialized knowledge and their lack of formal training with respect to the military, savant can sometimes exhibit a lack of leadership skills. To solve this problem, the Officer Ala offers a modified training program to help those that lack these skills. And most savants will learn leadership and other needed skills from experience and guidance from Shield-Daekins or subordinate offciers that they trust.

Finally, there are the Mustangs. These are the individuals who start off as enlisted men and then become officers. Usually this is a result of “battlefield promotion”, which is a euphemistic term for being the highest-ranking person in the unit because everyone of higher rank is dead. Since they served originally as enlisted, they have great respect from the sailors they lead. Of course this also means that the officers tend to look down upon them, mostly the dandies but occasionally the kadets as well. Some Classii get around this officer corps animosity by sending the mustang to the Officer Ala for one era of intensive training.

Organizational Structure

1 Imperial Navy, containing 10 Classii
1 Imperial Host, containing 3 Classii led by a Ducor Navarch
Classis:
1 Classis (100), containing 2 Turma led by a Zeton Navarch
2 Turmans (50), each containing 2 Disis led by a Navarch
4 Disis (25), each containing 5 Ala led by a Ducor
20 Alae (5), each containing 5 Ships led by a Zeton
100 Ships, each led by a Trieririus
Ship:
4 Pontii, each led by a Navit
Domanu, each containing 2 Manus led by a Sail-Navit
Manu, each containing 10 men led by a Oar-Navit

The structure of the Imperial Navy is the Classis (pural: Classii) system. Under this system, there two system of division of forces; one for manpower and one for the ships

The division of manpower in the Imperial Classii is similar to that of the Imperial Legions. The most basic unit of men in the Imperial Classii is the Manu. This unit has a standard strength of ten men. An Oar-Navit leads a Manu assisted by a Senior Seamen. Such a grouping of men makes it easier for the officers and NCOs to assign work to the men.

Two Manus can formed a Domanu to fall under the command of a Sail-Navit. This is a larger command that generally oversees larger tasks such as boarding an enemy ship. They are also functional commands. For example, the responsibility for the administrative needs of a ship (cooks, payroll, repairs) would fall to a Sail-Navit and his or her division of troops. It is fairly common for the number of men under each Sail-Navit to swell in times of war, as casualties are always expected and reinforcements never are.

The Manus and Domanus then fall under the command of a Navit assisted by a Helm-Navit in the formation of a Pontis (pural: Pontii) according to their function. On all ships, there are only four Pontii; the Sail Pontis, the Security Pontis, Logistics Pontis and the Command Pontis. These four Pontii formed the manpower for a Ship, which commanded by a Trieririus (pural: Trieri). A Trieririus has considerable power on board the ship that he or she commands and much effort is put into the control of personnel on board a ship. Since officers ranked Navit and above can promote or demote enlisted personnel under their command, the Trieririus can control movement of enlisted men on his ships. And even though a Trieririus cannot appoint officers and a Trierirus had great influences on the appointment of officers on board the ship.

For the division of ships, the most basic formation is the Ala (pural: Alae). A Zeton commands an Ala made up of five ships. Next level of formation is the Disi (pural: Disis), a formation that consists of five Alae and commanded by a Ducor. Two Disis formed a Turmans under the command of a Navarch and two Turmans of a hundred ships formed a Classis, lead by a Zeton Navarch.

The Classii almost never move as a single force, spending most of its time split up into smaller units, each of them reporting to its commanding officer. An Imperial Armada can be as small as one Ala and as large as a few Disis anchoring together.

The Imperial Admiral appoints the Zeton Navarch and the opinions of civilian officials like the governor are often considered into the appointment. While many Zeton Navarchs have been professional sailors, there are many that have been political cronies and hangers-on. The Zeton Navarch’s main job is to ensure the combat readiness of the Classis and handle personnel, materiel, and political issues that may interfere with the coordinated and smooth operation of the Classis. The appointing and posting of officers in a Classis is one such duties as officers ranked Navarch and above have the authority to promote and demote officers under their command. This can often be difficult as he or she struggles to combine different races and styles of fighting into one cohesive unit. It is the opinion of many military observers that this is perhaps the most difficult job in the Imperial Navy.

Up from the Zeton Navarch level, there is the Ducor Navarch who leads an Imperial Host which is a formation of two or more Imperial Classii. This is the largest force fielded by the Imperial Classii for any particular theater of operations. It is a massive undertaking, requiring huge amounts of support in the form of gold, food, and equipment. It must be noted that the Azimuth and Marines Corps do not report to any of the Ducor Navarchs and instead answer directly to the Imperial Admiral.

In command of all Classii everywhere is 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 Zeton 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.

Classis Build-Up

The Imperial Classii is organized into Classis, which are also numbered, and stationed in Seas. Each Classis is commanded by a Zeton Navarch. It's important to think of the Imperial Classii in the same way that we think of the Imperial Legions. Specifically, the Imperial Classii - like the Imperial Legions - operates only at the Imperial Level. It has a hierarchy that is separate from local and provincial governments; it answers only to the Emperor and his Imperial Government. That said, the Emperor stations the Imperial Classii across the Aelyrian Empire - just like he stations the Imperial Legions across the provinces - in order to maintain strategic control. For each Classis, which can vary in its jurisdiction, but usually corresponds to a large section of the sea, he assigns a number. These numerical distinctions can, obviously change.

The Imperial Navy tends to operate through convocation; that is, higher-ranking officers call together lesser units in order to form a cohesive whole to undertake a specific operation. For example, if pirates were menacing the waters off the coast of Kaldira, the Zeton Navarch would call together the Zetons at Kaldira's port, and undertake a multi-vessel operation to smash the pirates. The same goes for more intricate operations, as Zeton Navarchs may take on military interdiction, policing, or even military expeditions against foreign powers (with the blessing of the Imperial Government, obviously). In recent memory, there has not been convocation of all the Imperial Classii under a single command, though, traditionally, the Emperor's private warship, historically the AFS Khatakera, serves as the Imperial Flagship of the entire Imperial Navy.

Each Classis is led from a single harbor, almost always based in one of the larger cities of the province the Classis is stationed in. Below is a list of where each Classis is stationed. While not all of a Classis's ships are stationed somewhere in the city, the Classis's headquarters can always be found here.

Great Sea
1st Classis: Aelyria Prime (Empress' Pride)
5th Classis: Archadoon (Northern Lights)
8th Classis: Taralon (Phondra Anchors)
9th Classis: Aelyria Prime (Marines Corps, Mariners' Legions)
10th Classis: Aelyria Prime (Azimuth Classis, recruitment and training Classis)

Northern Sea
2nd Classis: Imperia (Harpoons of Ark'dar)
6th Classis: Paxia (Chains of Ioannes)

Sea of Diana
3rd Classis: La Quista (Leaden Classis)
7th Classis: Port Alyxandra (Queens' Honor)

Enunesia Sea
4th Classis: Olympia (Neptunide Defenders)

A Career in the Imperial Classii

A Seaman always starts his career in Aelyria Prime where he signs his first contract for a complete pattern. From there on he's immediately given a position in the Azimuth Classis, also known as the training Classis for the Imperial Classii. This is temporary home to the Seaman as he is being taught the basics formations, setting of sails, military etiquette and basic combat training. Once the Seaman has finished his first cycle of training he is immediately given an evaluation before being transferred to any of the 10 Classii stationed throughout the Empire. This decision is based on the Seaman's abilities and openings in the other Classii Alae.

Once a suitable Classis has been found for the Seaman he is immediately put on transport and taken to his new Classis where he will find a new home in either the 19th or 20th Ala, which are reserved for fresh recruits. This is where the Seaman's true training starts. What he has learned with the Azimuth Classis he will now put to practice as the Green Alae, as they are often nicknamed, is given the easiest of chores. The members of the Green Alae wear green scarfs, identifying them as fresh recruits which much be watched over by the more veteran Seamen. They are to set sails, perform watch duty and stand guard. Only when danger is low will they be put out on the seas to fight, often aiding local authorities against petty criminals. It is in these months that the Seaman makes the vital skills of seamanship his own so that later he may concentrate on more important matters under pressure and can perform menial tasks without much thought. It is also in the Green Alae that the Seamen are tested and scouted for their best abilities. The strongest and toughest are bound to become respectable members of Third and Fourth Rated Ships, maybe even rising to the ranks of the crew of First and Second Rated ships. Most of the fresh recruits however will join the bulk of the Imperial Classii on board ships rated fifth and below, making up the strong backbone which has formed the Imperial Classii since its conception.

In the case of the rare Seaman that showed talents in fields like arcana or engineering, the Seaman may find himself going back to Aelyria Prime to undergo another round of specialize training. Arcana training may be found in the Mage Corps while engineering skills be found in the Azimuth Classis which also has a function of acting as a Classis for training specialist skills like non-arcanic healing and even that of musical, which cannot be easily be found in the other Classii.

Once an opening in the core Alae presents itself, and the new Seaman has proven himself he may change his green scarf to one bearing his Classis' color and join the Ala chosen for him. In these core Alae, a seaman will perform a myriad of duties, ranging from patrols to guarding local dignitaries and aiding the local authorities with any problem they might have. After a Seaman’s contract expires he is offered the choice to sign on for another tour, keeping him in the Classis for another pattern. Many Seaman do so, seeing it for the respectable career path that it is, willing to rise through the ranks and serve the Empire they love.

The Units

On board a ship, there is a need for sailors of different skills and thus, it can be difficult to classify the basic units according to their skill sets. It would be easier to classify the sailors according to their place on board the ship. On top of that, there are a group of sailors who would support each ship in specific tasks on dry land and on sea, which do not fall under any departments.

The Ship's Pontii

Each ship is usually organized along the following structure: Command Pontis, Security Pontis, Logistics Pontis and Deck Pontis. The Command Pontis is lead by the Ship Comanding Officer. Then, there is usually an XO who is sometimes called the First Mate. After the XO, there is the second and third mate or even fourth mate for larger ships, officers a rank below or the same as the XO. Other in the Command includes the personnel needed for the steering of the ship like the helmsman. As the name implies, the Command is the department that is responsible for the command of the ship and from where important functions like steering and the course to set are determined. In cases of whereby higher ranked personnel like a Zeton Navarch or Ducor is present, the Command may become the Classis or Disi Command depending on whoever is on board, expanding the number of people in the Pontis. In that case, there may be more than one Zeton; one to guide the ship and another to assist the senior officer. The Command Pontis also has the function to provide navigation, and communication on board the ship and to other ships. On most ships, the strength of this Pontis is one Domanu for Sloops, Sixth and Fift rated ships, two Domanus for Third and Fourth rated ships, and three Domanus for First and Second rated ships.

Security is the department that involves armed personnel that make sure that the security of the ship is not breached from within or without. Security is also the department for controlling of weapons and to protect the important sections of the ship. This function is often taken over by the Marines on board. The numbers in the Security Pontis is one Domanu for Sloops, and increase by one Domanu at each corresponding decrease in the ship rating.

Logistics are men that are in charge of all store and equipment on the ship except for weapons. Logistics includes the Quartermaster who is a senior NCO who has a few NCOs and men under him, and the Master Cook who is in charge of satisfying the stomachs of all sailors on board a ship. The Logistics commanding officer is also expected to act as the purser. On most ships, the strength of this Pontis is one Domanu for Sloops, Sixth and Fift rated ships, two Domanus for Third and Fourth rated ships, and three Domanus for First and Second rated ships.

The most important department of a Navy ship is the Deck, which can be split into Sails and Gunnery, for without this department, the ship cannot sail. The Sails consists of men that are in charge of sails, while the Gunnery is in charge of the cannons. A large single mast sail requires around 20 men to rise and a small sail around 8 men, while a cannon require 2 to 4 men to operate. A Navit is in charge of both the Sails and Gunnery. The numbers in the Deck Pontis is one Domanu for Sloops, three Domanus for Sixth rated ships, six Domanus for Fifth rated ships, ten Domanus for Fourth rated ships, fourteen Domanus for Third rated ships, ninteen Domanus for Second rated ships and twenty four Domanus for First rated ships. However, it must be noted that most sailors are trained in the use of cannons and sails, and often than not, the numbers for this Pontis is reduced by one to four Domanus.

The Marines

Marines are basically infantry units on board a ship. The Marines are usually equipped the same as the regular infantry in the Imperial Legions or sometimes even light infantry, and rarely heavy infantry for heavy armored units do not survive well in sea; if one falls into the sea, heavy armor can drag one down quickly and drowns. Marines also do not usually have any mounts as there is a lack of space on board a ship and what use could a mount do at sea? However, there are always exceptions, like the Pegasus riding marines or marines on giant sea serpents.

So why the need for marines? In battles between ships, the usual outcome is either that of the ship sunk from the damage taken, or rendered useless from the damage taken, or that the ship was boarded. In the last scenario, there is a need for the marines. Well equipped for sea and trained for boarding ships, the marines can make a difference in battles when a ship is taken. And when a ship is taken, there is the possibility that the ship may be converted to become an Imperial ship and thus, saving the Imperial Classii Crowns in building ships.

The Marines fall under the command of the Mariners' Legions, of which size is around the strength of four Legions. From this Classis, the Marines are posted to each Classis and distributed as needed.

The Engineers

Like their counterparts in the Imperial Legions, the Imperial Navy Engineers also engage in fortifications, the design of traps and siege machines, and methods of warfare. But their focus is more on the applications of such for the sea. So it is that Imperial Classii Engineers tried to put gunpowder on floats, which will blow up when a ship hits one, or that oil in pots that will burn and cannot be put out by water to burn down a ship. Another function that Imperial Classii Engineers have is to help in the maintenance of the ships. When on or near dry land, the Engineers need to assess how the condition of a ship and what maintenance needs to be done. When on sea, the Engineers engage in activities that help keep the ship running. For example, if a ship is leaking, the Engineer needs to act as a carpenter and seal the leak.

The Healers

The importance of a healer on board a ship cannot be emphasized more. On board, far from any dry land and needed equipment, a healer may be the best hope for a injured sailor and be assured, there will be casualties. For sailors have to deal with heavy equipment on an unstable surface and accidents will happen.

So it is that even the worst equipped ship will have a healer on board to deal with whatever may come. Also included in a healer’s duties on board a ship is to act as chaplain due to their extensive knowledge in religion. In that way, if a sailor dies, he or she would not be buried in the deep seas without the intonations of the gods.

Mage and Magic in the Military

With the discovery of magic, a whole new dimension of warfare was created. It signaled a paradigm shift not seen since the sail was used to move a boat. There are many military strategists who disagree on the optimal use of magic in the field of battle, but they generally fall into one of two camps. The first believe that magi should be gathered together to provide massive amounts of firepower to destroy enemy forces. They hold the position that such a “Magi Fist” can tear huge holes in the enemy lines, which would then be exploited by the quick naval crafts.

The other camp believes that magi should be dispersed among the other units. This “Magic Support” position contends that this way prevents all the magi from getting killed with one lucky fireball and also provides close up, immediate support for troops. Opponents say that it spreads out the magi and makes them less effective in cracking enemy lines. The Navy seems to favor the second view.

One use of magic that seems common in both camps is the non-combat use of magic. This would include healing, intelligence gathering, and so forth. Spellcasters of this genre are almost always in short supply and vigorously recruited.

The levels of spellcasters in the military are generally low. That is to say most spellcasters in the military are Apprentice level mages with a few senior officers being Journeyman and the very rare being Masters and Archmages, especially for Archmages. The last known Archmage to serve in the Imperial Army was the Imperial Marshal, Motito Gil'dae and the one before him was the Imperial Regent, Alexander Nighthawk. Adding to the fact the ratio of mages to soldiers in the military is usually one to five hundreds, the mages are a resource to be valued and to be used carefully with various consideration in mind.

The Imperial Classii Mage Corps is unified with that of the Imperial Legions and mages are assigned to the Imperial Classii from there.

Ship Ratings

In the Imperial Navy, there are ships of all kinds of shapes and sizes. So how do a Zeton Navarch knows how well equipped is a particular ship of his Classis is? Within the Navy, the strength of men and the type of weapons are indication of strength, but this can prove to be difficult, for on board a ship, many things could exist and there is a need for a gauge of such equipment.

So the answer to this dilemma is the use of a ship’s ratings. The main component for a ship’s rating is the size of the crew and the number of cannons. There are altogether seven ratings. Ratings are therefore a measurement of armament. First, second and third ships usually have two or more gun decks, while those of fourth, fifth and sixth usually have one. First to fourth rated ships are usually used for battle lines, while fifth and below rated ships are also usually used for escorting and scouting work. For example, a frigate with 20 cannons and a crew of 200 men on board would be considered as a fourth rated ship, and would be used in great battles on the sea, while a sloop of 60 would scout ahead for enemies.

The reference measurements for a ship’s rating are as follows:

Ratings Crew Cannons Marines Deck
 
First   600    60     140     3 
Second  500    50     120     2 
Third   360    40     100     2 
Fourth  280    30      80     1 
Fifth   160    20      60     1 
Sixth   100    15      40     1 
Sloops   60    10      20     1

As mentioned before, these are only references and often than not used as only a guide for it is often hard to get the exact numbers. For example, a ship of a crew of 180 men can be considered fourth rated as it has 20 cannons, while another ship of a crew of 80 can be considered a sloop as it has only 4 cannons. All factors must be considered in a rating.

Ships, Weapons and Classes in the Imperial Classii

The Imperial Classii adhere to strict regulations concerning their weaponry and armour, equipping all their men with the equipment necessary for their job. The Seamen are equipped with cutlass, bows and light armor with few metal pieces. This is for them to be mobile on board the ships and concentrate on the manning of the ship. Only Marines are issued armor and equipped with the equipment associated with Regular Infantry.

For the ships, the ratings of the ships make the purpose of the ships obvious. The Sloops are the least of the rated ships and are usually used for scouting missions and patrolling of rivers and lakes due to their mobility and size. Runners and other similar ships can be also be classified under Sloops as they perform in the same capacity. Sixth rated ships are also engaged in such activities, though they are more prominent along the coastlines and rivers around cities. Fifth rated are deemed more rugged than Sixth rated ships, and more employed for scouting and patrolling mission further out in the sea. However, due to the constraints of the size of a Fifth rated ship, a Fifth rated ship cannot carry much provision for a long mission. Thus, a Fifth rated ship usually has a mission that is short in time period. Brigs and frigates of the smaller scale are employed as Fifth and Sixth rated ships.

Ships that are Fourth rated and above are considered ships that are able to participate in a naval battle to utilize the firepower that are on board a ship. Fourth rated ships are still frigates, though they are the largest frigates that the Imperial Classii have. Still having the agility that is associated with frigates, Fourth rated ship can be used for long distance scouting and patrolling, though it must be said that the Fourth rated ships can be outmaneuvered by ships of a lower ratings. And when there is a need, Fourth rated ships can be used to form ranks in the formation of ships to utilize their firepower.

From Third rated ships onwards, the ship used will more often than not be a Ship-of-Line or a War Galleon, the type of ships built specifically for naval battles, or to be more exact, ships that are built to hold as many cannons as they could and to use them. Third rated ships are considered the favorites of many Navarchs and Zeton Navarchs as these ships are still of a size to maneuver efficiently against enemies ships and powerfully enough to blast through them. Second rated ships on the other hand do not have such a good review. Many considered them to be too big to outmaneuver enemy ships and not powerfully enough to single-handedly destroy a small fleet of ships. But in the correct hands and situation, a Second rated ship can prove its importance. Last but not least, the First rated ships. In fact, they can be considered the most powerful ship that the Imperial Navy has. The number of firepower that First rated ships have make them floating fortress and are often the first in choice for a flag ship for the Ducor Navarch, Imperial Admiral and Emperor/Empress.

Even though these ratings classes are distinguished by their equipment, none is the better, for none of these classes can operate without the use of each other. Respect for each other is taught in the Green Alae where there are no distinctions in classes, often forging camaraderie between two Seamen who will later be put into different parts of the Classis.

Every Classis adheres to strict rules concerning its build up. While the 19th through 20th Ala in each Classis are reserved for fresh recruits, the 1st through 3rd Ala are “special” Alae to which only the most veteran Seamen are allowed. These three special Alae vary in tactics and equipment per Classis and might range from First rated ships to Sloops deploying extremely specialized tactics.

However, these men in general are not trained to the extreme and they are not experts with their weapons. Their strength is drawn from their discipline and tactics. Every Classis contains at least 4 Alae of Fifth rated ships and 4 Alae of Sixth rated Ships, not including the Green Alae, leaving 7 more Alae to be divided into either Sloops, Third or Fourth rated ships. Every Classis needs to have at least one Ala of all three types. That means that it can fill the remaining Alae with ships of same or other ratings. Example : 2 Alae of Third rated ships, 2 Alae of Fourth rated ships and 3 Alae of Sloops.

The formation of the Classis also has influences from the geography of the port that it is based at. Based at major ports, the Classis has close relationships with the city and sea that the port is in, often giving rise to unique characteristics. For example, the Classis based in the waters of the Eunesian has much experience in dealing with pirates and have developed ships that are swift to catch the pirates before they get away. Or like the ships based in the Northern Sea, which have developed tactics and ships to deal with the cold and sometimes frozen sea. Likewise, ships that have done well are often considered lucky by the superstitious sailors and would gain a reputation for that in the Classis, and the Classis could be famous due to that one ship. Technological advances also marked the difference in formation in the Imperial Classii, for example, the advance in Arcana made it possible to build the flying fleets of talisman.

Command Structure in the Imperial Classii

A ship can be considered as an autonomous unit being that a ship takes care of its supplies and men. But for administrative purposes, an Ala is the smallest autonomous unit within the Imperial Classii. Without them there would be chaos, yet they cannot truly act on their own. Within a Classis, ships depend on each other for food and supplies. Every first Ship of an Ala is called the Ship Princeps. It is within this Ship that the heart and brain of each Ala rests. Personally led by the Ala Zeton, this Ship is home to a supply unit, the Zeton's bodyguard, Imperial Mages assigned to the Ala, and administrative and medical staff. On average the first Ship have an additional manpower of about twenty men of medical staff, 20 men of administrative staff which includes intelligence operatives, five imperial mages of not higher than adept level (Exceptions are sometimes made for important Classii such as the Empress' Pride, or the first Ala of a Classis) and four bodyguards for the Zeton. Within every Ship Princeps, a Domanu has the specific task of supplying the other Ships within the Ala. The remaining Seamen within the Ship Princeps often assist the other members and serve as personal assistants or advisors to the Zeton.

The Ship Princep of the first Ala of each Classis is entirely reserved for administrative staff and senior officers who fulfill an advisory role to the Zeton Navarch while also taking on the Zeton administrative duties of the entire Ala.

Training and Skills

One of the reason why the Imperial Navy can maintain a strong presence in the Empire is that it is able to ensure a minimum skill level across for all sailors and to provide the means for the sailors to obtain training in these skills.

The minimum skill levels for the different units are:


Seaman -

• Basic cutlass
• Basic archery
• Basic seamanship

Marine -

• Basic cutlass
• Basic spear
• Basic archery

Healer –

• Basic cutlass
• Basic healing
• Basic herblore

Engineer –

• Basic cutlass
• Basic siege engineering
• Basic blacksmith/carpentry

*For officers, they are expected to have additional training in social etiquette, leadership, law and politics. They are also expected to advance their knowledge in military tactics to Intermediate.

Most sailors start their career in the Azimuth Classis where they will receive the training for a seaman. Thus, the skill set for a seaman is common across the levels for a sailor and in a common program which includes simple military tactics and protocols. However, for a marine and healer, it is a different skill set as a marine or healer is not expected to sail a ship though in their training program when they are in the Azimuth Classis, they have to learn simple seamanship in addition to the simple military tactics and protocols. When the sailors are sent to their respective classis, they will receive the additional training as required by the different classis and units. For example, a sailor is sent to the frozen seas of the North Sea, the sailor will have to seamanship skills relating to the frozen seas. Sailors are also encouraged upgrade their skills in the Imperial Navy. So the veteran sailors will have a higher level of skill as will some of the elite units. Of course, there are exceptional cases to the minimum skill level with regards to certain soldiers. But on the whole, sailors of the Imperial Navy adhere to the minimum skill requirement and thus, the Imperial Navy maintains the peace and order in the Empire.

Military Pay and Equipment

Many people think that the military is a harsh life; horrible pay, poor food, constant sickness and battle. That is not entirely true. While it is true that sailors are not paid very well, they do receive free room and board as well as medical care. Below is the standard military pay schedule:

Rank-------------------------Salary per Era-----Salary per Cycle
 
Seaman---------------------------1,000-----------------20
Senior Seaman--------------------2,000-----------------40
Oar-Navit------------------------3,000-----------------60
Helm-Navit-----------------------4,000-----------------80
Sail-Navit-----------------------4,000-----------------80
Navit----------------------------5,000----------------100
Trieririus-----------------------6,000----------------120
Zeton----------------------------8,000----------------160
Ducor---------------------------10,000----------------200
Navarch-------------------------14,000----------------280
Zeton Navarch-------------------18,000----------------360
Ducor Navarch-------------------22,000----------------440
Imperial Admiral----------------30,000----------------600

Other than the pay, the Navy also provides the sailors with equipment and clothing. Below is the equipment and uniform issued to a recently enlisted sailor:

One standard issue cloak (Green)
Three standard issue trousers
Three standard issue woolen shirts
Five sets of undergarment (race specific)
One set of studded leather tunic, dark brown
One standard issue helmet
One standard issue cutlass
One standard issue training cutlass
One standard issue of bow and arrow quiver.
One standard issue of training arrows for one quiver

So it can be seen that the Imperial Navy spends quite a substantiate amount of Crowns on each sailor. This is not considering that officers have access to better equipment, lodging, and food, and have many other benefits like the use of wagon carriage and medical treatment, and the needs of specialized units.

While there is a variety of equipment that a Seaman will receive, there are basically three kind of uniform that they will wear. The first being their dress uniform, the uniform that they wear for parade, formal occasion or when they are not in combat situation. For the dress uniform, some say that it is the most ornate of the three sets as the sailors will be wearing their ranks in view along with the medals and badges that they have received. Some of the senior officers have also taken to decorate their uniforms by the use of lace and elaborate embroidery, especially at the cuffs.

The next is the shirt and trouser combination which the sailors wear for fatigue and occasions where they are expected to do manual work; mostly during the time that the ship is sailing and the manning of the sails.

The last and the perhaps the most important is their armor set. Sailors are expected to wear armor for all combat situations. In the Classis context, a combat situation usually means that a ship is being boarded by the enemies or that the sailors are preparing to board an enemy ship. While the armor set is quite standard for the individual unit types, there are some differences among units in different locations. For example, units in a cold climate may lay fur along their armor for warmth. Extra equipment may also be issued. For example, in cold climates, ice will form on the decks and the sailors may be issued with equipment that helps to remove ice.

In the armor set, it is sometimes hard to distinguish the officers from the normal enlisted soldiers and thus, there are some differences in the equipment set for the officers and enlisted men to set them apart. For example, the cutlass a Navit carries will be different from that of an Oar Navit.


Dress Uniform (for parade and formal occasions):

• Knee-high black boots, loose trousers to the knee/just below, thigh long stiff necked coats (blue)
• Shako for headdress (Officers can wear either bicorne or tricorne)
• Full length formal cloaks with hoods (Classis main colour with secondary colour trim)
• Imperial Classis insignia on the back of the cloak (Officers can edged their cloak with red and yellow)
• Classis crest on right side of the chest
• Full length bluecloak
• Rank on the collar.

Indication of Rank:

All ranks are on a yellow background and the insignia in metal.


Officer Ranks:

• Imperial Admiral – 1 Crown, 1 Diamond, 1 Anchor
• Ducor Imperatis – 1 Crown, 1 Diamond
• Zeton Navarch – 1 Crown
• Navarch – 3 Diamonds
• Ducor – 2 Diamonds
• Zeton – 1 Diamond
• Trieririus – 3 Bars
• Navit – 2 Bars
• Sail Navit – 1 Bar

Enlisted Ranks:

• Helm Navit – 1 Pair of Crossed Oar and Anchor
• Oar Navit – 1 Pair of Crossed Oar
• Senior Seaman – 1 Anchor
• Seaman – No Collar Tab

The following is the specification for the equipment:


Imperial Cutlass (common for all soldiers)

• Curved shaped crossguard linked to guarded hilt (dark metal and edged in red for officers)
• Guarded hilt with Classis crest embossed (light metal and edged in red for officers)
• Imperial crest on the cross of the guard (light metal)
• Curved, single edged blade with pointed tip
• Scabbard is red for officers and yellow for enlisted men

Equipment common to all units regardless of unit:

• Imperial Cutlass
• A cudgel measured a yard long (Carried by Oar Daekin, Helm Daekin and officers ranked Navit and above)
• A baton measured a foot long (Carried by officers ranked Navarch and above)
• A quiver full of arrows and a shortbow
• Indication of rank may be painted onto the armor

Combat Uniform:

• Studded leather tunic, dark brown (Officers may wear chainmail shirt)
• Helmet
• Leather boots and gloves for, dark brown (Officers may wear chainmail gloves)

For the Marines, their equipment will follow the above equipment if they are light infantry units with the addition of bracers, shin guards and throwing spears but as the majority of the Marines are regular infantry units, they are dressed with the same equipment as the regular infantry of the Imperial Legions. This is the same if they are heavy infantry units.

Other Organizations

There are a variety of other paramilitary organizations in the Empire. The merchant fleets, mercenary bands, and so forth. However, most in the Imperial Classii think that they do not measure up to the professional standards of the Imperials. They tend to lack the iron discipline and regimentation of the Imperials. As such, most in the Imperial Navy hold them in lower regard. This is especially true of privateers. Though privateers are authorized by Crown to attack enemy ships, which are usually pirates, the privateers are not under the Imperial Navy or answer to the Imperial Navy. So to the Imperial Navy, privateers are potential pirates to be. When privateers do become pirates, the Imperial Navy would gladly and zealously hunt them down to preserve the good name of the Imperial Navy!