PEOPLE: Military Ranks

Here's an article I wrote up for Spelljammer, combining the ranks
from Cormanthyr with nautical positions.

I think this is interesting, because it is really a two tiered
system, one's value is judged by rank _and_ position, rather than
simply rank. This holds true in most modern military systems (in the
US Military, for example, a medical doctor who holds the rank of,
say, Captain would out rank a Lieutenant of infantry. The Lt would
have to salute and call the Captain sir, and follow his orders.
_But_, if they were both part of a combat unit, and all the other
officers had died, the Lieutenant would be in command, and could give
the doctor orders).

Imperial Elven Navy

Ranks and Positions

by Paul Westermeyer


There are four ranks within the IEN, seniority within the rank itself
is determined by time in service to the fleet. Each vessel, and the
fleet itself, has positions within it. Positions are specific to a
particular ship and do not crossover. These positions have a minimum
rank attached to them, but in matters of command a senior position is
more important than seniority within a rank (the First Mate and
Battlepoet are both Knights, but the First Mate outranks the
Battlepoet even if the Battlepoet has more seniority as a Knight).
The ranks and positions are listed below, each includes a general
description of duties as well as providing the titles in Quenya (Q,
corresponds to Grey Elven), Sindar (S, corresponds to High Elven),
and Realms Elven (R, used by the elves of Toril).

For example, Captain of the Man-o-War 'Elentari (the ship uses Realms Elven):

Formal Address: 'Kerym Alduya Menelya, Selkerdrim of the 'Elentari'

When ashore, or on Lionheart, she would be addressed as 'Kerym Alduya'

Her crew would call her 'Selkerdrim Alduya' or just 'Selkerdrim'

Her friends and close family would call her 'Alduya'


Ranks

1. Warrior (Q:Ohtar, S:Maethor, R:Akhrua)
This is the lowest rank in the fleet, the common soldiers and sailors
of the fleet. Unless one is very skilled and a veteran of other
conflicts, this is the
rank most new members of the fleet enter at.

2. Knight (Q:Roquen, S:Rochben, R:Nikym)
This rank provides the basic commanders, those who command ship's
watches, small detachments (as few as four warriors or as many as a
hundred), or act individually. Flitter pilots, helmsmen, mages, and
others are usually this rank. Knights also can command vessels of
less then thirty tons. This is the highest rank a nonelf can obtain
within the Fleet. Many elves of noble blood are able to use their
family's connections to enter the Fleet at this rank.

3. Lord/Lady (Q:Heru/Heri, S:Hir/Hiril, R:Kerym)
One of the most coveted ranks within the Fleet, Lords command the
largest elven vessels (those exceeding 30 tons in size). Within the
Fleet headquarters they are also often used as staff officers. On
Armadas Lords act in key positions that would normally go to a Knight
on a man-o-war.

4. Prince (Q:Cundumahtar, S:Cunnmaethor, R:Arkerym)
Princes command the fleets of the elves, most often there will be
only one per sphere, unless that sphere has a heavy concentration of
elves. Considered royalty by most elves, it is important to note that
elves of common blood may certainly reach this rank, and thus gain
nobility for their House.

On board ship rank titles are rarely used, instead crew are referred
to according to their positions. Using the rank titles in all but the
most formal settings is considered bad taste.

Positions

Not every ship has all of the positions. In fact, only Armada's would
have enough crew to require all of these positions be filled.

1. Sailor (Q:Ramma, S:Gwethi, R:Nilaa)
The lowest position aboard ship, usually the most inexperienced
warriors aboard. Sailors man the sails, maintain the ship's gear,
fill boarding parties and crew the large weapons.

2. Gunner (Q:Altacunnir, S:Daercumudo, R:Iolaa)
Gunner's command the crews of the large weapons or small groups of
sailhands. They are usually warriors with more experience.

3. Marines (Q:Liramacil, S:Hathelglirir, R:Kintiara)
Specialized warriors, Most are bladesingers or have the Marine kit.
They are often considered an elite force. On many vessels the
Kintiara are commanded by the ship's Battlepoet, but on some vessels
they are simply commanded by a Knight within their group. Not all
Fleet vessels carry marines, some are too small (they are seldom on
vessels less then thirty tons) and on others the captains prefer
standard sailors or hire hadozee to act as marines.

4. Helmsman (Q:Sairon, S:Ithron, R:Faerniir)
These priests and wizards hold the rank of warrior or Knight within
the Fleet. They act as helmsmen and magical support for the vessel.
On some vessels, the position simply indicates skill, as virtually
the entire crew are spellcasters of one sort or another.

5. Watchmaster (Q:Laratano, S:Tiricondir, R:Shaalth)
The knights of this position command the watches on larger Fleet
vessels (Armadas). They are almost never present on smaller vessels,
where the duties instead fall on other positions (Battlepoet,
Loremaster, ect). They command the sailors and gunners manning the
sails, and ensure daily maintanence occurs on the ship. In battle
they usually command one of the weapons decks, coordinating two or
more ballistae or catapults.

5. Pilot (Q: Elmacil,S:Elmagol , R:Ruavel)
These knights fly the flitters of the Fleet.

6. Battlepoet (Q:Mahtanandaro, S:Dagorglaer, R:Penaal)
These knights are responsible for crew morale. They often command the
ship's marines as well, especially if the Knight is a Kintiara
himself.

7. Master Mage (Q:Ingolemo, S:Daerithron, R:Faernaa)
These knights (usually Lords on Armadas) command the ship's helmsmen
and are responsible for defending the vessel from magic, and for
using magic to aid the vessel.

8. Navigator (Q:Istyar, S:Narnpathron, R:Faernos)
These Knights (usually a Lord on Armadas) keep the vessel on course
and consult often with the captain.

9. Lieutenant (Q:Mahocano, S:Camarphen, R:Nikerym)
Knights or Lords assigned as aides to a Lord or Prince. On very large
vessels Lieutenants usually rotate through commanding the vessel
during routine flight. If a ship's detachment is sent on an extended
mission from the vessel the detachment's commander becomes a
Lieutenant for the duration.

10. 1st Mate (Q:Mincircano, S:Gilcirarphen, R:Kerdrim)
Second in command of the vessel. Usually a Knight or Lord.

11. Captain (Q:Elcircano, S:Menelarphen, R:Selkerdrim)
Commander of the vessel. Usually a Lord, but occasionally a Knight,
especially on smaller vessels.

12. Admiral (Q:Rimelcircano, S:Menelarphen, R: RuaCoronal)
Admirals command EIN fleets, usually one per sphere but sometimes
there are more fleets in a given sphere.

13. Grand Admiral (Q:Aina Rimelcircano, S:Beleg Menelarphen, R: ZaRuaCoronal)
Over all commander of the EIN.

Bibliography

War Captain's Companion Boxed set:War Captain's Guide, TSR
War Captain's Companion Boxed set:Ship Recognition Manuel, TSR
_The Radient Dragon_ by Elaine Cunningham [Book 4 of the Cloakmaster
cycle], TSR
_Into the Void_ by Nigel Findley [Book 2 of the Cloakmaster cycle], TSR
_The Maelstrom's Eye_ by Roger Moore [Book 3 of the Cloakmaster cycle], TSR
SJR1 Lost Ships, TSR
SJR2 Realmspace, TSR
Forgotten Realms Boxed set, TSR
CGR1 Complete Spacefarer's Handbook, TSR
Spelljammer Boxed set, TSR
_Demihuman Dieties_ by Eric Boyd, TSR
_Elves of Evermeet_, TSR
Captain Icarus (#40 of 60, 1993 AD&D Trading Card), TSR
"By Any Other Name", Owen K.C. Stephens, Dragon #251
PHBR8 The Complete Book of Elves, TSR
The _Silmarillion_ by JRR Tolkien, Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston
_The Lost Road and other Writings_ The History of Middle Earth #5 by
JRR Tolkien, Del Rey
_Evermeet:Island of the Elves_ by Elaine Cunningham, TSR
_Cormanthyr_ by Steven Schend and Kevin Melka, TSR
_The Fall of Myth Drannor_ by Steven Schend, TSR
--
"...How shall a man judge what to do in such times?!"
"As he has ever judged," said Aragorn "Good and evil have not changed
since yesteryear..."
J.R.R. Tolkien, _The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers_

Paul Westermeyer,  pwestermeyer@????????.??.com