Aethric World

Seafarers of Aethric

The storm lanes live because sailors do. The **Blue Fleet** guards the coasts under Council writ; the **Free Seafaring Guilds** trade and pilot under charter. Tide‑paths, ward‑beacons, and navigator‑cantors make the impossible merely dangerous.

Blue Fleet (Navy)

Naval arm of the realm; flies blue banners; escorts convoys, suppresses piracy, and maintains coastal wards.

  • Doctrine: shield trade lanes, strike fast, end fights before storms do.
  • Magic: Windstep & Tide‑Flow manoeuvres; ward‑circles etched into keel and prow; saltfire for Blight.
  • Assets: frigates, cutters, ward‑lighters, convoy transports.

Ranks

HCHigh Commodore
CdCommodore
CCaptain
NNavigator‑Cantor
MMaster‑at‑Arms
BwBoatswain
SSurgeon‑Cantor
  • Chain of command: High Commodore → Commodore (squadron) → Captain (ship) → section leads.
  • Standard colours: deep blue with silver piping; pennant shows Council or House sigil on blue field.

Free Seafaring Guilds

Merchant captains, pilots, and packet crews. They move goods, people, and messages under charter; answer to House law in port, but keep guild rights.

  • Doctrine: make weather windows, never waste a tide, protect the chart more than the coin.
  • Magic: pilot‑charms, signal‑runes for convoy comms, Gloam‑Veil countermeasures against ambush and fog.
  • Assets: caravels, cargo barques, fast packets, harbour pilots.

Guild Structure

HgHarbour Guildmaster
P1Pilot‑First
MMMaster Mariner
FFactor
  • Standard marks: captain’s colours by company; pilots wear grey‑blue scarves for safe‑conduct.