Officer Roles

Some roles aboard a ship reflect the need for trained experts to direct a crew’s efforts. Other roles focus on keeping the crew’s health and morale in order. The roles are meant to provide a sense of the types of ability checks useful to managing a ship. Of these, though, captain is the only role that must be filled for the ship to function. A ship needs a single person to issue orders and respond to threats, otherwise a ship risks chaos and confusion during a crisis. Each type of officer is described below, along with the abilities and proficiencies that help a character excel in that role:

Captain

Ship Commander. Important matters such as where the ship might sail, whether to put into port, or if and how to be engaged with another ship are up to the Captain.

First Mate

The second in command, the first mate is generally in charge of cargo and passengers, as well as adjudicating any disputes between the crewmembers. He leads and organizes any entertainment and schedules the crew’s shore leave.

Second Mate

The Second Mate is third in the chain of command. He assists with navigation and steerage and sees to the well being and morale of the crew. In officer meetings, the Second Mate is tasked with speaking with the crew’s voice, and as such casts two votes in any debate.

Quartermaster

The Quartermaster handles distribution and procurement of goods, rations, space, and supplies. The Quartermaster also participates in on board safety training, meetings and drills, as directed by the Captain, including fire, abandon ship, man overboard, flooding and medical emergencies. The Quartermaster also serves as the ship’s clerk.

Navigator

The Navigator plots the ship’s course, relying on knowledge of nautical charts and a study of weather and sea conditions. The Navigator is expert at using navigational tools such as the compass, astrolabe, and sextant as well as dead reckoning methods for determining longitude. He is also expected to be able to tell shallows and hidden reefs from deep waters and determine if storms are coming.

Cannoneer

The Cannoneer is responsible for the operations and maintenance of the ship’s weaponry, as well as its use in combat.

Cook

The cook directs and participates in the preparation and serving of meals; determines timing and sequence of operations required to meet serving times; inspects galley and equipment for cleanliness and proper storage and preparation of food.

Surgeon

The Surgeon is the medical officer of the ship. As such he is responsible for the overall health and physical well being of the crew.

Bosun

The bosun is the highest-ranking member of the deck department. He generally carries out the tasks as instructed by the Captain or Mates, directing the able seaman. The Bosun is also responsible for the repair and condition of the ship. Dill plans the day's work and assigns tasks to the deck crew. He also checks that the completed work was done correctly. 

CREW MEMBERS

A ship requires a number of able-bodied sailors to crew it, as specified in its stat block. A crew’s skill, experience, morale, and health are defined by its quality score. This score can affect a number of general ship activities, like the crew’s ability to notice threats or contend with hazards. A crew starts with a quality score of +4, but that score varies over time, going as low as −10 and as high as +10. It decreases as a crew takes casualties, suffers hardship, or endures poor health. It increases if the crew enjoys high morale, has good health care and receives fair leadership.

Type

Professional