The Naval Ranks of the Verdant Realm: A Legacy of Power and Honour

Co-Authors: Rhodar and DoStuffZ

Through the proud and honourable years of the naval history of the Verdant Realm, the noble houses, primarily the 1st houses, have upheld a formidable naval presence. This was crucial not only for the defence of their trade ships but also for maintaining sovereignty over their territories, both at sea and on land.
Naval ranks play a vital role in the decision-making process, determining who is responsible for tactical, strategic, and mechanical operations. As the larger houses grew in power over the decades and centuries, they realised that their initial fleets of one or two ships were insufficient. The need for larger fleets became apparent, and in a historic move, the twelve great houses banded together, pooling their resources to create several operational fleets, each serving a specific purpose.
In the grand scheme of things, determining who held supreme command was a complex interplay of seniority, experience, allegiances, and political manoeuvring. While the individuals at the highest rank may have changed over time, the rank itself remained a constant symbol of authority and tradition.

Naval Ranking

• Crew Ranks
  • Enlisted
  • Non-Commissioned
  • Officers (Commissioned)
• Fleet Structure
  • Semi-permanent structures
  • Temporary structures
• Main forces
  • Other forces

First two colours are always given. <1st house> <2nd house> .
First House colours will be the primary commanding king and owner of this particular fleet and ship in question.
Second colour will be that of the 2nd House noble being in command or lending their name and funding for this ship. They may have appointed a relevant officer to take their stead. Often it will be the noble themselves in command.
During outings, the markings would be cloth sewn onto the uniform. They’d be somewhat visible from a distance, 3-6” in diameter. Depending how old the insignia is, the colours would be washed out. Meaning even with low colour representation, you’d still need to be able to tell each insignia apart.
For in harbour and official dress uniforms, it’ll be replaced with broche size chest and collar pins. They are holding their colour much easier, but in rough weather and similar conditions they’d be lost quickly. Particularly stubborn officers of the younger branch would attempt to use their metal pins during outings.
Difference between navy and marine.
Navy - Serving onboard a ship, operating the ship, manning guns, boarding ships.
Marine - Assault force, transported by ship. Goes ashore to handle business. Woe the fool that tries boarding a ship carrying a department of marines.

Crew Ranks

Enlisted

1. Seaman Recruit (E-1) Loop of Rope (Tangled), symbolising the mess and learning state of this particular recruit.
2. Seaman Apprentice (E-2) Loop of Rope with a Knot. Symbolising having learned the ropes and can tie their own.
3. Seaman (E-3) Anchor. Symbolising being anchored in their skills and training.

Non-Commissioned

1. Petty Officer Third Class (E-4) Blade: A simple, straight sword or cutlass, symbolising the transition from basic seamanship to a more specialised role.
   (Alternatives: Axe, Spear. Could also be specific to a specialisation)
2. Petty Officer Second Class (E-5) Dual Blades: Two crossed swords or cutlasses, representing proficiency in both combat and maritime skills.
   (Alternatives: Great Axe, Dual Spear. Could also be specific to a specialisation)
3. Petty Officer First Class (E-6) Wave Crest: A stylized wave cresting, indicating mastery of navigation and the ability to navigate through challenging waters.
4. Chief Petty Officer (E-7) Mermaid: A depiction of a mermaid, signifying a deep connection to the sea and mastery over its mysteries.
   (Alternatives: siren, shark, orca or other single creature)
5. Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-8) Storm: A storm cloud with lightning bolts, suggesting the ability to weather any storm and lead others through turbulent times.
   (Alternatives: Other representations of storms, hurricanes, lightning)
6. Master Chief Petty Officer (E-9) Kraken: The tentacles of a kraken emerging from the depths, symbolising unparalleled strength, authority, and command over the seas.

Officers (Commissioned)

1. Ensign (O-1): A stylized ship's wheel with a single blade, indicating the beginning of an officer's journey. (Bronze)
2. Lieutenant Junior Grade (O-2): Two crossed swords or cutlasses with a crown above them, symbolising increased authority and responsibility. (Bronze)
3. Lieutenant (O-3): Three crossed swords or cutlasses with a crown and laurel wreath, representing mastery, honour, and leadership. (Silver)
4. Lieutenant Commander (O-4): Three crossed swords or cutlasses with a crown, laurel wreath, and additional star or insignia denoting command. (Silver)
5. First Mate/Commander (O-5): A ship's wheel with a single blade and a crown, indicating the second-in-command authority and leadership. (Gold)
6. The Captain (O-6): A ship's wheel with a crown and additional embellishments denoting the captain's supreme authority and responsibility. (Gold)
7. Rear Admiral (O-7): Two ship's wheels crossed, symbolising the officer's high rank and authority over a rear area or fleet component. He will likely be commanding a Squadron (2-5 ships). (Platinum)
8. Vice Admiral (O-8): Three ship's wheels crossed with a crown, representing even greater authority and responsibility within the naval hierarchy. They will likely have a Flotilla under their command. (Platinum)
9. Admiral (O-9): Four ship's wheels crossed with a crown and additional stars or insignia denoting the highest rank and command authority. They will have a full fleet under their command. (Encrusted Platinum)
10. High Admiral (O-10): Theoretical position, having several fleets under their command. (Encrusted Platinum)

Fleet Structure

Semi-permanent structures

• Squadrons - 3-5 ships (varying size)
• Flotilla - 2-6 Squadrons (6-30 ships)
• Fleet - 2+ Flotillas (12-60+ ships)

Temporary structures

• Task unit - 1-3 ships, can be collated from different units to serve specific task purposes.
• Task or Battle group - 2-3 task units (4-10 ships, incl 1 command (RA))
• Task force - 2-4 task groups (VA)

Main forces

• High-elves would have their own fleet.
• Verdant Realm would have 2-3 fleets
• Desert sheiks would have flotillas, and if they would ever join forces, that’d probably also have a fleet, maybe two.
• The Northmen Raiders would probably also be able to field fleet size, though the cohesion would be non-existent. History does have scenes of several hundred ships moving 1000s of vikings.

Other forces

• Orcs
• Minotaurs
• Pirates
• Eastern lands
• Outsiders

Type

Military, Navy