Captain

In the open seas, there's no one with greater authority than I. Maybe the gods are higher, but they seem to keep to themselves most of the time.

— Captain Pontius Ophiucus

Overview

Captains retain the highest authority on a ship in both military and civilian life, except in the presence of an Admiral or some other higher rank. They are the heads of their vessel, deciding on the best course to take to achieve the ship's goals.

Qualifications

In military life, the rank of Captain can be obtained through meritorious service, as in the (Helian Navy) or through years of service (common practice in the Lunarian Navy). Of course, if one has the right connections they can bypass these kinds of requirements entirely.
In civil life, a captain can be appointed through many other ways. One must be the most senior person on the ship, the heir of a previous captain, or is demonstrably the most skilled sailor. Sometimes, one carries so much charisma that they find themselves in the position of authority, though such persons must rely on some kind of advisor or two for truly effective leadership. Of course, there are instances when the position is bought, a common occurrence on Centrum merchant vessels.

Appointment

I would never have been a Captain if I wasn't a good listener.

— Captain Amaya Quickwind

Captains can be appointed in a variety of ways, depending on the organization in question.

Centrum

In a city that prides itself on wealth, it is no wonder then that those with the most to spend are often the ones who climb the latter of authority the fastest. Having connections with the right people is a viable alternative, though much more likely to fail compared to producing coin up front. Who does one give their "incentive" to? One of the many large guilds operating in the Free City of Centrum. Every guild in the city depends on the safe arrival and departure of their cargo and so have a vested interest in protecting their assets.
Of course, their is a third way. Good information is never turned away, particularly if by acquiring it one gains an advantage on a rival.

Lunaria

These captains are appointed by consent of the crew, and confirmed by a high authority in the navy. Because of this system of consent, the hierarchy of Lunarian ships are stable compared to most other kinds of promotions. Of course, there are cases when this process is bypassed either through wealth or through connections. These cases seem to be strangely rare in the Lunarian Navy though.

Helia

In the Helian Navy, a captain is appointed after they have proven their worth in battle. At least that's the official system of promotion. The reality appears to be that a captain is appointed if they have strong ties with their former captain-now-Admiral, or if they have connections with a higher authority figure. Wealth can play a role in granting one a promotion, but it is not an effective avenue within Helian society (a curious phenomena).

Duties

Does a Captain's position grant them complete freedom on the open seas? Sadly, no.

— Captain Svalis Xiloscient

The job of a Captain depends on the organization and its objectives.

Centrum

In the Centrum Navy, for instance, the captain's job includes ensuring order on the ship and leading the crew through the ship's trials at sea. As the Free City of Centrum is a city run by merchants, a captain has their authority backed by a guild, usually a wealthy one. This effectively makes such a Centrum Captain a representative of the guild, and so they will act in the bests interest of whichever guild they owe.

Lunaria

In the Lunarian Navy, the Captain is seen more as a guide and representative of the crew. They make an oath to reflect as best as they can the wishes of the crew.

Helia

In the Helian Navy, a captain's job is to maintain order on the ship with an iron fist to ensure maximum effectiveness of the crew at all times. This is seen as a critical feature by this navy as the Kingdom of Helia is actively engaged in imperial expansion. A captain who cannot control their crew is often discharged from service, dishonorably, assuming the captain isn't dealt with by their own crew first.

Type

Civic, Military, Generic

Form of Address

captain, sir