Dalian Navy

The Dalian Navy is a highly respected organisation, providing, as they do, the first line of defence against a wide range of external threats.

Their main base is in Fort Roblack on the northern coast, although they usually have at least one set of barracks in each of the coastal cities too.

In a similar way to the Dalian Army, they are a professional military, requiring sailors to enlist of their own accord and be trained and outfitted appropriately.

Sailors typically live primarily about their ships when on tour, and in barracks when on shore. They are issued clothing, armour and weapons, food and healing at no cost, and are given a purse of coin when disembarking from a tour of duty. This is an amount determined by their rank and responsibilities, and is expected to cover any extra costs they might be expected to incur throughout the duration of their shore leave.

There is no formal retirement age for sailors, as there are such a wide range of races, but as with the army, sailors must undergo a range of physical, mental and emotional tests to ensure they are still fit to serve each year. Sailors can also elect to retire at any point in their career.

Retiring sailors can draw a pension calculated from their final rank and the number of years served. This pension is paid out for just 15 years following their retirement, but most sailors also receive a lump sum on leaving that is comprised of their 'share' of any prize money that has been paid to the ship(s) they served on as a reward for valiant service, the capture of enemy ships or treasure recovered.

If a sailor dies in service, their pension is typically provided to their named heir (sometimes a parent, sibling or spouse, sometimes a child) for a period of 10 years or until their death, whichever is sooner. The lump sum, however is not, it instead being put towards a fund to pay for orphanages and schools in those larger coastal cities- this being where many of the sailors started from themselves.

Unranked Roles

There are a wide range of occupations in the Dalian Navy that do not come with an explicit rank, as they are considered non-combat roles- but are respected and appropriately compensated members of the navy both aboard ship and on shore.

On Shore

Unranked roles on shore include crafting roles such as Shipbuilders, Builders, Machinists, Sailmakers and Weaponsmiths; hospitality roles such as Cooks, Servers, Maids, Entertainers and Healers; administrative roles such as Clerks, Bursars, Archivists, Intelligencers and Draftsmen; educational roles such as Tutors, Martial trainers and Scholars; and a wide array of other support roles depending on location (such as lengthsmen, hauliers, tailors and tanners, for example).

On Ship

Unranked roles on ship include highly skilled roles such as Navigation Master, Boatswain/ Ship's Carpenter, Purser/ Quartermaster, Healer and Cannon Master, as well as 'unskilled' roles such as Cabin Boy, Cook, Deckhand and Powder Monkeys. In general, the former are considered broadly on par with Lieutenant Commanders, and their suggestions are typically followed by those on ship as if they were orders. The latter are generally considered somewhat below Seamen, and are expected to follow the directions of anyone on ship.

The ranks in the Dalian Navy alter a little depending on whether the sailors in question serve on one of the many small and mid-sized ships that form the bulk of the navy, or on a ship of the line.
In all cases, Seamen form the lowest rank aboard (excepting non-combat sailors, who do not hold a rank as such). Seamen are identified with a single pip on their shoulder. Seamen can be further categorised into Junior (silver pip) and Senior (gold pip), depending on length of service, with Junior Seamen typically expected to follow the suggestions of Senior Seamen, although these are categorically not classed as orders.
In most ships, up to 5 Seamen are commanded by a Midshipman, who will usually be responsible for a specific watch duration or area of the ship, depending on the ship size and organisation. Midshipmen are identified by a double pip (silver).
Ensigns can be found on Cogs, Caravels, Sloops and some Galleys. Ensigns typically each oversee 2 Midshipmen, and will report directly to the Captain of these smaller vessels. There are usually between 2 and 6 Ensigns on these ships, and they can be identified by a triple pip (silver).
Lieutenants are technically of the same rank as Ensigns, but if the two find themselves in a situation where exact hierarchy matters, Ensigns are expected to give way to Lieutenants. Lieutenants are usually found primarily on the larger ships of the line (Galleons, Triremes and the like), and also typically oversee between 2 and 4 Midshipmen. The number of Lieutenents can vary between ships, and most ships who qualify for Lieutenants will also have at least one Lietenant Commander. Lieutenants are identified with a triple pip (gold).
Lieutenant Commanders oversee up to 3 Lieutenants each, which can give them a fighting force of between 40 and 80 in battles. Lieutenant Commanders are typically the ones directing the flow of battle in their respective areas of the ship, and have overall disciplinary control of those under them. They can be identified by their triple pip with a bar underneath (gold).
Captains are the commanders of each individual ship. Their figting complement can range from single digits to several hundred, and they are the ultimate authority of their vessal whenever not in a full naval operation. Captains can be identified by their quadruple pips arranged in a diamond (gold).
Whenever a naval operation is planned, a Rear Admiral commands up to 20 Captains. There are five Rear Admirals scattered around the kingdom, and two are expected to be present on the Dalian Parliament at any one time escept in times of war. They tend to rotate duties, with two in Grantshawk, one in Fort Roblack, one at sea and one in South Byshirom, Long or Port Tianston at any given time. They can be identified by their quadruple pip and bar (gold).
The Vice Admiral oversees the five Rear Admirals, and is expected to sit on the Dalian Parliament unless in a time of war. They can be identified with their quadruple pop and double bar (gold).
The highest possible rank in the Dalian Navy is the Admiral who is usually a political figure and one of the Queen's closest advisors.

Type

Military, Navy

Training Level

Professional

Veterancy Level

Veteran