Pilots Guild
A pilot is a skilled navigator who directs ships from one port to another. While the ship's captain decides the ultimate destination, the pilot actually navigates the vessel. He decides how much sail to hoist, calculates the vessel's position, and plots the courses to be steered.
All sea-going vessels over 30 feet in length are required by laws enacted in most realms to carry master pilots. Fishing vessels operating to and from their ports of registry are exempt. Master pilots are members of the powerful and well-organized Pilots' Guild which is worldwide in scope.
Pilots are highly respected by all mariners. It is acknowledged that their skills are essential for the safe operation of a vessel. It is almost universally taboo to harm them because they are simply much too vital for maritime trade. Even pirates are likely to spare the life of a captured pilot, partly from respect, although the fact the Pilots' Guild offers a ransom of 200gps may also be a consideration.
Master Pilots
Pilots are an independent breed, introspective and conservative by nature. These are traits that serve them well in their chosen profession, but because pilots belong to a guild they can be somewhat aloof. Pilots are highly respected by all aboard but rarely loved.
For these reasons, it is rare for the pilot to be the vessel captain unless he also owns the vessel. Most pilots are bonded-masters and they are well paid, often earning more than the captain. Wages range from 2-8gps per day, although most pilots forego regular wages in favor of a share of each cargo. These are handsome wages, especially considering the fact that room and board, and other generous benefits such as liberty chest privileges are also preferred. A good pilot can become quite wealthy. Some have risen from humble beginnings to own a fleet of six or more vessels, but rough seas and shipwrecks claim the lives of many before they retire.
Rutters Every master pilot compiles a private rutter, a compendium of maps, charts, facts, experiences, and hearsay, his accumulated knowledge of the sea. A rutter is extremely valuable, often the most valuable single item aboard a ship, representing years of piloting knowledge and experience. Pilots often trade in information and most would pay handsomely for a quick glance at a colleague's tome, but stealing or damaging another's rutter are grounds for expulsion from the guild. The rutters of retiring or deceased pilots have been known to fetch prices of 5,000gps or more. A pilot will jealously guard his rutter and may encrypt its contents to preserve secrecy. The Pilots' Guild has persuaded most civil authorities to treat the unauthorized possession of a rutter as a capital crime, but their high value is an enormous temptation to thieves. The Pilots' Guild offers rewards for the return of lost rutters.
Apprentice Pilots
Master pilots have wide discretionary powers with regard to taking on apprentices. Most apprentices are former seamen who have demonstrated an aptitude for learning. An apprenticeship generally takes nine years, the longest of any known guild. There is no journeyman rank in the guild.
Apprentice pilots are not paid. They generally receive modest gifts and pocket money from their masters and are entitled to free room and board, and a share in booty and liberty chest privilege at the vessel's expense. Nearly all pilots have one apprentice (this is usually a condition of employment) and some wealthy pilots have two.
An apprentice pilot must serve under at least three different masters during his training, a policy required by the guild to give him as wide an experience as possible. Most pilots oblige by having arrangements with two or three other masters to switch apprentices at regular intervals. The larger guildhalls have "colleges" where apprentices can receive theoretical training while a vessel is in port. To become a master pilot, an apprentice must have the written approval of at least three masters he has served under, each for a minimum of two years, and must pass a difficult oral test administered by guild officers. This test is given at any of the larger guildhalls by appointment.
All sea-going vessels over 30 feet in length are required by laws enacted in most realms to carry master pilots. Fishing vessels operating to and from their ports of registry are exempt. Master pilots are members of the powerful and well-organized Pilots' Guild which is worldwide in scope.
Pilots are highly respected by all mariners. It is acknowledged that their skills are essential for the safe operation of a vessel. It is almost universally taboo to harm them because they are simply much too vital for maritime trade. Even pirates are likely to spare the life of a captured pilot, partly from respect, although the fact the Pilots' Guild offers a ransom of 200gps may also be a consideration.
Master Pilots
Pilots are an independent breed, introspective and conservative by nature. These are traits that serve them well in their chosen profession, but because pilots belong to a guild they can be somewhat aloof. Pilots are highly respected by all aboard but rarely loved.
For these reasons, it is rare for the pilot to be the vessel captain unless he also owns the vessel. Most pilots are bonded-masters and they are well paid, often earning more than the captain. Wages range from 2-8gps per day, although most pilots forego regular wages in favor of a share of each cargo. These are handsome wages, especially considering the fact that room and board, and other generous benefits such as liberty chest privileges are also preferred. A good pilot can become quite wealthy. Some have risen from humble beginnings to own a fleet of six or more vessels, but rough seas and shipwrecks claim the lives of many before they retire.
Rutters Every master pilot compiles a private rutter, a compendium of maps, charts, facts, experiences, and hearsay, his accumulated knowledge of the sea. A rutter is extremely valuable, often the most valuable single item aboard a ship, representing years of piloting knowledge and experience. Pilots often trade in information and most would pay handsomely for a quick glance at a colleague's tome, but stealing or damaging another's rutter are grounds for expulsion from the guild. The rutters of retiring or deceased pilots have been known to fetch prices of 5,000gps or more. A pilot will jealously guard his rutter and may encrypt its contents to preserve secrecy. The Pilots' Guild has persuaded most civil authorities to treat the unauthorized possession of a rutter as a capital crime, but their high value is an enormous temptation to thieves. The Pilots' Guild offers rewards for the return of lost rutters.
Apprentice Pilots
Master pilots have wide discretionary powers with regard to taking on apprentices. Most apprentices are former seamen who have demonstrated an aptitude for learning. An apprenticeship generally takes nine years, the longest of any known guild. There is no journeyman rank in the guild.
Apprentice pilots are not paid. They generally receive modest gifts and pocket money from their masters and are entitled to free room and board, and a share in booty and liberty chest privilege at the vessel's expense. Nearly all pilots have one apprentice (this is usually a condition of employment) and some wealthy pilots have two.
An apprentice pilot must serve under at least three different masters during his training, a policy required by the guild to give him as wide an experience as possible. Most pilots oblige by having arrangements with two or three other masters to switch apprentices at regular intervals. The larger guildhalls have "colleges" where apprentices can receive theoretical training while a vessel is in port. To become a master pilot, an apprentice must have the written approval of at least three masters he has served under, each for a minimum of two years, and must pass a difficult oral test administered by guild officers. This test is given at any of the larger guildhalls by appointment.
Type
Guild, Professional
