Ship's Forecaster
First trialled aboard HMS Curiosity, the Forecaster is a specialised officer position on some royal vessels.
These officers are tasked with advising the ship’s captain on changes in weather condition and upcoming threats to the vessel. They make use of both arcane and more mundane skills to achieve this. They collate reports from lookouts, make observations about the wind and clouds, and attempt to scry along the ship’s path.
Following the Curiosity’s initial expedition the role was expanded to include command of any spellcasters stationed aboard a ship during battle.
Qualifications
Considerable debate was had over whether Forecasters should be wizards trained in the weather and sailing, or sailors trained in magic. The debate was settled by the royal diviner who pointed out that the country was training diviners anyway, so they might as well just see how many of those could adapt to life at sea,
It was therefore agreed that anyone wishing to become a Forecaster would have to first demonstrate a reasonable grasp of divinition magic. Applicants that pass this first hurdle then have a proving period aboard ship as a midshipman to see if they can adapt to life at sea. Only those who can pass both of these tests are considered suitable to embark on the specialised training of a forecaster.
Forecaster training consists of practical and theoretical sections. The early parts focus on weather, and how to interpret signs that of different patterns of clouds and wind. During this first phase the candidates are apprenticed to a forecaster out at sea.
Those that show a sufficent grasp of the weather then spend time as a lieutenant, improving their seacraft and gaining more experience in command. DUring this time they are expected to write daily reports on what they predict about the weather and anything they might pick up through divination.
Candidates may be removed from training during these phases if they prove less capable than expected. Either the captain of a ship or a Forecaster can request the candidates removal.
Those that pass the first phases of training are granted the honour of training under the royal diviner, Virris. This training covers divination and combat magic. Virris' signature spell has led to this being known as the Firecaster course, with the final test being a mock battle against the great wizard.
Benefits
Many of those who apply to be a forecaster do so in order to train with the Royal Diviner, but this is far from the only benefit for those who succeed. Forecasters are supplied with the tools needed to carry out their role, including a scrying crystal and other related materials.
The royal palace's library of spells is open to fully qualified spellcasters with help provided in mastering spells.
Those that complete their service as a forecaster are also guaranteed a position at the royal palace should they wish it.
Type
Civic, Military, Commissioned
Form of Address
Forecaster
Related Organizations
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