Ship quarter etiquette

An unwritten social contract thought to be started by either Rivell or The White City that dictates who gets the quarters of a ship and how quarters should be transferred.

The problem

The exact cause of the practice isn't known, having been started in the Rebel Age and was not written down at any point. It has been noted that older Serpent classes only tend to have one or two officer quarters while Cargo Hulks have none. This led to passengers having to bunk with crew members. This led to a practice of captains offering their quarters to more noble passengers and newer ships having a spare quarter.

Empty Quarters

The introduction of spare quarters led to conversations on who should get them. Though each ship originally did its own thing, as with the practice of giving up quarters for guests it soon became common practice for only officers to get quarters and for any extra to stand empty until needed. Female passengers were often bunked in a quarter if they lacked the standing to get to themselves.

The etiquette

It became a tradition for officers to give up their quarter to those of a higher social standing to themselves. This led to a hashing out of what each rank was equivalent to, with captains being ranked as minor lords by most cultures.
It would be expected that the revertant officer would willingly offer their quarters upon the passenger boarding, being optional for those of equal standing. This also differed from ship to ship as the ship's alliance would change the standing of people. Once the offer was made it would be expected every crew member would drop down a quarter to allow those of higher rank to retain a private quarter. While time was allowed to offer these quarters, if it was noticed that it wasn't happening the captain would be expected to demand the officer in question give up their quarters, it would be considered rude if the passenger had to request.
At the captain's discretion, he can punish those who break this etiquette either by having them stay in worse quarters than they normally would, even the bunks. They can also do more sever punishment for crew or refuse passengers passage.

Quarter position

The position and size of a quarter dictated the type of quarters and who was expected to stay in.

• Captain quarters - The biggest quarters on the ship in the castle of the ship. These are two rooms on the Drakon and Lyzzura class ships. These would house the highest-standing person on the ship, captains, kings, and landed nobles.

• Diplomat quarters - Large spacious quarters that would normally stand empty, even if the captain was displaced. It is reserved for special dignitaries. It is normally the room turned into a female bunk, with some cultures expecting even a royal diplomat to offer it for such use.

• Officer Quarters - These are normal, small rooms that house the other officers, important staff, and minor nobles.

Funny results

A few funny breaks from this tradition have happened over the ages, with the best listed below.

• A Rivellian count demands the captain's quarters only to be informed by the captain "I'm a duke, you sleeping in the hold" causing major offense and disgrace to the count.

• The fact that while King Stephan would have to give up his quarters to the Queen of Rivell on most ships, She would have to yield to him on Zumil's Wrath.

• A first mate gave the captain's quarters to Queen Eva when the captain didn't offer, adding "And we'll keelhaul him for his rudeness" when the captain objected. leading to the first mates' promotion.