Chief Fleetmaster of the Navy

Whereas, after faithfully serving as Chief Fleetmaster for 72 turns of the seasons, Tangrin Seadancer has embarked upon his Final Journey to the Afterlife, and
Whereas Chief Fleetmaster Seadancer's direct reports have demonstrated during the four months of his illness that while they are distinctly suited for their current posts, they are also distinctly unqualified to rise to the task of Chief Fleetmaster,
Therefore be it Resolved that Seamaster Betanna Stormrider, Captain and Master of the Indomitable, be promoted two steps in rank to the position of Chief Fleetmaster of the Cliffport Defense Fleet.

— Resolution 2068-47 of the Council of Elders of the Free City of Cliffport

As you can see, the Dwarves are given to neither politeness nor political correctness when enacting their laws

— Trade Ambassador Nileson commenting on his report of a recent military appointment in Cliffport

In the Navies of the Seafarer Dwarves across Cartyrion, the most sought-after rank is that of Seamaster - the Captain of a ship. But to maintain organization and implement naval strategies, higher-ranked positions are needed. An armada of ships requires coordination, which is provided by a proven individual with the rank of Fleetmaster. But a Navy consists of several fleets, and there are land based logistics operations to keep track of as well. The coordination of all these - the management of an entire navy - falls to the individual who has earned the rank of Chief Fleetmaster.

Responsibilities

Citadel class Man-o-War

The first and foremost responsibility of a Chief Fleetmaster is the continued safety and security of their city. The defense of the city from any sea-borne invasion or assault is paramount. Where possible, support in repelling a land-based assault is also expected. Given the well-known formidability of the weaponry mounted on Dwarven warships, the mere presence of the Dwarven defense fleet is usually enough to deter would-be raiders.

The second responsibility is to provide escort services to merchant ships traveling through dangerous waters. Pirates are everywhere on the seas of Cartyrion, and dwarven merchants are usually willing to pay a Dwarven Navy for protection. One of the challenges facing a Chief Fleetmaster is balancing the needs required for defense and the demand required for escort while maintaining morale within the Navy. It is said that "Idle sailors are trouble-seeking sailors". It is therefore in everyone's best interest to ensure that the ships of the navy are at sea doing something.

Finally, the Chief Fleetmaster is responsible for ensuring the entire Navy runs efficiently and economically. This requires that the Chief Fleetmaster understand the principles of logistics as well as the strategies and tactics of naval combat. The Chief Fleetmaster ensures proper coordination of the various elements of the Fleet to achieve this.

Type

Civic, Military, Commissioned

Insignia

The distinctive hats worn by the officers of the Dwarven Navy serve as their officers' rank insignia. In the case of the Chief Fleetmaster, the hat is a distinctive pale blue with gold trim. (All subordinate officers wear dark blue hats with different trim colors for different ranks.)

Wavesprinter class Pursuit Ship

A Chief Fleetmaster has four direct reports:

• The Assault Fleetmaster is responsible for the warships tasked with offensive and defensive operations.
• The Escort Fleetmaster is responsible for operations involving escorting merchant ships or convoys around the world.
• The Logistics Fleetmaster is responsible for ensuring the Navy is fully supplied at all times.
• The Master Captain of the Marines is responsible for all Marine Units stationed on Assault and Escort ships, as well all land-based support personnel at docks, warehouses, etc.

Current Holders of the Rank

There are three independent Dwarven Naval fleets operating around the world, each led by a Chief Fleetmaster:

Chief Fleetmaster Bettanna Stormrider
The Cliffport Defense Fleet

Bettana Stormrider

Chief Fleetmaster Dorgran Crestrunner
The Navy of the Two Delves

Dorgran Crestrunner

Chief Fleetmaster Nalrin Shipslayer
The Sea Channel Defense Fleet

Nalril Shipslayer

The reader will note that the uniforms of the three fleets appear to be identical. They are. Despite the fact that the navies are independent, they are aware of each other, and are capable of coordinating activities if the need should ever arise. All three use the same command structure of Rank Titles and even uniforms to facilitate this. Furthermore, all members of all three navies are expected to treat members of others with respect as if they were all in a single force.

It should be said that those who rise to the lofty rank of Chief Fleetmaster do so with mixed emotions. The love of the sea is strong with the Seafarer Dwarves, and strongest of all in those who captain the Dwarven ships. Chief Fleetmaster is a land-based profession; only in time of full war would a Chief Fleetmaster command from the place they are most comfortable: the bridge of a sailing vessel.

Now don't ye be congratulatin' me. Promotion it may be, but a punishment, too, of sorts. I'll not be goin' to sea with ye, after all. 'Tis a shame that the reward for bein' the best sea captain is to be chained to a dockside desk. I'll miss the sea, but the city needs defending, and the elders have decided that I'm the best fer the job. I'll be missin' the lot of ye, but I'm sure ye'll give yer all to the Seamaster that replaces me - just as ye did fer me. And that's about all I can say... I'm sure I'll see ye in the taverns when ye make port again.

— Bettana Stormrider addressing the Indomitable's crew after being promoted to Chief Fleetmaster

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Credits

Banner Image by EstudioWebDoce from Pixabay
Citadel-class ship image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay
Wavesprinter class ship Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay
Character images by RPGDinosaurBob on Heroforge