A naval revolution!

[Monkeyboy_McGee]

Greetings! I am the new Megaegir of the Zormite Naval Defence Ministry, and i plan to pull the Navy together and rise it up to the glory of its ancestors! First on the agenda is the ranks...

Megaegir (One person) - The overall leader of the navy. This is an administrative job, but in times of war would stand firmly upon the prow of the Flagship and lead the navy into battle. This person forms strategies and naval manoeuvres, and evaluates strategies made by his officers. The megaegir's job also includes teaching these tactics to the Xerkalan. It is also the role of the Megaegir to devise training programs and make sure that lower ranks organise and carry out these exercises - although the Megaegir is not required to do so, he may sometimes oversee the training himself and possibly even take on a Naftis and train them up personally. The Megaegir is also in charge of the Stockyard, and will keep a record of who has deposited what and who still needs to. He should be battle-hardened, and quite physically strong with a good knowledge of the seas.

Aegir (Two, possibly three people) - Second in command, and an administrative job. These people are the Megaegir's eyes and ears. They report to him with information on ammunition stocks, ship status, and in times of war enemy movement. It is the job of the Aegirs to oversee mass-training programs involving a bulk number of people (i.e. more than say 3). They may at some point wish to take on a Kosidan and train them personally, as this boosts moral and relations between the ranks. In wartime, the Aegirs would be aboard the flagship with the Megaegir, or aboard their own boats if they have underlings to be responsible for. Like the Megaegir, the Aegirs will have access to the stockyard and will be required to keep a record of who has deposited their weekly requirement and who still needs to. These records should be passed onto the Megaegir at the end of each week. The Aegirs should be quite physically strong and have a lot of experience at the helm.

Lochagos (3) - These people would be in charge of the fighters. Every boat needs a fighter, and cannot just be manned by sailors and gunners. The Lochagos must each take a Kosidan under his wing and train them up. The kosidans trained by the Lochagos should be archers, since this is the best way of attacking those on another vessel, and the Lochagos must sure their underling has a good, strong bow, enough ammunition to fill up a whale's belly, and arms strong enough to wield the bow effectively. The Lochagos might also like to form strategies and sailing tactics to submit to the Aegir.

Xerkalan (Number of Kosidan currently in service divided by two) - These are the commanders of the vessels. It will be their job to build, maintain and sail their own vessels; they should have one for personal use (white sail) and one for official use such as training and battles (Blue sail). This means they must be good sailors - they know the seas well, know the tricks and treats of the boats, how they sail, where they will go, and most importantly how to get from A to B in the quickest times. They should know all major trade routes as well as the fastest route to any kingdom island from any kingdom island. Also, they should know all major tactics and manoeuvres, and battle plans, and will be taught these by the Megaegir himself. (Note: This all sounds a lot to memorise, but it isn’t).
Every ship needs its crew, and the Xerkalan will also have the responsibility of handling this crew. Each Xerkalan will be assigned two Kosidan to him by the Megaegir or the Aegirs. These recruits will be his personal responsibility, and should be treated like sons; he should train them up, teach them to sail, teach them what to do if he should fall, sailing tactics and make him proud. It is his duty to teach them these things, as well as how to fight and do battle with other boats. Ultimately, it his the Xerkalan's choice as to how these trainees should be raised - if he is lazy or slack, then he will learn this when his ship and its crew are swiftly crushed in battle, but if he is hardworking, nurturing and firm then he will emerge, proud and triumphant, from the skirmish upon the waves.

Lieutour (Same number as Xerkalan) - These are the brains behind the brawn. They are the researchers of the navy, and their job includes studying enemy tactics, sailing patterns of other boats, how the boats sail, and will sometimes be called up by the Megaegir to analyse strategies that have been submitted. Some Lieutour also play the role of medics, and so they should have a firm grasp of religion in order to perform prayers of healing, exorcism and curing. If the medical Lieutor are not religious men or women, then they should be powerful alchemists with a vast knowledge of medical recipes. They should always keep a stockpile of medical potions and chemicals in case of war. It will also be the job of the Lietour to make sure that all ships in the shipyard remain in peak condition ((above 80%, at least)) and if they are below that they must be repaired by the Lieutour. Each Lieutour should check the shipyard at least once a week for ships to repair.

Archiot (as many as required; in times of peace - few, in times of war - many) - The Archiots are the arms and munitions specialists of the Navy. It will be their job to keep the Stockyard bristling with arms, and their duty is to deposit a minimum of 50 cannonballs, one weapon (preferably an ebony or composite bow) and one platemail armour each week. These stocks should be submitted to the Aegirs or the Megaegir and their name will be recorded on the record as having delivered their weekly quota. The Archiots should be very hard working and well motivated. Failure to complete their quota for three weeks in a row will result in demotion to Kosidan for re-training and re-disciplining.

Naftis (Unlimited depending on a Xerkalan's training) - When a Xerkalan considers that one of his Kosidan has completed their training and learnt all they have to learn, and believes they deserve to be moved up, he may recommend to the Megaegir that that Kosidan be promoted to a Naftis and it shall be so (unless the Megaegir or Aegirs have a specific reason why he should not be moved up). The Naftis will still remain under the Xerkalan's protective and maternal arm, but may be given more responsibility and freedom. It will be a Naftis' duty to fill a quota of 5 loaves of bread and 25 boards each week. These stocks should be submitted to the Aegirs or the Megaegir and their name will be recorded on the record as having delivered their weekly quota; failure to do so for three weeks running will result in demotion to Kosidan for re-training and re-disciplining. Hence it is highly advised that the Naftis work hard, as there is a chance that if he proves himself worthy he may be promoted to Archiot or Lieutour if he shows considerable skill in that field, and maybe even be considered as a personal apprentice of the Megaegir. If chosen as an apprentice to the Navy's leader, the Naftis will be trained and educated to a much higher level than the average Naftis, and will one day be granted his own Blue-sailed ship to sail as a Xerkalan.

Kosidan (Unlimited) - These are the new recruits of the Navy, and will be assigned to a Xerkalan along with another Kosidan to make up the crew of a Zormite vessel. While under their supervision, the Kosidans will take orders from their Xerkalan and should always listen closely to him, and the instructions he gives; they will be for the Kosidan's own benefits. They will recieve training and guidance from their Xerkalan and should show them respect and obedience. If a Kosidan ever feels they cannot have a peaceful relationship with their Xerkalan (or vice-versa), they should make haste to inform the Megaegir or an Aegir, and the matter will be resolved as smoothly as possible (the Aegirs will then report to the Megaegir of any changes made in crews). It is the duty of the Kosidan, as well as to try and train up to be a strong and skilful sailor, to fill a quota of 50 cannonballs and one shield each week and these stocks should be submitted to the Aegirs or the Megaegir and their name will be recorded on the record as having delivered their weekly quota. Failure to do so for three weeks in a row will result in suspension on the fourth week, wherein that Kosidan may not take part in any training or internal events (events held by the navy). This punishment will have bad effects for nobody but that Kosidan, and multiple suspensions will give the sailor a bad reputation and limit his chances of promotion past a Naftis.

Note to Kosidans, Naftis and Archiots: It is feasible that on some weeks these people may not be able to fulfil their quota, and if such a week should arise, the reason (and it must be an honest, acceptable one) should be given to the Aegirs or Megaegir and they will be excused from their duties for that week. However, this does not mean that lazy members of the navy can simply say "o sory i had wrk 2 do" when asked where their quota is every other week; if a heavy workload or period of inactivity is expected then the Aegirs or Megaegir should be informed beforehand complete with a valid reason.

Also, each and every member of the navy must have a dagger - this is standard requirement and may one day save the lives of a crew if their ship is ever boarded. No Sais.


Thank you for your time, i hope to be a fulfilling and successful leader and a strong asset to the Zormite Republic.

- Megaegir Ruatha Vimes, of the Zormite Republic