Nautical Tradition

History

Sailing is a tradition as old as Eternia, though some specific maritime traditions vary amongst various nation-states, many things, barring particularly unusual aspects, are the same from culture to culture. Whilst every nation, claimant of a fleet, claims to be the Father or Mother of modern naval tradition, the reality is there is no true creator, but rather, thousands of people, whom over the centuries have contributed aspects to what is the typically understood naval tradition of today.

In Meranthe, much like many regions across the globe, sailors and pirates alike tend to be a rather superstitious lot. The typical seaman would recognize Enarr and point to the Primordial as the true Father of Meranthian naval tradition. It is said that the Mariner's Astrolabe and Quadrant was granted to the first man to set to sea by none other than Enarr himself, thousands of years ago, and while this is a point of contention elsewhere around Eternia, it is well known that Meranthian Ship's navigational capabilities surpass most, if not all nations, in accuracy.

It was in the waning years of the first age when the progression from simple man-powered ramming vessels was overtaken by rigging and sail. During this period, most ships crewed at a minimum two magi, though due to population constraints, and advancements in technology, eventually sailing vessels would be comprised generally of entirely non-magical crew. Some few devices of Delphinian creation, and later mimicked, sometimes poorly, assured even when under attack by an enemy ship sporting magi crew, the playing field was at least somewhat less tilted.

Yet, it was not until the Second Age that a robust naval tradition began to form beyond it's infancy. A large capital base of several city-states in this era, along with healthy competition for charts and profitable trading routes led to an explosion of knowledge and best practices. It is in this era that now mainstays of any Meranthian ship would become commonplace, these include, but certainly aren't limited to the Vdalion Sextant, and the Delphinian Chronometer. These tools allowed for impeccable speed and calculation, thus accelerating this Age of Exploration far past many of it's regional peers.

In the waning years of this period, many experiments were conducted aboard ships to increase survivability and firepower, and notably, some ships were even formed of iron shells encasing wooden structure. These 'ironclads' were extremely effective for the time, and some scant few still exist within and around Meranthe. Yet, immediately following the 124 cataclysm, the immediate construction of these vessels was brought to a halt throughout the region. They were, due to their weight and freeboard, coastal defense vessels. The few that remain still excel in this role, being impenetrable to all but ships crewed with magi.

Faith and Traditions

The faith of sailors and pirates is not too far gone from that of the land-dwellers, as one would expect, generally the focus is upon those entities that their cultural heritage most frequently follows, yet, there is always some focus on Enarr, and Chireus. Curiously, there is additionally some small focus on Maestra, typically this is true of musicians aboard ships, however, over time these aspects have often interspersed and intermingled with one another. Leading to something of a nautical pantheon of the three Primordials, though it's hardly organized enough to be considered a true religion. A Ships Chaplain may be familiar with any of the Primordials, and their religious meanings.

A number of ceremonies stem from this nautical faith. Particularly in the villages, towns, and cities closer to the coast. The names of these events typically differ from place to place, though the particular practice remains generally the same, a notable example of the shared naval tradition of the region. These can either be somber events, or cheery ones, depending on the context. The most commonly practiced is the launching of several hundred paper boats, hand decorated with the names of loved ones lost to the sea written upon them. It's typically conducted at the height of the summer months, just as the sun has set. The harbors of practicing towns typically glow with innumerable little stars of light as they drift out to sea. The ceremony typically lasts no more than three hours.

Celebrations are something of a tradition onboard ships, to be expected from time to time. These can be for any reason, and are typically a brief period of revelry before another day of hard work. These are typically conducted either just before setting to sea, or the days before returning to port.

A particularly grim tradition is that of sainthood, in the summer months, massive typhoons brew about Meranthe's coasts. It is often speculated by seamen that these are a test sent by Enarr to gauge the quality of Meranthe's sailors and pirates alike. These are particularly viscous storms, and disturbingly, a captain and crew may accept this test, and intentionally sail into these storms. The ship may become trapped for hours or days in these conditions, and the crew will do their utmost to keep their ship afloat.

The sea and storm washing the deck is considered to clean the sins of the crew, casting them from their bodies, out to sea, and granting them approval in the eyes of Enarr. Not only this, as it's a reinforcement and test of the skills and abilities a crew has collected over it's life, bonding them with the ship. Should the crew and ship survive, they are considered sainted. This is typically a form of bragging rights.

Not all return.

Terms and Phrases

There are countless numbers of terms involved in the nautical practice, and far, far too many to list, included below are common terms a typical seaman might know.

Forward - The front half of a vessel.

Aft - The back half of a vessel.

Bow - The front of a vessel.

Stern - The back of a vessel.

Port - The left of the ship, to specify, this is not your left, but the ships.

Starboard - The right of the ship, to specify, this is not your right, but the ships.

Backstays - Lines and cables used to support a mast.

Berthing - A sleeping area upon a vessel.

Bilge - The bottom of a vessel that collects water that falls below decks.

Bridge - The command center of a vessel.

Cleats - A device attached to the vessel whereupon rope is secured in the process of mooring.

Foot - The base of a sail.

Galley - Vessel's Kitchen, not in use upon some Meranthian Vessels. Typically found on larger ships exclusively.

Mast - A large vertical pole that supports rigging and sails.

Rigging - The system of lines and masts on a vessel.

Yard - The beams upon the mast that attach the sails.

Yardarm - The end of a yard.

Quarterdeck - A raised deck behind the main mast, typically the main ceremonial and reception area upon a larger ship.

Caius' Locket - The bottom of the sea, a colloquial term meaning death.

Rising to port, Chireus behind. - The rather comfortable period immediately after setting underway, the beginning of a voyage.

Aschea's Luck - My ship is on fire/sinking/being generally disagreeable.

Enarr's Colors - A signal flag typically flown by all Meranthian Ships, including even pirates. Considered to be good luck. Hoisting three in signal to another ship is considered a great compliment.