The Elven Imperial Navy, commonly known as the Elven Imperial Fleet or simply the Imperial Fleet, is a monolithic military organization devoted to protecting the interests of the elven race throughout the Known Spheres in the Spelljammer campaign setting.[4][5][6][7]
"Your mission is simple, Captain Kyark. Defend this sphere against all attacks by forces of the scro, ogres, neogi, illithids, beholders, pirates, hobgoblins, undead, vodoni, rogues, and common orcs. I fear we have no reinforcements to spare, so good luck, Captain."
- Admiral Alfallin, Imperial Fleet[8]
Overview[]
The Elven Imperial Fleet seeks to promote, as well as protect, elven interests throughout the universe,[3] actively engaging with larger elven nations while adopting a more paternalistic attitude towards smaller elven communities scattered across wildspace who are forced to share their territories with other humanoids, especially humans.
The Imperial Fleet is militaristic in nature and highly organized, and is commanded by a Council of Admirals, headed by a Grand Admiral. These leaders, considered elders even by elven standards, command the Fleet from a hidden base known only as "Lionheart": its location is kept top secret and is changed every few years to prevent surprise attacks.
The Council of Admirals recognizes the sovereignty of the various elven kings, queens, and princes from over fifty planets within their purview. Technically, an order from one of these heads-of-state should be enough to mobilize local elven naval forces. However, the Council is fully aware of the dangers of interfering in groundling politics, and as long as the orders reflect a dire need in self defence, the Council is quite happy to deploy available forces.[3] In all other cases, however, the orders may become "lost" or the local forces will be wrapped up in some other matter. Terrestrial elven rulers have learned over the years not to become overly dependent on the Imperial Fleet.
The Imperial Fleet maintains a number of embassies in most major non-elven settlements, which serve as a hub for local elven activities. As with most bureaucracies, these embassies tend to be inefficient, a matter made worse by the fact that most elven bureaucrats consider humans to be a waste of time. Fleet representatives make it a point to keep their contact with groundlings (especially humans) to a minimum. They are particularly invested in keeping all elven spelljamming technology, especially helms, out of non-elven hands, and would rather destroy an elven ship rather than see it taken over by non-elves.
Despite losses taken during the Second Unhuman War, the Imperial Fleet still has the largest organised Fleet in most spheres, making them one of the most powerful organisations in space. As a result Fleet representatives tend to be pushy and overly presumptuous when dealing with others. Elven forces have a tendency to stick their noses in areas where they are neither wanted or needed. Directing them (politely) to mind their own business may result in an apology and withdrawal, or in a sky full of men-o-war.[4]
Not all elven communities welcome the Imperial Fleet's meddling and overly paternalistic attitude. Many of the smaller colony worlds, such as Spiral, Numeliador, or Minial's Arch, have been settled by renegade Fleet officers, some who may have been cashiered for disobeying orders or for causing trouble, and as such refuse all contact with the Imperial Fleet: sometimes to their detriment.[9]
Activities[]
"Day 316: Sighted hammership Red Moon during second watch and gave pursuit. We exchanged fire for half an hour with the pirates and were closing when our bridge crew witnessed the appearance of an opaque black nebula immediately forward of the Moon. The pirate ship vanished entirely into the nebula, which dissipated with our arrival. When we examined the area, we found no debris and no survivors. Disposition of the enemy is unknown. We returned to duty."
- Captain's log of the Sunwing, Elven Imperial Fleet[10]
Crystal spheres with sizeable elven populations will be patrolled by a local Fleet under the command of an Admiral. In less important spheres (i.e. those with little or no native elven populations), a single ship under the command of a captain will suffice to maintain the "elven presence" in the system. The Imperial Fleet attempts to maintain regular contact (on an annual basis or so) with all major elven nations, spaceborn or terrestrial.[3] Most groundling nations affiliated with the Imperial Fleet retain the services of a Court Astrologer, who is often charged with serving as an ambassador to the Council of Admirals, speaking on behalf of their nation.
In the Known Spheres, only the island nation of Evermeet on Toril maintains regular contact with the Imperial Fleet. This small cluster of islands even served as a major base during the Unhuman Wars, and currently serves as the Fleet headquarters for Realmspace.[11] In Krynnspace, the Imperial Fleet maintained covert contact with the elven nations of Qualinesti and Silvanesti; however, since the destruction of their nation, the Silvanesti have become insular and withdrawn.[12] In Greyspace the Imperial Fleet finds it easier to maintain a presence near the hospitable outer worlds of the sphere, including Greela and the Spectre, due to the spherical asteroid field known as the Grinder, which makes it difficult for ships to travel directly to Oerth, the primary of the sphere. Only the elven Kingdom of Celene maintains an ambassador to the Fleet, and even this is primarily a courtesy appointment.[13]
Despite the sheer number of vessels available to the Imperial Fleet, the size of the territory they're attempting to patrol is enormous, and numerous elven ships disappear every year without trace, However, the Council of Admirals are unwilling to commit resources to finding these vessels, and instead prefer to ignore these losses, instead choosing to list these vessels as "overdue" as opposed to being lost.[4]
Base of Operations[]
The Imperial Fleet maintains its own local bases and outposts, usually on isolated asteroids or on custom-built space stations, such as the Crown of Corellon[14][15] or the Karpri space station.[7][16] Such space stations are usually built by linking old obsolete men-o-war together, and allowing their wings to overgrow and meld into a thick defensive battlement. The ship's are pulled into a circular shape, stern to stern, so that they share a common gravity plane with their weapons pointing outwards into wildspace. Appearing as a ring of butterflies linked at the wings, these living ships are cultivated, with the crops providing both food and air for the community. Such "rings" are usually kept hidden from outsiders and usually serve as the nerve centre for major Fleet activities.[4]
The Imperial Fleet also maintains a hidden centralized headquarters, known as "Lionheart". One of the largest such space stations in existence,[17] Lionheart is comprised of a ring of elven armada linked together, and serves to house the Council of Admirals, headed by the Grand Admiral,[18] as well as the Elven Council, which consists of representatives of every major elven nation in wildspace.[19] To prevent enemies from locating their headquarters, and mounting a surprise attack, Lionheart is moved to a new location every few years,[3] including Garden in Realmspace.[20]
The Imperial Fleet maintains a number of embassies in most major non-elven settlements, including the Rock of Bral. Prince Andru has granted the Imperial Fleet landing rights at Bral's naval base and access to its ship repair facilities. In return, the elves are expected to help the Bral Navy defend the asteroid city.[21] To this end, a small fleet of Imperial vessels, consisting of an armada and three men-o-war, are either docked at,[22] or invisibly trail behind the asteroid city.[9] The Elven Forest is perhaps the most beautiful place on the Rock, and though it serves as the centre of elven activity in the city, few elves actually live there. Instead, the Forest serves to conceal an Imperial Navy outpost built deep into the Rock. Elegant panelled hallways and high, lamplit chambers wind deeply into the asteroid's heart, where a garrison of over 300 elven navy personnel live and work.[23]
Ships[]
The Imperial Navy almost exclusively uses crystalline ships grown to their own specifications, including the flitter, the man-o-war, and the mighty armada, as well as specialized designs such as the radiant ship.[24] However, since there are never enough ships to meet all their needs, elven Fleets have taken to employing designs that are deemed "acceptable", including the hammership[25] and the swanship.[26] Certain independent elven nations use their own unique designs, such as the doombat,[27] while the island nation of Evermeet maintains its own fleet of man-o-war inspired vessels known as the ruathimaer (or "starwings").[28]
Despite heavy losses taken during the Second Unhuman War, the Imperial Fleet still has the largest organised fleet in most spheres, making them one of the most powerful organisations in wildspace. The latest estimates suggest the Imperial Fleet still controls around 500 elven armada and 2,000 men-o-war, not including auxiliary and support vessels. In addition, all vessels operated by the Sindiath Line are still subject to the commands of the Council of Admirals, and can be commandeered by Fleet officers during emergencies or times of war,[29] and at last count included well over 300 men-o-war, supplemented by 115 hammerships and dozens of tradesmen.[30]
Relationships[]
Allies[]
The Imperial Fleet serves as a formidable stabilizing force in wildspace, and as such has garnered a great deal of support from most merchant companies and religious organizations (though the Chainmen consider most Fleet officers to be nosy busybodies). Considering its role as an elven merchant navy, the Sindiath Line has particularly close ties to the Fleet. The Company of the Chalice has considerable respect (and not a little awe) for the Fleet, and the Seekers get along with the Fleet so long as they're not in competition for a particular morsel of information.[3]
Enemies[]
The Imperial Fleet counts amongst its enemies the scro and other humanoid races, including orcs, ogres, goblins, hobgoblins, and bugbears, as well as those who threaten the well-being of elven communities, including various pirate bands.
While the Company of the Chalice actively supports the Fleet, other military brotherhoods believe the elves think too highly of themselves and are too quick to interfere in private affairs (Perhaps the fact that all of these groups have at one time or another been on the opposite side of a conflict with the Imperial Fleet has something to do with their resentment.)
The Xenos point to the power of the Fleet as proof of their contentions that the elves are unfairly dominating human spacefaring civilization. Of all the organizations in wildspace, the Xenos hate the Fleet most of all.[3]
Members[]
The Elven Imperial Navy predominantly recruits new members from among spacefaring elven communities, though it has on occasion accepted elven groundlings into its ranks, especially that who have travelled into wildspace on their own. While the Imperial Fleet has been known to employ non-elves as crew on its ships, especially groups of hadozee, only elves will be promoted to positions of authority. Even with the significant size of its fleets, there is still fierce competition among its junior officers for the opportunity to command their own ships.[3]
Imperial Fleet officers are expected to devote their lives to improving the lot of elvenkind throughout Known Space. Those assigned to command their own ships - usually men-o-war - will be charged with patrolling specific regions of wildspace. Patrol vessels are given a great deal of leeway in dealing with issues that crop up, only occasionally reporting in to their Fleet commanders or operational headquarters, though they are expected to adhere to the Fleet's regulations as stipulated by the Council of Admirals.[31] Those who flout the rules and succeed may receive nothing more than a slap on the wrist; but woe to those who blatantly disregard the rules and fail.[4]
The Fleet requires its commanders to serve faithfully, undertaking various missions throughout the Known Spheres. The Fleet also demands a great deal of flexibility from its commanders; one mission may be a military strike and the next a diplomatic conference.[31] During peacetime, Fleet captains are generally free to travel wherever they wish, and some may even choose to include non-elves in their crews;[31] however, during emergencies or times of war, all non-elves, including half-elves,[32] will be put ashore at the closest convenient port. Only those hadozee currently aboard will be allowed to remain in service.[29]
Uniforms[]
Fleet officers and advisors assigned to the courts of various groundling elven nations wear a dress uniform consisting of silver-bright elven chain-mail or plate armor,[2] covered with a black tabard featuring a colorful butterfly on a starry background, a black cloak, and high star-speckled black-boots. Additional accoutrements include Fleet and rank insignia.[1] Senior ranking spellcasters wear silver-bright gossamer chain under a blue tabard embroidered with the Fleet insignia, as well as runes identifying their rank and their House.[20] Elven troops are generally equipped with bright shining mail.[23]
Notable members of the Imperial Fleet[]
Prominent members of the Elven Imperial Fleet include:
- Commander Airenfir, imprisoned onboard Gamaro Base after being captured by the scro while patrolling Moragspace.[33]
- Tel Astrid, secondary helmsman on the elven man-o-war Sparrowhawk.[34]
- Admiral Cirathorn, commander of the Fleet based at the Rock of Bral, as well as captain of the elven armada, Empress Dorianne. Admiral Cirathorn would play a pivotal role in Teldin Moore's quest, when he revealed to Teldin that he possessed the Cloak of the First Pilot and that his destiny was tied to that of the Spelljammer.[35]
- Admiral Serin Ghar, commander of the Evermeet Fleet on Toril in Realmspace.[36]
- Admiral Highstar, commander of the elven forces onboard the Spelljammer, and captain of the elven armada, Triumph (now dismantled and retired from active service).[37]
- Admiral Icarus, commander of the Realmspace Fleet, as well as captain of the elven armada, Arrow of Justice.[7]
- Kora, a ship's-engineer assigned to the elven armada Constellation, and later sent on a mission to Shadowspace.[38]
- Master Khotus, a human instructor who taught Imperial Fleet pilots the art of spelljamming.[39]
- Captain Krissos, commander of the Greyspace Fleet, as well as captain of the elven flagship, Luminary of Ehlonna.[40]
- Aldyn Leafbower, ex-battlepoet and Grand Admiral of the Elven Imperial Fleet during the First Unhuman War.[41]
- Vallus Leafbower, senior advisor to the Grand Admiral of the Imperial Fleet during the lead up to the Second Unhuman War[20] and captain of the elven swanship Trumpeter.[42] Previously he had served as the ship's mage and secondary helmsman onboard the hammership Probe, alongside Teldin Moore, the Cloakmaster.[43]
- Mirandel, an Imperial Fleet battlewizard who was married to Admiral Cirathorn and served as second-in-command of the elven armada, Empress Dorianne.[44]
- Sergeant Berl Mooncrest, second-in-command of the elven man-o-war Sparrowhawk.[34]
- Marta Mornstar, primary helmsman on the elven man-o-war Sparrowhawk.[34]
- Commander Silanos, chief advisor to the Grand Admiral of the Elven Imperial Fleet in the lead up to the Second Unhuman War.[45]
- Shusaka Iki, a human shugenja who served as an advisor to the Council of Admirals before being seconded to an expedition sent to Shadowspace.[46]
- Admiral Silmara, an Imperial Fleet ambassador assigned to the court of Prince Andru of Bral.[47]
- Sindiath, a retired Imperial Fleet admiral who founded the Sindiath Line to serve as a merchant navy adjunct to the Fleet.[48]
- Commander Stardawn, a rising star among Imperial Fleet officers who was assigned the task of tracking down the Spelljammer, learning its secrets, and assuming command if possible.[49]
- Captain Anadis Starlight, commander of the elven man-o-war Penultimate, which was destroyed by a hammership crewed by horg in Greyspace.[50]
- High King Thilandriel was the elven ambassador to the council of war called in response to raids conducted by the Vodoni Empire.[51]
- Tolivin, a xenobiologist who served as an advisor to the Council of Admirals before being seconded to an expedition sent to Shadowspace.[52]
- Captain Sirian Windharp, commander of the battle dolphin patrol-vessel Starfoam, which discovered the first armada overrun by witchlight marauders at the outbreak of the Second Unhuman War.[53]
- Admiral Yerthad, commander of the outer Krynnspace Fleet, as well as captain of the elven man-o-war, Liira's Kiss.[40]
Appendix[]
External Links[]
- Elven Imperial Fleet article at the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Roger E. Moore, Demihumans of the Realms, 1998, (TSR Inc.), ISBN: 0-7869-1316-9, Advisor, Imperial Fleet section, page 17
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Roger E. Moore, The Cloakmaster Cycle, The Maelstrom's Eye, 1992, (TSR Inc.), page 42
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Curtis M. Scott, CGR1 The Complete Spacefarer's Handbook, 1992, (TSR Inc.), chapter 7: Spacefaring Organizations, page 84
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Jeff Grubb, AD&D Adventures in Space, Lorebook of the Void, 1989, (TSR Inc.), chapter 3: Spacefarers, pages 55-56
- ↑ Curtis M. Scott, CGR1 The Complete Spacefarer's Handbook, 1992, (TSR Inc.), chapter 7: Spacefaring Organizations, pages 84-85
- ↑ Roger E. Moore, Demihumans of the Realms, 1998, (TSR Inc.), ISBN: 0-7869-1316-9, Advisor, Imperial Fleet section, pages 17-18
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Dale "Slade" Henson, War Captain's Companion, War Captain's Guide, 1992, (TSR Inc.), chapter 3: Spacefleets of the Void, pages 19-20
- ↑ Curtis M. Scott, CGR1 The Complete Spacefarer's Handbook, 1992, (TSR Inc.), sidebar, page 98
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Roger E. Moore, The Cloakmaster Cycle, The Maelstrom's Eye, 1992, (TSR Inc.), page 106
- ↑ Curtis M. Scott, CGR1 The Complete Spacefarer's Handbook, 1992, (TSR Inc.), sidebar, page 14
- ↑ Curtis M. Scott, CGR1 The Complete Spacefarer's Handbook, 1992, (TSR Inc.), chapter 1: Groundlings in Space, page 12
- ↑ Curtis M. Scott, CGR1 The Complete Spacefarer's Handbook, 1992, (TSR Inc.), chapter 1: Groundlings in Space, pages 10-11
- ↑ Curtis M. Scott, CGR1 The Complete Spacefarer's Handbook, 1992, (TSR Inc.), chapter 1: Groundlings in Space, pages 9-10
- ↑ Nicky Rea, Wes Nicholson, SJR8 Space Lairs, 1993, (TSR Inc.), Base of Woes chapter, pages 51-63
- ↑ Nicky Rea, Wes Nicholson, SJR8 Space Lairs, 1993, (TSR Inc.), ISBN: 1-56076-609-3, Crown of Corellon deck plans, inside cover
- ↑ Dale "Slade" Henson, SJR2 Realmspace, 1991, (TSR Inc.), Satellite Features section, Karpri chapter, pages 34-35
- ↑ Jeff Grubb, AD&D Adventures in Space, Lorebook of the Void, 1989, (TSR Inc.), chapter 3: Spacefarers, page 56
- ↑ Jeff Grubb, AD&D Adventures in Space, Lorebook of the Void, 1989, (TSR Inc.), chapter 3: Spacefarers, page 55
- ↑ Elaine Cunningham, The Cloakmaster Cycle, The Radiant Dragon, 1992, (TSR Inc.), page 25
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Elaine Cunningham, The Cloakmaster Cycle, The Radiant Dragon, 1992, (TSR Inc.), pages 23-24
- ↑ L. Richard Baker III, SJR5 Rock of Bral, 1992, (TSR Inc), part one: The Crossroads of Wildspace, page 15
- ↑ L. Richard Baker III, SJR5 Rock of Bral, 1992, (TSR Inc), part one: The Crossroads of Wildspace, page 16
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 L. Richard Baker III, SJR5 Rock of Bral, 1992, (TSR Inc), part three: A City Among the Stars, page 51
- ↑ Dale "Slade" Henson, War Captain's Companion, Ship Recognition Manual, 1992, (TSR Inc.), Ships of the Spelljammer Universe, page 39
- ↑ Jeff Grubb, AD&D Adventures in Space, Lorebook of the Void, 1989, (TSR Inc.), chapter 2: Spelljammers, page 39
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, SJR1 Lost Ships, 1990, (TSR Inc.), Ship Catalog chapter, page 66
- ↑ Sam Witt, The Astromundi Cluster, The Astrogator's Guide, 1993, (TSR Inc.), Ships and Equipment chapter, page 26
- ↑ Anthony Pryor, Elves of Evermeet, 1994, (TSR Inc.), ISBN: 1-56076-829-0, Aerial Navy section, chapter 5: Evermeet's Defenders, page 87
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 Curtis M. Scott, CGR1 The Complete Spacefarer's Handbook, 1992, (TSR Inc.), chapter 7: Spacefaring Organizations, page 91
- ↑ Curtis M. Scott, CGR1 The Complete Spacefarer's Handbook, 1992, (TSR Inc.), chapter 7: Spacefaring Organizations, page 90
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 Curtis M. Scott, CGR1 The Complete Spacefarer's Handbook, 1992, (TSR Inc.), chapter 7: Spacefaring Organizations, page 85
- ↑ Elaine Cunningham, The Cloakmaster Cycle, The Radiant Dragon, 1992, (TSR Inc.), pages 78 and 111
- ↑ Bruce Nesmith, SJS1 Goblins' Return, 1991, (TSR Inc.), chapter 2: Events on Gamaro Base, page 16
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 Nigel D. Findley, SJA2 Skull & Crossbows, 1990, (TSR Inc.), Fire and Ice, chapter 1: Pirates & Corsairs, pages 17-18
- ↑ Roger E. Moore, The Cloakmaster Cycle, The Maelstrom's Eye, 1992, (TSR Inc.), pages 36-41 (first appearance)
- ↑ Dale "Slade" Henson, War Captain's Companion, War Captain's Guide, 1992, (TSR Inc.), chapter 4: Shipbuilding Companies, page 55
- ↑ Jeff Grubb, The Legend of Spelljammer, Captains and Ships, 1991, (TSR Inc.), Personalities of the Spelljammer, pages 49-50
- ↑ Rick Swan, SJQ1 Heart of the Enemy, 1992, (TSR Inc.), chapter 1: Kora, Iki, and Tolivin, pages 11-12
- ↑ TSR Trading Card #70, 1992, (TSR Inc.), Master Khotus
- ↑ 40.0 40.1 Dale "Slade" Henson, War Captain's Companion, War Captain's Guide, 1992, (TSR Inc.), chapter 3: Spacefleets of the Void, page 20
- ↑ Nigel Findley, SJR4 Practical Planetology, 1991, (TSR Inc.), Guide to the Groundlings section, chapter 2 Earth Bodies, page 11
- ↑ Elaine Cunningham, The Cloakmaster Cycle, The Radiant Dragon, 1992, (TSR Inc.), page 111
- ↑ Nigel D. Findley, The Cloakmaster Cycle, Into the Void, 1991, (TSR Inc.), pages 52-53 (first appearance)
- ↑ Roger E. Moore, The Cloakmaster Cycle, The Maelstrom's Eye, 1992, (TSR Inc.), pages 104-111 (first appearance)
- ↑ Rick Swan, SJQ1 Heart of the Enemy, 1992, (TSR Inc.), Selected NPCs section, Appendix, page 88
- ↑ Rick Swan, SJQ1 Heart of the Enemy, 1992, (TSR Inc.), Prologue, page 10
- ↑ Richard Baker, SJR5 Rock of Bral, 1992, (TSR Inc), part two: A House Divided, page 29
- ↑ Curtis M. Scott, CGR1 The Complete Spacefarer's Handbook, 1992, (TSR Inc.), chapter 7: Spacefaring Organizations, pages 90-91
- ↑ Jeff Grubb, The Legend of Spelljammer, Captains and Ships, 1991, (TSR Inc.), Personalities of the Spelljammer, pages 67-68
- ↑ Nigel D. Findley, SJR6 Greyspace, 1992, (TSR Inc.), Adventuring Ideas chapter, page 82
- ↑ Grant Boucher, SJA4 Under The Dark Fist, 1991, (TSR Inc.), chapter 2: Strange Bedfellows, page 12
- ↑ Rick Swan, SJQ1 Heart of the Enemy, 1992, (TSR Inc.), chapter 1: Kora, Iki, and Tolivin, pages 13-15
- ↑ Elaine Cunningham, The Cloakmaster Cycle, The Radiant Dragon, 1992, (TSR Inc.), pages 25-28