Nero actually did a pretty great job of going everything, so I'll just be adding a few more details, links, and blurbs that could help you out further.
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First, let's talk about the Maelstrom! The Maelstrom was founded in the Year 1572 (roughly 5~6 years ago officially) by "Chief" Admiral Merlwyb Bloefhiswyn. One of the many confusing things about Limsa's government and military is that the city-state is usually run by an "Admiral" who wins the Trident held once every seven years. In order to unite Limsa Lominsa's many factions together against the Garlean threat, Merlwyb abolished this system and made herself a "Chief Admiral," giving herself complete unfettered dictatorship of every ship in Lominsan waters, pirate to merchant. The last Chief Admiral was Agatzahr Roehmerlsyn, who created the Trident system in the Year 992. Just so you can get an idea of how unprecedented this move was.
Anyways, Merlwyb gathered all armed vessels under her new rule and created the Maelstrom Grand Company. It's primary force, called the Crimson Fleet, is made up of the first five of the old Lominsan Armada's (known as the Knights of the Barracuda) nine squadrons. Each squadron is devoted to one specific body of water under Limsa's control. The remaining four squadrons of the Lominsan Armada remain in reserve status and are still known as the Knights of the Barracuda.
The Maelstrom's secondary force are it's Privateers, which are a conglomerate of the many pirate factions who decided to raise their banners with Merlwyb, as well as the Foreign Levy, which is made up of foreigners and adventurers and act to bolster the Maelstrom's land-based infantry. Prior to the formation of the Maelstrom, it was the Knights of the Lominsan Armada's 1st Squadron, known as the Yellowjackets, who acted as Limsa's only land-based marines and police. After the Calamity, the Yellowjackets were separated from the 1st Squadron to act as peacekeepers while the Maelstrom acted in a military capacity.
So when you say your character and her older brother worked for the Maelstrom ten, fifteen years ago, they would have actually been assisting the Knights of the Barracuda. Piracy would be legal, and Limsa's primary economy, until Merlwyb takes office in 1563.
More lore on the Maelstrom, Limsa's government and laws, and military can be found in the links below. Limsa Lominsa lore is my strongest suit, so if you have more questions feel free to ask.
-Limsa's Government Lore
-Maelstrom Lore Overview Doc
-Yellowjacket and Lominsan Armada Lore
Historically, galleasses are the largest class of ships. Galleons are middle ranged. Galleys are the smallest. But it's hard to say if this holds true in the Knights of the Barracuda. The Astalicia is typically referred to as a "galleon" but it's model is the largest class of ship, seemingly contradicting the normal size values. The Whorleater, which is made from two galleons strapped together, uses the correct mid-sized three mast ship model. In Erik's version of the tale of Bloodshore, he also notes Galleys as being a sizable vessel, with noted smaller warships. Galleasses are only noted in the lore book, so it's hard to note their size outside of real world context.
In game (assuming the ascribed sizes are correct), galleasses (5 masts) are represented by the Triumph, Victory, and Astalicia (found in Barracuda Piers, Moraby Bay, and Lower Decks respectively). Galleons (3 masts) are represented by the Braveheart (found in the Wolves Den - as well as found in Barracuda Piers and 1.0 Lominsan MSQ). Galleys (1-2 masts) are represented by the Lost Duchess and Rhotano privateer (found in the Sahagin quests near Moonshade Isle and outside Costa del Sol respectively).
As far as ship naming goes, as you can see, it's pretty open ended. Personally, I like to name my ships with words from the Roegadyn language, but you don't see many if any of those in the game yet. I actually brought this up to Fernehalwes, and he said he's hoping we'll have an upcoming quest explain more about the original settlers of Limsa Lominsa and why a Roegadyn ship from Aerslaent (the Galadion) doesn't have a Roegadyn name.
Thalassocratic Ships: Triumph, Victory, Galadion, Braveheart, Bonnibell, the Swallow
Pirate Ships: Astalicia, the Misery, Lady Infernal, the Haar, Cloud Dancer, Rusty Claw, Jolly Merchantman, the Stormcry, the Beagle, the Nonsuch
Merchant Ships: Ice Princess, the Orion, the Morningstar, Imperial Princess
As for non-magical healing, that's actually the vast majority of Eorzea's healers! Even though they're widely underrepresented in roleplay in favor of magical healing, which is comparatively more rare in the lore. There are medics, chirurgeons, surgeons, cutters, phrontists, hospitaliers, and herbalists across Eorzea that use traditional methods. Even in places like Gridania and Ishgard that have Conjurers, there's multiple lore points sourcing that traditional methods are still used in addition to magical efforts, especially during extended or long-term care of a patient. Magical healing, in lore, appears only to stave off immediately life-threatening injuries. Once exhausted, healers must resort to herbs, potions, and other traditional remedies to cure afflictions, diseases, and infections.
A very in-depth post on this can be found here.
For drugs and herbal remedies, these threads might be helpful:
-Eorzean Drugs
-Tinolqa's Botanica Eorzea
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It's actually really refreshing to see someone use a prosthetic that isn't magitek. Magitekâ„¢ is specifically Garlean machina, and while it has made its way into limited circulation around Eorzea, it's still an incredibly rare resource. Its use and distribution is tightly controlled by first, the Garlond Ironworks and then the upper echelons of the Grand Companies, though some undoubtedly makes it onto the black market. The process goes kind of like this: Lominsan privateers scrap defeated Garlean ships. Those privateers then either sell it on the Black Market or turn in their finds to Maelstrom Command for a reward, who then send it to the Garlond Ironworks workshop. The Ironworks then takes that tech, studies it, replicates it or weaponizes it, and ships it off to the Grand Companies to utilize. Limsa is attempting to create magitek-inspired, ceruleum powered warships with its share of the returns.
The technology that is much more widely available to Eorzeans is Clockwork, which is created by goldsmiths and tinkerers. Though in regards to actual prosthetics, we most often see references very plain "peg-legs" and other basic wooden/light metal contraptions.
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Assuming this is some 20ish years ago, this might've been a rare sight. Not impossible though! Garlemald hit their magitek revolution around the Year 1513, which was about sixty-five years ago. With the help of Midas nan Garlond and his son, Cid nan Garlond, leaps and bounds in magitek technology and warmachina catapulted Solus zos Galvus into leadership and a position to unify the northlands of Ilsabard and forge the Garlean Empire.
It wasn't until 1572 that all trade with Garlemald ceased in Limsa and Ul'dah, so some magitek devices could've found their way into Eorzean hands, however, the majority of Garlemald's magitek advancements were made for military application (civilian use is also canon, but we don't know to what extent) so it's unlikely that a Garlean trade ship would've parted with any of that sort of tech willingly, and it takes a special kind of pirate crew to knock over a magitek drommond.
So a few options could be Garlean sailors or merchants, Far Eastern drommonds under the Imperial banner, or a band of very brave pirates? I'm assuming this is what inspires the brother to really take after tinkering? Seeing as how this takes place on the Thanalan coast, you could also say that they were Ul'dahn pirates or part of Ul'dah's Golden Fleet. (I have a personal headcanon that Ul'dah's merchant ships may use mammet servitors as part of their crew.) So that could be another option, but ultimately that's up to you!
Hope this helps! ^^ Lemme know if you have more questions!
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(03-25-2017, 11:27 PM)Amnesic Wrote: I'm looking to get some lore and viability checks as well as some opinions for a character idea I've just finished. I don't exactly have too much of an idea how the Maelstrom works, how they name their ships, and where exactly technology stands in different decades, so that's what I'm mostly needing clarified with lore. Viability-wise, I need some help on seeing if a physical healer can make it in a world with magic healing, (I would figure they can, but you never know).
First, let's talk about the Maelstrom! The Maelstrom was founded in the Year 1572 (roughly 5~6 years ago officially) by "Chief" Admiral Merlwyb Bloefhiswyn. One of the many confusing things about Limsa's government and military is that the city-state is usually run by an "Admiral" who wins the Trident held once every seven years. In order to unite Limsa Lominsa's many factions together against the Garlean threat, Merlwyb abolished this system and made herself a "Chief Admiral," giving herself complete unfettered dictatorship of every ship in Lominsan waters, pirate to merchant. The last Chief Admiral was Agatzahr Roehmerlsyn, who created the Trident system in the Year 992. Just so you can get an idea of how unprecedented this move was.
Anyways, Merlwyb gathered all armed vessels under her new rule and created the Maelstrom Grand Company. It's primary force, called the Crimson Fleet, is made up of the first five of the old Lominsan Armada's (known as the Knights of the Barracuda) nine squadrons. Each squadron is devoted to one specific body of water under Limsa's control. The remaining four squadrons of the Lominsan Armada remain in reserve status and are still known as the Knights of the Barracuda.
The Maelstrom's secondary force are it's Privateers, which are a conglomerate of the many pirate factions who decided to raise their banners with Merlwyb, as well as the Foreign Levy, which is made up of foreigners and adventurers and act to bolster the Maelstrom's land-based infantry. Prior to the formation of the Maelstrom, it was the Knights of the Lominsan Armada's 1st Squadron, known as the Yellowjackets, who acted as Limsa's only land-based marines and police. After the Calamity, the Yellowjackets were separated from the 1st Squadron to act as peacekeepers while the Maelstrom acted in a military capacity.
Lodestone Wrote:At the heart of the Thalassocratic Navy lies the Crimson Fleet, composed of five independent squadrons, the First through Fifth. The Maelstrom is an extension of the First Squadron, expanding its role as armada flagship and granting it power to administer not only the remaining four squadrons, but the various merchant fleets that navigate the seas of Vylbrand. With the reestablishment of the Maelstrom, the Admiral has invoked ancient maritime law, by which she promoted herself to Chief Admiral, effectively expanding her authority to cover not only state and military dealings, but grant her the power to directly command all ships in Lominsan waters.
Encyclopedia Eorzea Wrote:Maelstrom Command oversees two armadas: the Crimson Fleet and the privateers. The former is the Maelstrom's main force, and is composed of five of the Lominsan Armada's original nine squadrons. While the formal Lominsan navy and the Knights of the Barracuda initially preserved their separate command structure, it was completely integrated into the Maelstrom following the Seventh Umbral Calamity. The Yellowjackets, once infantry of the Barracuda, have since been granted independence so that they may keep the peace throughout Lominsan territory.
The privateer fleet, on the other hand, is an auxiliary force. It includes pirate vessels that answered the Admiral's call, armed merchant ships that have been requisitioned, and retired warships that have been refit for service. The Foreign Levy is the final component of this fleet, an incalculably large contingent of adventurers whose experience fighting on dry land makes up for Limsa's historical lack thereof.
So when you say your character and her older brother worked for the Maelstrom ten, fifteen years ago, they would have actually been assisting the Knights of the Barracuda. Piracy would be legal, and Limsa's primary economy, until Merlwyb takes office in 1563.
More lore on the Maelstrom, Limsa's government and laws, and military can be found in the links below. Limsa Lominsa lore is my strongest suit, so if you have more questions feel free to ask.
-Limsa's Government Lore
-Maelstrom Lore Overview Doc
-Yellowjacket and Lominsan Armada Lore
Encyclopedia Eorzea Wrote:The Crimson Fleet
1st Squadron (Galadion) - 2 war galleasses, 4 galleys, 2 galleons
2nd Squadron (Bloodbrine) - 1 galleass (Bonnibell), 4 galleys, 1 galleon
3rd Squadron (Merlthor) - 1 galleass, 2 galleys, 3 galleons
4th Squadron (Indigo) - 1 galleass, 5 galleys
5th Squadron (Ash) - 1 galleass, 5 galleys
Historically, galleasses are the largest class of ships. Galleons are middle ranged. Galleys are the smallest. But it's hard to say if this holds true in the Knights of the Barracuda. The Astalicia is typically referred to as a "galleon" but it's model is the largest class of ship, seemingly contradicting the normal size values. The Whorleater, which is made from two galleons strapped together, uses the correct mid-sized three mast ship model. In Erik's version of the tale of Bloodshore, he also notes Galleys as being a sizable vessel, with noted smaller warships. Galleasses are only noted in the lore book, so it's hard to note their size outside of real world context.
In game (assuming the ascribed sizes are correct), galleasses (5 masts) are represented by the Triumph, Victory, and Astalicia (found in Barracuda Piers, Moraby Bay, and Lower Decks respectively). Galleons (3 masts) are represented by the Braveheart (found in the Wolves Den - as well as found in Barracuda Piers and 1.0 Lominsan MSQ). Galleys (1-2 masts) are represented by the Lost Duchess and Rhotano privateer (found in the Sahagin quests near Moonshade Isle and outside Costa del Sol respectively).
As far as ship naming goes, as you can see, it's pretty open ended. Personally, I like to name my ships with words from the Roegadyn language, but you don't see many if any of those in the game yet. I actually brought this up to Fernehalwes, and he said he's hoping we'll have an upcoming quest explain more about the original settlers of Limsa Lominsa and why a Roegadyn ship from Aerslaent (the Galadion) doesn't have a Roegadyn name.
Thalassocratic Ships: Triumph, Victory, Galadion, Braveheart, Bonnibell, the Swallow
Pirate Ships: Astalicia, the Misery, Lady Infernal, the Haar, Cloud Dancer, Rusty Claw, Jolly Merchantman, the Stormcry, the Beagle, the Nonsuch
Merchant Ships: Ice Princess, the Orion, the Morningstar, Imperial Princess
As for non-magical healing, that's actually the vast majority of Eorzea's healers! Even though they're widely underrepresented in roleplay in favor of magical healing, which is comparatively more rare in the lore. There are medics, chirurgeons, surgeons, cutters, phrontists, hospitaliers, and herbalists across Eorzea that use traditional methods. Even in places like Gridania and Ishgard that have Conjurers, there's multiple lore points sourcing that traditional methods are still used in addition to magical efforts, especially during extended or long-term care of a patient. Magical healing, in lore, appears only to stave off immediately life-threatening injuries. Once exhausted, healers must resort to herbs, potions, and other traditional remedies to cure afflictions, diseases, and infections.
A very in-depth post on this can be found here.
For drugs and herbal remedies, these threads might be helpful:
-Eorzean Drugs
-Tinolqa's Botanica Eorzea
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(03-25-2017, 11:27 PM)Amnesic Wrote: Despite all of her efforts to conceal it, Missy visibly has a prosthetic left forearm made out of a mix of carved wood and leather with metal mechanisms attached to the remainder of her left arm. It is purely controlled by a small, flat lever on the inner side that basically controls making her hand close inwards to the maximum of a loose fist. Her tinker brother made a total of three for her, but the second one has always been the one she prefers.
It's actually really refreshing to see someone use a prosthetic that isn't magitek. Magitekâ„¢ is specifically Garlean machina, and while it has made its way into limited circulation around Eorzea, it's still an incredibly rare resource. Its use and distribution is tightly controlled by first, the Garlond Ironworks and then the upper echelons of the Grand Companies, though some undoubtedly makes it onto the black market. The process goes kind of like this: Lominsan privateers scrap defeated Garlean ships. Those privateers then either sell it on the Black Market or turn in their finds to Maelstrom Command for a reward, who then send it to the Garlond Ironworks workshop. The Ironworks then takes that tech, studies it, replicates it or weaponizes it, and ships it off to the Grand Companies to utilize. Limsa is attempting to create magitek-inspired, ceruleum powered warships with its share of the returns.
The technology that is much more widely available to Eorzeans is Clockwork, which is created by goldsmiths and tinkerers. Though in regards to actual prosthetics, we most often see references very plain "peg-legs" and other basic wooden/light metal contraptions.
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(03-25-2017, 11:27 PM)Amnesic Wrote: When she was around the age of five, pirates using an earlier form of magitek, whose origins are still unknown to her, ended up capturing both of her parents for reasons she does not even know today.
Assuming this is some 20ish years ago, this might've been a rare sight. Not impossible though! Garlemald hit their magitek revolution around the Year 1513, which was about sixty-five years ago. With the help of Midas nan Garlond and his son, Cid nan Garlond, leaps and bounds in magitek technology and warmachina catapulted Solus zos Galvus into leadership and a position to unify the northlands of Ilsabard and forge the Garlean Empire.
It wasn't until 1572 that all trade with Garlemald ceased in Limsa and Ul'dah, so some magitek devices could've found their way into Eorzean hands, however, the majority of Garlemald's magitek advancements were made for military application (civilian use is also canon, but we don't know to what extent) so it's unlikely that a Garlean trade ship would've parted with any of that sort of tech willingly, and it takes a special kind of pirate crew to knock over a magitek drommond.
So a few options could be Garlean sailors or merchants, Far Eastern drommonds under the Imperial banner, or a band of very brave pirates? I'm assuming this is what inspires the brother to really take after tinkering? Seeing as how this takes place on the Thanalan coast, you could also say that they were Ul'dahn pirates or part of Ul'dah's Golden Fleet. (I have a personal headcanon that Ul'dah's merchant ships may use mammet servitors as part of their crew.) So that could be another option, but ultimately that's up to you!
Hope this helps! ^^ Lemme know if you have more questions!
