Apart from a lot more flags, man-of-wars, ensigns, etc coming in and being duly catalogued in the Imperial Navy's manual, Flags and Pennants of the Principal Maritime Micronations of the Metaverse, I have also moved the log entry regarding our rules of engagement to the same place. These rules can be found under Rules of Engagement for the Imperial Navy. The rules have been reviewed and approved by Guvnah Desmond Shang, and should henceforth be regarded as official for members of the Imperial Navy.
It looks like more flags will be incoming, so be sure to check back regularily.
Friday 15 February 2008
Wednesday 30 January 2008
ITW: Maritime Flag system & Steampunk Communication
In The Works (ITW) -
Fly those colours!
The Imperial Navy of Caledon is hosting an aethernetical manual, Flags and Pennants of the Principal Maritime Micronations of the Metaverse, where national flags, Man-of-Wars, other flags are displayed for easy reference.
In addition to these, there is a suggested system for signal pennants, allowing vessels to show which combat system it is using, with emergency and condition pennants.
Please note that it is preliminary and still not all that official.
Apart from proper navies, you can also find flags or insignias of fleets, military or par-military organisations, and ay caramba, pirates! (The Imperial Navy of Caledon takes the right to enforce Rule Number Four in the Rules of Engagement for the Imperial Navy, the Rule of Piracy).
So this is also a call to our fellow mariners and sailors of the metaverse. If you have a maritime organisation, or a maritime arm of a military organisation, please feel free to send me a texture of it inworld. Please attach information about the organisation's name, location, etc.
Same goes for a future project in the manual. There are several veteran pirates out there, sporting (or flaunting) their own versions of Jolly Rogers, Jolly Rachels, etc. We are planning on a particular section for notorious pirates, so send us your feared flags, and we'll list them.
We may even add a special note for pardoned pirates, keeping the list and flags for "historical purposes".
Aetherical communication
Also in the works is a system of communication through electromagnetic radiation, later known as "radio waves".
The apparatus is being developed for the sister organisation of the Imperial Navy, Royal Caledon Air Force in co-operation with skilled aviation scripters. The system itself is basically finished, and currently a steampunk, tesla (or coal, you can always rely on coal) powered design to harness and host the powers is "in the works".
When finished, I will post more information here.
Personal Note
Yes, again, it's been some time since I last updated this log. Not for lack of anything happening, on the contrary. I just never seem to get the time to sit down and write here. When it comes to the more "ambitious" aspects of blogging, I am very good at procrastinating.
Less ambitious, more on the spur of the moment notes and entries can be found in my personal notebook, though I'm afraid they are most likely of less interest to the wider audience.
Fly those colours!
The Imperial Navy of Caledon is hosting an aethernetical manual, Flags and Pennants of the Principal Maritime Micronations of the Metaverse, where national flags, Man-of-Wars, other flags are displayed for easy reference.
In addition to these, there is a suggested system for signal pennants, allowing vessels to show which combat system it is using, with emergency and condition pennants.
Please note that it is preliminary and still not all that official.
Apart from proper navies, you can also find flags or insignias of fleets, military or par-military organisations, and ay caramba, pirates! (The Imperial Navy of Caledon takes the right to enforce Rule Number Four in the Rules of Engagement for the Imperial Navy, the Rule of Piracy).
So this is also a call to our fellow mariners and sailors of the metaverse. If you have a maritime organisation, or a maritime arm of a military organisation, please feel free to send me a texture of it inworld. Please attach information about the organisation's name, location, etc.
Same goes for a future project in the manual. There are several veteran pirates out there, sporting (or flaunting) their own versions of Jolly Rogers, Jolly Rachels, etc. We are planning on a particular section for notorious pirates, so send us your feared flags, and we'll list them.
We may even add a special note for pardoned pirates, keeping the list and flags for "historical purposes".
Aetherical communication
Also in the works is a system of communication through electromagnetic radiation, later known as "radio waves".
The apparatus is being developed for the sister organisation of the Imperial Navy, Royal Caledon Air Force in co-operation with skilled aviation scripters. The system itself is basically finished, and currently a steampunk, tesla (or coal, you can always rely on coal) powered design to harness and host the powers is "in the works".
When finished, I will post more information here.
Personal Note
Yes, again, it's been some time since I last updated this log. Not for lack of anything happening, on the contrary. I just never seem to get the time to sit down and write here. When it comes to the more "ambitious" aspects of blogging, I am very good at procrastinating.
Less ambitious, more on the spur of the moment notes and entries can be found in my personal notebook, though I'm afraid they are most likely of less interest to the wider audience.
Monday 3 December 2007
Draft/Suggestion: Rules of Engagement for the Imperial Navy
These rules are just a suggestion, based on experience and practice, and have been submitted to the Admiralty in Victoria City, Caledon.
Should any other naval body find inspiration in this concept, it is of course free for copying and modification. The origins of the concept (The Imperial Navy of Caledon) may be included as a courtesy, but that is not a demand.
If you do use it for inspiration, modify, or better it, please feel free to publish your changes in the comments here, so that others may benefits of any improvements. The same goes for any suggestions, of course.
THIS IS A DRAFT
1. The Rule of Peace
Do not start hostilities
A vessel of the Imperial Navy shall never open fire or initiate hostile acts with a vessel of another nation or region.
With hostile acts can mean boarding another vessel, disturbing its journey, the refusal to remove prims placed on another nation's or region's territory, refusal to acknowledge a region's sovereign's request, etc.
2. The Rule of Defense
If attacked, you may defend yourself
2.a If a vessel of another nation or region initiates hostile acts against or obviously fire intentionally on a ship of the Imperial Navy, the latter has the right to return fire and defend itself.
2.b A captain commanding an Imperial vessel should use his judgement in deciding to engate in combat or to avoid it with the hostile vessel. While considerating this, the overall good for the Independent State of Caledon should be taken into consideration, not only personal glory.
3. The Rule of Diplomacy
Be corteous
Navies and their members of allied or friendly nations or regions shall be treated at all times with respect and courtesy.
Refrain from slurs or insinuations. As a naval officer and in command of one of His Guvnah's Ships, you are a representative of the Independent State of Caledon and expected to behave like a rolemodel for your crew.
4. The Rule of Piracy
Forget the rules, go for it, lads
Any vessel that clearly defines itself as a pirate ship or vessel shall be exempt from these rules.
A pirate vessel may be engaged at any time and without warning.
However, sinking anchored vessels in harbours while their captains are not present, even if it is currently flying a pirate flag, is not considered the behaviour of a naval officer and a gentleman.
5. The Rule of Practice
aka "Creak, Clank & Boom"
Engaging in friendly tussles
We acknowledge the need for practice as well as naval combat for entertainment.
A captain of an Imperial vessel may of course always engage in these activities, such as battles where time, place and rules (or no rules) are agreed upon prior to the engagement.
However, a captain should make sure that all involved parts have agreed to participate before commencing battle.
Also, it is crucial for the captain to understand that he and his crew are entering the fray as individuals and thus must never claim to representate the nation of Caledon nor its Imperial Navy, under such circumstances. The only exception of this is during conflicts as described in item 6.
6. The Rule of War
If agreed-upon conflicts occur, other rules may apply
Sometimes conflicts are organised which may involve the Imperial Navy. These may include staged battles with organised bands of pirates such as PiratesOfSL, the Scourge of Antiquity, the Fellowship of the Coast and others.
Wars may be organised in the same manner, such as the RFL wars with other nations. These are however always sanctioned by the state and no war will be acknowledged by a naval officer unless it is officially declared and/or sanctioned the Guvnah himself.
AMENDMENTS
Amendment the First - Sacrosanct areas
There are some areas within Caledon where naval combat of any form is not allowed. This amendment must be respected at all times. Failure to do so is a sign of outmost disrespect.
Here are the areas that are considered sacrosanct. If in doubt, always check with the Admiralty or with the lady/lord of the domain prior to any engagement.
(None for the moment)
NOTA BENE
The main purpose of these rules are to avoid circumstances that can disturb Caledon's peaceful relations with other nations or give our Guvnah an unnessecary headache.
Should any other naval body find inspiration in this concept, it is of course free for copying and modification. The origins of the concept (The Imperial Navy of Caledon) may be included as a courtesy, but that is not a demand.
If you do use it for inspiration, modify, or better it, please feel free to publish your changes in the comments here, so that others may benefits of any improvements. The same goes for any suggestions, of course.
RULES OF ENGAGMENT
FOR
THE IMPERIAL NAVY OF CALEDON
FOR
THE IMPERIAL NAVY OF CALEDON
THIS IS A DRAFT
1. The Rule of Peace
Do not start hostilities
2. The Rule of Defense
If attacked, you may defend yourself
3. The Rule of Diplomacy
Be corteous at all times
4. The Rule of Piracy
Forget the rules, go for it, lasses and lads
5. The Rule of Practice
aka "Creak, Clank & Boom"
Engaging in friendly tussles
6. The Rule of War
If agreed-upon conflicts occur, other rules may apply
Amendements
Amendment the First - Sacrosanct areas
1. The Rule of Peace
Do not start hostilities
A vessel of the Imperial Navy shall never open fire or initiate hostile acts with a vessel of another nation or region.
With hostile acts can mean boarding another vessel, disturbing its journey, the refusal to remove prims placed on another nation's or region's territory, refusal to acknowledge a region's sovereign's request, etc.
2. The Rule of Defense
If attacked, you may defend yourself
2.a If a vessel of another nation or region initiates hostile acts against or obviously fire intentionally on a ship of the Imperial Navy, the latter has the right to return fire and defend itself.
2.b A captain commanding an Imperial vessel should use his judgement in deciding to engate in combat or to avoid it with the hostile vessel. While considerating this, the overall good for the Independent State of Caledon should be taken into consideration, not only personal glory.
3. The Rule of Diplomacy
Be corteous
Navies and their members of allied or friendly nations or regions shall be treated at all times with respect and courtesy.
Refrain from slurs or insinuations. As a naval officer and in command of one of His Guvnah's Ships, you are a representative of the Independent State of Caledon and expected to behave like a rolemodel for your crew.
4. The Rule of Piracy
Forget the rules, go for it, lads
Any vessel that clearly defines itself as a pirate ship or vessel shall be exempt from these rules.
A pirate vessel may be engaged at any time and without warning.
However, sinking anchored vessels in harbours while their captains are not present, even if it is currently flying a pirate flag, is not considered the behaviour of a naval officer and a gentleman.
5. The Rule of Practice
aka "Creak, Clank & Boom"
Engaging in friendly tussles
We acknowledge the need for practice as well as naval combat for entertainment.
A captain of an Imperial vessel may of course always engage in these activities, such as battles where time, place and rules (or no rules) are agreed upon prior to the engagement.
However, a captain should make sure that all involved parts have agreed to participate before commencing battle.
Also, it is crucial for the captain to understand that he and his crew are entering the fray as individuals and thus must never claim to representate the nation of Caledon nor its Imperial Navy, under such circumstances. The only exception of this is during conflicts as described in item 6.
6. The Rule of War
If agreed-upon conflicts occur, other rules may apply
Sometimes conflicts are organised which may involve the Imperial Navy. These may include staged battles with organised bands of pirates such as PiratesOfSL, the Scourge of Antiquity, the Fellowship of the Coast and others.
Wars may be organised in the same manner, such as the RFL wars with other nations. These are however always sanctioned by the state and no war will be acknowledged by a naval officer unless it is officially declared and/or sanctioned the Guvnah himself.
AMENDMENTS
Amendment the First - Sacrosanct areas
There are some areas within Caledon where naval combat of any form is not allowed. This amendment must be respected at all times. Failure to do so is a sign of outmost disrespect.
Here are the areas that are considered sacrosanct. If in doubt, always check with the Admiralty or with the lady/lord of the domain prior to any engagement.
(None for the moment)
NOTA BENE
The main purpose of these rules are to avoid circumstances that can disturb Caledon's peaceful relations with other nations or give our Guvnah an unnessecary headache.
Thursday 18 October 2007
New arrival on the market: The Longship
This is a pressrelease from Chase Speculaas, builder of the SPD Brigantine:
The landmark in the release points to Chase's shop in ElvenGlen
Update:I couldn't find it in ElvenGlen, but it is also available in Sanchon 137,16,40.
Price L$ 1 100
Updated update: Wrong landmark, sorry about that. Correct is ElvenGlen (217, 49, 26). The SLurl link above should be update as well.
The Longship is the much-awaited and newest addition to the SPD new-line of combat ships. Using wearable parts technology, which attaches and detatches and rezzes parts of the ship automatically, the Longship is able to sport 171+21 prims and still be able to function smoothly using realistic wind-driven sailing physics. Alternatively, you can switch to rowing mode and ignore the wind.
The cannons can be controlled by your crew, with an easy, intuitive interface. Alternatively, the cannons can be hidden or removed for an unarmed ship, perfect for transport (carrying 8 avatars). The ship can be used as a plain vehicle, for relaxing cross-grid cruises, or as part of the SPD pirate ship game; its cannons damage other new-line SPD ships (currently only the Brigantine, Mujer Vieja, and Longships, but I'll be developing several other compatible ships in the future), and you can sink them/be sunk/etc.
Features:
--Rowable or sailable, with animated oar movement
--Copiable and Modifiable
--Seats 8 avatars
--24 HP
--Can be damaged by cannonballs fired from other compatible ships
--Capsizes if it heels too much in strong crosswinds
--Repair Depot included
--ALL textures on the ship are modifiable
--Ship is driven by the wind, using Kanker Greenacre's sailboat script as the base (however, heavily modified)
--Cannons can be armed, or hidden belowdecks
--171 + 21 prims, using state-of-the art automated wearing technology
--Hull shows progressive damage (cannon ball holes, smoke, etc.)
--2 independently aimable chaser cannons, with longer range than the Brigantine's cannons
--Muzzle flash, smoke effects, etc.
--Includes the newest version of the Speculaas Melee system, for swordfighting
--Can be Scuttled
--Progressive damage effects; sails more slowly the more damaged it is
***Special thanks to Zhuan Tarski for building the body for this incredible ship!
The landmark in the release points to Chase's shop in ElvenGlen
Update:
Price L$ 1 100
Updated update: Wrong landmark, sorry about that. Correct is ElvenGlen (217, 49, 26). The SLurl link above should be update as well.
Friday 12 October 2007
Ironclads: Newsflash?
At 2:35am this morning I noticed that the Murakami Steamworks line of popular ironclads (such as the CSS and USS historical models, as well as the David) seems to have been withdrawn from the market.
I am not sure if this is because of scripting updates or anything, but a quick visit to the company's HQ in Erlberg only showed up an empty region for sale.
I have contacted both Mr. Murakami and his colleague to see if I can get some more information. If so, I will post it here soforth.
Update: I got a reply from Mr. Murakami and the company is in the process of moving to Caledon. Meanwhile they had to take down the server. It might be down a month or two, unless they find anyone willing to lend some land for it until they are re-established.
I am not sure if this is because of scripting updates or anything, but a quick visit to the company's HQ in Erlberg only showed up an empty region for sale.
I have contacted both Mr. Murakami and his colleague to see if I can get some more information. If so, I will post it here soforth.
Update: I got a reply from Mr. Murakami and the company is in the process of moving to Caledon. Meanwhile they had to take down the server. It might be down a month or two, unless they find anyone willing to lend some land for it until they are re-established.
Friday 5 October 2007
Welcome aboard!
We would like to wish Miss Eladrienne Laval welcome aboard the HGS Zaneta!
Miss Laval of Caledon Regency holds the rank as Midshipman in the Imperial Navy of Caledon, has proven herself in battle and is known not to flinch when facing danger.
Midshipman Laval will take the position of Boatswain (see details below) on the HGS Zaneta, which generally mean she will be in charge of morality boosts, grog and whisky rations, coordination of guns in battle, gangpressing and ship order. The latter means keeping the crew in line and the captain sober.. occasionally.
If you wish to know more, you can view her journal, A Stroll Through Caledon
Welcome aboard, Boatswain!
BOATSWAIN
The Boatswain supervised the maintenance of the vessel and its supply stores. He was responsible for inspecting the ship and it's sails and rigging each morning, and reporting their state to the captain. The Boatswain was also in charge of all deck activities, including weighing and dropping anchor, and the handling of the sails.
Miss Laval of Caledon Regency holds the rank as Midshipman in the Imperial Navy of Caledon, has proven herself in battle and is known not to flinch when facing danger.
Midshipman Laval will take the position of Boatswain (see details below) on the HGS Zaneta, which generally mean she will be in charge of morality boosts, grog and whisky rations, coordination of guns in battle, gangpressing and ship order. The latter means keeping the crew in line and the captain sober.. occasionally.
If you wish to know more, you can view her journal, A Stroll Through Caledon
Welcome aboard, Boatswain!
BOATSWAIN
The Boatswain supervised the maintenance of the vessel and its supply stores. He was responsible for inspecting the ship and it's sails and rigging each morning, and reporting their state to the captain. The Boatswain was also in charge of all deck activities, including weighing and dropping anchor, and the handling of the sails.
Sunday 30 September 2007
Post-Captain
The title Post-Captain was used to distinguish those who were captains by rank from
Once an officer had been promoted to post-captain, his further promotion was strictly by seniority; if he could avoid death or disgrace, he would eventually become an admiral (even if only a yellow admiral).
In the Royal Navy of the time, an officer might have a rank, but not a command. Until the officer had a command, he was "on the beach" and on half-pay. An officer who was promoted from commander was a captain, but until he was given a command, he was on half-pay. Once the captain was given a command, his name was "posted" in the "Naval Gazette."
An officer "took post" or was "made post" when he was first commissioned to command a rated vessel — that is, a ship too important to be commanded by a mere commander.
Unrated vessels could also in some cases be commanded by post-captains. Being "made post" is portrayed as the most crucial event in an officer's career in both Forester's Hornblower series and O'Brien's Aubrey-Maturin series.
A junior post-captain would usually command a frigate or a comparable ship, while a senior post-captain (i.t. a full rank captain) would command a ship of the line.
Rank Insignia
After 1795, when they were first introduced on Royal Navy uniforms, the number and position of epaulettes distinguished between commanders and post-captains of various seniorities.
A commander wore a single epaulette on the left shoulder.
A post-captain with less than three years seniority wore a single epaulette on the right shoulder, and a post-captain with three or more years seniority was the same as captain and wore one epaulette on each shoulder from then.
In the O'Brian series, Aubrey "wets the swab" -- that is, he celebrates his promotion to commander (and the acquisition of his "swab" or epaulette) with the consumption of copious amounts of alcohol.
Note that the term was descriptive only: No-one was ever titled "Post-Captain John Smith".
Post-ships
Post-ship was a designation used in the Royal Navy during the age of sail to describe an unrated ship (see rating system of the Royal Navy) which was, for whatever reason, and usually temporarily, commanded by a post-captain instead of a lieutenant or commander. When a post-captain took command of an unrated vessel she would instantly transform from a brig or sloop-of-war to a "post-ship". When the post-captain relinquished command the vessel would transform back to her normal status.
Unlike other uses of the term "ship" during this era, "post-ship" implies nothing on the rig of the vessel.
Main source: Wikipedia
- officers in command of a naval vessel, who were (and still are) addressed as captain regardless of rank;
- commanders, who received the title of captain as a courtesy, whether they currently had a command or not. (Note that Commander's rank is lower than Captain.)
Once an officer had been promoted to post-captain, his further promotion was strictly by seniority; if he could avoid death or disgrace, he would eventually become an admiral (even if only a yellow admiral).
In the Royal Navy of the time, an officer might have a rank, but not a command. Until the officer had a command, he was "on the beach" and on half-pay. An officer who was promoted from commander was a captain, but until he was given a command, he was on half-pay. Once the captain was given a command, his name was "posted" in the "Naval Gazette."
An officer "took post" or was "made post" when he was first commissioned to command a rated vessel — that is, a ship too important to be commanded by a mere commander.
Unrated vessels could also in some cases be commanded by post-captains. Being "made post" is portrayed as the most crucial event in an officer's career in both Forester's Hornblower series and O'Brien's Aubrey-Maturin series.
A junior post-captain would usually command a frigate or a comparable ship, while a senior post-captain (i.t. a full rank captain) would command a ship of the line.
Rank Insignia
After 1795, when they were first introduced on Royal Navy uniforms, the number and position of epaulettes distinguished between commanders and post-captains of various seniorities.
A commander wore a single epaulette on the left shoulder.
A post-captain with less than three years seniority wore a single epaulette on the right shoulder, and a post-captain with three or more years seniority was the same as captain and wore one epaulette on each shoulder from then.
In the O'Brian series, Aubrey "wets the swab" -- that is, he celebrates his promotion to commander (and the acquisition of his "swab" or epaulette) with the consumption of copious amounts of alcohol.
Note that the term was descriptive only: No-one was ever titled "Post-Captain John Smith".
Post-ships
Post-ship was a designation used in the Royal Navy during the age of sail to describe an unrated ship (see rating system of the Royal Navy) which was, for whatever reason, and usually temporarily, commanded by a post-captain instead of a lieutenant or commander. When a post-captain took command of an unrated vessel she would instantly transform from a brig or sloop-of-war to a "post-ship". When the post-captain relinquished command the vessel would transform back to her normal status.
Unlike other uses of the term "ship" during this era, "post-ship" implies nothing on the rig of the vessel.
Main source: Wikipedia
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