The IEN - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

The IEN

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
zombiegleemax
Oct 16, 2005 2:54:14 Ok, inspired by Nightdruid's series on Elven ships, howzabout some details on the IEN itself
(like uniforms, equipment standardly used, and levels of the various ranks...etc.).
#2
eldersphinx
Oct 18, 2005 16:01:08 Some information on elven ranks and service terms is available in the War Captain's Companion, IIRC. Anyone have an interest in a repost?

As for uniforms, it seems likely that an organization as large, as old, and as widespread as the Elven Imperial Fleet isn't likely to mandate an incredibly detailed and formal uniform across all its units in the known spheres. Mandating exact shades of dye, fabric, cut and threading was difficult enough in our own world, before the industrial era - accomplishing something similar between different spheres is simply beyond belief.

Instead, the Fleet simply adopts a general code, and leaves it up to individual spheres to set specifics - variations on a theme. The basic 'on-duty' uniform is a tunic or surcoat in green, with fabric weight, shading, and accessories left unspecified. As a result, the Krynnspace fleet adopts a long surcoat in forest-green, padded for cold-weather activity, while the Realmspace elves take a more lightweight tunic in a subdued emerald.

Each fleet also has a specific blazon or emblem - image and color of choice, against a silver eight-pointed star. It's not uncommon for Fleet officers visiting a foreign sphere to be loaned uniform tunics by their hosts, transferring the appropriate blazon to show their home port. (The last Evermeet admiral to denigrate such a practice realized the error of his ways shortly after his arrival in Krynnspace for an extended inspection tour. Don't ask him about the eartip he lost to frostbite, though. ;) )

Dress for formal occasions is a bit more specific - tailored tunic, hose or skirts, and a short cape or hoodless cloak. A lightweight and nonfunctional dress sword is also formal, though some officers with certain battle honors have earned the right to carry heavier and more functional blades instead (war mages so honored may carry a magical staff) and clerics replace the sword with a mace. Elven chain beneath a surcoat is also appropriate formal wear during times of open war; no other armor is acceptable.

Rank insignia in the Fleet takes the form of a small medallion crafted of mithril, inlaid with gemstones showing the individual's rank and markings for time in service. (A Medic 1st Class with 75 years' service, for instance, would have four small rubies on her medallion, and fifteen rank ticks set around the upper edge. Promotion to First Mate would exchange the rubies for a single, mid-sized opal, and to Captain with a diamond.) Battle honors are smaller castings and trinkets attached to or hung from the sides of this medallion. The whole ensemble is worn only on formal occasions or when first reporting to a new post - for day-to-day activities, a less formal respect is assumed and everyone is expected to know the rank and position of everyone else. (This also reduces the chances of "command assassination" during a pitched battle, since the officers are not expected to wear anything that makes them stand out.)

One final element of elven uniforms, rank insignia and similar is the use of minor glamers and auras in personal attire. Magic can be used to create a soft halo of colored light, a faintly sweet perfume, or similar effect of personal ostentation; while not officially condoned, this sort of thing is common at the upper ranks as a way of demonstrating one's skill in the arcane, connections and level of advancement. An experienced officer who doesn't indulge in personal glamerie for formal occasions at least will probably be seen as uncouth at best, and find only limited opportunities for further personal advancement.
#3
eldersphinx
Oct 23, 2005 20:45:13 Realmspace: This is the center of the Elven Fleet command, with a strong Armada presence, space bases and the Admiralty command on the isle of Evermeet. Goblinoid raiders are less common here, and more often hunted when found, than any other sphere. The most elite crews, and the most talented captains and mages, receive postings aboard ships that home-port in Realmspace; its squadrons are considered crack units, able to take on any adversary. Realmspace is also the home of the elven Strategy Command, responsible for overall coordination of military and patrol efforts across the known spheres. The symbol of the Realmspace fleet is a purple, four-petaled flower.

Greyspace: Realmspace is the most prestigious posting in the Elven Imperial Fleet, but Greyspace is the largest - home not only to forces assisting the elven homelands of Celene and Lendor, but also a strong squadron presence near the distant world of Greela. These squadrons not only patrol the outer sphere against neogi and pirates, but also defend the extensive shipyards present in the Greela forests. Greyspace is accordingly home to Shipbuilding and Logistics command, as well as serving as an unofficial basing location whenever ships gather from multiple spheres for coordinated fleet action. The Greyspace fleet symbol is a blue crown.

Krynnspace: Krynnspace's relative isolation, combined with the impact of the Cataclysm, have resulted in a low level of spelljamming traffic and a correspondingly small Fleet presence. Active squadrons mostly spend their time in the outer system, traveling no farther inward than the gas giant of Zivilyn. New recruits are sparse here, though a rumor going around the fleet suggests that elves who resign their commissions or accept a disability discharge are given an offer to retire to Krynn, taking up an identity with one of their groundling nations and subtly encouraging young groundling elves to serve the Fleet in space. Whatever the truth of these rumors, Krynnspace's lack of traffic does make it an ideal Training Command, a location where green crews can practice maneuvers in relative isolation and safety before reporting to more active posts. A pair of crossed red arrows serves as the Krynnspace fleet's insignia.

(Other fleet activities - such as the Arcane Inner Ring, Herospace, and similar locations can also be included, by whoever gets there first... ^_^)
#4
zombiegleemax
Oct 25, 2005 3:50:53 Wow.
This is great stuff!
We really gotta repost all the "fluff" stuff from the old books on SJ.
#5
nightdruid
Oct 26, 2005 12:59:20 Nice job. The Arcane Inner Flow would be an interesting one, although Paul's more the expert on that than anyone else. I think there are reminants of the Fleet in Bralspace, but it got hammered when Spiral fell and the fleet got wiped out in battles with the scro. Still a few Men-O-War, though.
#6
zombiegleemax
Oct 26, 2005 14:20:55 Wow, this stuff is amazing!
Here's my question, and maybe others have noticed too...
Hasn't the IEN always seemed sort of LG as opposed to CG? Anybody have any thoughts on how to remedy that?
#7
nightdruid
Oct 26, 2005 14:46:27 A lot of people have noticed that, actually, with the general thought that the EIN is "lawful", with almost evil tendancies. I think part of the problem is that they (the writers & even the fans) went overboard with the whole "Imperial Fleet" part, partially modeling them after the British Royal Navy. In the original box, their primary purpose, really, was to be a "coast guard"...aka if the PCs get into a jam, the DM could use them to get them out. Between various sources, they got bumped up their role to almost a United Federation of (Elvish) Planets, and later the scro as their foes in a faux WW II conflict. As time wore on, sources just built on each other until the situation is what you have today.

As far as how to solve it, that's going to require a bit more thought than I have time for at the moment. It couldn't hurt, of course, to name a few captains "Kirk"...:D
#8
zombiegleemax
Oct 29, 2005 18:52:50 We may as well just make 'em LG or NG...there really isn't much to do w/out altering them from their 'cannon' style. Admittedly, LotV makes a minor concession to their chaotic nature (says that communications...etc. are terrible and that they're prepared for a certain number of ships to go missing...etc.). But, the IEN as a kind of Elven UFP has potential...
#9
old_sage
Oct 29, 2005 21:04:03
But, the IEN as a kind of Elven UFP has potential...

That's a convenient basis to start from I suppose, but the Federation has always been more of a diplomatic entity. As I see it, the IEN is more militaristic, and that at times... peaceful diplomacy would take a back seat to what the elven admirals of the IEN consider "aggressive negotiations".
#10
zombiegleemax
Oct 30, 2005 2:16:03 I didn't quite mean a real UFP... perhaps United Federation of Elvish Lands would me more accurate...
#11
zombiegleemax
Oct 30, 2005 18:19:56 One thing i have always found interesting, what happens if a group of elves, say somewhere on Oerth, decides they don't like the IEN? If you assume that this splinter group has access to spelljammers, then you essentially have a group of elves rebelling against the IEN.
Any thoughts on the fleets reaction to something like this? Or perhaps this has alerady happened and i just missed the reference somewhere?
#12
old_sage
Oct 30, 2005 19:30:25
I didn't quite mean a real UFP... perhaps United Federation of Elvish Lands would me more accurate...

Even better!

I still like the notion of a more militant grounding though... but a diplomatic union of territories held by the elves is interesting -- with the IEN being the "policing" unit for the political entity (perhaps also staffed by races from worlds held by the elves).
#13
nightdruid
Oct 31, 2005 6:33:36
One thing i have always found interesting, what happens if a group of elves, say somewhere on Oerth, decides they don't like the IEN? If you assume that this splinter group has access to spelljammers, then you essentially have a group of elves rebelling against the IEN.
Any thoughts on the fleets reaction to something like this? Or perhaps this has alerady happened and i just missed the reference somewhere?

The original box does state that this happens from time to time. My understanding is that the Elven Fleet really doesn't have much influence over or even contact with groundling elven nations; they basically cut contact with the Krynnish nations after the Cataclysm, sent but a single Man-O-War to help Myth Drannor as it came under assault, and even the Queen of Evermeet had no clue that the Second Unhuman War was being fought! And those are some of the most powerful elvish nations we know about.
#14
zombiegleemax
Nov 05, 2005 1:18:48 There was somehting on BtM about an Elven confederacy, and there were things in LotV about renegade elves...although in both cases, they were former IENs.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 zombiegleemax Oct 16, 2005 2:54:14	Ok, inspired by Nightdruid's series on Elven ships, howzabout some details on the IEN itself (like uniforms, equipment standardly used, and levels of the various ranks...etc.).
#2 eldersphinx Oct 18, 2005 16:01:08	Some information on elven ranks and service terms is available in the War Captain's Companion, IIRC. Anyone have an interest in a repost? As for uniforms, it seems likely that an organization as large, as old, and as widespread as the Elven Imperial Fleet isn't likely to mandate an incredibly detailed and formal uniform across all its units in the known spheres. Mandating exact shades of dye, fabric, cut and threading was difficult enough in our own world, before the industrial era - accomplishing something similar between different spheres is simply beyond belief. Instead, the Fleet simply adopts a general code, and leaves it up to individual spheres to set specifics - variations on a theme. The basic 'on-duty' uniform is a tunic or surcoat in green, with fabric weight, shading, and accessories left unspecified. As a result, the Krynnspace fleet adopts a long surcoat in forest-green, padded for cold-weather activity, while the Realmspace elves take a more lightweight tunic in a subdued emerald. Each fleet also has a specific blazon or emblem - image and color of choice, against a silver eight-pointed star. It's not uncommon for Fleet officers visiting a foreign sphere to be loaned uniform tunics by their hosts, transferring the appropriate blazon to show their home port. (The last Evermeet admiral to denigrate such a practice realized the error of his ways shortly after his arrival in Krynnspace for an extended inspection tour. Don't ask him about the eartip he lost to frostbite, though. ;) ) Dress for formal occasions is a bit more specific - tailored tunic, hose or skirts, and a short cape or hoodless cloak. A lightweight and nonfunctional dress sword is also formal, though some officers with certain battle honors have earned the right to carry heavier and more functional blades instead (war mages so honored may carry a magical staff) and clerics replace the sword with a mace. Elven chain beneath a surcoat is also appropriate formal wear during times of open war; no other armor is acceptable. Rank insignia in the Fleet takes the form of a small medallion crafted of mithril, inlaid with gemstones showing the individual's rank and markings for time in service. (A Medic 1st Class with 75 years' service, for instance, would have four small rubies on her medallion, and fifteen rank ticks set around the upper edge. Promotion to First Mate would exchange the rubies for a single, mid-sized opal, and to Captain with a diamond.) Battle honors are smaller castings and trinkets attached to or hung from the sides of this medallion. The whole ensemble is worn only on formal occasions or when first reporting to a new post - for day-to-day activities, a less formal respect is assumed and everyone is expected to know the rank and position of everyone else. (This also reduces the chances of "command assassination" during a pitched battle, since the officers are not expected to wear anything that makes them stand out.) One final element of elven uniforms, rank insignia and similar is the use of minor glamers and auras in personal attire. Magic can be used to create a soft halo of colored light, a faintly sweet perfume, or similar effect of personal ostentation; while not officially condoned, this sort of thing is common at the upper ranks as a way of demonstrating one's skill in the arcane, connections and level of advancement. An experienced officer who doesn't indulge in personal glamerie for formal occasions at least will probably be seen as uncouth at best, and find only limited opportunities for further personal advancement.
#3 eldersphinx Oct 23, 2005 20:45:13	Realmspace: This is the center of the Elven Fleet command, with a strong Armada presence, space bases and the Admiralty command on the isle of Evermeet. Goblinoid raiders are less common here, and more often hunted when found, than any other sphere. The most elite crews, and the most talented captains and mages, receive postings aboard ships that home-port in Realmspace; its squadrons are considered crack units, able to take on any adversary. Realmspace is also the home of the elven Strategy Command, responsible for overall coordination of military and patrol efforts across the known spheres. The symbol of the Realmspace fleet is a purple, four-petaled flower. Greyspace: Realmspace is the most prestigious posting in the Elven Imperial Fleet, but Greyspace is the largest - home not only to forces assisting the elven homelands of Celene and Lendor, but also a strong squadron presence near the distant world of Greela. These squadrons not only patrol the outer sphere against neogi and pirates, but also defend the extensive shipyards present in the Greela forests. Greyspace is accordingly home to Shipbuilding and Logistics command, as well as serving as an unofficial basing location whenever ships gather from multiple spheres for coordinated fleet action. The Greyspace fleet symbol is a blue crown. Krynnspace: Krynnspace's relative isolation, combined with the impact of the Cataclysm, have resulted in a low level of spelljamming traffic and a correspondingly small Fleet presence. Active squadrons mostly spend their time in the outer system, traveling no farther inward than the gas giant of Zivilyn. New recruits are sparse here, though a rumor going around the fleet suggests that elves who resign their commissions or accept a disability discharge are given an offer to retire to Krynn, taking up an identity with one of their groundling nations and subtly encouraging young groundling elves to serve the Fleet in space. Whatever the truth of these rumors, Krynnspace's lack of traffic does make it an ideal Training Command, a location where green crews can practice maneuvers in relative isolation and safety before reporting to more active posts. A pair of crossed red arrows serves as the Krynnspace fleet's insignia. (Other fleet activities - such as the Arcane Inner Ring, Herospace, and similar locations can also be included, by whoever gets there first... ^_^)
#4 zombiegleemax Oct 25, 2005 3:50:53	Wow. This is great stuff! We really gotta repost all the "fluff" stuff from the old books on SJ.
#5 nightdruid Oct 26, 2005 12:59:20	Nice job. The Arcane Inner Flow would be an interesting one, although Paul's more the expert on that than anyone else. I think there are reminants of the Fleet in Bralspace, but it got hammered when Spiral fell and the fleet got wiped out in battles with the scro. Still a few Men-O-War, though.
#6 zombiegleemax Oct 26, 2005 14:20:55	Wow, this stuff is amazing! Here's my question, and maybe others have noticed too... Hasn't the IEN always seemed sort of LG as opposed to CG? Anybody have any thoughts on how to remedy that?
#7 nightdruid Oct 26, 2005 14:46:27	A lot of people have noticed that, actually, with the general thought that the EIN is "lawful", with almost evil tendancies. I think part of the problem is that they (the writers & even the fans) went overboard with the whole "Imperial Fleet" part, partially modeling them after the British Royal Navy. In the original box, their primary purpose, really, was to be a "coast guard"...aka if the PCs get into a jam, the DM could use them to get them out. Between various sources, they got bumped up their role to almost a United Federation of (Elvish) Planets, and later the scro as their foes in a faux WW II conflict. As time wore on, sources just built on each other until the situation is what you have today. As far as how to solve it, that's going to require a bit more thought than I have time for at the moment. It couldn't hurt, of course, to name a few captains "Kirk"...:D
#8 zombiegleemax Oct 29, 2005 18:52:50	We may as well just make 'em LG or NG...there really isn't much to do w/out altering them from their 'cannon' style. Admittedly, LotV makes a minor concession to their chaotic nature (says that communications...etc. are terrible and that they're prepared for a certain number of ships to go missing...etc.). But, the IEN as a kind of Elven UFP has potential...
#9 old_sage Oct 29, 2005 21:04:03	But, the IEN as a kind of Elven UFP has potential... That's a convenient basis to start from I suppose, but the Federation has always been more of a diplomatic entity. As I see it, the IEN is more militaristic, and that at times... peaceful diplomacy would take a back seat to what the elven admirals of the IEN consider "aggressive negotiations".
#10 zombiegleemax Oct 30, 2005 2:16:03	I didn't quite mean a real UFP... perhaps United Federation of Elvish Lands would me more accurate...
#11 zombiegleemax Oct 30, 2005 18:19:56	One thing i have always found interesting, what happens if a group of elves, say somewhere on Oerth, decides they don't like the IEN? If you assume that this splinter group has access to spelljammers, then you essentially have a group of elves rebelling against the IEN. Any thoughts on the fleets reaction to something like this? Or perhaps this has alerady happened and i just missed the reference somewhere?
#12 old_sage Oct 30, 2005 19:30:25	I didn't quite mean a real UFP... perhaps United Federation of Elvish Lands would me more accurate... Even better! I still like the notion of a more militant grounding though... but a diplomatic union of territories held by the elves is interesting -- with the IEN being the "policing" unit for the political entity (perhaps also staffed by races from worlds held by the elves).
#13 nightdruid Oct 31, 2005 6:33:36	One thing i have always found interesting, what happens if a group of elves, say somewhere on Oerth, decides they don't like the IEN? If you assume that this splinter group has access to spelljammers, then you essentially have a group of elves rebelling against the IEN. Any thoughts on the fleets reaction to something like this? Or perhaps this has alerady happened and i just missed the reference somewhere? The original box does state that this happens from time to time. My understanding is that the Elven Fleet really doesn't have much influence over or even contact with groundling elven nations; they basically cut contact with the Krynnish nations after the Cataclysm, sent but a single Man-O-War to help Myth Drannor as it came under assault, and even the Queen of Evermeet had no clue that the Second Unhuman War was being fought! And those are some of the most powerful elvish nations we know about.
#14 zombiegleemax Nov 05, 2005 1:18:48	There was somehting on BtM about an Elven confederacy, and there were things in LotV about renegade elves...although in both cases, they were former IENs.