I've been rereading a bit about how the Athenian triremes were officered and manned. Rowers and helmsmen were the skilled individuals - the actual trireme commander was usually the wealthy man who paid for the ship.
I imagine the Rightarm Islanders are most valued as helmsmen. Unlike most folk, these fisherman are familiar with the sea and how to move in the water.
> Anyone can learn to row as a team. I learned to do it as a rebellious,
> recalcitrant boy scout. Motivated free men, whose lives depend on their
> rowing skill, would do better.
Yep. And to actually row as a team in choppy waters with people trying to kill you and with the ultimate goal being to crash your ship into another ship - that takes skill.
> > This being the Holy Country, I imagine that each Sixth was assessed a
> > number of triremes to build and maintain.
> Perhaps. But let us recall the hostility of the air towards the water,
> and remember to subtract that sixth from the total. And the God Forgot
> guys, well, they are pretty specialized and not suitable for rowing.
And
> uz triremes? Hmmm....
That assessment could be just an amount of money. Although I think the port cities of Heortland (which admittedly are probably mostly Esvularing) have some shipbuilding ability. The Orlanthi, on the other hand, are probably only useful as an offensive weapon - a good storm can easily wipe out a fleet. But most sea people probably consider the Orlanthi bad luck and want little to do with them - "they anger the seas".
> I 'd suggest that that the populous Esrolians provided most of the
> ships, if not all of them; and that the others provided specialists to
> assist with their magic.
I agree. Actually I suspect the other Sixths provided mainly money.
> I think it's a better opportunity for the peasants of Esrolia to try to
> get ahead. Ten years at the oar, and be promoted!
Sure, but for the first few years, those ships manned by Esrolian peasants will be eaten alive by the Wolf Pirates.
Jeff
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