Navy of Numenor

The Naval forces of Numenor can be divided into three sections: Exploration, Fleet and Merchant Marine.

On the Explorers. The Numenoreans at this time have colonies and outposts all throughout Arda with the majority of them being in the South. This MUSH however focuses on the more northern areas illustrated in Tolkien's works. As a result, there is no formal exploration fleet. However, some guilds or lords, seeking wealth, markets and lands, may commission their own explorers to sail to and explore the great lands of Middle Earth.

On the Fleet. The fleet is the Naval Arms of Numenor and consists of a wide variety of ships for divers purposes. At the head of the fleet is of course the King of Numenor, at least in name. The immediate commander of all fleets and harbours holds the title of 'Lord of Ships and Havens of Numenor,' the Adunaic title being, 'Bar An-Azar.' There is a number of fleets in the Numenorean Navy and each is commanded by an Admiral, or 'Attubalik' in Adunaic. Among the positions on the ships for the aspiring seaman, there are four basic anks: Captain, Mate, Master and Sailor. The Adunaic translations can be found in the ranks section below. The ranks herein are of course only a small portion of the ranks to be found upon a sea-going vessal but they are meant to be adaptable in use.

Typically speaking, Naval duties would entail hunting for pirates, transporting troops and equipment, and also lending aid to where forces of arms are needed. In this capacity, the Men of a ship may find themselves serving on land in armies temporarily to succour their kinsmen.

On the Merchant Marine. To transport goods and supplies for profit, often guilds possess their own merchant vessels to maintain trade bringing prosperity and wealth to Numenor and her colonies. In this specific regard, the merchant marine is perhaps the most vital branch of the Numenorean Navy. Merchants or guilds who possess a ship must register it at the customs house in Romenna so that it may receive the protection of the Numenorean Navy.

On Pirates and Privateers. At times, there may exist some unscrupulous folk who exist outside of the Naval system established in Numenor. Of these there are two kinds: Pirates and Privateers.

Pirates: Pirates are Men who have seized a ship or committed acts of thievery or murder against Numenor upon the High Seas. As a result they are outlawed and the harshest punishment of death is inflicted upon them.

Privateers: Privateers are privately owned ships that are armed and commissioned either by the Sceptre, a Lord or Guild for the protection of transport ships or to make war upon their enemies. Privateers legalistically are in a precarious existence and as a result they are often confused as pirates and hunted down.

Customs. Perhaps one of the most touching and ritualistic of ceremonies surrounding naval customs has to do with the rites of Voyage. Before a sailing vessal sets out, tradition has it that the Lady or Mistress of the Captain will bring a Bough of Return to the Captain and place it on the prow of the ship. This tradition being established by the legendary voyages of Aldarion have carried through even to the modern period. The bough is from the tree oiolaire, that signifies "Ever-summer." These boughs are usually taken by the Lady of the Captain and placed on the prow whilst the crew watches eagerly chanting hymns to Uinen who sailors commonly venerate. The Bough of Return's importance cannot be expressed enough. A withered bough is considered an ill omen on a distant voyage.

The place of the Uinendili. The Uinendili, or 'Lovers of Uinen' is the common name given to the powerful Guild of Venturers established during the time of Tar-Meneldur when his son, the future Tar-Aldarion made his voyages. As time has passed, the place of the guild has evolved considerably. No longer set upon a ship in the Bay of Romenna, the Guild has now moved to Romenna proper where its main base of operations is established. All seamen who are within the legal Numenorean apparatus are members of the Guild. All ports have a Guild office and often hostels where seamen may come to rest when not at sea. In addition, the Guild at this time has come to be responsible for the customs and tariffs coming into Numenor and thus it has gained great wealth. It is thus by no mere chance that the head of the Uinendili is also the Lord of the Ships and Havens of Numenor.

Naval Rankings:
Bar An-Azar        Lord of Ships and Havens of Numenor
Attubalik          Admiral
Balkukhor          Captain
*Suluman           Mate
*Abaran            Master
Azrunarad          Seaman

*Both of these ranks are referred to as the Balkuhuznat. Balkuhuznat signifies officer of the Ship which is shared by both Mate and Master. Roughly translated, it means: 'Ears of the Ship.'