Morkin Command Structure

[Arminius]

This attempts to make sense out of having 5 admirals. Please feel free to challenge any of my assumptions if you disagree; I'm not claiming it's the best way, I just think it'd be good to have one defined way of doing things.

Being a conscientious objector I know f-all about warfare, so I won't sulk if you tell me it's all a load of rubbish...

1. The two administrators have the ultimate say. They would typically consult with the diplomats, admirals or the whole alliance on matters, depending on importance and timescale.

2. All 5 admirals have a fleet each, which consists of the ships of members assigned to the admiral. Each alliance member should have some warships available at all times to support the alliance. (These would also provide some basic defence against attacks while not needed)

3. Each admiral coordinates attacks on third parties of their fleet. Administrators either coordinate the fleets, or simply delegate to the admiral in charge. Alliance members can in certain situations be transferred to other fleets if their resources are required.

4. Each admiral needs to know how many warships and catapults are available for strikes.

5. Admirals coordinate strikes with each other, be it retaliation strikes or multi-hunting.

6. Fleets ought to be regionally coherent, ie originate from similar regions. Obviously that is biassed due to uneven spread of alliance members.

7. Alliance members should follow instructions given to them by their admiral with regard to the reserved warships. If possible fleet demands override personal demands (ie raiding)

8. When an admiral assigns a target, each member should respond with the time it takes to reach that target, so that the order of attack can be coordinated.

... (to be continued) ...

[sparrowhawk]

Hmmm... I don't think that we are big enough yet to support 5 fleets, unless we are attacking extremely small prey.

But, whatever, I'm building my fleet up so I may as well use them!

[Arminius]

thecreator said:

Hmmm... I don't think that we are big enough yet to support 5 fleets

Well, each admiral should have a 'fleet'... But it would basically just mean a group of ships bigger than an individual's navy that can be used in a coordinated wave of attacks. Kind of like a naval platoon, whatever the term is. Fleet might sound a bit grand, admittedly.

UPDATE:
Morkin has a FLEET; commander: admins
each admiral has a FLOTILLA; commander: admirals
within each flotilla there are SQUADRONS; commander: members

[inyati]

Given the (few) wars we´ve fought wouldnt it be easier to elect one (or more) of the admirals who has more time on his hands to coordinate that specific war?
At such time the admiral(s) inquire members for their fleets that are available for the war effort.(I suggest messaging everyone personaly).
Then he can coordinate and elaborate a timetable for attacks.
As to fleet availability, there is already a thread called "Naval Power" where we can update our military strength.

[Arminius]

inyati said:

ailability, there is already a thread called "Naval Power" where we can update our military strength.

Yes, but I meant ships available for immediate use. Ones that stay in the harbour and are not used for raids. Otherwise you'll have to wait hours for them to be there.

Also, it might sound like overkill at the moment, but when we're attacked there is no time to sort these things out.

[inyati]

so you´ll want members to reserve x number of ships for war effort?

[Arminius]

inyati said:

so you´ll want members to reserve x number of ships for war effort?

Yes. Obviously, in times of peace that won't have to be more than one or two; these could also be used for multi-raids. I thought it might just be useful for admirals to be sure that a certain number of squadrons is available at any given time.

This should initially be voluntary, until we feel that trouble might be ahead.

[inyati]

arminius said:

Yes. Obviously, in times of peace that won't have to be more than one or two; these could also be used for multi-raids. I thought it might just be useful for admirals to be sure that a certain number of squadrons is available at any given time.

This should initially be voluntary, until we feel that trouble might be ahead.

Although it may be a colective war all attacks are suffered individualy. So I guess, even during peace periods you´d need at least 5 Small vessels of war for attacks.

[Arminius]

inyati said:

Although it may be a colective war all attacks are suffered individualy. So I guess, even during peace periods you´d need at least 5 Small vessels of war for attacks.

True. I'd forgotten about that.

So, those who can afford at least 5 small warships (or 3-4 large ones) should tell their respective admiral that they have one or more squadrons available.

I'm also thinking specialisation here: we could have cat squads who go in first to take down buildings, and raid squads who then plunder resources. Troop squads transport STs to islands.

Am I getting carried away here...?

But rather than putting individual ships into Naval Power, we simply put squadrons in there. The exact strength does not matter.

[sparrowhawk]

I have 70 small warships and 15 Large, (2 currently in production). All vessels are available for local raids (ie not 48 hour jobbies!), but I'd rather not have any suicide missions!

My merc fleet is much smaller (3 large, 6 small).

---
Sir Xuratoth Drake, Gentleman and Privateer.

[inyati]

Personal experience in trying to put an efficient trade system, everything boils down to good coordination on behalve of the admiral. He´ll have to be alert to all allied movements/questions/proposals, and personaly take some time off in the effort to organise things (hence my opinion that you´d have to message everyone personaly as its probably the best way to cantact everybody and confirm your orders with them!)
Other than that I´m in favor of your proposal.

[Natmus]

I guess I can volunteer a catapult fleet for initial assaults. When hitting heavily defended targets you usually encounter level 20 stone walls, and those buggers can hurt. Hitting them with 20+ cats removes the pain.

[Arminius]

inyati said:

(hence my opinion that you´d have to message everyone personaly as its probably the best way to contact everybody and confirm your orders with them!)

That's why I thought a hierarchical structure would be useful, so that each admiral talks to no more than 5 or 6 members, and members always know who their admiral is. In the heat of battle forum messages easily get lost, so personal communication seems best.

[andre]

So who's my Admiral...?

[Arminius]

andre said:

So who's my Admiral...?

You're in Flotilla 4:

FLOTILLA 2 -- Torkren

SoulCatcher
Dalfiatach
Andre
Xuratoth
Perun
Natmus

(see Naval Power thread). Flotillas haven't been assigned to admirals yet. And it all might be academic anyway...

Having second thoughts: would it not be better if admirals were assigned on a more geographical basis? Then the admirals would be closer to their members and attacks would be on a more similar time frame.