ARSN Crewing and Automation Doctrine

ARSN vessels are designed for extensive automation and may be operated by remarkably small crews under normal conditions. Their stated minimum crew requirements therefore represent the personnel necessary to operate a vessel under automated conditions, rather than the number of personnel normally assigned to it. In practice, ARSN vessels maintain considerably larger complements to provide the technical, logistical, combat, and damage-control capabilities required for prolonged independent operations.

The limited number of Arnorians means that the majority of ARSN personnel are drawn from the Morwen and Lataies populations. Arnorians remain disproportionately represented in command, specialist, and other positions for which their particular training, knowledge, or abilities are required, while Morwen and Lataies provide much of the fleet's operational manpower. Engineering, maintenance, flight operations, logistics, communications, damage control, medical services, security, and other essential functions are therefore performed by personnel of all three peoples. Service aboard an ARSN vessel is not regarded as the preserve of Arnorians, but as a shared military profession within the wider Arnorian realm.

The distribution of personnel allows ARSN to maintain large and highly capable vessels without placing an unsustainable burden upon the comparatively small Arnorian population. An Arnorian capital ship may therefore contain hundreds or, in the case of its largest vessels, thousands of personnel despite requiring only a fraction of that number to operate its primary systems.

Nevertheless, Arnorian doctrine deliberately limits the degree to which critical systems are entrusted to centralized or autonomous control. Manual and local-control modes are retained not merely for redundancy, maintenance, or emergency operation, but also as a defense against electronic intrusion, hostile automation, and the seizure of shipboard systems. By isolating individual sections from the vessel's primary control network, the crew can prevent an enemy who gains access to one system from using it to compromise the remainder of the ship.

This approach carries an inherent risk. A section placed under local or manual control may become more difficult for the rest of the crew to command if it is subsequently captured by an enemy boarding force. ARSN doctrine therefore treats the physical defense and recovery of isolated sections as an integral part of ship operations rather than relying solely upon remote control.

This reflects Arnor's long-standing preference for conventional warfare and direct control. ARSN vessels are consequently designed with extensive compartmentalization, hardened local controls, redundant manual systems, and dedicated counter-boarding forces. A compromised section is considered a tactical loss rather than an automatic loss of the vessel itself. Crew are trained to isolate affected areas, contain enemy boarding parties, and, where necessary, retake captured compartments through direct action.

Automation remains extensively employed wherever its advantages outweigh the risks. It is not rejected by ARSN doctrine; rather, it is deliberately subordinated to a layered system in which centralized automation, local automation, and direct human control can be separated from one another when circumstances demand it.

ARSN Shipboard Organization

The personnel of an ARSN vessel are divided into permanent command offices and departmental crews. Senior positions define authority and departmental responsibility, while the majority of personnel are assigned to temporary shift positions according to their rank, qualifications, and current duty.

Senior Shipboard Offices

Captain / Lord Captain / Lady Captain

The Captain is the highest military authority aboard an ARSN vessel and bears ultimate responsibility for its command, mission, crew, and combat operations.

Captains of noble origin may use the title Lord Captain or Lady Captain, though their authority and responsibilities remain identical to those of other Captains.

The Captain is responsible for:

• Overall command of the vessel
• Tactical and strategic decisions
• Mission execution
• Final authority over all departments
• Coordination with other vessels and military formations

All senior departmental officers ultimately answer to the Captain, either directly or through the Vox Prefect.

Seneschal

The Seneschal is the Captain's second-in-command and principal deputy.

The Seneschal commonly maintains the shift opposite to that of the Captain, assuming command while the Captain rests or is otherwise unavailable. During the Captain's active shift, the Seneschal manages routine command matters and filters non-priority emergencies, ensuring that only matters requiring the Captain's direct attention interrupt them.

The Seneschal does not command a permanent department and has no dedicated operational station.

Responsibilities include:

• Acting as second-in-command
• Assuming command during the Captain's absence or rest period
• Filtering non-critical emergencies
• Coordinating routine shipboard activity
• Assisting the Captain with command decisions
• Maintaining continuity between command shifts

Ship Master / Ship Mistress

The Ship Master or Ship Mistress is a Witcher or Witch responsible for the vessel's Mirror Altar and its subdimensional functions.

They do not command the ship in a military sense. Instead, they maintain a limited and specialized communion with the vessel and its enchanted systems.

Through the Mirror Altar, the Ship Master or Mistress may:

• Communicate with the vessel through its subdimensional and enchanted systems
• Strengthen enchanted alloys immediately surrounding damaged areas during impacts
• Perform limited repairs to damaged enchanted materials, particularly the hull
• Stabilize minor structural damage and weakened enchanted components
• Prepare the vessel for an emergency subdimensional jump
• Assist in guiding reinforcements through subdimensional jumps
• Conduct limited jumps of boarding parties or other personnel

These abilities are not unlimited. The Ship Master or Mistress cannot simply repair catastrophic hull breaches or restore large sections of destroyed structure through supernatural means.

Bridge and Operational Departments

Prefect Helmsman

The Prefect Helmsman commands the Helm Department and is responsible for the vessel's direct maneuvering.

The Prefect reports directly to the Captain when necessary, though routine communication and departmental coordination commonly pass through the Vox Prefect.

The Helm Department controls:

• Ship maneuvering
• Vector and attitude control
• Combat maneuvering
• Docking
• Emergency manual control
• Assistance with navigation and engine-response coordination

The Prefect Helmsman commands the department, but does not personally control every aspect of the vessel's movement.

Prefect of Flight

The Prefect of Flight commands all embarked aerospace operations.

The Prefect maintains a bridge presence alongside members of the Flight Department and coordinates directly with hangars and flight-control positions.

Responsibilities include:

• Fighter deployment
• Launch and recovery operations
• Hangar coordination
• Aerospace combat operations
• Reconnaissance and transport craft
• Coordination between embarked craft and the vessel
• Flight readiness

The Prefect commands the department from the bridge, while additional Flight Officers and controllers operate from hangar bridges and other flight-control positions.

Vox Prefect

The Vox Prefect commands the vessel's communications network and serves as one of the principal links between the Captain and the rest of the ship.

Vox operators receive and filter communications from:

• Internal departments
• Other ARSN vessels
• Allied forces
• Embarked craft
• Boarding and security forces

The Vox Prefect receives the most relevant information from their operators and reports significant developments to the Captain.

The Vox Department also redistributes information to the departments requiring it, allowing the bridge to coordinate the vessel without every officer needing to communicate directly with every other department.

Prefect Navigator

The Prefect Navigator commands the Navigation Department.

They are stationed on the bridge and oversee the vessel's navigational personnel, navigational holograph, course calculations, and long-range route planning.

The Prefect normally reports through the Vox network but may contact the Captain directly during an emergency requiring immediate action.

Sensor Prefect

The Sensor Prefect commands the Sensor Department and is stationed on the bridge.

The department is responsible for:

• Detection of vessels and other contacts
• Identification and classification
• Battlefield observation
• Long-range surveillance
• Sensor analysis
• Supporting navigation and targeting

The Sensor Prefect reports through the Vox network or directly to the Captain during urgent situations.

Commander of Arms

The Commander of Arms commands the vessel's physical defence forces, most notably its Astral Maniples.

The Commander is usually present on the bridge and works closely with the Vox Department to coordinate security throughout the vessel.

Responsibilities include:

• Internal security
• Boarding defence
• Deployment of Astral Maniples
• Protection of vital sections
• Counter-boarding operations
• Prisoner security
• Armed intervention during emergencies

When necessary, the Commander of Arms may personally leave the bridge to support combat operations.

Departmental Offices

Prefect of Ordnance

The Prefect of Ordnance commands the vessel's weapons department.

They are normally located within the Central Ordnance Command, also referred to in some vessels as the Fire Control Command, where they oversee the coordination of the ship's weapons.

The Prefect reports to the Captain through the Vox network.

The Ordnance Department is responsible for:

• Weapon deployment
• Target assignment
• Fire coordination
• Missile operations
• Main batteries
• Point-defence weapons
• Ammunition and weapons readiness

The Central Ordnance Command uses the internal Vox network to coordinate with weapons personnel throughout the vessel, including gun positions and superstructure batteries.Chief Apothecary

The Chief Apothecary commands the vessel's medical personnel and facilities.

They are normally located within the principal medical facility and report to the bridge through the Vox network.

The medical department operates:

• Main medical facilitiy
• Smaller medbays

Chief Engineer

The Chief Engineer commands the vessel's Engineering Department and is responsible for its overall technical operation.

Unlike bridge-based officers, the Chief Engineer normally remains within Engineering and communicates with the bridge through the Vox network.

The Engineering Department includes three major technical offices:

Prime Enginseer

Responsible for the operation and maintenance of the vessel's:

• Sublight engines
• Hyperspace engines
• Associated propulsion systems

Prime Infernus

Responsible for damage control, including:

• Firefighting
• Atmospheric loss
• Hull and compartment sealing
• Structural integrity
• Emergency stabilization
• Disaster response

Prime Mechanist

Responsible for:

• General maintenance
• Repair coordination
• Mechanical systems
• Technical support

Mechanist personnel are frequently assigned to other departments as technical support, particularly during combat or major maintenance operations.

Quartermaster Prefect

The Quartermaster Prefect commands the vessel's logistical and supply organization.

They report through the Vox network and are responsible for the movement and distribution of supplies throughout the vessel.

The department manages:

• Food and water
• Ammunition
• Fuel
• Equipment
• Spare parts
• Medical supplies
• Departmental stores
• General cargo

Shift Personnel

Below the permanent senior offices are the shift crews.

These positions are not permanently fixed to a particular individual. Personnel entering a shift are assigned to the position appropriate to their rank, qualifications, and current operational needs.

This allows the same department to operate continuously through multiple shifts without requiring every position to have a unique permanent title.

Helm Department

Prime Helmsman

The senior active helmsman on a given shift. The Prime Helmsman directly controls the vessel's movement under the authority of the Prefect Helmsman.

Secondary Helmsmen

Assist the Prime Helmsman and operate secondary maneuvering, vector-control, and supporting systems.

Ordnance Department

Ordnance Officers

Serve alongside the Prefect of Ordnance within the Central Ordnance Command. They coordinate weapons groups and issue orders to individual batteries and gun positions.

Gunners

Operate the vessel's weapons.

A gun position may include:

• Gunnery officers
• Aiming personnel
• Loaders
• Weapon operators
• Targeting specialists
• Technical support personnel

Large weapons sections and superstructure batteries may require substantial crews despite centralized fire coordination.

Flight Department

Flight Officers

Assist the Prefect of Flight with the command and coordination of embarked spacecraft.

Some remain on the bridge, while others operate from hangar bridges and local flight-control positions.

Pilots and Craft Crews

Operate ARC fighters, AAC craft, Convertiplanes, and other embarked spacecraft.

Flight Support Personnel

Maintain and prepare the vessel's aerospace forces.

These may include:

• Flight coordinators
• Supply personnel
• Engineers
• Mechanics
• Armourers
• Maintenance crews
• Loading personnel

Vox Department

Vox Operators

Receive, filter, organize, and redistribute information throughout the vessel.

They serve as the communications backbone between:

• The bridge
• Individual departments
• Other vessels
• External forces
• Embarked spacecraft
• Internal security forces

Relevant information is passed to the appropriate department and to the Vox Prefect for possible escalation to the Captain.

Navigation Department

Navigation Officers

Assist the Prefect Navigator with:

• Course calculation
• Route planning
• Navigational holographs
• Long-range navigation
• Supporting navigational systems

Sensor Department

Sensor Officers and Operators

Operate and analyze the vessel's sensor systems, providing the Sensor Prefect with a continuous tactical and navigational picture.

Arms Department

Astral Maniples

The Astral Maniples are the vessel's organized armed personnel responsible for physical defence.

They are deployed for:

• Internal security
• Boarding defence
• Counter-boarding operations
• Protection of vital areas
• Emergency combat operations

They are coordinated by the Commander of Arms, often through the Vox network.

Medical Department

Apothecaries, Medics and Surgeons

Operate within the principal medical facility, medbays, and smaller medical stations distributed throughout larger vessels.

Logistics Department

Logistics Officers and Crew

Responsible for the movement and supply of essential resources throughout the vessel, from ammunition and food to fuel, spare parts, and technical equipment.

They operate under the Quartermaster.