Seamans’ Guild
Persons hiring a ship’s crew generally do so from
the Seamans’ Guild. If the guild cannot provide
enough hands, unguilded labour may be used on a
temporary basis. The ranks of the guild are: deck
boy (DB), ordinary seaman (OS), and able-bodied
seaman (AB). Promotion to the next highest rank
requires a minimum of two years sea-time in the
current rank.
Because a seaman does not always serve on the same vessel throughout his career,
when he is discharged from a ship the captain must report the details of his service to
the local guildhall. When enough sea-time has been acquired for promotion, he will
be promoted to the next highest rank at the discretion of guild officers. Seamen bear a
unique tattoo on their left arm signifying guild rank. Throughout western Lythia the
guild has persuaded most civil authorities to punish the bearing of a false tattoo with
amputation of the offending limb.