Freeborn Storm

Overview

The Freeborn Storm was the first Imperial navy constructed by the Empire since the disaster that ended the reign of Emperor Barabbas. Launched triumphantly in the months following the liberation of Segura, the navy was unfortunately outmatched by the Grendel armada and after only two years of active service was destroyed during the conquest of Atalaya by the southern orcs.

Despite the obstacles the navy faced in trying to protect the Bay of Catazar from the Grendel, it consistently performed beyond expectations thanks to the courage of independent ship captains.

Prior to its destruction, the admiral of the Freeborn Storm was appointed during the Winter Solstice.

History

This Freeborn Storm was constructed at the Atalaya Shipyards in Madruga over the course of 379YE. Enthusiasm for constructing the navy peaked during the celebrations surrounding the Imperial victory over the Lasambrian orcs in Segura, and the Imperial Synod capitalised on that enthusiasm to provide additional support to the project. The navy launched for the first time just before the Winter Solstice 379YE.

The first major engagement against the enemy came during the Battle of Rebekah's Leap in Autumn 380YE. Attempting to catch the Grendel fleets by surprise the Storm faced off against the vastly larger Grendel armada. Despite being forced to fall back to Necropolis, they nonetheless managed to inflict notable casualties on the orc war fleet.

A year later in Autumn 381YE, after helping to clear the Grendel presence from southern Redoubt, the Freeborn Storm again clashed with the Grendel armada, this time in the waters south of Spiral. Despite huge support from Imperial captains, the Freeborn navy was again outmatched. This time it was driven back into Highborn waters after suffering crippling casualties from the orc flotilla.

Following the engagement in the east, the Freeborn Storm retreated to Atalaya to regroup and resupply. Unfortunately, the Grendel ships followed them home. The Grendel attacked the historic Freeborn settlement with a force five times the size of the remaining ships, and despite a valiant effort, the Storm was burnt to the waterline along with the shipyards where it had been created.

Legacy

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The Freeborn Storm was too short-lived to create enduring traditions. During its brief time in service, it was very much a point of pride for Freeborn corsairs to serve with and support the navy with ships and sailors.

The lesson learned from the Freeborn Storm have made the Empire wary of building another navy, at least in the short term. The treaty with the Grendel specifically restricts Imperial ability to build navies, something that was arguably only acceptable given reported opposition to another situation where the Empire funds another navy in the face of the overwhelming numbers enjoyed by the orcs of Attar. There is currently no shipyard capable of building a navy in the Empire.

The Freeborn Storm enjoyed support from every nation of the Empire during its brief lifespan.

Supporters of the Freeborn navy broadly accept the idea that the Brass Coast alone cannot - wear the badge of the Freeborn Storm - form a pan-Catazaari alliance with the League, Highguard, and even Urizen. They argue that the Grendel will never be defeated until the Empire can consistently overcome them at sea - and the Grendel must surely know that which is why they demanded these peace terms to prevent us building a force capable of fighting them.

Relics of the burnt vessels are sought after by those who feel a particular connection to the navy.

Composition

The core of the Freeborn Storm was made up of several large warships newly constructed at the shipyards of Atalaya. Most of the smaller fighting vessels and support ships were purchased from families across the Brass Coast who wanted to support the new navy.

As there had been no Imperial navy in almost two hundred years, one of the first challenges faced by the mariners of the Brass Coast was to address the logistical issues presented by bringing together such a force of ships and sailors, especially with regards to communication of strategy and coordinating once battle was joined. In many ways the independent nature of the Freeborn gave the Storm an advantage; once battle was joined the individual captains could be relied upon to engage the enemy in broad support of the declared strategy without needing to constantly update orders.

Navy Quality : None

The Freeborn Storm did not possess a unique quality - beyond the fact that it was the only Imperial navy deployed during its period of service. The Empire lacked the expertise in constructing warships to be able to create navies with special qualities, and this technological shortcoming reduce their ability to face the Grendel navies on equal terms. The support of independent ships captains went some way towards ameliorating the martial disadvantage, but couldn't make up for the strategic advantages the orc armada enjoyed with their swift ships and cavernous holds.

Summit	Elected
Winter Solstice 380YE	Edgardo i Ruiloba i Guerra
Winter Solstice 379YE	Edgardo i Ruiloba i Guerra

Recent Elections

This title is no longer elected as the force was destroyed on campaign. The table to the right shows the citizens who have been elected to hold the title of Admiral of the Freeborn Storm in the years since Empress Britta died.