The Maelstrom
The Maelstrom is a Grand Company based in Limsa Lominsa in La Noscea.
About
At the heart of the Thalassocratic Navy lies the Lominsan Armada, composed of nine independent squadrons, the First through the Ninth. The Maelstrom is an extension of the First Squadron, expanding its role as armada flagship and granting it power to administer not only the remaining eight squadrons, but the various merchant fleets that navigate the seas off Vylbrand. With the reestablishment of the Maelstrom, the Admiral has also begun the move to invoke ancient maritime law, by which she would promote herself to Chief Admiral, effectively expanding her authority to cover not only state and military dealings, but grant her the power to directly command all ships in Lominsan waters, and freely punish any who disobey. Needless to say, the city-state's pirates are not about to take this encroachment on their freedom without a fight.
Hunting Log
Each Grand Company has their own Hunting Log that is accessible once a player has joined them.
Ranks
| Rank | Insignia | Seals Needed for Next Rank | Maximum Seals | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Storm Private Third Class |  |
2000 | 10,000 | |
| Storm Private Second Class |  |
3000 | 15,000 | |
| Storm Private First Class |  |
4000 | 20,000 | |
| Storm Corporal |  |
5000 | 25,000 | |
| Storm Sergeant Third Class |  |
6000 | 30,000 | Must complete Maelstrom Hunting Log Rank 1 |
| Storm Sergeant Second Class |  |
7000 | 35,000 | Unlocks Expert Delivery |
| Storm Sergeant First Class |  |
8000 | 40,000 | |
| Chief Storm Sergeant |  |
9000 | 45,000 | Must complete Shadows Uncast (Maelstrom) |
| Second Storm Lieutenant |  |
10,000 | 50,000 | Must complete Gilding the Bilious (Maelstrom) Must complete Maelstrom Hunting Log Rank 2 Unlocks Player Housing, The Hunt, and Adventurer Squadrons |
| First Storm Lieutenant |  |
0 | 80,000 | Adventurer Squadrons Rank 3 by completing Flagged Mission: Crystal Recovery |
| Storm Captain |  |
0 | 90,000 | Must complete 5 unique Command Missions Must then complete Flagged Mission: Sapper Strike |
| Second Storm Commander |  |
Ranks higher than Captain are visible in the menu but currently unattainable. | ||
| First Storm Commander | 
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| High Storm Commander | 
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| Rear Storm Marshal | 
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| Vice Storm Marshal | 
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| Storm Marshal | 
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| Grand Storm Marshal | 
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| Storm Champion | 
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Quests
Guildleves
Rewards
Lore
Establishment
Having resolved to establish a Grand Company to stand against the Garlean Empire, Merlwyb took Admiral Agatzahr as her example and proclaimed herself Chief Admiral of the Maelstrom in 1572. This move granted her the power to command all ships in Lominsan waters, pirate and merchant alike, and effectively created a comprehensive command through which she could wield Limsa’s entire might.
Symbolism
The name “Maelstrom” originates with an earlier Grand Company on Vylbrand—one established by the seafaring civilization of Nym on the eve of the Fifth Astral Era. In the days before the coming of the Sixth Umbral Calamity’s great floods, the Nymian Royal Marines convened the Grand Company to save the lives of their citizens. Sailing vessels into the Bay of Nym—what is now called Galadion Bay—the Marines traced a magick geometry upon the water’s surface. As towering waves came crashing upon the city, they summoned an even mightier whirlpool to swallow the sea’s wrath. Through time bought with the lives of many soldiers and scholars, this strategy gave the townsfolk time to escape to the mountains. However, the force of the whirlpool and subsequent smaller waves swept away the civilization’s capital. Nym was no more, and her surviving citizens abandoned Vylbrand to seek their fortunes elsewhere.
Characteristics
Maelstrom Command oversees two armadas: the Crimson Fleet and the privateers. The former is the Maelstrom’s main force, and is composed of five of the Lominsan Armada’s original nine squadrons. While the formal Lominsan navy and the Knights of the Barracuda initially preserved their separate command structure, it was completely integrated into the Maelstrom following the Seventh Umbral Calamity. The Yellowjackets, once infantry of the Barracuda, have since been granted independence so that they may keep the peace throughout Lominsan territory.
The privateer fleet, on the other hand, is an auxiliary force. It includes pirate vessels that answered the Admiral's call, armed merchant ships that have been requisitioned, and retired warships that have been refit for service. The Foreign Levy is the final component of this fleet, an incalculably large contingent of adventurers whose experience in fighting on dry land makes up for Limsa's historical lack thereof.[1]
The Crimson Fleet
| Squadron Name | Ship Details |
|---|---|
| 1st Squadron (Galadion) | 2 war galleasses, 4 galleys, 2 galleons |
| 2nd Squadron (Bloodbrine) | 1 galleass (Bonnibell), 4 galleys, 1 galleon |
| 3rd Squadron (Merlthor) | 1 galleass, 2 galleys, 3 galleons |
| 4th Squadron (Indigo) | 1 galleass, 5 galleys |
| 5th Squadron (Ash) | 1 galleass, 5 galleys |
Privateers
- Black Sails (assault)
- War Sails (bombardment)
- Trade Sails (provisioning)
The Foreign Levy
As a naval power, Limsa Lominsa has ruled the waves with its fleets—but the same cannot be said for its army, which is undeniably frail when compared to those of the other Eorzean city-states. Employing battle-hardened adventurers, the Foreign Levy serves as a foil to this weakness.
High Storm Commander R’ashaht Rhiki, a Lominsan adventurer, leads the Levy. R’ashaht surrounds herself with those she deems worthy, paying little heed to their rank or standing. As such, the Levy has earned the distinction of being “rough around the edges.”[1]
