The Navigator

There are few jobs, more respected and better payed than the one of the Navigator.

In order to understand the difficult task of a navigator one must understand the oceans. So called Lay Lines enable us to travel to other continents, staying on them however is difficult and straying away from them is deadly.

To achieve the feat of intercontinental travel one must learn the art of navigating these seemingly unpredictable waters.

How to become a Navigator

Successfully completing the training for this job is not something many can claim. The training itself requires several years of intense studies at a few selected and highly renown universities. During that time the aspiring Navigator learns how to read the various star maps and how to recognise the phase changing or overlapping of several skies. They learn how to use the many different tools to ensure staying on the save and thin lines.

If passing the end exam, they have completed the first part. They have proven themselves worthy and smart enough to proceed to the next step. Finding an established Navigator accepting them as apprentice.

Studying and learning can only bring one so far, actually being able to deploy such skills on the open sea however is a whole different beast to tame. Evil tongues suggest that some of the professors at the universities failed to achieve the last part and thus remained with their books instead of guiding ships.

In the following ~10 years they stay with their mentor, learn from and assist them in various ways. Let it be cleaning and maintaining the navigation tools or taking notes and documenting the journey, so that other navigators generations down the line can achieve better results.

Then and only then they are qualified to take the last final test, which should be a breeze at this point. Navigating a full journey on their own, with their mentor and another accomplished Navigator baring witness, only allowed to step in when going of track.

The Navigators friend

Star Maps

The use of star maps is by far the most reliable source of information. However realising which sky you look at and if it is rotated or mirrored takes a lot of experience. The skies tendency to shift, overlap and fade into a different sky makes it all the more difficult. In the end the skies are but an echo of the past worlds. However there are rules and specific behaviours behind this madness that allows the knowing eye to figure out ones current location.

Mana reading devices

This tool also called a compass helps with staying within the current mana flow. It's needles are adjusted to the various lay lines. It is especially helpful when navigating parts of the ocean where two of these lay lines intersect to not accidentally end up at the wrong continent.

Ocean Maps

These papers of insanity try to make sense of the changing mana flow and map out it's behaviours. Not really accurate and barely worth mentioning. Mainly used alongside other devises during the day or when the sky is cloudy.

Sun stones

A handy glass like stone, used during storms and other night sky obscured times. They catch and amplify the little light they can get a hold of. Specially polished and carved they allow for a rough estimate of the suns or moons directions.