Distant Navy (Mutul)

The Distant Navy (Mutli: Xajal Maj) was the name given to the Mutulese navy tasked with protecting the Mutul interest in the Makrian, Kayatman, and Vespanian oceans, alongside the Karaihe and Ozeros seas. It was established in the aftermath of the War for Ankat and the increasing need for a permanent, professional military force in those oceans to ensure the security of the Mutulese Global Circuit. It notably took part in the Red Sails Wars and the Ozeros Wars, and was then involved in counter-rebellion operations in Pulau Keramat and the first Tsuru-Mutulese war. It slowly declined along with the Global Circuit until the Second War for Kahei when the loss of the archipelago left it de-facto scattered and divided in regional fleet too distant from the Mutul and too underfunded to represent credible threats. It was officially disbanded in the aftermath of the Arthuristan Ultimatum and the end of the Global Circuit. Its most direct successor is the modern Makrian Fleet of the Mutul.

Etymology

Before the Belfrasian Crusade, the Mutul did not have a dedicated word for a navy. It's from contact with the Latins it adopted the word Maj, from the Latin "Mare", as a name for naval forces.

Organisation and Administration

The K'uhul Ajaw was the nominal supreme commander of the fleet but none of the Mutul rulers took direct control of it. He appointed a Ja’ Yajaw (Waterlord) as his representative, with their administration in Juwen Peten, Yajawil of Kahei. The Ja Yajawtek had themselves delegates in the form of the Aj Majob (translated as Commanders) who each led a Marine. Marines were then divided into Armadas ("Mat") led by Admirals ("Aj Mat"). Armadas were themselves divided in fleet, and fleet in divisions. Divisions were composed of "Battle groups" (Juch'ob) formed of a main Ship of the line (A Tzonk or a Chuwan) and its escort.

Unit name	commander	Composition	Function
Maj / Marine	Aj Maj / Commander	Two or more Armadas	Mainly an administrative order
Mat / Armada	Aj Mat / Admiral	Made of two fleet or more	Mainly an expeditionary order
Chumkok / Fleet	Ajaw Tulun / Lord-Sailor	Standard strength of three divisions	A self-reliant unit. Had combat, reconnaissance, logistics and resupply/repair capabilities.
Ch'akun / Division	Noj Tulun / Grand-Sailor	Standard strength of three Battle groups	Can be used as individual combat units, especially during "pincer" or "break-neck" maneuvering in high-seas
Juch'ob / Battle Group	Aj Tul / Captain	A Ship of the line with one or two auxiliaries and one or two privateers as escort	Operated alone only during scouting or search-and-destroy missions

At the height of its power, the Distant Navy was made up of five Marines: the 2nd Makrian, 1rst Kayatman, 2nd Kayatman, 1rst Karaihe, and 1rst Ozeros Marines. Their theoretical strength was 40,000 (5 time 8,000, or five "Pik") men: officers, sailors, medical staff, and riflemen included.