Grand Rislandian Air Force
The Grand Rislandian Air Force is the airship-based military arm of Rislandia, charged with the defense and projection of Rislandian power through aerial operations.
Overview
The Grand Rislandian Air Force oversees the deployment and construction of Rislandia's fleet of airships. Plans existed to expand the fleet through the construction of new airships, with internal recommendations favoring a return to an original operational scope of five airships.
Role in For Steam and Country
In For Steam and Country, the Grand Rislandian Air Force gained new leadership when Talyen von Cravat was promoted to the rank of Commodore, as stated directly: "I've promoted Captain Talyen von Cravat to Commodore of the Grand Rislandian Air Force." In conjunction with this appointment, plans were set in motion to oversee the construction of a new fleet of airships. Talyen recommended that the force return to its original scope of five airships.
Leadership
Talyen von Cravat
Spoiler: The Crystal Conspiracy
This section reveals events from “The Crystal Conspiracy”.
In A History of Rislandia
According to A History of Rislandia, the Grand Rislandian Air Force is treated under two related entries: one covering the force as a new institution, and a fuller entry titled Grand Rislandian Navy and Airship Command.
Institutional Identity and Naval Origins
According to A History of Rislandia, the airship force uses naval ranks, reflecting its origin as a new branch of the military. The full rank structure listed in the sourcebook is: Commodore, Captain, Commander, Lieutenant Commander, Lieutenant, Ensign, Chief Engineer, Petty Officer, and Crewman. The technical and support roles — Chief Engineer, Petty Officers, and Crewmen — are distinguished from the command-track naval ranks.
Role and Responsibilities
The sourcebook describes the force as unique in the world, and assigns it three core responsibilities: aerial defense, rapid troop deployment, and strategic bombing. Crews are encouraged to develop new tactics and technologies, as airship tactics are described as still being developed at the time of writing.
Prestige and Culture
According to A History of Rislandia, airship service is both prestigious and dangerous. Crews are described as elite and close-knit, and serving aboard an airship is noted to carry significant social distinction. Traditions of the force include naming ceremonies for new vessels, the keeping of captain's logs, and the battle cry "For Steam and Country!" The sourcebook attributes the origin of this battle cry specifically to The Liliana, the force's flagship.
Flagship
The sourcebook identifies The Liliana as the flagship of the Grand Rislandian Air Force.
Command
The sourcebook confirms that the overall commander at the time of writing is Talyen von Cravat, holding the rank of Commodore, consistent with the novels. The sourcebook also confirms that multiple airships were being constructed for the force.