Liliana Crew
The Liliana Crew was the crew of the airship The Liliana (Airship), operating under the command of Captain Talyen von Cravat. Also referred to informally as commandos, the crew was a disciplined and versatile fighting force serving in the tradition of the Grand Rislandian Army.
Overview
The Liliana Crew was composed of roughly ten or more personnel fulfilling a range of combat and support roles. Known roles within the crew included gunners, swordsmen, cannoneers, a chef, and a helmsman. Members wore leather clothing as well as Grand Rislandian Army uniforms, reflecting their formal military affiliation.
The crew was trained in acrobatics and the use of rope ladders, skills suited to the demands of airship combat and boarding operations. Their speed and discipline were demonstrated when they moved to battle stations rapidly in response to an enemy airship attack.
Role in For Steam and Country
In For Steam and Country, the Liliana Crew was called to action by Captain von Cravat with the order: "Liliana crew, time to move out!" The crew responded to the captain's battle cry by shouting "For steam and country" in unison, a rallying declaration that underscored their loyalty and esprit de corps.
When an enemy airship attacked, the crew moved to battle stations with notable speed and discipline. Approximately ten members of the crew were designated to descend from the ship as part of a rescue mission.
Role in The Blood of Giants
In The Blood of Giants, the commandos of the Liliana Crew conducted a descent operation, sliding down ropes from The Liliana to the desert ground below. As described in the text: "Commandos slid down them." While descending, they put down suppression fire, though several crew members were killed by Nightmen who picked them off during the descent.
Once on the ground, a team moved in on the narrator's position; two of these crew members were immediately picked off by Nightmen upon approach. The surviving commandos spread out and returned fire. One crew member shouted "Baronette!" to the narrator during the engagement. As the battle progressed, the commandos came to outnumber the Nightmen on the ground. However, one group of crew members was struck by explosive bags dropped from a bat-glider.
Composition
The following roles are documented among the Liliana Crew:
Gunners
Crew members responsible for operating the ship's ranged weaponry during combat engagements.
Swordsmen
Close-quarters fighters trained for boarding actions and deck defense.
Cannoneers
Specialists in the operation of the ship's cannon armaments.
Chef
A crew member responsible for provisions and sustenance aboard The Liliana.
Helmsman
The crew member responsible for piloting and steering The Liliana.
Training and Equipment
The Liliana Crew trained in acrobatics and rope ladder techniques, reflecting the physical demands of airship operations. Their standard attire consisted of leather clothing worn in conjunction with Grand Rislandian Army uniforms. In The Blood of Giants, the crew demonstrated their rope skills by sliding down lines from the airship directly into ground combat.
Relationships
- Talyen von Cravat: Captain of The Liliana and commanding officer of the crew.
- Grand Rislandian Army: The crew wore Grand Rislandian Army uniforms, indicating formal military affiliation.
- The Liliana (Airship): The vessel the crew served aboard.
- Nightmen: Enemies encountered during the ground engagement depicted in The Blood of Giants, who inflicted casualties on the crew during their descent and subsequent fighting.
In the short stories
In Island of the Fae, the crew includes first officer Knut Monier, Master Sergeant Everett (the tallest commando), the young pilot Ensign du Bangle, and Private Russell (killed by Fae darts), plus unnamed engineers attacked in the engine room. See Minor Characters of the Short Stories.