Lumbridge Royal Navy

The Lumbridge Royal Navy was created because of Duke Horacio's desire to rid Lumbridge of the reputation of a city of "noobs", and to secure the River Lum, and possibly start trading routes. The next day, Duke Horacio pinned a notice to the bulletin board outside the castle. The title read "Experienced Navy sailors wanted". The LRN eventually became one of the most feared elite forces of the sea, until their destruction in Year 147.

History
At the time of formation, Lumbridge was low on funds because of the recently built Church and General store. Therefore, Duke Horacio decided it would be more economic to have a small fleet of experienced ships, rather than a large fleet.

Formation (Year 132)
Duke Horacio commissioned the best Crandorians shipbuilders to create 4 mid-sized Frigates. He used the highest-quality Yew wood from behind his castle, and paid the shipbuilders the hefty price of 4 000 000 coins to build the ships. It would take two years for the ships to be completely built. Meanwhile, he was hiring a crew.

Crew of the Lumbridge Explorer:

Captain Robert Belos captained the flagship, Lumbridge Explorer. He was a charismatic man, who had been sailing since the age of 10, and was a general in the Misthalin Navy. He had decided to join the LRN to fight for his home town, Lumbridge. As soon as Duke Horacio saw him, he knew that Belos would be the best candidate for Captain. Captain Belos was hired for the high salary of 830 000 coins a year.

Navigator Kane Faize was a cartographer and was well-known for being the first person to map the entire RuneScape world. After mapping the entire world, he became bored, and joined the Navy for some adventure. He had been in and out of several Navy forces over the years, and had the unfortunate reputations of being disloyal and untrustworthy. Against the Duke's better judgment, he was hired at 600 000 coins a year.

Gunner Mary Wilson, the only female of the ship was an average sailor, and the only female in the whole Navy. She was the gunner for the Yanille Navy, and was delighted to join LRN for the new adventure. "Yanille is so boring," she said to Duke Horacio, "I'd rather join the Lumbridge Navy". She was hired for 530 000 coins a year.

Deck Hand James Lewis was a moody teenager, and the only crew member who had no experience whatsoever. He was nondescript, quiet, and his past was nearly as mysterious as he was. He was hired for 10 000 coins a year.

Pirate attack (Year 134)
After years of planning, the ships were finally setting sail. The Crandorian shipbuilders brought the final pieces of the ship to the new port south of Lumbridge, and assembled it overnight. On the morning of Septober 30th, Duke Horacio ran outside and saw four gleaming new ships, moored in the port. He broke down into tears. Finally, after four years of planning. and two years of waiting for the ships to be built, the Lumbridge Royal Navy was ready to sail to see. "Let's see who's a noob now, King Roald?" he gloated to himself, "I'll show him the power of Lumbridge!" That afternoon, the ships set sail. They were passing Port Khazard, when a lone pirate ship fired upon them. The ship Horacio Superior had been hit in the auxiliary mast. However, the pirate ship was slow and unwieldy, and the Lumbridge Explorer and the Lumbridge Star quickly decimated and boarded the ship. It was looted, then sunk. The LRN returned from it's first reconnaissance mission, with no casualties and only minor damage to one ship. Navigator Faize wrote in in diary that night, "When we came to dock, and we told Horacio we were successful, he started grinnin' like a madman, mumbling something about beating King Roald. That man is insane, he is. And I don't mean King Roald."

Invaison of Port Sarim (Year 136)
On Rintra 24th, Duke Horacio received an urgent message from their close neighbours, Port Sarim. They were being invaded by forces from Witchaven, who wanted to steal some famous Port Sarim jewelery and gold. Horacio quickly sent the Lumbridge Explorer to assist with the defense of the city. The Witchaven fleet had no cannons to speak of, but they had small, quick, agile ships, and depended on boarding the other ships and taking them over rather than try to destroy enemy ships outright. Their strategy was working to great effect, since the Port Sarim Naval Fleet crewmembers had little or no experience in swordplay. By the time LRN got to Port Sarim, many ships had been taken over by Witchaven invading parties, the docks were destroyed, and many buildings were burned to the ground or turned into so much rubble and splintered wood from stray cannonballs. The LRN understood their strategy, and instead of using cannons, used much quicker bow and arrows. The spoils of war, nearly 1 000 000 coins, were mostly given to Port Sarim so they could rebuild, but Port Sarim returned 100 000 coins in thanks for the assistance.

Evacuation of Crandor (Year 139)
On Raktuber 12th an adventurer known as "pkmage239486" descends into the Crandor volcano and unwittingly awakens the fearsome dragon Elvarg. Duke Horacio, remembering that Crandorian shipbuilders gave him an excellent bargain for the LRN fleet, rushes to their aid. All of LRN is sent to help bring the people of Crandor to safety. Unfortunately, he is not able to save them all. Elvarg unleashes her dreadful fury upon the remaining citizens of Crandor, killing everyone except for three Mages. Horacio is later criticized for rescuing shipbuilders first. A shipbuilder many years later wrote in his autobiography, "They had to leave my whole family, including my 99 year old grandma and my four month old baby brother at Crandor. They said the only people of value to rescue were shipbuilders and scholars. I only survived because I was a shipbuilder's apprentice." Regardless of criticisms, the Evacuation of Crandor is said to be one of LRN's greatest accomplishments.

Desert War (Year 141)
On Bennath 21st, the Kharidian Desert Armed Forces (KDAF) declared war on Misthalin. The Mithalin Navy, and Varrock Naval Service was sent out in a series of battles with the Kharidian Forces. By the time of the 7th battle of Menaphos, Misthalin had gained the upper hand, taking over most of the desert, setting up a camp at Nardah, and even colonizing Al-Kharid. However, the armed forces were wearing thin, and the iron ore mine southeast of Varrock was running out of ore for cannonballs and arrows. Menaphos was the final stand for the Kharidian forces. Sophanem was too weak to fight, and all other settlements had been destroyed, taken over, or turned into military garrisons. Menaphos believed that it would be taken over by ground troops, and so reinforced their walls and trained their archers. However, they did not blockade their port, and were vulnerable to an attack from the ocean. This was because the Al-Kharid forces had destroyed most of the ships they had.

King Roald knew they did not have enough men or firepower to take over Menaphos. He had no choice but to ask his rival, Duke Horacio, for help. Horacio agreed, but not before negotiating a payment of 29 500 000 coins, and 60% of the loot from Menaphos. At first, King Roald mocked Duke Horacio at requesting such an obscenely high amount of money. "How can you possibly ask for that much when your fleet only has 4 ships?" King Roald chortled "If somebody requested my help, I would only ask for 10 000 000, and I have 35 ships!" Duke Horacio smiled and said, "That may be so, but my Navy are four of the best." he told a wide-eyed King Roald about their major battles, and even their minor battles. Needless to say, King Roald was shocked and amazed. He wearily signed the agreement. Duke Horacio had a grin on his face as big as the first day that LRN's ships were built when he saw Roald sign the agreement.

Duke Horacio sent miners and smiths to make exceedingly powerful mithril and adamant cannonballs, which would hopefully help them take over Menaphos. Each ship was given a invasion team, which would do the actual invading once they were able to secure the harbour. Everyone made good use of Varrock's dummies and Lumbridge's giant rats and goblins to train their strength. Finally, on Fentuary 31st, the LRN sailed out to sea and near Menaphos. Their plan was simple. Misthalin would launch a decoy attack on the wall, and while their armed forces were defending the gates, the LRN would attack the ports and smash through their hopefully dismal sea defence.

Captain Robert Belos observed the Menaphites going about their daily business. Training, and working. They did little else other than work and train their strength. Then, he heard a BANG!. That was the signal that the Misthalin forces were invading. His orders were to wait four minutes, then attack full force. Four minutes later, James Lewis prodded him in the back. "Sir, it's been four minutes. We should be going." Lewis told him. "You're right." Belos responded, checking the only clock on the boat, "Tell Waters prime the cannons, Faize to alert the other ships, and the invasion party to get ready. Menaphos is going down."

Kane Faize yelled at the rest of the LRN. " Get ready for the invasion !" he yelled, " Lumbridge Royal Navy! Tonight, we dine with saradomin! " The LRN cheered, then charged forwards. A hailstorm of cannonballs and arrows annihilated the walls and any house close to the dock. Ladders were thrown down and the invaders surged into the city, killing anyone who was foolish enough to cross their path. In minutes the city was gutted, looted, and secured. The strength of the Lumbridge Royal Navy showed again, and they triumphed over the Menaphites. The war was won within days. Later, King Roald would receive a boastful message from Duke Horacio. "See what I mean? My four are the best."

The Icy Battle (Year 144)
When Horacio received the money, he utilized some of it to add reinforced steel plates to the front of the ships, which could break through ice. This meant that they could sail not only during the summer, but during the winter as well. They could now go on more missions and fight more battles than ever before. Duke Horacio received a message from Mos Le'Harmless, stating that they were under attack by elite pirates, who were dissatisfied with the bar service and decided to attack. They had heard of the many exploits of the LRN, and asked them for help. Money was no object. Horacio knew that Mos Le'Harmless was a pirate settlement, so if they were in trouble, then it must be serious. He also knew that Mos Le'Harmless was exceedingly wealthy. He sent a quick message back. "We're coming."