Libertalia: The Republic of Pirates
Notice:
All images in this story are taken from Google Images, I do not have the copyright use for these images and if so desired, I shall happily remove them should the rightful owners ask.
I wish to make clear however that I do not make any Money from my short stories, though I may one day try and publish properly though this is not definite.
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Libertalia:
Founded following the fall of Nassau, the Pirate Haven in the Caribbean on the island of New Providence in the Bahamas, the founding members of Libertalia recognised the danger of the returning British Authorities and rallied under the vision of a single man, famed Captain Avery Filch who proposed the creation of a Pirate Colony of their own.
Rather than taking a run down colony from the British, French, Dutch, Spanish or Portuguese, he recommended they build one themselves from scratch. Libertalia would be a place for Pirates, made by Pirates. Together a large flotilla of varying sizes loaded with supplies, pirates, willing colonists from all different nations, escaped slaves, set off on the long journey across the Atlantic around the Cape Horn and then onto the Island of Madagascar.
Over several years of hard work, which included the Pirating of ships across the world to bring in supplies of stone, timber, food etc. The Pirate Republic of Libertalia was established and this was no mismatched settlement, no this was a true colony, proper housing instead of shacks, a true harbour with docks, warehouses. A fully organised market at the heart where everything can be bought or sold, merchants from across the world who don't care that they are buying from Pirates and smugglers can be found ready to talk business and discuss deals.
Despite the hypocrisy, there was a proper jail where anyone who broke the laws of Libertalia or the Pirates Code was put for a proper period of time, there was a courthouse where trials were held as well as Appeals heard.
Overlooking the bay that served as the natural harbour as well as out over the "City" was the main Fort of Libertalia where the Pirate King and the volunteer guards of Libertalia kept guard over the colony ensuring its protection from outside threats and dangers. Its battlements armed with rows of cannons and Pirate Soldiers ready with musket and sword ready to repel any invader and continue the Freedom of the Republic.
This does not mean freedom in terms of Anarchist terms, for there is a true government for the Pirate Republic, Laws are agreed on by a council of Pirate lords as well as all Pirate Captains currently in Libertalia, known together as the Brethren Court, these are Pirates that are incredibly powerful and command fleets of ships and possibly hundreds of men. Above them is the Pirate King, a single Pirate who is elected by popular vote upon the passing of the previous holder of the title, the Pirate King is not permitted to leave Libertalia as they are to serve as its protector and leader.
To become a Pirate Lord, one must command a coalition of many vessels and must be elected to the title of Pirate Lord by an elective vote of all crews on all ships they command and this can only be done with the consent of the Brethren Court, basically the crews and captains petition the Court to allow them to vote for a pirate lord, the court vote on the matter and if the vote is in favour, consent is given for the crews to vote on their Pirate Lord.
After an election, they must present themselves to the Pirate King, Swear to honour and uphold the Pirates Code, pledge to defend Libertalia from all threats and promise to speak and act honourably in the Brethren Court. They will then be gifted a signet ring that bares their own unique signet which identifies them as a member of the Brethren Court. But the Code is clear, all within the Brethren Court be they Pirate Captains or Pirate Lords are equal, any changes to the Codes or decisions on the future of Libertalia must be agreed upon by a clear Majority Vote by everyone.
The Pirate Lords are not nobility or a higher class when compared to others, they are still one among equals, the duty of a Pirate Lord is to ensure that the Pirates Code is upheld even when outside of Libertalia and when required, they serve as commanders of men and ships should the Pirates go to war in defence of their Republic. Pirate Lords despite any titles or names that might accompany them are not the rulers of domains, for instance someone who is named the Pirate Lord of the West Coast of Africa doesn't mean any pirate in that region must give a percentage of their profits, its more of way of honouring where the Pirate Lord operates or hails from.
When a criminal is being put on trial a group of 3 to 5 Pirate Captains are chosen by random lottery to serve as judges. Violence between Pirates or anyone in Libertalia is strictly forbidden, by rights, all within Libertalia are equal whether they be English, Spanish, Dutch, French, Catholic or Protestant, Black or White, it doesn't matter. Although defence of the Colony is the duty of the Guard, if there is a threat to the Colony all Pirate ships present are required to stand too and be ready to aid in the Colonies defence be it by manning their ships or taking up arms to hold the shore.
As an added defence to the Colony, there is an agreed boundary encircling Libertalia, both literal and figurative, Literal in that there are a series of watchtowers on the Island of Madagascar that surround the Colony at variable distances to provide warning as well as a line of defence. But also figurative, in that all pirate ships that have sworn by the Pirates Code, are not allowed to conduct acts of piracy within that figurative boundary to ensure that the location of the Colony remains hidden.
The Pirates Code:
Practically the book of laws , alongside the Constitution of the Pirate Republic in Libertalia, the Pirates Code is regarded as akin to the bible in importance for Pirates, for it ensures that Pirates have a code that all can live by and ensure the fairness and equality that is a key focus for Libertalia. Written by the 1st Pirate King, Avery Filch, the code was voted and agreed upon the combined Pirate Captains that founded Libertalia and made it the Haven for Pirates from across the world.
Every article within the large book that is kept locked away within Fort Libertalia was meticulously discussed, conveyed, argued, voted and finally agreed upon, everything can be found with the Code.
The 1st Articles cover the rights of Pirates both onboard a ship as well as in Libertalia itself, the rights of the residents of Libertalia, such as the fairness of rations upon ships, the rule that makes it so that all positions of power on a Pirate Ship are elective by the Crew. The fact that every member of a crew is guaranteed a share of any and all money gained from a prize, if anyone was to be injured whilst taking a prize, those people will be given a payment to cover their injuries.
The 2nd Articles, cover the responsibilities of Pirates regardless of their position aboard a ship or in Libertalia, such as the aforementioned rule that any Pirate Captain in Libertalia is required to answer the call to a meeting for the good of the Republic. A Ships captain is responsible for the ship he is elected to command, that they are only in total authority whilst in battle.
Article 3 covers the governance of Libertalia as well as Pirates as a whole,
And so on, when elected a Pirate Captain is required to swear upon the Code to uphold it and swear to follow the Code to the letter for as long as they are Captain of their ship. The Pirate King when elected by popular vote is required to surrender any ships they might have upon their ascension to the position, as well as this the Pirate King is not permitted to change any laws in Libertalia or alter the Pirates Code without the agreed consent of the Pirate Lords by unanimous vote.
The Pirates Code is the Law of Libertalia and Pirates everywhere, it is the Constitution of the Republic and regarded as the single most important document to Pirates everywhere.
And all Pirates are warned that to some the Code is the Law and are not afraid of killing those who dare to break it.
Chief among these was Libertalias first Pirate King, Avery Filch, who as the story goes shot a man for daring to say aloud "Who cares about the Code!".
The Pirate Republic:
Avery Filch: The Pirate King of Libertalia
He hated his life, living in a single room with a bed and bucket for waste, eating old bread that often had all kinds of mould growing or even worse maggots wrifling within. At some point he encountered the future Pirate Captain Benjamin Hornigold and despite having no immediate interest in becoming a privateer and serve to fight Queen Annes enemies, he was eventually enticed with the opportunity of a better life.
He became the Quartermaster under Hornigold and went with him and the crew over to the Caribbean to harass Spanish trade ships on behalf of Britain under the Letters of Marque that Hornigold had been given. For years he served and fought as well as enjoyed the money that he got as part of his shares when taking a bursting Spanish merchantmen. Sadly these good times came to an end with the signing of a peace between the Kingdoms of Great Britain and Spain, now with the Letters of Marque voided with the end of the war, Filch and his crewmates were out of a job and were now without any prospects.
Feeling resentful of how they were being treated for their years of service and sacrifice, Filch joined up with Hornigold and went Pirate, serving again as Quartermaster for Hornigold aboard his schooner the "Benjamin". Operating from the town of Nassau in the Bahamas, he supported his friend Ben, in the establishment of a new Pirate Republic in Nassau.
However a few years later, Filch grew disillusioned with his friend who was unwilling to go after anything other than Spanish vessels, with his former Captains permission, Avery Filch took his own ship mustered his own crew and started his career as a Pirate Captain in his own right, he took on the mantle of "Azrael" the Angel of Death to intimidate his opponents. Aboard his own ship, Filch had a successful career as a Pirate, to the point that he invested his earnings into property, establishing a small plantation of his own on the Island of New Providence not far from Nassau itself, which he turned into a proper business as well as his base of operations for his pirating.
And it was not just by his own work, like Hornigold he offered chances to some individuals who showed promise, within a short period of time, he had a small fleet of ships of varying sizes from small sloops to schooners, to brigantines, some Fluyts and even a single Galleon which he captained himself. Though they all sailed under their own flags, all were willing to work with their old captain when a good target came along or a tempting plantation was rife for a raid.
Eventually however word spread that the British Crown had grown annoyed with the growing Piracy in the Bahamas and decided to respond, word spread of a pardon being offered by the King, where the Pirates would be safe from prosecution and the Hang mans noose as long as they surrendered by a certain date. Filch did not wish to give up the ideas of freedom like others did, nor did he intend to fight the might of the British Empire openly like more extreme Pirates wanted.
Instead he mustered a following of Pirates as well as people who wanted to get away from the Empires of Europe and forged the planning and orchestrating of a new Pirate Republic, this time one they would establish themselves fully, rather than just using an already existing colony or town, they would make one of their own. Filch led the flotilla of ships and colonists across the Atlantic to Africa and then around to Madagascar, there he proclaimed the establishment of the Pirate Republic of Libertalia.
Later when the Colony was fully built and established, with commerce coming in from smuggling and piracy across the different seas and oceans, he was elected to be the First Pirate King by the Brethren Court. He relinquished control of his own ship and took up residence in Fort Libertalia. In terms of the Pirates Code, he was one of the main creators and Filch has become known for being very strict with the codes, he is not afraid of killing someone if they dare to violate the codes or claim them to be anything other than the Law that all Pirates have agreed to follow.
Officially speaking, the man known as Avery Filch the Pirate, took the King of Great Britains offer for a full Pardon in exchange for an end to his acts of piracy. So technically according to the Law and as far as most are concerned outside of Libertalia, Avery Filch is a merchant trader operating a business from a private estate somewhere in the world where ships under his licence transport and sell goods across the world from the New World to Asia. Of course this is all a front, as the elected Pirate King, Avery Filch is required to ensure that pirates and smugglers are able to sell their cargo for a good price and see it sold to legal markets.
Something his official trading license allows him to do,, but this does not mean that he is the sole fence in Libertalia, he is merely one among many, NO ONE is forced to sell their cargos to him and his business or purchase goods from him.
His signet and flag has become the hallmark and emblem of Libertalia and the Pirate Republic, the blag flag with a single white skull with two crossed cutlasses, the now famed Jolly roger.
Benjamin Hornigold: The Voice of Reason
Despite his misgivings, Hornigold decided to try and trust his old comrade and try and see what this Libertalia could become, he was promised that if he so desired that he would be given transport to a safe port if he wished but warned that if he betrayed Libertalia, then any and all friendships will be null and void.
After a period of time, Hornigold decided to stick with Libertalia, seeing it as a better version of the desire he and others had back in Nassau, the creation of a true nation, a true Republic of Pirates, rather than just a gang of thieves and ruffians wanting only to get money so they could drink themselves into ruin or spend their nights with women. Though this wouldn't change much , he saw with his own eyes that Libertalia was going to be a true nation, he even helped with the creation of the Pirates Code and was later voted in to serve as the Keeper of the Code, ensuring that it was kept safe and bring it out when required such as when someone challenges whether or not a decision is violation of the Code.
Though his days of being a pirate captain are now long behind him, Hornigold has become a voice of reason in Libertalia operating a trading business under a false identity to get around the law of nations. From Libertalia, he purchases goods brought in by Pirates and smugglers and then ships them to markets in different parts of the world. Now as he reaches his twilight years, Hornigold remains a voice within the Brethren Court, though he is not a true member, in that he is not a Pirate Lord, his past as both a Pirate and Pirate Hunter are respected as well as his experiences in trying to build a Republic in Nassau.
Nathanial Drake: Captain of the Libertalia Guard
When Avery Filch decided to go off an start his own Pirate Career as a captain, Drake followed, joining him aboard his first ship a small schooner, the perfect ship for a pirate, small and fast. Here he served as one of the officers aboard the "Liberty", primarily serving as the "Master Gunner" ensuring that the ships cannons are kept in good order and ready for when they might be needed.
For years, Drake served under Filch, taking many prizes and earning a good fortune for himself, when he learned that Filch had established his own homestead on the Island of New Providence not far from Nassau, it was Drake that was the main crewmen requesting that the crew of the Liberty set up a camp upon the shores next to the estate.
When the meeting was called in regards as to how the Pirates of Nassau were to respond to the word that the King of Great Britain was offering a pardon to any Pirate that surrendered by a certain date. Drake was unsure of what he wanted to do, things had been changing, he knew that soon Nassau would not be a safe place for much longer for any Pirate, but he also didn't want to just give up.
So he decided to join with Avery Filch and followed him on the long voyages to gather resources, supplies and of course colonists willing to join the dream of Libertalia. During the creation of Liberatlia itself, Drake worked hard to try and keep the peace within the early settlements and camps that would one day become the true, full colony, he prevented fights from breaking out or at least from getting bloody and tried to keep the Colony together in peace.
Later after some years of hard work, Libertalia was truly established and Drake, well Nathanial Drake was requested by the Pirate King, Avery Filch to be the first Captain of the Libertalia Guard, the force of Pirate Soldiers that were bound to protect the Colony, man the fort that overlooked it and kept the peace all under the laws of the Pirates Code.
As the Captain of the Guard, Drake brought his old training from being a professional Privateer in his youth to use in the creation of the Guard, he created not an improvised militia, but a formal guard, with a proper uniform of sorts as well as real training regimen. But he is still a pirate and believer of Freedom that is promised in Libertalia, he ensures that the discipline methods used by the Empires of the world are never used, at the same time, he ensures that every member of the guard is an equal, they all receive equal pay regardless of what their role is.
Lucio Dantes: Captain of the Prospero
He "Volunteered" to serve aboard a Portuguese Merchant vessel travelling along the length of Brazil as well as across to Africa and back, alongside a few scarce trips northwards to the Caribbean to sell some random rich mans wares. It was during one of these forays, many years later that his life turned around, his ship the "O Grande Vento Oeste" the Great West Wind, was set upon by pirates and was taken a prize.
That Pirate was none other than Avery Filch.
Lucio alongside a number of other members of the crew decided to throw in with the Pirates seeing it as a better life than earning miniscule wages that came to nothing when they had a chance to use them. So they joined with Filch and his crew, Lucio became the Sail master after a few months of work aboard the ship, he proved himself to the point that he truly started to see life turn around for him, he was able to enjoy the money he was making from his work even if it was from piracy.
When a small ship was taken with ease, Avery Filch decided to offer it to anyone who wanted to go out on their own and start their own career as a Captain. Lucio asked for the right to do so and took on the captaincy of a Dutch Fluyt which he named the Prospero, sailing under his own flag, he became a capable pirate though unfortunately he started rather late. Because just as he started to get ahead, Nassau started to face troubles and Filch concocted his plan to establish Libertalia, when Lucio learned, he put to his crew and they agreed to follow Filch in the creation of Libertalia.
His fluyt took on a lot of supplies for the journey but also Lucio himself was asked to help in planning the route, since he had experience in trans-Atlantic crossings from the Caribbean to the west Coast of Africa, he knew the best ways to get there. During the establishment of the colony, Lucio took on the role of protecting the harbour and patrolling the waters close to it, to protect the colony from anyone looking to find and destroy their future colony.
After the successful completion of the Colony and Libertalia was formally created, its government established, laws agreed upon and a Republic Founded. Lucio later became one of the Pirate Lords of the Brethren Court, after successfully creating his own small fleet of ships that raid across the seas and oceans from the Coasts of Africa across to the Southern Americas and even east into the Orient. Though most of the Pirate Lords enjoy earning a title such as Lord of this region or that sea or ocean, Lucio refused to take on a title despite becoming a Pirate Lord, finding it derivative .
Anne Bonny: The Femme Fatale
A life of difficulty can be said ofAnne Bonny, a life with a lot of experiences, there isn't really much known of Anne Bonny before she ventured into her life of piracy.
What is known is that she had a long life of different experiences, she was supposedly married for a time in Nassau before leaving her husband and started working in a tavern frequented by ruffians and rogues. When Nassau became a haven for pirates following the Spanish War of Succession, she fell in with the mediocre Pirate named "Calico Jack Rackham", the two began an affair which later somewhat included another Female Pirate Mary Read.
She and the other two mostly conducted their piracy around the Bahamas and near Jamaica, but from the way she tells it, the moment things started to turn for them, Rackham took the ship back to Nassau after it had fallen back into British Hands and practically begged for the Kings Pardon. But then they couldn't stop themselves and went back to acts of Piracy, where upon they were discovered unawares and swiftly captured by the Royal Navy and taken to Port Royale for trial. Whilst Rackham and most of the crew were all put to death, hanged and then gibbeted by the harbour for all to see, Mary and Anne managed to escape the hang mans noose due to the fact they were pregnant, which saved them for a time, officially both disappeared after they were put in jail, but the truth is Anne and Mary were secreted out thanks to some corrupt officials on the payroll.
The pair then joined with Filch and other pirates in the establishment of Libertalia, though Mary and Anne sadly lost their children due to complications following their birth. The pair decided to let the sea go and together with what coin they had hidden away before their capture opened a tavern in Libertaila, named after their former comrade Rackham, together they made the "Calico Inn" the favourite for crews to visit for good food and good grog regardless of the time of day.
But do not think that just because they are no longer pirates, doesn't mean that Anne nor Mary are afraid of showing their "Teeth", if anyone causes trouble either Anne will show them the door with a blade to their throats or Mary will make it so they run with a great many bruises.
Duraaj Singh: Lord of the Indian Ocean
Pirate Lord of the Indian Ocean and the most powerful Pirate to sail its waters, with a fleet of several ships and hundreds of men.
Born to the Sikh warrior ethos and a love of the sea, Duraaj Singh was born in Northern regions of India which is under the control of the Mughal Empire, from a young age Duraaj learned the skills of a warrior be with the blade, the gun or even his bare hands, becoming a capable fighter with the martial arts of his ancestors. As well as this he worked aboard trade dhows for many years from a young age becoming a more than capable sailor.It was during these journeys that he experienced the growing power of the British Empire or more specifically the East India Company, He personally witnessed and experienced the difficulties for independent traders and merchant ships when dealing with the East India Company, how honest traders were forced to either accept meagre payments for their goods by the E.I.C or had to pay for the right to bring their ships into a harbour.
After a few years, he and many others from India started to get angry with how the Europeans were enriching themselves at the cost of their people, but Duraaj knew they would not stand a chance in a straight fight, so he convinced several others to join him and turning to Piracy in order to take back what the E.I.C took from them. Their first act was stealing an E.I.C frigate known as an East Indiaman, a ship that the company used to transport goods as well as defend their interests.
With a capable ship, a willing crew and years of experience across the Indian Ocean from the coast of Africa to the islands of the East Indies, Duraaj Singh aboard the Vengeful Tiger became a terror for the ships of the East India Company alongside other empires from Europe who wanted to make a profit from Asia. He raided ships that transported Indian Spices and Tea, vessels carrying luxury silks from China and more. The goods they took were then sold to merchants who didn't like the big companies hogging the profits from the east.
Duraaj learned of Libertalia during its foundation by accident, whilst attempting to find a safe harbour for them to beach the ship for repairs, as they were pirates themselves, they were given sanctuary in Libertalia. As the colony became a hub for Pirates from across the world, Duraaj and his crew were common visitors bringing in stores taken from prizes.
Eventually he decided to make Libertalia his home alongside a number of other pirates from the India and the East Indies, he now stands as one of the Pirate Lords of the Brethren Court. His flag is that of a raging golden tiger, which is also his signet for the Brethren Court, a homage to his ferocity as a warrior and his loyalty to India.
Edward Williams: Lord of the Cape of Good Hope
Edward Williams Pirate Lord of the Cape of Good Hope.
Born in London, Edward was raised in a tough and difficult world, he spent most of his early years surviving the streets of the Capitol of the British Empire, scrapping by living hand to mouth. He was hired on as a cabin boy aboard a merchant vessel that transported goods and materials across the Atlantic, originally just between the British Isles and the English Colonies on the eastern shores of north America.But later further south into the Caribbean, during one such voyage, the Captain of the ship gained a letter of Marque from the English Governor in Jamaica, allowing him to raid Spanish merchant ships for profit. But when the war ended, the ship and its crew were forced to cut back on a lot of things, there wasn't much work or good pay from transporting goods again, which upset the crew. When the Governor of Jamaica alongside several prominent business owners and influential elites grew restless at the constant raids of Spanish "Privateers" despite the end of the war. There was a new opportunity, under Henry Jennings a former Privateer Captain, Jamaica unofficially licenced Jennings to lead a small flotilla of ships to protect British Merchant vessels and hunt down pirates.
Unofficially however, they were practically being allowed to raid Spanish vessels again, so they were Privateers of sorts once again, for a time Edward worked aboard one of the ships in Jennings fleet, but over time he started to distrust Jennings for his willingness to go to extremes at times, plus he knew that they were no better than the Pirates they were meant to be hunting. When he learned of Nassau and the fact that a number of Pirates were calling it their new home as part of Hornigolds growing "Flying Gang", he left at the first chance.
In Nassau, Edward joined Hornigolds crew aboard the Benjamin where he met Avery Filch and the two became good friends, when Filch went on his own path to becoming a pirate captain, Edward followed becoming the chief gunner aboard his ship. Later after a few successful years, Edward was awarded by Filch, a chance to become a Captain himself, taking the chance, Edward took a small schooner that the crew had taken a prize and started his own career, but still visited Filch to trade what they had earned.
He was among the first to join Filchs plan for the creation of Libertalia, offering his ship for the transportation of goods and supplies that would be needed for the creation of the Pirate Colony. Though instead, his ship the "Horizon" was tasked to serve as a gunboat, escorting the main body of the Pirate Flotilla on its journey through the Caribbean and then across to Africa and then Madagascar.
As the colony took its shape, Edward returned to the seas to continue the Pirate way of life, whilst also finding and retrieving goods and materials that the Colony needed for construction or for some other reason. Over time he became a full Pirate Lord, elected by the crews of 5 ships that he commanded, his flag is four skulls in a line representing death on the Horizon, this is also his personal signet for the Brethren Court, like many other Pirate Lords, he earned a title for his "Hunting Grounds", Edward Williams Pirate Lord of the Cape of Good Hope.
His flag and signet as a Pirate Lord, the blag flag with three cutlasses forming a triangle around a single white skull.
Emin: Lord of the Horn of Africa
Born to the Ottoman Empire, Emin grew up hard and became hard from his upbringing, there are some that regard him as overly brutal, barbaric and for some even more, regarding him as Insane, the person you don't get angry. There are tales of the extreme acts he has done to anyone who resists, some stories tell of how he beat a man to death for just looking at him the wrong way.
Other stories say that he tied a man up, laden him with rocks and threw him over board into the deepest waters he knew of, this is just how far the stories of Emin travel, for he is known as far as the Caribbean, a considerable distance from his usual hunting grounds in the Arabian Sea and up into the Red Sea. Along the coast of North Eastern Africa, he is feared, Arab slavers and merchants travelling along the coast are known to hug the shoreline so they can ditch their ships and flee inland at the first sight of his dread flag, two scimitars and an Ottoman spear.
Emin learned of Libertalia from other pirates that operated along the coasts of east Africa as well as smugglers that he knew and sold his prizes too for profits. Since he and his small flotilla were growing more infamous, he decided to head to Libertalia intending to use it as a new base to conduct his piracy. Yet when he arrived, he found not a shanty town, but a full fledged settlement, practically a boom town that was prosperous from the profits coming in from acts of Piracy and smuggling.
See the benefits of joining the Pirate Republic, Emin pledged himself to the Pirates Code and swore he would ease off his extreme sides when needed. Since then he has grown in power, his small flotilla is now a strong Pirate fleet of seven ships of varying sizes which he leads in raids along the coasts of Africa and Arabia and into Persia. His primary targets are Arabian Slavers as they carry gold, silver and other precious items they trade for African Slaves, merchant ships transporting goods such as Ivory, precious stones, metals and of course European merchant ships travelling between Europe and the Orient.
As well as his infamy as a pirate, Emin also brought with him the names of corrupt officials within the Ottoman Empire, as well as Merchants and traders who might be willing to look the other way and purchase goods from "Independent Traders" for fairer prices. And if anyone of those Arabian or Turkish gentlemen tries to threaten Libertalia.
Well lets just say, on their way home, they would find The Lord of the Horn of Africa before them with a spear in his hand ready for a head to mount upon it. His signet for his flag and Ring, 3 scimitars, 2 white and one red.
John Silver: Lord of the Caribbean
Long John Silver, Captain of the Hispaniola and Lord of the Caribbean
When the War with Spain erupted, the ship he was aboard became a privateering vessel which was still just as favouring, its captain apparently was of a rich upper class and favoured maintaining his high life. When they took a prize, though everyone got a share, it wasn't equal, despite the promises made, but Silver proved his strength as a fighter and then further as a capable sailor and leader.
At the end of the war, the ship was back doing back breaking work for pittance payments for its crews whilst the captain and his friends enjoyed the spoils. But this changed when the ship was attacked by Spanish raiders, despite the peace, their goods were taken as well as a all the money the crew had on them. Silver and a number of others were angry, especially when the Captain refused to give them compensation, so he lead a mutiny that ousted the noble captain and the crew turned pirate.
Silver was elected their captain despite the fact that he was injured during the taking of the ship and was forced to lose one of his legs, but the crew kept him on as their captain and he led them on a successful career across the Caribbean for a few years, like other pirates in the region, operating primarily out of Nassau in the Bahamas, when word came that the British were coming to reclaim Nassau, Silver and his small fleet of schooners and sloops joined with Avery Filch and other like minded Pirates in leaving Nassau and creating their own colony, the schooners and sloops of his small fleet would carry all kinds of materials and supplies for the creation of the colony alongside a number of colonists.
When Libertalia was truly formed and became a full fledged independent pirate colony, Silver led his flotilla back out to sea and continued their way of life, not just in pirating but also in smuggling between the new world and the old, specifically between the Caribbean and the west coast of Africa. Later having gained a sizeable fleet of small vessels, he was elected to the title of Pirate Lord and since he liked working the Caribbean so much, he was given the honorary title Lord of the Caribbean.
And he did all of this with the hinderance of being a one legged man out on the high seas, his flag and sigil is the the white skull above two crossed bones alongside a small red bird, his favourite colour.
Inacio Tibao: Lord of the South China Sea
Born to a trading family, Inacio went to see at a young at where he worked as a sailor aboard one of the many Portuguese trading convoys between Europe and the Far East, where the Portuguese had grown wealthy through trade with the powers in the east. This included fine silks, pearls, spices, fruits, as well as the bounties of gold and silver, its unclear when, but at some point Inacio and a collection of others decided to go "Independent" and turned to piracy after they realised they would never see the profits from the hard work they were put through transporting the goods between different ports.
Aboard his own vessel, the Grail, as in the Holy Grail, Inacio conducted raids against trade vessels of his home nation, as well as those of the Dutch and English that were becoming more and more common, all of them loaded with goods that everyone wanted and would fetch a good price. He mostly operated around the South China Seas, where it came to the East Indies, where he could set upon traveling ships and take the goods to one of many "Free Ports" to sell such as Singapore. Eventually he became the leader of several vessels from European style carracks and fluyts but also junks that were used in the Orient.
But as these ports such as Singapore started to experience more and more authority from the different Empires of Europe, Inacio was forced to find a new home base and whole sale for his prizes. He turned to the Island of Madagascar where he uncovered Libertalia, the Pirate Colony, recognising the possibilities he decided alongside his crew to make it their home base for short and long range raids against travelling ships.
As with all Pirates, he swore to uphold the Pirates Code and after consent was voted in by the crews of his fleet to the title of Pirate Lord, as with all Pirate Lords, he promised to uphold and enforce the Pirates Code as well as swear to defend Libertalia and lead its forces in battle should the colony ever be threatened.
His sigil, and flag, the white skull sitting upon an hourglass.
Jose Miguel Artigas Cubero: Lord of the Spanish Main
Descended from the first conquistadors who ventured across the Atlantic in search of gold and glory within the new world, originally Cubero was not destined to be a pirate or even a sea farer, he was raised to a good life as the son of a respected Spanish noblemen in Cuba upon a luxurious plantation. Though sadly this all changed, due to a poor harvest as well as a hurricane, the Plantation was crippled and because they paid for most things on credit, when their sugar and tobacco crops failed they had no way of paying their creditors.
The same hurricane was also responsible for the destruction of a Spanish Treasure Fleet on the coast of Florida, to save his families fortunes, Cubero joined with the Spanish forces being organised to secure the vast swathes of gold and silver that was now sitting at the bottom of the sea upon the coast of Florida. And already it was attracting Pirates, but again by the time he got there, the gold and silver had either been stolen or secured and transported back to Cuba, so any chance of salvaging his families place was lost.
Without any options, especially when he learned that his family had sold the plantation to cover their debts and then returned to Spain, he was practically left without any friends or prospects in the Caribbean, feeling that he had no choice he joined up with a group of Spanish Pirates and eventually after some work, became a Captain in his own right and despite some early issues, made Nassau in the Bahamas his home. From there aboard his ship the Orbis Unum "One World", he targeted rich plantations across the Caribbean, sneaking in the dead of night and plundering what he can before retreating back to the ship.
And not just plantations, but ships moving through the Caribbean transporting goods to markets in the Americas and beyond, eventually he became an "Admiral" of a fleet of several ships of varying sizes, all sailing under his flag, When Nassau was no longer a viable prospect for pirates, he joined with Avery Filch and the idea of establishing a Pirate Colony, though he didn't like being a pirate at first, Cubero had grown to like the life of a free man, without having to worry about the expectations of society.
Now years later, with Libertalia being a full fledged Pirate Republic, Cubero has become a Pirate Lord by popular vote of the crews in his fleet, with many regarding him Lord of the Spanish Main, as he still leads his fleet back to the Americas to raid shipping lanes and occasionally strike on land when no one expects it.
His flag and signet, a red skull and dagger, to signify a truth he has learned over the years, hard work requires blood just as much as sweat and sometimes it requires the point of a blade.
Lady Chi Shih: Mistress of the Orient
Practically the Queen of Pirates in the Seas of the Orient, Lady Chi Shih the Mistress of the Orient and Pirate Lord of the same.
Not much is known of Lady Chi's history, though small hints have been collected over the years, though most are rumours, some say that she was a farm girl sold off to slavers and then escaped with the help of pirates. Others say she ran away from an arranged marriage and started a pirate career to get back at her family for selling her off, then there are the stories that claim she was previously the wife of a successful pirate along the China coast before his death.
Regardless though Lady Chi went on to forge her own path in the waters of the Orient, despite being a woman she has managed to create a fleet of ships that all sail under her command and her flag, alongside a small army of hardened pirates all of whom have experience in fighting. For years she led raids against the heavy set European trade vessels that grew fat from the "Corruptive Deals" with nation of the Orient. As well as taking part in the illicit smuggling of goods between China and the closed off nation of Japan which officially at least did not let outside traders into their ports.
She came to Libertalia as certain places where she used to offload her cargo were becoming more and more unusable for her purposes, mostly because the Empires of Europe were starting to move in to get a hold of the luxuries and goods for themselves as well as territories in the far east. But also because of the opportunities it provided, for one it was a location founded by Pirates for Pirates, it was well protected thanks to the fort and towers it provided safe harbour for her fleet and it was a place where she could sell off her cargo for fair prices. Plus for her specifically it was a place where she would be treated as an equal, with the consent of the Brethren Court, the crews of her fleet voted and made her a Pirate Lord, one among equals.
As was custom, upon rising to the station of Pirate Lord, she was granted the right to have her own signet to signify her place among the Brethren Court, like all Pirate Lords, he signet was the same as her own flag, a curved sword with two Chinese characters.
Oban: Lord of the Ivory Coast
Captain of the Broken Chain and Lord of the Ivory Coast, comes Oban, the former slave turned Pirate Rebel.
He later joined up with the same Pirate crew, which was made up entirely of escaped slaves from plantations or "liberated" from slave vessels. With this crew aboard the "Broken Chain", he took part in raids on plantations, aiding in the escape of enslaved Africans and taking the goods and luxuries of said plantations to sell in places like Nassau.
From Nassau, Oban took on his original name not the one "the Masters" gave him, he was later elected to the captain of his ship and continued the "Crusade" of his people to end the enslavement of his fellow Africans as well as the harsh treatments they were being forced through, treatment he has experienced first hand. When Nassau began to fall apart as a Pirate Haven, Oban joined with Avery Filch and other like minded pirates in the planning, preparation and later founding of Libertalia, citing it as the one place where his people could be safe from slavery, since he had connections with Maroon groups across the Caribbean which he had been backing for years through his acts of piracy, many joined the growing colonial effort for Libertalia.
Plus he looked at the placement for the Colony as an advantage, he could lead ships against the Slave ships taking people out of Africa and the merchant ships that brought goods to be used in exchange for slaves. After several successful raids which included the taking of a number of ships and the freeing of countless slaves, he managed to form a small fleet of vessels, from which he was proposed to the Brethren Court as a Pirate Lord in his own right, this was accepted and Oban was formally voted in and recognised as the Pirate Lord of the Ivory Coast.
His sigil and flag was a skull with a broken chain in its teeth a sign of his commitment to the ending of the Enslavement of his African Kin.
Obai Dunqas: Lord of the Barbary Coast
As brutal as he is fierce, the scourge of the North African Coast, Obai Dunqas the lord of the Barbary Coast.
It was a old Spanish galleon, but the "Captain" decided to continue raiding the Mediterranean, but Obai wanted to go further like other Corsairs who had been launching raids onto the coasts of Europe itself. With the support of his fellow crewmates, Obai led a mutiny against their captain and seized the Galleon for themselves, he was chosen to be their new captain and he immediately set to work.
From associates he learned of a free Pirate Port in the new world, a place apparently called Nassau, Obai was entranced, he knew the Corsair ports, he knew that for sea farers like him, the Barbary coast was always a safe haven. But it also meant that the stolen goods were always the same, the same prizes and the same merchants, he wanted to go further, see new waters, new oceans, new goods and prizes.
With a small following he left the Mediterranean behind and travelled along the coast of Africa, ready to make his crossing over the Atlantic, but before he could, Obai learned of Nassaus fall back into British hands, seeing no alternative, he felt he had no choice but to head back to the Barbary coast and back to the old lives. Where upon he encountered a large fleet of pirate vessels coming from the Atlantic and all unified under the goal of building their own colony.
The Corsairs under Obai joined them in their endeavour and although Obai has never returned to the Barbary Coast since first leaving, he has forged himself a new life in Libertalia, rising to prominence to become a Pirate Lord by proper election of his crew and consent of the Brethren Court, becoming the Pirate Lord of the Barbary Coast, His flag and signet is that of the Corsairs, the four crescent moons with a sword upon a green flag.
William Rawlins: Lord of the Pirate Round
Captain Rawlins was originally a pirate captain who undertook the so called Pirate round during his early career, where he and his ship would venture from the Atlantic Ocean, by going around the Cape of Good hope into the Indian Ocean to raid merchant vessels before coming back into the Atlantic, hopefully with holds filled with goods to sell.
In Rawlins case, he became very good at it, having undertaken the Round through his early years as a pirate, often venturing into the Caribbean with his small gathering of brigs and schooners, holds filled with goods not often found in the Caribbean markets. He served as a privateer during the war between Britain and Spain, venturing through the Caribbean as well as back onto the round to raid merchants travelling in those waters. Eventually he became one of the few pirates to continue the old Round, something that made him a legend among Privateers and later Pirates.
When the wars were over, he joined several former comrades in the Caribbean in turning pirate, where he met Avery Filch, the future Pirate King, the two forged a good friendship. Though Rawlins kept up his idea of hunting for prizes, rather than just pirating in the Caribbean and along the Americas, he would still venture across the Atlantic to raid Western Africa and then once again around into the Indian oceans. Often he used the Island of Madagascar as a temporary base for his small fleet to rest, repair and resupply water and food for their journeys.
When Nassau started to fall apart when word came of the Kings Pardon, Rawlins was lucky enough to be in town to sell off goods he had brought back with him, he was present for the gathering of Pirate captains and crews at Avery Filchs plantation on New Providence where he found himself agreeing with his old friend, since he had only ever known the Pirates life, he didn't see a future through accepting the pardon.
He would become one of the primary founders of Libertalia, since he knew the Island of Madagascar very well from his "Rounds", so he knew the waters around the island and where best to establish a Pirate Colony. The site chosen was one that Rawlins knew very well, it was one of his favourite hiding places where he often stopped to resupply with fresh water.
After the colonies completion and the proper establishment of the Brethren court, he was formerly voted in by the crews of his small fleet to the title of Pirate Lord, with him taking the mantle as William Rawlins, Lord of the Pirate Round. Like all Pirate Lords, he was given his own signet to identify him as a Pirate Lord and grant him the right to take his seat in the Brethren Court, the same as his own flag, a skull faced sideways above to crossed bones.
Friends across the globe:
Pirates will be Pirates, but ports and Markets don't like dealing with them, that's why one needs "Friends", "associates", "Business acquaintances" that are willing to look the other way to get cargo for reasonable rates. Whilst legal markets may not know of Libertalia, there are some that are trusted to be the "Fences" for Libertalias market, people who will purchase the cargo from Pirates and sell them on to legal markets elsewhere.
Alexander Rookwood: Mercantile Entrepreneur
From the city of Kingston, Alexander Rookwood ran the family business, as well as branching out into property such as warehouses and other buildings from which he rented to other companies, figures etc. Things were difficult during the war between Britain and Spain, but because Kingston being at the front door of Port Royale a major Privateer hub, he found new prospects by purchasing the goods from Privateers as well as hiring them to escort his ships with the same cargo to other ports further north.
When the war ended, he found his business interests still being harassed by Spanish Privateers who were still harrying British trading ships in the Caribbean. So he turned to old associates to escort his ships to markets in other waters, among them was Benjamin Hornigold who had set up shop in the Bahamas after turning pirate, although he didn't like certain pirates, he was still a keen eyed businessmen who after falling on some difficulty needed a new source of goods to sell.
He came to meet Avery Filch during a unofficial visit to Nassau in search of new possible business opportunities, he purchased some small warehouses which he used to store goods he would purchase. The two became business associates, with Rookwood being Filchs primary "fence" for cargo that he and his crew brought back but also a legal business partner with Rookwood purchasing the crop from Avery Filchs own estate near Nassau.
After Nassau fell back into British hands, Rookwood thanks to his connections did not face repercussions from his business enterprises in what was clearly a pirate controlled town. Months later, he met up with old friend Filch and aided him in getting the Royal Pardon exempting him from punishment for his life of piracy, using the fact that Filch owned a small but well earned estate near Nassau citing that Filch intended to retire and become a trader as well.
Unofficially however, Rookwood was still in favour of continuing his deals with as his ledgers and logs call "Free Traders", with ships, crewed by former pirates and residents of Libertalia, Rookwood continued to operate a "Fence" purchasing the cargo and goods from Pirate crews and then taking them off to legal markets, with his ledgers and log books being properly maintained to show all the goods his ships transported were properly legal.
Callum Caidh: Scottish Free Trader
Callum started working as a merchant sailor from a young age, saving up enough for him to "Invest" into businesses and eventually after much grit and toil, alongside his brothers managed to save up enough for them to purchase their own ship, which they crewed with fellow scots particularly their fellow highlanders.
As merchant sailors, specifically free traders, in which they would transport cargo regardless of nation into whatever ports was desired, they got much business from various entrepreneurs and mercantile companies. This included places that normal merchants would not really venture or do business with, such as for example Pirate havens like Nassau. The Caidh clan didn't really have issues trading with Pirates and smugglers as to them it was just business and they always managed to keep thing looking legitimate, plus to them it was a way of getting back at the "English that took everything from them".
When Nassau fell back into British hands, they passed off the fact they were doing trades in Nassau legitimately and that they didn't realise that they were not transporting or selling stolen goods. Whilst at the same time keeping in limited contact with those Pirates that had left to found Libertalia, when they learned of where the Colony was located, Callum decided to keep visiting the colony to purchase goods from the colony to legitimate markets as well as selling goods in the colony itself that he and his brothers brought in from other parts of the world.
Though some would refer to him and his brothers as Fences, buying and then selling on what the Pirates brought in from their prizes, Callum and his brothers prefer to regard themselves as "Free Traders", people who are are about trade between ports and nations being conducted freely regardless of the politics of the world.
Elizabeth Carruthers: Madam of Business
Under her, the Carruthers Trading Company has not only purchases and sells goods, but also has ships which they send out to other ports across the world. Whilst also becoming the owner of other businesses and companies, she owns a lumber and timber mill in Massachusetts, some productive farms in Virginia and North Carolina, a mining company, a respected tailoring company and several other industries from which she can expand her business empire.
Like some other entrepreneurs, she dabbled her hands in other more secretive business such as purchasing goods from questionable "Merchants" from the west Indies, particularly merchants from the Bahamas. Such deals were profitable for both sides, her company got goods for relatively fair prices and the buyers got a fair purchase for "Their Cargos". But of course this all changed with the almost sudden end of business opportunities in the Bahamas as order was restored, thankfully through some connections she learned of Libertalia and kept up the trade with the "Free Traders" of the Filch Trading company that operated out of Madagascar, from this new connection, she now has more trade coming in from goods her company purchases.
Unlike before where her dealings with "Free Traders" was mostly goods, such as sugar, tobacco, coffee etc, but now cargo from the far east as well as Africa, Chinese silks and plate, Indian Spices, jewellery, African ivory and so on. All of which is taken by her company for sale in the North American Colonies of the British Empire where such goods get a good price, making her the primary fence for Libertalia in connection with North America.
Jan-Bart Hazelwold: Dutch Merchant
By 26 he become the captain of his own ship, working on behalf of a Dutch company that had a lot of trade in the east, eventually he went on his own and started his own trading company one that would be work independently from others and would not just enter ports that the Dutch favoured but also to others, such as British, French, Portuguese even Spanish.
Though he did continue his common ventures into the Indian Ocean and towards the East Indies, he also went on ventures westwards towards the new World where he traded cargo from small Dutch outposts in South America and into the Caribbean. It was here that he encountered the Pirates of Nassau, which was formerly a Dutch Colony but then taken by the British, like some other merchants he traded with the Pirates of Nassau, purchasing their goods and then taking them to be sold to individuals he knew wouldn't ask questions.
When Nassau fell however, he heard from others that some Pirates had fled and were intending to establish a new stronghold, he managed to link up with the Pirates under Avery Filch and continued his trade business with the newly established Libertalia. Since he knew of people in the Netherlands, he became a regular visitor to the Pirate Colony of Libertalia, where he would purchase goods from the Market and then would take it out of the colony back to the Netherlands where he would sell them on.
The Marquis: French Aristocrat
The Maquis is only really interested in a good deal and is willing to overlook where those deals come from as long as it benefits him, supposedely it was because of this that he got into a squabble with another noble which resulted in him losing an eye during a dual. Which he is not ashamed of, regarding it as a "Mark of upholding my families honour and prestige", though he does where an eye patch to cover the scars, he isn't ashamed when people stare or make notice of it.
It is said in Libertalia that his ship captains are very argumentative when it comes to the haggling of prices in the market or on the wharfs as they only want the best deal for them. It is said that apparently that one time he outright threatened Libertalia when a captain in his employ didn't get what he wanted, he wrote a letter to the Pirate King about and threatened to release the existence and location of Libertalia to the authorities of every empire in the world. To which it is believed that the Pirate King sent a reply about mutually assured destruction, should the Maquis break the trust of the Pirate Republic, then the Pirate King will send detailed evidence of the Maquis unlawful dealings such as for example his full knowing selling of weapons to the enemies of France during the Spanish war of Succession.
Apparently after that, the Maquis became more and more "Liberal" in his dealings with Libertalia, ensuring that his ships behave themselves and ensure that fair deals are made for the goods he desires to purchase.
Richard Schollfeld: Respected English "Businessmen"
Schoffeld wanted to set up a trading empire that connected the different continents without relaying on other companies for trade, seeing it as more profitable. Of course like other "Respected" businessmen, he took advantage of the rampant piracy of the times, using forged documents and ledgers he would purchase cargo from pirates and smugglers and pass them off as legal cargo, specifically in British Colonies in North America and of course in Britain itself.
From his company he has grown very wealthy and wishes to see his company profits continue not only for himself but also his "Shareholders" in London and other parts of the United Kingdom, whose support allow him to bring in "Legal goods".
He is however the primary fence for cargo and goods with connection to the United Kingdom, as most of the goods he purchases through his company are bound for transport back to Britain or other parts of the British Empire. As well as this for Libertalia, Schoffeld is a major player in the game of corruption, as he knows whose pockets need to be lined to allow for goods to come in as well as questions not to be asked.
Lady Yuun: Gateway to the Chinese Markets
In China it was common for Women to be looked down on, men were dominant and Lady Yuun hated that, so though she could not pass herself of as a man, despite attempts, she found a way to forge her own path without the constrictions of society. Through Proxies she organised a network of merchants that would transport and sell goods from all across China and beyond, from the Silk Road to the coast.
Through her connections she came to meet Lady Chi Shih, the Pirate Lord of the Orient, together they forged a strong business relationship and perhaps more based on rumour. Lady Chi Shih as a pirate with dozens of ships under her command would conduct raids on ships transporting goods and cargo which she would then sell to Lady Yuun for a fair profit. Through this connection, she came to discover the Pirate Republic of Libertalia and with the consent of the Pirate King and the Brethren Court established an outpost of her trading network in the colony, where she became a major fence for goods be they European, Asian or African everything would be taken by one of her ships to China to be sold.
Though one must be careful for Lady Yuun also goes by the name Lady Sabre due in no small part because of an event that apparently happened, a group of drunken European sailors had gotten rather "attached and affectionate with their hands" towards her, in response she drew her sword and "Detached their affectionate hands".
So the unofficial rule is when she is in Libertalia ensure one does not give her reason to draw her sword for as long as one wishes to keep their appendages attached.
Tariq'Ibin'Malik: The East African Trader
Formerly a chieftain of an African Tribe, Tariq was very nearly forced into slavery by Islamic slave traders who had purchased several others from his tribe after they had been attacked by fellow African seeking captives to sell to the traders in exchange for weapons and other goods.
However the caravan was attacked by raiders and Tariq was able to escape with several others and managed to reach the coast where they were met by a merchant dhow that took them on as new crew members, for months in the after, Tariq learned to read and write to an extent, he studied under the Dhow captain in haggling goods prices for goods, alongside his fellow former tribesmen learned to sail the dhow effectively along the east African Coast. During this time he converted to Islam and became a devout Muslim alongside a number of his crew.
Eventually he became the captain of the Dhow and started his own journey as a merchant along the East African Coast, trading in goods from one part of the other though it was not much as the powers of the European empires began to grow and take greater hold on the African Continent. Where once he was making even and providing for his crew and his ship, now Tariq was barely getting enough for their cargo to keep the properly fed.
It was around this time that he accidently came across the fleet of ship bound for Madagascar, the fleet comprised entirely of Pirate vessels of all sizes ready, willing and able to establish the Pirate Colony. Seeing a new opportunity, he approached the fledgling colony during its foundation and offered to trade with them as long as they gave good payment for the cargo he would bring. In the early years, Tariq mostly brought in food such as grain and salted meat from merchants and tribes in Africa which was greatly appreciated by the fledgling colony.
Later Tariq continued his trade with Libertalia, buying goods and then selling them in African ports to merchants, he was always careful however to only get and sell things that came from Africa, such as Ivory, animal pelts as well as fruits and meat which became well thanked from travelling merchant ships wanting to restock their supplies. Though he does foray into other cargo, which he sells in markets along the African coast, both to other traders but also European ships, passing off the cargo he was selling as goods he got from trading for grain and salted meat to similar ship as they went on long voyages.
No one questions even for a moment that the cargo coming from a simple African dhow would be from pirates.
The Vizier: Entrance to the Ottoman Markets
The Ottoman Empire had never really judged certain pirates, the Corsairs of the Barbary coast were in all truth working on behalf of the Ottoman Empire and were to an extent under its protection. The Vizier continues this practice, or at least he allows ships to enter a specific port where they are able to sell off their cargo without too many questions as too how and where they obtained their goods.
As well as this he has merchant ships of his own conduct business with the Pirate Republic of Libertalia, in secret at least. With ships going to and from the colony via the Red Sea, where they purchase goods from the Libertalia markets often goods from the Americas and often for a good price. Before making their way back to sell in Ottoman Ports and Harbours, the Vizier himself has on at least one occasion visited the Colony itself to reaffirm his desires to see the trade between the Ottoman Empire and the "Free Trading Partnership" established by Avery Filch and several others to continue.
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