-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Free Traders (Free) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Charter The refugee camps that sprung up after the great war were places of untold misery and pain. Tattered souls, all once-great adventurers and heroes, wandered the narrow streets of the tent cities like lost children. As cramped quarters foisted men, vyans, orcs and all manner of lesser races together, ancient rivalries flared. Violence exacerbated the already rampant disease of the camps. In the ensuing chaos, the heroes banded together for survival. Though their swords had been broken and their fortunes scattered, and though their limbs were weary and their hearts heavy, they would not succumb to despair. They abandoned the camp without a second glance and followed a calling that came from afar. The Sea of Stars was beckoning; it was calling them home. With a deck beneath their feet and sails flying high, they took back their destiny and swore to feast on the fat of the land. They became pirates. Although the authorities in Chiiron accuse us of piracy, we are truly free traders. Our nautical endeavors take us far and wide and we acquire many kinds of booty. Through perfectly legitimate merchant channels, we ship our goods to the towns. The clothes you wear and the beer you drink? They may have been cargo on our ship, the Filthy Harlot. Nevermind the elves and dwarves from whom we acquired them, because without us, the business of the business would cease. If your ship sails without protection or you stray too close to the coast, you'd best beware. . . otherwise, our forays into lands are strictly armed mercantile enterprises. To join the ship, you must be a neutral or dark race. The light races have been the cause of every war, hardship and calamity the world has ever suffered and will not be accepted in our crew. Furthermore, no good-aligned person may join. Piracy is not a good man's sport. Finally, all crew members must follow the Pirate's Code. The Pirate's Code 1. Everyone shall obey civil command. 2. Everyone shall have a say in affairs of moment and shall have an equal title to the fresh provisions or strong liquors at any time seized. 3. Everyone shall be called fairly in turn by the list on board of prizes. But if they defraud the company to the value of even one coin, they shall be marooned. Any who robs another shall have their nose and ears slit, and be put ashore where they shall be sure to encounter hardships. 4. None shall game for money either with dice or cards. 5. The lights and candles shall be put out at eight at night, and if any of the crew desire to drink after that hour they shall sit upon the open deck without lights. 6. Everyone shall keep their piece, cutlass and armor at all times clean and and ready for action. 7. If any man shall be found seducing any woman and carrying her to sea in disguise he shall suffer death. 8. Any that shall desert the ship or their quarters in time of battle shall be punished by death or marooning. 9. None shall strike another on board the ship, but every quarrel shall be ended on shore. 10. No-one shall talk of breaking up their way of living till each has a share of 1,000. Everyone who shall become a cripple or lose a limb in the service shall have 800 pieces of eight from the common stock and for lesser hurts proportionately. 11. The captain and quartermaster shall each receive two shares of a ship prize, the first mate and boatswain, one and one half shares, all other officers one and one quarter, and private gentlefolk of fortune one share each. 12. The musicians shall have rest on Sunsday.