The Corsairs of Meztrailov
I don't know how you found this paper, but I suggest you burn after reading it. If you're a Knight, an Imperial Soldier, a Hand of Mercy, or some other authority figure, PISS OFF! You don't have the key word. Ha ha! Everyone else, you may continue reading, but I can't guarantee that you'll be accepted as part of a crew or a ship. The six letter key is what you'll be.
--Corsair Lady Lauranna
Ranks
Ah, so you think we have a certain pecking order? Well of course we do! But! No matter your Rank, ALL MUST ANSWER TO THE BLACK THRONE. You're only known by doing and being. That's all we have to our name, aside from a long arrest record.
1. Wet Rag: What? Did your daddy leave you a small dinghy and now you think you're a Corsair? Do you even know which end of the sword is the dangerous end?
2. Moist Panties: Alright, so you pissed yourself after managing to help with one large heist. Toughen up, girly man! You're still new and there's a deck to wash!
3. Sea Dog: You know once you get used to the rocking motion of the ship, you might actually be worth a damn to this crew.
4. Buccaneer: Hey! You managed to stand up to the Ship's Drunk! Not that it's a big accomplishment, but having a spine does mean something. Glad you finally found your balls. Or tits.
5. Swashbuckler: So you know your way around the ship and can do just about anything. Good, because we got better shit to do than babysit your ass all the time.
6. Privateer: Yes! The tattoo cannot be removed! You'll get to choose the placement and what we ink on you next time around, but congratulations on surviving this long on the ship.
7. Corsair: See? I told you they wouldn't hang you, but that rope is quite fetching around your neck! Looks like you made some friends in that holding cell. A Privateer cannot become an official Corsair rank until they have been marked as a Pirate.
8. Corsair Captain: Who did you bribe or sleep with to get your own ship? Well now we know where the crabs came from.
9. Corsair Lord: Clearly, to get a majority vote, you must be a very orally fixated person and I would like to see you in my private quarters after we make port.
Corsair Lords
As Corsairs, we don't have many willing to trust us, but hell, we don't trust each other. What we can trust is that there are those of us who unanimously agree there are the very few of us who govern the seas and set a terrible warning for others to heed.
† There can never be more than eight (8) Corsair Lords at a time. Each one is voted into their title by majority, and as long as they dance on the line of the law, we acknowledge their authority on death and dismemberment.
† A Corsair Lord can be removed by vote of the remaining Corsair Lords.
† A Corsair Lord is responsible for having a ship of his own. If you lose your ship for any reason, you have thirty days (30) to reclaim your ship or obtain a new one. The only exception is if the Corsair Lords have removed you from Lordship. Then you're just shit out of luck and out of a job title.
Writ of Authority
I can't tell you how I got mine, but I can tell you that I have one and that it is the one piece of paper that you never want to lose. The Writ of Authority grants a Corsair of any rank the ability to sail and act outside of the law in the name of Meztrailov. A Corsair's rights begin in unclaimed lands and waters, and within certain granted parameters in Meztrailov itself.
† You gain the command of a ship and a crew when you obtain a Writ of Authority.
† A word on abusing your privilege. If one of you little sons of bitches decides to use a Writ of Authority to cause harm or take from Meztrailov citizens, or ignore the laws while you are on Empire land will be removed from your ship and crew against the wish of your Captain and hung from the Meztrailov Gallows on the Docks as an example. Your Writ may be passed down to another individual along with your deras and spoils.
† If you are a Captain or Corsair Lord and abuse the privilege of your Writ, you will be removed from your authority, your Writ will be destroyed, your ship will be sunk in the Graveyard Coast on the southern shores of Shadow Helm, and all of your deras and spoils will be divided among the Corsair Lords, including the newly appointed Corsair Lord to replace you. You will join the other betrayers on the Meztrailov Gallows on the Docks. You will not be able to pass down your Writ, title, ship, deras, or spoils to someone else in a hereditary manner.
† There are two ways to obtain a Writ of Authority. Either you are granted one by a Royal member or Political figure with such permission to assign you one or you obtain it in a hereditary manner from a retired or condemned Corsair.
† An abuse of your Writ is determined by the Corsair Lords based on events presented that show a gross disregard for our privileges in the Empire.
† You may not be saved by any authority in the Empire from the decree of the Corsair Lords. Our Codes are not subject to Empire Law.
Obtaining a Ship
Well, once more, I can't tell you how I got my ship, but I can tell you that it's been my since it was given to me. There are a few ways you can obtain a ship that needs to be manned by more than ten crewmen.
You must be of Captain rank to obtain a ship and command a crew and have a Writ of Authority.
† Save every dera and purchase a ship outright.
† Suck up to the Emperor or a Noble and hope they're considerate enough to gift one to you.
† Forceful Acquisition. Use your imagination on this one.
† Bequeathed through a death or Hereditary.
Ship Operations
As a Corsair, you may be promoted by your Captain, or by a Corsair Lord if your aptitude is being underestimated by an obviously blind Captain. To be absolutely sure that your efforts are being noticed, you should mark your achievements with the Corsair Lords and your Captain.
While it is not essential to be part of a crew or a ship to be considered a Corsair, you should make note of your accomplishments with the Corsair Lords. You may be recruited onto a ship if a Captain sees potential for you.
Corsair Items & Effects
Corsair Gear:
Sword (one handed):
- Buccaneer: One enchantment (approved by DM)
- Corsair: Two enchantments (approved by DM)
- Corsair Lord: Three enchantments (approved by DM)
Flintlock Pistol:
- Buccaneer: One enchantment (approved by DM)
- Corsair: Two enchantments (approved by DM)
- Corsair Lord: Three enchantments (approved by DM)
Telescope: Lands appear closer than through other telescopes
You're a Pirate: Every Corsair is marked by a “P” on the bicep of females and in the middle of the chest on males by an authority figure when they have been arrested for committing a crime or breaking an empire law, and is caught doing so. You may only become of Corsair rank if you have received this mark in any rank you have had prior to Privateer.
Effects:
You may have one item that is personal to the Corsair, and this item must always be with them. If a corsair loses their effect, they must go on a personal quest before any other quest can be fulfilled to look for it or reacquire it. The effect could be something commonplace like an earring, or a pocket watch, or a coin. It is an item that the Corsair feels is important to them but not to anyone else. Please consult the DM if your effect is going to have any special bonus attached to them.
Corsair Skills
Pillage, Plunder, and Explore: Corsairs increase their chances of more loot than normal. Looting must be declared.
Discover Artifact: Corsairs know strange/exotic items when they find them. They don't always do anything, but sometimes it's nice to have that exotic trophy to show off.
Fight to Run Away: A Corsair who has dropped an opponent to low health may choose to flee combat successfully. If a Corsair's health is low when they attempt to flee, the Corsair's chances of success are dropped.
This Comes Naturally: When piloting an airship or sea ship, Corsairs have the advantage.
“Blow 'em outta the Water!”: Corsairs have a talent when using any heavy long range weapon such as cannons and harpoons or mounted long range weaponry.
Corsair Flaws
Infamous: As a Corsair, you are inherently untrustworthy and seen as an agent working outside of the law by others. Official authority figures (guards, knights, imperials) have a natural distrust and inclination of mischief when checking the intent of a Corsair for any ill-intended actions performed near them.
Need for Greed: Corsairs won't work for free. They must always be hired on for a job.
“Just come to get my Effects”: If a corsair loses their effect, they must go on a personal quest before any other quest can be fulfilled to look for it or reacquire it.
--Corsair Lady Lauranna
Ranks
Ah, so you think we have a certain pecking order? Well of course we do! But! No matter your Rank, ALL MUST ANSWER TO THE BLACK THRONE. You're only known by doing and being. That's all we have to our name, aside from a long arrest record.
1. Wet Rag: What? Did your daddy leave you a small dinghy and now you think you're a Corsair? Do you even know which end of the sword is the dangerous end?
2. Moist Panties: Alright, so you pissed yourself after managing to help with one large heist. Toughen up, girly man! You're still new and there's a deck to wash!
3. Sea Dog: You know once you get used to the rocking motion of the ship, you might actually be worth a damn to this crew.
4. Buccaneer: Hey! You managed to stand up to the Ship's Drunk! Not that it's a big accomplishment, but having a spine does mean something. Glad you finally found your balls. Or tits.
5. Swashbuckler: So you know your way around the ship and can do just about anything. Good, because we got better shit to do than babysit your ass all the time.
6. Privateer: Yes! The tattoo cannot be removed! You'll get to choose the placement and what we ink on you next time around, but congratulations on surviving this long on the ship.
7. Corsair: See? I told you they wouldn't hang you, but that rope is quite fetching around your neck! Looks like you made some friends in that holding cell. A Privateer cannot become an official Corsair rank until they have been marked as a Pirate.
8. Corsair Captain: Who did you bribe or sleep with to get your own ship? Well now we know where the crabs came from.
9. Corsair Lord: Clearly, to get a majority vote, you must be a very orally fixated person and I would like to see you in my private quarters after we make port.
Corsair Lords
As Corsairs, we don't have many willing to trust us, but hell, we don't trust each other. What we can trust is that there are those of us who unanimously agree there are the very few of us who govern the seas and set a terrible warning for others to heed.
† There can never be more than eight (8) Corsair Lords at a time. Each one is voted into their title by majority, and as long as they dance on the line of the law, we acknowledge their authority on death and dismemberment.
† A Corsair Lord can be removed by vote of the remaining Corsair Lords.
† A Corsair Lord is responsible for having a ship of his own. If you lose your ship for any reason, you have thirty days (30) to reclaim your ship or obtain a new one. The only exception is if the Corsair Lords have removed you from Lordship. Then you're just shit out of luck and out of a job title.
Writ of Authority
I can't tell you how I got mine, but I can tell you that I have one and that it is the one piece of paper that you never want to lose. The Writ of Authority grants a Corsair of any rank the ability to sail and act outside of the law in the name of Meztrailov. A Corsair's rights begin in unclaimed lands and waters, and within certain granted parameters in Meztrailov itself.
† You gain the command of a ship and a crew when you obtain a Writ of Authority.
† A word on abusing your privilege. If one of you little sons of bitches decides to use a Writ of Authority to cause harm or take from Meztrailov citizens, or ignore the laws while you are on Empire land will be removed from your ship and crew against the wish of your Captain and hung from the Meztrailov Gallows on the Docks as an example. Your Writ may be passed down to another individual along with your deras and spoils.
† If you are a Captain or Corsair Lord and abuse the privilege of your Writ, you will be removed from your authority, your Writ will be destroyed, your ship will be sunk in the Graveyard Coast on the southern shores of Shadow Helm, and all of your deras and spoils will be divided among the Corsair Lords, including the newly appointed Corsair Lord to replace you. You will join the other betrayers on the Meztrailov Gallows on the Docks. You will not be able to pass down your Writ, title, ship, deras, or spoils to someone else in a hereditary manner.
† There are two ways to obtain a Writ of Authority. Either you are granted one by a Royal member or Political figure with such permission to assign you one or you obtain it in a hereditary manner from a retired or condemned Corsair.
† An abuse of your Writ is determined by the Corsair Lords based on events presented that show a gross disregard for our privileges in the Empire.
† You may not be saved by any authority in the Empire from the decree of the Corsair Lords. Our Codes are not subject to Empire Law.
Obtaining a Ship
Well, once more, I can't tell you how I got my ship, but I can tell you that it's been my since it was given to me. There are a few ways you can obtain a ship that needs to be manned by more than ten crewmen.
You must be of Captain rank to obtain a ship and command a crew and have a Writ of Authority.
† Save every dera and purchase a ship outright.
† Suck up to the Emperor or a Noble and hope they're considerate enough to gift one to you.
† Forceful Acquisition. Use your imagination on this one.
† Bequeathed through a death or Hereditary.
Ship Operations
As a Corsair, you may be promoted by your Captain, or by a Corsair Lord if your aptitude is being underestimated by an obviously blind Captain. To be absolutely sure that your efforts are being noticed, you should mark your achievements with the Corsair Lords and your Captain.
While it is not essential to be part of a crew or a ship to be considered a Corsair, you should make note of your accomplishments with the Corsair Lords. You may be recruited onto a ship if a Captain sees potential for you.
Corsair Items & Effects
Corsair Gear:
Sword (one handed):
- Buccaneer: One enchantment (approved by DM)
- Corsair: Two enchantments (approved by DM)
- Corsair Lord: Three enchantments (approved by DM)
Flintlock Pistol:
- Buccaneer: One enchantment (approved by DM)
- Corsair: Two enchantments (approved by DM)
- Corsair Lord: Three enchantments (approved by DM)
Telescope: Lands appear closer than through other telescopes
You're a Pirate: Every Corsair is marked by a “P” on the bicep of females and in the middle of the chest on males by an authority figure when they have been arrested for committing a crime or breaking an empire law, and is caught doing so. You may only become of Corsair rank if you have received this mark in any rank you have had prior to Privateer.
Effects:
You may have one item that is personal to the Corsair, and this item must always be with them. If a corsair loses their effect, they must go on a personal quest before any other quest can be fulfilled to look for it or reacquire it. The effect could be something commonplace like an earring, or a pocket watch, or a coin. It is an item that the Corsair feels is important to them but not to anyone else. Please consult the DM if your effect is going to have any special bonus attached to them.
Corsair Skills
Pillage, Plunder, and Explore: Corsairs increase their chances of more loot than normal. Looting must be declared.
Discover Artifact: Corsairs know strange/exotic items when they find them. They don't always do anything, but sometimes it's nice to have that exotic trophy to show off.
Fight to Run Away: A Corsair who has dropped an opponent to low health may choose to flee combat successfully. If a Corsair's health is low when they attempt to flee, the Corsair's chances of success are dropped.
This Comes Naturally: When piloting an airship or sea ship, Corsairs have the advantage.
“Blow 'em outta the Water!”: Corsairs have a talent when using any heavy long range weapon such as cannons and harpoons or mounted long range weaponry.
Corsair Flaws
Infamous: As a Corsair, you are inherently untrustworthy and seen as an agent working outside of the law by others. Official authority figures (guards, knights, imperials) have a natural distrust and inclination of mischief when checking the intent of a Corsair for any ill-intended actions performed near them.
Need for Greed: Corsairs won't work for free. They must always be hired on for a job.
“Just come to get my Effects”: If a corsair loses their effect, they must go on a personal quest before any other quest can be fulfilled to look for it or reacquire it.