Pirate Queen of the Gold Coast Content . By Midara Salviticus , Historian , University of Gwylim The Gold Coast has undergone some radical changes since Varen Aquilarios led his rebellion against the Longhouse Emperor Leovic in 2E 576 . First , the region ' s inhabitants banded together to build Varen ' s Wall , as discussed in greater detail in my treatise of the same name . The protective boundary basically separated the Gold Coast from the Colovian Highlands and served to keep the area safe from Imperial retaliation and other external threats . Second , the region took advantage of the rebellion to declare its independence from Cyrodiil . These two events established the Gold Coast as an isolated haven from the troubles that plague the rest of the continent - but not without setting up challenges of a different sort . In 2E 577 , just as the last stones were being places to complete Varen ' s Wall and the Imperial Navy was away dealing with the rebellion taking place to the north and east , a fleet of merchant warships and pirate vessels sailed into Anvil harbor . A white flag adorned with a red saber flew over each ship . Led by Fortunata ap Dugal , a shipping magnate in the Gold Coast Trading Company , the fleet took control of the docks and disembarked a company of sailors and pirate warriors that quickly overpowered the remaining troops loyal to the Imperial Prefect . In less than a day , Fortunata had taken control of Anvil , named herself Provincial Governor , and declared that the Gold Coast was now a free and independent state - from the Abecean Sea to Varen ' s Wall . The self - proclaimed Provincial Governor , better known as the Pirate Queen to friends and enemies alike , used her connections as a high - ranking merchant lord of the Gold Coast Trading Company to build her base of power . She promised the pirates a safe haven and a share of wealth pouring though the region in exchange for their backing and support . The pirates , along with the merchant marines that had always been more loyal to Fortunata than to the company that employed them , gave the Pirate Queen the weapons she needed to take and maintain control of Anvil and the surrounding countryside . In many ways , the truth is almost more unbelievable than the risque and outlandish adventure tales now appearing as broadsheets on the streets of Anvil . These bawdy stories follow the exploits of the barely fictitious Pirate Empress Thusa ap Lagud , and they ' ve become quite popular . The actual Pirate Queen tolerates the tales , if now actively encouraging their publication on a regular basis . Now the blood - red sabers on fields of white fly above Castle Anvil and the Anvil Lighthouse , and the Pirate Queen has turned Anvil into a " Free City . " No military vessels from any alliance are allowed to approach the Anvil Docks . Instead , merchant ships from across Tamriel fill the wharf , happy to buy and sell cargo at bargain prices . Even the once - proud and influential Gold Coast Trading Company has acquiesced to the Pirate Queen ' s demands , deciding that profit is more important that arguing over respectability and who ' s in charge . In effect , the company does what the Pirate Queen tells it to . It doesn ' t take a prophet to predict that the Pirate Queen has her sights set on Anvil ' s neighbor to the northeast , Kvatch . She said as much in her much - publicized declaration of Independence . With more pirates and buccaneers rallying to her flag every day , and with gold flowing from frightened nobles as protection money disguised as taxes , it ' s clear to see that Fortunata will soon have the resources to deal with Count Carolus and even Primate Artorius . It ' s just a matter of time . And the Pirate Queen has demonstrated over and over again that she can be very patient when it comes to letting her plans develop . By all accounts , Fortunata rules Anvil with an iron fist . The Red Sails pirates serve as her private army , raiding , rampaging , and performing the duties of enforcers whenever and wherever she directs them . She may be a cruel and merciless dictator , but she keeps the region under control and prevents anarchy from running rampart . Can we really expect more than that from our rulers ?