Cpt Kipfer Santigo

## Captain Kipfer Santigo

**Captain Kipfer Santigo** was a pirate captain and the founding leader of the Confederation of Free Sailors (CFS), a loose republic of pirates operating along the Venthalian west coast. Santigo would go on to lead a motley makeshift armada of pirate captains in a daring assault on the Hysemacon fleet, sparking the Golden Age of Piracy and the establishment of the CFS in 896 AV.

## Early Life

Kipfer Santigo was born in Devon in 855 AV, during the reign of Queen Leonora I, to a family of modest means. Little is known about his early life, but it is believed that he grew up near the sea and harbored a love for the ocean and its vast potential. In 873 AV, at the age of 18, Santigo enlisted in the Royal Navy, where he began his naval career while he was first mate aboard the galleon known as the "Bridgeman". Santigo would rise through the ranks through hard work and tactical brilliance, eventually becoming the captain of the Bridgeman. In 884 AV, disillusioned with the Kingdom's policies and practices, particularly regarding slavery, Santigo and his crew defected from the Royal Navy, stealing the Bridgeman in the process.

## Piracy and the Hysemacon Fleet

Cpt Santigo's career before the CFS primarily occurred during the reign of King Ardem IV, who took a harsh stance against piracy, vigorously prosecuting anyone suspected of involvement. After his defection, Captain Santigo gained infamy as a pirate. He targeted and plundered the Kingdom's ships during the reign of Harmen II, accumulating both wealth and a reputation as a formidable adversary. Cpt Santigo's most famous raid, in 894 AV, was on a 14-ship convoy of Ousurferian vessels making the journey to Althea Prone, including the treasure-laden "Hysemacon" and its escort fleet of warships. The treasure was intended to support the Kingdom in its battle against the Klans. Joining forces with 23 other pirate vessels, Cpt Santigo found himself in command of a small pirate squadron, and they were able to capture up the incalculable haul of gold and silver. This caused considerable damage to the Kingdoms's fragile relations with the Lords of Ousurferia, and a combined bounty of 25,000 Gold—an immense sum at the time—was offered by the Royal Government and the Lords of Ousurferia for his capture, leading to the first continent-wide manhunt in recorded history. The successful attack on the Hysemacon marked the beginning of the Golden Age of Piracy. Santigo and the other 23 pirate captains involved in the assault gained immense prominence and popularity along the western coast of Venthalia. The wealth they had acquired enabled them to establish strongholds and communities, openly defying the Kingdom's rule. Dubbed "The King of Pirates" by contemporaries, Cpt Santigo was infamous at the time for being one of very few major pirate captains to escape with his loot without being arrested or killed in battle, and for being the organizing perpetrator of what has been called the most profitable act of piracy in history. Although some members of his armada were eventually arrested and executed, Cpt Santigo himself eluded capture, vanishing from all records in 908 AV; his whereabouts and activities after this period are unknown. Unconfirmed accounts state he may have changed his name and retired, quietly living out the rest of his life in either Burth Port or on an unidentified tropical island, while alternative accounts consider Santigo may have squandered his riches. He is believed by historians to have died sometime between 910 and 920 AV; his cut of treasure has never been recovered.

## The Golden Age and the CFS

During the Golden Age of Piracy, the western coast of Venthalia was a hotbed of rebellion, defiance, and adventure. It was in this tumultuous time that Captain Kipfer Santigo and 23 other pirate captains joined forces to create the Confederation of Free Sailors (CFS) in 896 AV, a loose republic of pirates united in their pursuit of freedom, individual liberty, and opposition to monarchy and slavery. Today, the CFS operates along the Venthalian west coast, united by their shared beliefs in freedom, individual liberty, and opposition to the monarchy and slavery. The leadership of the CFS, known as the "Captain's Table," consisted of 24 elected pirate captains, including Santigo. The Captain's Table governed the Confederation according to an informal pirate code, with each captain having a voice and a vote. The other 23 pirate captains who joined Santigo in founding the CFS were a diverse and formidable group of individuals, each bringing their unique skills, resources, and motivations to the table. Hailing from various backgrounds and harboring a shared disdain for the oppressive rule of the monarchy, these captains banded together to form a powerful alliance that would shake the very foundations of the Kingdom. Among the notable captains were:

* Captain "Ironballs" Uldren, a seasoned veteran with a reputation for ruthless efficiency, who commanded the heavily-armed galleon, the Sea Reaper.
* Captain Morgana Rosemond, a cunning strategist and skilled navigator, known for her ability to lead her crew, the Shadow's Grasp, through the most treacherous waters.
* Captain Rorik Skarsgaard, a charismatic and fearless leader whose lightning-fast raids earned him and his ship, the Stormbringer, a legendary status.

Together, these captains and their allies forged the CFS, a powerful force that would grow in influence and strength along the Venthalian coast. They established the Captain's Table, a council of 24 elected captains, with each captain having a voice and a vote in the matters of the Confederation. This democratic approach ensured that the CFS would be guided by the collective wisdom and experience of its members, rather than the whims of a single ruler. The founding of the CFS marked the beginning of a new era of defiance against the Kingdom and its oppressive policies, particularly regarding slavery. The Golden Age of Piracy saw the rapid expansion of the Confederation's influence. During the Golden Age, the CFS expanded its territory along the Venthalian coast, most notably with the capture of the Okcident Tower in 902 AV. Following a 44-day siege, the tower was renamed the Falcon Tower and became the Confederation's most powerful military stronghold. The city of Santigo, named in honor of Captain Kipfer Santigo, was founded in 910 AV and became a bustling hub for pirates and their activities, and the new capital of the CFS. As the legend of the Confederation and its founding captains grew, so did their impact on the region, inspiring generations of pirates and freedom fighters in their pursuit of liberty and autonomy.

## Disappearance and Legacy

Captain Kipfer Santigo mysteriously vanished in 908 AV, along with a substantial portion of his share of the Hysemacon treasure. Confederation legend has it that Santigo hid his wealth in secret chests hidden around Venthalia, known as "Santigo Stashes." Santigo reportedly told the other 23 Table Captains that their signature spyglasses, gifted to them by Santigo, would be the key to unlocking his wealth. No Santigo Stashes have been found to date, but the legend persists among the CFS and beyond.

Santigo's disappearance led to his spot at the Captain's Table being replaced by a newly elected captain, but his legacy lived on. As a prominent figure, Captain Kipfer Santigo's life and achievements remain central to the Confederation of Free Sailors' identity and lore. His unwavering opposition to slavery and the monarchy serve as core tenets of the Confederation's beliefs, and his leadership during the Golden Age of Piracy continues to inspire pirates and privateers in their pursuit of freedom and autonomy.