King Harmen II

**Harmen II** was the ruler of the Kingdom of Althea from 885 AV, until his death in 929 AV, ruling throughout the entirety of the Golden Age of Piracy and during the founding of the Confederation of Free Sailors (CFS). Born into the Kirt Dynasty, Harmen II was the son of King Ardem IV and the father of King Timmothy I. His reign was marked by significant events that shaped the course of Venthalia's history.

## Ascension to the Throne and Personal Life

Born in 871 AV, as Prince Harmen Vitani Kirt to King Ardem IV and Princess Loria Kirt (née Harrison), Harmen II was raised in the bustling harbor metropolis of Althea Prone. At the age of 14, in 885 AV, Harmen II ascended to the throne following the death of his father, King Ardem IV. King Harmen II married Brenda Schwartz, the daughter of a Davidian noble, solidifying ties between the Kirt Dynasty and the influential Schwartz family. The couple had two children, Prince Timmothy Ardem Kirt (later King Timmothy I) and Princess Alicia Kirt. Prince Timmothy was born in 904 AV, and was raised in the royal court, preparing him for his future role as king.

## Reign and Policies

King Harmen II's reign coincided with the Golden Age of Piracy (894 AV - 929 AV), a period of heightened pirate activity in Venthalia, particularly along the western coast. This era was marked by several significant events, including the heist of the Hysemacon Fleet, the founding of the Confederation of Free Sailors, the establishment of the City of Santigo, the siege of the Okcident Tower, and many years of successful large-scale piracy against an unprepared and overwhelmed Althean Royal Navy.

Despite the challenges posed by the rise of piracy, King Harmen II maintained a relatively peaceful rule, focusing on internal affairs and diplomacy. However, his lenient stance towards piracy was often criticized, leading to his reputation as a "pushover" king. His reign saw the Kingdom of Althea struggle to maintain control over the western coast of Venthalia, with the Royal Navy frequently targeted by pirates. The Golden Age of Piracy began with the audacious heist of the Hysemacon Fleet in 894 AV, orchestrated by Captain Kipfer Santigo, a former officer of the Royal Navy who had defected and turned to piracy. Despite the significant loss for the Kingdom, King Harmen II was unable to effectively counter the pirate threat.

In 896 AV, Captain Kipfer Santigo and the 23 other pirate captains involved in the Hysemacon heist established the Confederation of Free Sailors, a loose republic of pirates united in their pursuit of freedom, individual liberty, and opposition to monarchy and slavery. The formation of the CFS marked a significant shift in the power dynamics along the western coast of Venthalia, challenging the Kingdom's rule.

## Later Years and Legacy

King Harmen II's reign ended with his death in 929 AV, marking the end of the Golden Age of Piracy. His son, Prince Timmothy Ardem Kirt, ascended to the throne, becoming King Timmothy I. Despite his reputation as a lenient ruler, King Harmen II's reign was a significant period in the history of the Kingdom, marked by the riseof piracy and the formation of the Confederation of Free Sailors.