Gilded Gunpowder Pirates

The **Gilded Gunpowder Pirates**, also called the Gilded Gunpowder Gang, are a crew of affluent adventurers and thieves captained by Captain Astrid Rackham who have nestled in the seas of Northeastern Eldham. They are a prosperous pack of privateers, pirates, corsairs, and buccaneers who share one goal: to be truly free and live the Pirate's Life.

## Hierarchy

### Captain

The Captain of the Gilded Gunpowder Gang. The Captain is kept in power by the respect the crew has for them, rather than commanding their crew with an iron fist. The Captain leads through democracy and voting. The only time in which the Captain's word is law is during the heat of battle, in which they are the battle commander for the entire crew. They can also typically perform any role that they take charge of, as to know what to command them to do in battle. They receive one and one half of the loot.

### Quartermaster

The Quartermaster is the Captain's right hand. They deal with many of the more "mundane" elements of piracy, such as dealing with finances, housing, and living arrangements. They receive one and one fourth of the loot.

### Crewmen

The common Pirate amongst the crew. They each get one share of the loot and have equal say in voting.

### Swabs

Newly recruited pirates who have yet to prove themselves to the crew. They do not get a share nor a vote until they have been accepted into the crew as one of their own.

## Code

1. Every man shall have an equal vote in affairs of moment
2. The crew shall not be defrauded by any interpersonal thievery
3. When not at port, each man shall be battle ready
4. Deserters shall be put to death or succinctly marooned
5. Disputes will be settled on shore with piece and cutlass
6. Every man who loses a limb shall retrieve a bonus from the loot until they see fit to battle again
7. The Captain and the Quartermaster shall have two shares. The Master Gunner and the Carpenter shall have one and a half shares.
8. The port shall not be defaced
9. Each crew member shall be respected equally
10. Any man can leave whenever they desire so long as it is not in the midst of battle.

## History

### Founding

After the loss of her previous crew, the Maelstrom Gang, Captain Astrid Rackham established herself on an island previously owned by Valreach-Simulami. After convincing the Imperare to donate the island to her, surprisingly, with only her words and no threats of violence, she sailed to the island and destroyed and flatted the mud huts that once were populated by hostile natives, now wiped out by the Empire.

### Rivals

#### New Flameton

The citizens and government of New Flameton have fallen victim to raids several times, with every plan of revenge falling apart as soon as Captain Astrid Rackham arrived to their island.

#### Soolia

Though something of a one sided hatred, the Gilded Gunpowder Pirates swear to dismantle the large nation piece by piece, even if it means working with characters too unsavory for even them.

### Allies

#### Valreach

Part of the Valreach-Simulami Empire, they signed the pirate crew into an alliance after Imperare GreenLion gave the crew their land.

#### Stormgova

Led by an ex-member of the Valreach-Simulami Empire, Harskare Harald Pisse, they signed a Letter of Marque with Captain Astrid Rackham after forming positive relations with eachother.

#### Korosechev

Captain Astrid Rackham forced an alliance upon Korosechev, showering the leader with gifts and desire to protect the small nation.

#### Vulpenfell

After meeting the leader of Vulpenfell, Whispo J. Wittix, in a tavern, Captain Astrid Rackham was so entertained by their humor and witt that they offered their privateering services to Vulpenfell, to which Whispo agreed upon.

## Activity in Eldham

### Raids

Spearheaded by Captain Astrid Rackham, the Gilded Gunpowder Pirates raid coastal claims and merchant vessels across the seas of Eldham, pillaging, plundering, and pilfering anything they can get their hands on.