The Bones

**The Bones** is a quasi-political organization of many, but not all, of the corsairs of the Ocean Contested in the world of *All My Wicked Nephews Crave the Throne*. A combination of a confederacy and a hierarchical crime organization, the Bones does not have a single seat of power, as the locations of its members are ever changing. However, the Bones is in control of a number of islands, collectively known as Corsairia, with the largest one being home to the city of Pirate's Peace, the group's unofficial capital.

Located to the west of both United Merion and Barande, the corsairs of the Bones are frequently in conflict with sailors from both nations, though not equally; conflicts between corsairs of the Bones and Barandean sailors, most commonly around Blue Barande, account for approximately 95% of all corsair activities.

## History

Little is known about the history of the Bones. As a collection of corsairs, it is known to be older than the Candlebrook Monarchy of United Merion (making it over 1,000 years old), and Corsairia is thought to have been under its control for just as long. However, the current and more organized structure of the Bones is a more recent development, first appearing around the 700s YoG.

## Geography of Corsairia

Corsairia is comprised of a collection of islands, one large and many smaller ones, that is located to the south-west of the Clifflands of United Merion and north of the Barandean Isles, the islands under the control of Barande but not part of the nation's main, continental body.

Little is known about the smaller islands of Corsairia, but most assume them to have various small hideouts or defenses in place for the corsairs of the Bones to utilize in times of need. Meanwhile, the largest island has a larger number of towns and fortresses, though they are all rather small and crudely built with the exception of Pirate's Peace. These man-made structures are connected by way of a road system, though less impressive paths and trails are also common. Springs and creeks are plentiful across the large island, but there are no rivers. A line of tall, barren hills cuts through the center of the island.

Noteworthy locations of Corsairia include:

* **Pirate's Peace** - The unofficial capital of the Bones. Located in a bay in the northeastern part of the largest island of Corsairia, the city serves as the main base of the corsairs of the Bones and houses the organizations two most important buildings: the Mayor's Manse and the Tavern o' Taverns. Typically only corsairs who are full members of the Bones (Greensails captains/Bluesails crewman or above) are allowed to set foot in the city, though there are exceptions.
* **The Mayor's Manse** - The home and ruling building of the Mayor-Governor of Pirate's Peace.
* **The Tavern o' Taverns** - The world's largest known tavern and almost a castle in its own right. The floors of the tavern are strictly stratified.
	1. A large, open ground floor open to any and all visitors, provided those visitors are allowed in Pirate's Peace at all, meaning they are likely already Greensails captains or the crewman of a Bluesails/True Bones captain.
	2. The Upper Deck of the ground floor, open to any and all captains of the Bones. Crewman are prohibited.
	3. A smaller and fancier tavern (though still maintaining a pirate-like aesthetic) that is exclusive to High Captains/Silverbones and their crews.
	4. The corsair equivalent of an Airy Solarium (like the kind found in the homes of members of the Twelvescore Ennobled) that is only available to the Golden Bones/Dark Admirals, as well as their crews.
	5. The Admirals' Chambers, where only the Golden Bones/Dark Admirals may enter. While the rest of the tavern is set up to provide for a raucous time and party-like atmosphere, this floor is provided to the leaders of the Bones both as a place to stay while in town and as a place to discuss political matters.
* **Pig's Port and Ironslip** - Small towns located on the largest island of Corsairia. Pig's Port is the primary location for the onloading of food and fodder for ships leaving the island, and Ironslip provides the same service but with metals, weaponry, rope, etc. in place of food. Both towns have fewer then 200 permanent residents.
* **Homecoming** - A small town known for it's pleasant atmosphere. The town is primarily used as a meeting place for the current and former Golden Bones/Dark Admirals of the Bones, as well as any of their personal guests. No other corsairs are allowed into the town, excluding its approximately 100 person population.
* "**Loud Linda"** - An incredibly large ship that is partially beached on a sandbar. The is notable both for its large size and for its incredibly large number of cannons due to gunpowder being a newly discovered and very rare commodity. As such, it stands as the largest deterrent for any attacks against Pirate's Peace.
* **The Thirteen Coves** - The living locations of retired Golden Bones/Dark Admirals. Located on the western side of the large island, the coves are known for providing the retired leaders lives of tropical luxury in a location where their word is law. Whenever one of the coves becomes available due to the death of a former inhabitant, there is typically a rush from the current Golden Bones/Dark Admirals to seize the cove and retire before their fellows can.

## Corsair Ranks

Corsairs are divided into five ranks by the Bones, with additional privileges given to higher ranked captains and their crewman. The ranks are as follows:

* **Tier 5: Unaffiliated Corsairs/Freesails** -More frequently, and dismissively, known as "Sheepsails," these captains and sailors are not direct members of the Bones and do not enjoy any of the benefits or protection of being members. Seemingly hated by all outsiders, including the Bones, United Merion, and Barande, these corsairs value their freedom, as they are not ruled or taxed by the Bones, but they have a reputation for being either too incompetent or bloodthirsty for their own good. As "Sheepsails," they are vulnerable to the Right of Shearing from members of the Bones, shearing being the colloquial term for looting, plundering, etc. Approximately half of all corsairs are Freesails.
* **Tier 4: Greensails** - Corsairs that have been invited by the Bones to be under their protection, though their membership is probationary and heavily taxed, and are welcome to fly the Bones flag/standard on their ships. Greensails have the Right of Shearing and are welcome to shear anybody other than other members of the Bones. Approximately half of all corsairs that are members of the Bones are Greensails. Greensails can be elevated to the next rank by any higher-ranked captain who believes they are deserving of the promotion. However, such decisions are scrutinized by other members of the Bones, so this generally happens only once Greensails have truly proven themselves, and/or put in decades of good service.
* **Tier 3: True Bones/Bluesails** - The "made-men" of the Bones, Bluesails are viewed as more complete members of the Bones than Greensails and are given additional rights than their lower ranked counterparts. These rights include the Right of Shearing, the Right of Taxation (where Bluesails may tax any Greensails they come across and take a portion of their cargo), and the right to enter in Pirate's Peace and resupply at reasonable rates there. Bluesails are expected to not abuse these rights, particularly the Right of Taxation. If too many Greensails complain to higher-ranked captains about a particular Bluesails captain taxing them too heavily and/or frequently, the Bluesails captain is, as often as not, likely to be lowered in rank. Bluesails can be elevated to the next rank by way of an annual vote held in Pirate's Peace by any higher-ranked captains present.
* **Tier 2: Silver Bones/High Captains** - High-ranking captains of the Bones, High Captains form the main center force of any given corsair fleet. In addition to the Rights of Shearing and Taxation, High Captains are also granted the right to fly the Silver Bones flag/standard (which is arguably the most feared Bones flag as High Captains are frequently viewed to be the captains most "in the prime of their life") and the Right of Command, giving them the authority to order any lower ranking Bones ships to follow their orders. High Captains also frequently work to coordinate the orders of the Dark Admirals, who are unlikely to take an active role in commanding lower-ranking captains. High Captains can be elevated to the highest rank within the Bones by a vote held by the Dark Admirals whenever a position becomes available. There are approximately 50-100 High Captains at any one time.
* **Tier 1: Golden Bones/Dark Admirals** - The ten leaders of the Bones. Unlike High Captains, Dark Admirals tend to stay stationary, either in or near Pirate's Peace or acting as a floating command center at the edges of Corsairia, and coordinate the overall strategies of the Bones. Dark Admirals either die in their position or retire to one the Thirteen Coves when one becomes available following the death of the former retired Dark Admiral living there.

Additionally, the Dark Admirals appoint one Mayor/Military-Governor to oversee Pirate's Peace. While not technically a corsair, the Mayor-Governor is unofficially treated as a kind of Tier 1.5 member of the Bones, able to command and order anybody other than the Dark Admirals, at least within the city. Because of this, High Captains tend to dislike the Mayor-Governor and frequently make jokes and rude comments about them behind their back.

## Religion

Corsairs of the Bones tend to subscribe to a quasi-religious belief system that is both spiritual and not, though it is frequently referred to as a "secular cult" by outsiders. Believers typically subscribe to the idea that the sea will eventually take everything and everybody, leading to them weighing down their dead and sinking them to the bottom of the sea, with the vague idea that all will eventually join them later. They also believe that all dead souls are collected on the ocean bottom into a single-minded entity that will one day rise from the bottom of the ocean and bring about the flooding-based apocalypse.

The Bones' religious system is also fairly Objectivist mixed with a tolerance of hedonism and celebration. Captains who can engage in celebration and who honor their dead, often at the same time, are traditionally seen as pious and likely to move up the ranks of the Bones, assuming they are also well-liked by their men, pay their taxes promptly, and exhibit at least periodic feats of high risk and reward. Corsairs who stick to safer raiding routes are slightly looked down upon by the rest of the Bones, no matter how successful they are. "A hull full of gold is a good way to pay your taxes, but the skull of a Barandean count is better" is a phrase commonly heard among members of the Bones and provides a good eaxmple for their belief that a corsair that doesn't take risks is inferior to one that does.

## Current Corsair Captains

It should be noted that this list is not comprehensive, as there are approximately 10,000 corsairs active at any time. While all Tier 1 and 2 corsairs are captains of their own vessels, the lower three ranks include both captains and crewman.

* **Tier 1 (10 corsairs)**
	+ Kaoru Close, captain of *Dawncutter*
	+ Markus Chelsie, captain of *Blue Conclave*
* **Tier 2 (Approximately 50-100 corsairs)**
	+ Eliza of the Fishes, captain of *Artistic Liberties*
	+ Sims of the Charms, captain of *Thoughtful Rio*
	+ Alonzo Trapp, captain of *Candlesnuffer*
	+ Drummer Dick Deerwine, captain of *Tsunami Machine*
	+ Stover Alleline, captain of *Petty Encore*
	+ Totsi the Beggar, captain of *Pennyfarthing*
	+ Desmond Howl, captain of *Bittersweet Chorale*
	+ Cobblefist, captain of *Stern Rebuke*
	+ Darridan Longarm, captain of *Worthy Foe*
	+ Halbert "Happy" Evergrim, captain of *Moodswinger*
	+ Wild-Eye Roe, captain of *Simple Misunderstanding*
	+ Stanley Twice-Charmed, captain of *Big Ol' Target*
	+ Remberto Toothkeeper, captain of *Malpractice*
* **Tier 3 (Approximately 2,400 corsairs)**
	+ Blanche "Both Barrels" Roach, captain of *The Howl of the West*
	+ David Dragg, captain of *Read All About It*
	+ Barrymore Q'Lin, captain of *This But Unironically*
	+ Periwinkle Thrice, captain of *Point of Order*
	+ Bodrugal Zoer, captain of *Clinical Trial*
	+ Amacher Barless, captain of *Longlost Rancher*
	+ The Tattooed Mytharen, captain of *Fangdrunk*
	+ Fangdrunk, captain of *The Tattooed Mytharen*
	+ Nod Bronzebeard, captain of *Feckless and Chagrined*
	+ Iron Yorick, captain of *Soupstirrer*
	+ The Halfear, captain of *Streetfight*
	+ Monica Muse, captain of *Chandler's Fear*
	+ Shandar Isle-Born, captain of *Newera*
	+ The Pedant, captain of *Permission Denied*
	+ Megan Paleblossom, captain of *Tango Helena*
	+ Dalen Dragoon, captain of *Sauver Seaworthy*
	+ Fulbright Chu, captain of *Anxious Landlord*
	+ Gordie-the-Grip, captain of *Two-In-the-Hand*
	+ Maurice Laz Caros, captain of *Checkered Challenge*
	+ Big Bill Botts, captain of *Messy Bitch*
	+ The Consoler, captain of *The Consoler*
	+ Erik Ex-Fool, captain of *Never-A-Knave*
	+ The Prince of Frogs, captain of *Kiss Me and See*
	+ Blackbrow of the Knuckles, captain of *Blackfathom*
* **Tier 4 (Approximately 2,500 corsairs)**
	+ Delilah Exile, captain of *Nimbus*
	+ Pearl Gordon, captain of *Bankrun*
	+ Haesher Shortsword, captain of *Velvet Shark*
	+ Drat-The-Maimed, captain of *The Alluring Seacow*
	+ Paladar Homebrew, captain of *The Toothless Oath*
	+ Able Musalta, captain of *Forester Fran*
	+ Stauffer Priestcowl, captain of *Heavenly Heights*
	+ Boxar Tremblay, captain of *Fisticuffs*
	+ Peter Pilar, captain of *Corpseflower*
	+ Franco Montrezzi, captain of *Black Barande*
	+ Reese Sooly, captain of *Butterbrown*
	+ Kal Krakeneater, captain of *Cruel Cutlery*
	+ Paxo Paul Paxor, captain of *Starbather*
	+ The Bastard of Mavencrawl, captain of *Merry Maxine*
	+ Gunthor Brewmatix, captain of *Seastoat*
	+ "Witty" Lew Simons, captain of *Ware the Bald Barber ("Barbs")*
	+ Maeber Oversketch, captain of *Moth to the Flame*
	+ Chavar Loose-Lips, captain of *Erudition*
	+ Jonathan Speed, captain of *Leaguesplitter*
	+ Adam Ruthan, captain of *Rumormonger*
	+ The Knight of Ink, captain of *Begging Your Pardon*
	+ Tyl of the Inlands, captain of *Circumstances Unforseen*
	+ Morrigan Mucker, captain of *You Thought Your Past Was Rough*
	+ Trask of Grimchain, captain of *Contractual Ambiguity*
	+ Homesick Ernire Fields, captain of *Hearthfire*
	+ Frederick Fake-Frederick, captain of *False Flag*
	+ Timm of the Prismatic, captain of *Got Your Sage Right Here*
	+ Seal Son Zaelor, captain of *Back for Seconds*
	+ Obash Stronglung, captain of *Harbormaster's Woe*
	+ Gamblin' Pat, captain of *Unwise Wager*
	+ Zauro of Noon, captain of *I Think I'm Lost*
	+ Haejin Green-Eyes, captain of *Future Gazelle*
	+ Madame Marilyn, captain of *Career Change*
* **Tier 5 (Approximately 5,000 Corsairs)**
	+ Aslan Attainted, captain of *Gray Glory*
	+ Amber Grin, captain of *Big Fan*
	+ The Hatter, captain of *Haberdasher IV*
	+ Leers, captain of *Good to Watch You Leave*
	+ Hamish Lowsail, captain of *The Flying Fish*
	+ The Porkeater, captain of *Burnt Bacon*

## Trivia

* Caleb Burns is a former High Captain of the Bones.
* On very rare occassions, corsairs of the Bones will leave the organization to become bandits and outlaws inland. Their actions are no longer sanctioned by the Bones, and they are not typically any more dangerous than other bandits.
* The largest island of Corsairia, the one that houses Pirate's Peace, is appriximately one and half times the size of Staten Island in New York City.
* Slavery is legal under the laws and customs of the Bones, and captured sailors are frequently forced into unpaid service aboard corsair ships.