Besmara

Besmara is the goddess of pirates. She is characterised as brash, lusty, confrontational, and greedy, but following a code of honor known as **The Code** (Besmara's Code, the Pirate Code) and is loyal to her crew and allies as long as it serves her interests.

She cares little for senseless murder or other unprofitable acts, but is willing to take risks to attain great prizes. Even the most irreligious pirate captain throws a share of treasure overboard now and then as tribute for the Pirate Queen.

Mayors of port cities and captains of merchant vessels curse her name, for her followers are a direct threat to legitimate trade. She has little power or interest in the mortal world beyond the sea and its immediate reach.

## Symbology

The skull and crossbones flag is associated with Besmara as much as it is with piracy in general. The origins of the flag are murky at best, but almost universally recognised.

Besmara herself is traditionally portrayed as a black-haired, dark-skinned woman of various bipedal races, including human, elf, dwarf, undine, tiefling and even orc.

## Worship

The few temples to Besmara that exist fly the skull and crossbones flag, though those in areas where piracy isn't tolerated temples will front as legitimate businesses. More common than temples are shrines at pirate-frequented inns and ports, where offerings of alcohol are usually made.

### Holy Text

Besmara's Code is a list of rules, mostly detailing treatment of crew, loot and prisoners. Though these are subject to the interpretation of individual priests or captains, these are widely observed:

* **End Your Quarrels on Shore**: whatever disagreements one sailor has with another, onboard a ship is not the place to settle them. If one member of the crew has a disagreement with another, the place to settle it is on shore—whether this is a port or just a sandy beach.
* **Thirty Stripes Lacking One**: the traditional punishment for a serious infraction on the ship is thirty lashes on the bare back. The captain or boatswain, however, may choose to reserve the last (30th) lash as an act of mercy if the target is repentant or unconscious. Still, the captain always has the option to make that last strike at any time—a threat to ensure better behaviour from the target. Usually this “lash debt” is cancelled once the ship makes port, and always if the target leaves the crew.
* **Truce Ends at the Horizon**: while pirates recognise the need for parley, any truce is only valid until the opposing ship is past the horizon. This gives the weaker captain a head start should he fear the other captain’s intentions. Breaking this part of the code is seen as not only unsportsmanlike, but a threat to all pirates.

### Rituals

* Rituals to honour Besmara include songs and drinking - even on sombre occasions.
* The lighting of matches is often incorporated into ritual prayer or offering, as well as incense.
* Pirates wishing to gain her favour or avoid her wrath will throw a share of their bounty overboard. Ships will often designate an equal share of profit to this purpose.
* Besmaran followers traditionally practice burial at sea, where bodies of dead crewmembers are weighed down and thrown overboard.

### Superstitions

* Followers consider figureheads with open eyes, pouring alcohol on deck, and ship's cats as signs of good luck.
* Whistling on deck is seen as bad luck.
* Wearing gold jewellery, especially that made of coins, to ward off spirits and bring fortune.
* Seabirds flying in odd patterns, mists concealing one’s approach from enemies, enemies dropping weapons or having their weapons misfire, and opposing ships’ sails tearing or burning are considered signs of Besmara's favour.
* Dead seabirds falling from the sky, sudden growths of barnacles on hulls, and increased presence of sea monsters are seen as signs of Besmara's wrath.

## D&D 5e Mechanics

### Channel Divinity

#### Broken Parlay

Besmara overlooks your unsporting conduct. On a melee attack where an enemy misses you, you may use this *channel divinity* power as a reaction to make a melee attack + **2d6**damage.

### Traits

#### Besmara’s Blessing

*You were born aboard a ship at sea or down by the docks in a port city on an auspicious day. Old salts and sea dogs nod knowingly and say that Besmara has marked you for a greater destiny. You don't know anything about that, but you've always felt more at home on the sea than on land, and your keen eyes can easily pick out a sail on the distant horizon.*

You gain advantage on *perception* checks to do with spotting land, ships or other points of interest while on a boat at sea.

#### Cheat Death

*Even Besmara’s most faithful worshipers usually call upon her only in times of greatest need. Sometimes Besmara intervenes on behalf of her faithful; other times, she turns her face away as they sink beneath the waves.*

Once per day, when you would be reduced to 0HP as a result of a failed check or saving throw on your part, you may invoke this ability in order to reroll the failed check. You must take the result of the second roll, even if it is worse than the original.