Pirate Khans

The Pirates Khans are a lose association of crime syndicates who rule the city-state of Chaman in all but name. For generations the pirate khans have made sure that whoever is in charge of Chaman is their puppet by setting princes up against each other and then giving their support to whoever gives them more power. Their power nowadays is greater than that of the king, but they keep around as a scapegoat for the public to get angry at.

Structure

The Pirate khans are great pirate captains who have have gained control of two or more ship crews. They life in decadent manors inside of the city from which they control their web of criminals. The khan uses the pirates crew who are currently not out of sea as his private army. This private army is sent out to intimidate influential citizens and to extort local businesses for wealth and to make them function as a fence for their plunders.
The khans crews are controlled by a Begh, who rule in his name. They keep the man in line while the protection from the khan makes sure any crewman thinks twice before considering mutiny. When out at sea the Beghs plunder trading ships and travel to distant ports for illegal goods which they then smuggle to other ports for a profit.

Culture

The Pirate Khans live by the pirates law which has been made to ensure that they keep control over the city. Every crewman has to follow these laws and even unassociated criminals are expected to follow them if they don't want to invoke the wrath of the Khans.
The laws are as follow:

1. No crew will attack an enemy crew while in port. All conflicts are to be fought out on the sandy waves, out of the public eye.
2. No burglary.
3. No kidnapping, no matter how fair she might be.
4. Don't kill guards unless provoked.
5. Respect maiden.

Type

Illicit, Syndicate