Pireta Codex

Creating the Code

"At any rate, the second Brethren Court drew up the Pirate Code which has served us well. Two of the Pirate Lords, Morgan and Bartholomew, figured it out and wrote it down, and that's what we've all lived by ever since."

The Code of Pirate Brethren, also known as the Code of the Order of the Brethren and commonly referred to as the Pirate's Code or simply the Code, was a code of conduct used among pirates. These revered collection of rules were chronicled in the Pireta Codex, which is kept at Shipwreck Cove.
Made up of the great Pirate Lords, the Brethren Court was a governing council with the power to change or add to the Code. The original Pirate Code was set down at the second meeting of the Brethren Court. However, despite the importance many place on the Code, some saw it as a set of "guidelines" rather than actual rules.
In the late Second Era the Brethren Court was wiped out by one of the courts own, Pirate Lord Conrad. Upon killing or gaining the support of the remaining Pirate Lords, Conrad proclaimed himself Pirate King and created a new Brethren Council with himself at the highest seat of power.

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Pireta Codex

"There's the Code to consider."
"The Code? You're pirates. Hang the Code, and hang the rules! They're more like guidelines anyway."

Rule one, befriend others wisely

None shall strike another on board the ship, but every man's quarrel shall be ended onshore by pistol in this manner: at the word of command from the Quartermaster, each man being previously placed back to back, shall turn and fire immediately. If any man do not, the quartermaster shall knock the piece out of his hand. If both miss their aim, the matter shall be considered moot in the eyes of Gunny and both shall forget their quarrels.

Artycle I, Section IV, Paragraph I (The Right of Parley)

All persons are to be respected. Be they enemy or crew, all shall be treated with the respect they give. Regardless of race or sex, all deserve freedom and respect. Any captured pirates have the right to speak to captain holding them prisoner. Any pirate or other individual can be taken by a crew member to the captain of their ship to discuss a treaty, negotiation, etc. without being attacked until the parley is complete.

Artycle II, Section II, Paragraph III

Killing a surrendered enemy is not allowed.

Artycle II, Section I, Paragraph VII (Sharing of the Spoils)

Every crewmate shall be called fairly in turn by the list on board of prizes, because over and above their proper share, they are allowed a shift of clothes. If they defraud the company to the value of even one copper in plate, jewels, or money, or if they rob another of the crew,, they shall be disciplined to an extent decided by captain or quartermaster in the captain's stead.

Artycle II, Section I, Paragraph VIII (Sharing of the Spoils)

The captain and the quartermaster shall each receive two shares of a prize, officers, one and one half shares, gunners, one and one quarter, and private gentlemen of fortune one share each. Three shares held for commander, lord, and home outpost.

Artycle II, Section II, Paragraph II (Selling and Trading of the Spoils)

Trading for products fair and square mean the seller can do as they like, including resell at profit.

Artycle III, Section I, Paragraph V (The Right of a Free Life)

Enforce freedom above all. Allow no slaves in our waters. If an inspection should find even a single slave, all goods shall be seized and that which cannot be seized shall be thrown overboard. Record the ship and captain name to be added to blacklist upon return to one of our outposts.

Artycle III, Section II, Paragraph I

Any person who refuses to serve aboard a pirate's ship must die.

Artycle III, Section IV, Paragraph III

Every person who shall become a cripple or lose a limb in the service shall have eightty pieces of white from the common stock, and for lesser hurts proportionately.

Artycle IV, Section II, Paragraph I

Each man shall keep his piece, cutlass and pistols, at all times clean and ready for action.

Artycle V, Section VIII, Paragraph II

An act of war can only be declared by the Pirate King, who would parley with shared adversaries. The King could only be elected by popular vote by all nine Pirate Lords.

Artycle V, Section VI, Paragraph III

The Code calls for pirates to respect their fellows on the account. Knowingly targeting and sinking other pirate ships is strictly forbidden.

Artycle VI, Section II, Paragraph IV

Outposts shall be treated as any ship, with all receiving one share weekly from profits. Each outpost shall maintain at least one gun church in charge of arming and blessing captains and crew.

Artycle VII, Section II, Paragraph II (Captains Law)

Any ruling not covered in this codex shall be decided by the highest ranking officer present at the time, or by commander upon return. As such, each captain shall ensure their codex remain updated each return or face discipline decided by their commander. Any change to ruling shall be put to vote by all commanders and approval by lord before becoming official in the codex. Any captain rulings made after a codex update, but before return shall remain unless overruled by the captain in question.

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Type

Statement, Political (Manifesto)

Medium

Papyrus

Authoring Date

4121

Ratification Date

4121

Location

Pirate Isles

Authors

• Conrad

Signatories (Characters)

• Conrad

Signatories (Organizations)

• Pirates