Corsair Cove (cor-sehr)

No one knows the exact location of Corsair Cove, but it is the home base of the pirate group known as the Panache Entente. Only members of this group have knowledge or maps of the outpost's location. Very few outsiders throughout history have seen Corsair Cove and returned to civilization to tell the stories, so not much is known about the archipelago or the outpost in general. Escaped prisoners, captured pirates, or defectors are the only sources of information on the Panache. All details in this article are estimations or best guesses, based on information provided by the above-mentioned sources.
From what little is known about the town, it is a web of multi-story buildings built on a rocky volcanic island, with wood-and-rope bridges and ladders connecting various buildings and parts of town. Some have reported that the island is roughly circular, allowing dozens of ships to dock at once all around the island. Sailors would then make their way up various carved rock stairs to the main part of the town where they find taverns, inns, brothels, and all other services and businesses they might need. The lower area of the island, where ships dock, has warehouses, loading facilities, and markets to help load and unload all cargo.

Demographics

Like the Entente itself, residents of Corsair Cove come from all walks of life and from all areas of the globe. Most grew up on the coast and made their way into the pirate life either by choice or by being captured and gang-pressed into service on a ship. It is also not clear the level of income or standard of living the pirates on this island have, though indications suggest the sailors spend their precious little port time in taverns, brothels, and passed out in the street. Depending on the plunder and successes the crews have had recently, there might be more luxurious celebrations or gallons of poor quality ale and hooch.

Government

The specific details of the Entente's leadership are unknown, but some common threads do appear in various reports. There is a singular leader, the Cay Mogul, who is described as the "first among equals" of all the ship captains. As the Cay Mogul regularly leaves Corsair Cove to partake in their own raids, there is a defined and official hierarchy of all other captains, so there is always someone in charge at any given time, acting as the Cay Mogul until the big boss returns or the acting person themselves leaves port and hands the title to the next highest person.
In the few occasions when the Panache carries out coordinated raids and operations, the planning meetings are generally handled democratically, with all participating captains and their executive officers in attendance. Each ship gets one vote on any matter being discussed, such as intended targets, loot sharing schemes, and even specific tactics to be used. The Cay Mogul must be in attendance at any of these meetings, even if they are not directly involved in the operation. In the event there is a tie, the Cay Mogul casts the deciding vote.
It is unclear exactly how tight a control the Cay Mogul exercises over the Panache or Corsair Cove specifically, with varying reports claiming the leader personally oversees every detail while others say it is more like anarchy with businesses doing whatever they want as long as they don't anger the Cay Mogul or any of the other powerful captains. One can imagine the latter is more accurate, with the leadership rotating so frequently.

Defences

The best defenses of Corsair Cove are the natural ones: reefs that make it impossible to navigate unless one already knows the way or has the proper map fragments; and sandbars that appear and disappear with the tides. The island also has its own defenses, such as cannons and ballistae mounted on several barrier islands, keeping watch on the ocean and providing a several-mile perimeter around Corsair Cove to make sure outsiders cannot get near. Rumor has it that the Panache has acquired one or more arcane cannons in recent years and plan to - or may have done already - mount them on these perimeter watch posts. As part of the construction of Corsair Cove, tunnels were allegedly dug into the rock itself, providing hiding places and bunkers should the island ever come under attack.

Founding Date

Unknown, suspected ca. 980 2A

Type

Outpost / Base

Population

Unknown, believed to be around 6,500

Location under

Faedrion Archipelago

Ruling/Owning Rank

Cay Mogul

Owning Organization

Panache Entente