Sky Piracy

Sky piracy, as the name implies, is piracy that targets lands floating in the sky—namely, the islands of the Sea of Air. It has as rich a history as waterbound piracy, but is a somewhat more recent profession as the sandships used by sky pirates are a more recent innovation than those which float on water.

The practice of sky piracy dates back to the middle of the Second Course, when sandships were first established as a mode of transportation. With the ability to sail across the sands of the Sea of Air, expeditions were sent out—and bands of raiders followed them, though at this point they were much more ragtag than the sky pirates of today. As mortal presence in the Sea of Air grew, so too did sky piracy, flourishing from small, isolated groups to proper pirate crews.

In modern times, sky pirates have a variety of tools at their disposal beyond mere sandships, which have grown from small skiffs to ships as large as those that sail on water. Sky pirates have also made use of hot air balloons to bring large weaponry and groundbound pirates from the ships to the islands above, and their weaponry innovations themselves are extensive—from lightweight cannons for destroying stationary outposts to harpoons and wind cannons used in ship-on-ship combat.

Legality

Sky piracy, as is its aquatic counterpart, is generally frowned upon and is illegal according to House Pluma throughout the Sea of Air, the only location where it can be feasibly practiced. Several nations across the continent of Deus, as well as the Sea of Earth according to House Ferrum, have also banned it despite the inherent logistical difficulties of committing sky piracy within them.

However, it is recognized among those with a critical eye that Houses Pluma and Ferrum do not have total sway over the Seas of Air and Earth, and that all lands not directly settled by them are technically international waters. While House Pluma tries to claim sway over such regions, the other three Houses agree that such claims are unfounded—meaning that a ship from a region which has not outlawed sky piracy is free to do so provided they stay clear of lands where it is explicitly forbidden. Further complicating the matter are incidents of Houses Corvus and Draco recruiting sky pirates for their own interests—typically recovering missing texts and as experienced crews for charting the Sea of Air, respectively.

Perception

Demographics

Sky pirates are, by nature of the work, in large part Volatil. The species's capability for flight is unique among citizens of Deus, and makes travel between the floating islands trivial—as well as travel between the islands and sandships below. However, with the advent of hot-air balloons, transporting groundbound mortals between ships and islands has become not only plausible, but a necessity for managing large balloon weaponry—and, of course, one of the most notorious sky pirate captains of the late Third Course was a groundbound Velsen, Zou Nym-Shoɾon.

History

Sky piracy emerged as a rare art in the mid to late Second Course, with the advent of sandships and the related expeditions to the Sea of Air, which often involved either raidable ships or the establishment of outposts which could be attacked. However, as the Sea of Air was largely void of settlement at this time, sky piracy was typically more trouble than it was worth, especially compared to sea piracy.

In the 300s 3C, when House Pluma began considering a headquarters in the Sea of Air, removed from the Dean mainland, the few currently-operating sky pirates found themselves with proper, wealthy targets, and nearly scared House Pluma away from the Sea entirely. However, when the bands receded and the House recruited troops to keep themselves safe, a proper House stronghold was established, giving the sky pirates something they had never had before—an established target.

The sky pirates have waged war with House Pluma since the late 300s 3C, when their headquarters was properly finished. Due to the House's strong defenses, attacks on the headquarters proper are largely unsuccessful, though outposts and manor houses established by the House can be at risk of attack.

In the 700s 3C, with the invention of hot air balloons, sky piracy saw a leap forward that briefly brought House Pluma almost to ruin. Fortunately, while the pirates gained access to vehicles that could mount larger weapons than individuals, the House still had wealth and numbers on its side, as well as the latest in defensive technology and magic.

Type

Illicit

Legality

Sky piracy is generally considered illegal, notably under House Pluma's rule, where it is most applicable. However, groups can skirt the laws within international waters or under command from other Houses.

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