The Flint Guild

"The Flint Guild is a mockery of piracy. Piracy is supposed to be a symbol of freedom and resistance to all the systems that control our lives, driven by individuals and their passions. The Flint Guild has successfully made piracy into yet another restrictive system."
-Captain Daryll Beaufort, Pirate

Intro

The Flint Guild is an alliance of pirates working under the central leadership of an enigmatic figure. Members of the guild are promised safety and supplies in return for a 30% share of all profits. The guild operates a number of outposts, both secret and open, across the Six Seas focusing on illegal activities.

Goals & Methods

The ultimate goals of The Flint Guild are profit and continued existence. Profit is achieved through piracy, smuggling, and fraud, mostly carried out by lower-ranking members of the organization. The profits work their way up the chain of command until they reach the leader, who receives a 1-3% share of all profits. The continued existence of the organization is maintained through a code of conduct where if one facet of the organization is threatened, the rest provide unconditional aid. In addition, the organization operates several unmarked safe havens for its members where they can go to lay low for a period of time.

Leadersehip and Structure

The Flint Guild is run by an enigmatic figure whose name and face are unknown to all but the innermost circle of the organization. It's even rumoured that the leader, best known as Flint's Shadow, erases the memories of even their closest contacts to prevent their identity from being leaked. Flint's Shadow holds ultimate control over the organization and holds the power to make or veto any decision.
The organization follows a hierarchical structure from there. Below the leader is a council of planners, who decide the broad course of action that the organization will take. Below them are the section heads, each of whom is responsible for the management and operations of one aspect of the guild's operations. Below them are the leaders of individual settlements and bases, who go by various titles. Beyond this point, the official ranks of the organization give way to whatever ranking system the individual settlement leaders consider to be the best.

Membership

Membership of the Flint Guild, as a pirate, is much like life as a pirate normally. However, Flint Guild pirates have a few key rules they must follow. Firstly, their ship must fly the flag of the guild during piracy unless deliberately using a false flag. Secondly, 30% of the profits go to Flint Guild higher-ups. Thirdly, orders from the guild's higher command are to be followed immediately and without question, even at risk to one's own life.
In return for following these principles, members of the guild are granted a number of special benefits. Firstly, pirates flying the flag are usually given wide berth even by Harps, as attacking a ship flying the flag is seen as an act of aggression toward the guild, and merits retaliation. Members are made even safer by being given access to a number of safehouses scattered around the Seas. Finally, in select locations across the seas, members have access to special services and benefits, sometimes at reduced prices.
All of this together creates an effective relationship of mutual benefit between the members and the guild. It's a key reason why the guild has so many members.