Shellbeard's Crew
The crew of the dread pirate Shellbeard is renowned for two things: its ruthlessness, and its stench. They are what give his ship, The Reeker, its name.
No one knows the names of those on board the Reeker, other than Shellbeard and his first mate Malstencherix, the green dragon. The crew seems to turn over pretty regularly, lost through combat (or murder) and replenished supposedly at wherever the Reeker makes berth. Demographically, they are all humanoid monsters with a penchant for territorial violence and noxious smells, highly loyal to their Captain who slakes their bloodlust on innocent merchants and travelers. The Troglodytes and Kuo-Toa comprising his ranks can all breathe and forage underwater, just like Malstencherix, thus allowing his crew unmatched self-sufficiency on the high seas, their decks covered in raw and rotting fish and other putrescence. Despite this overwhelming stench, their ability to launch surprise attacks is legendary... survivors make wild claims that the ship can teleport or turn invisible, but no one has confirmed either. Regardless of how the crew accomplishes their unlikely stealth, when one smells their acrid proximity in open waters, it is far too late to escape.
Shellbeard's crew enjoys a powerful niche amongst the many pirates plaguing The Starlands today. As they rarely go near coastal waters, being taken prisoner by Shellbeard's crew is usually a death sentence, as bargaining with or ransoming captives tends to be less likely than simply being... eaten. Many merchant ships vow to stick only to coastal trade routes for this very reason, preferring to risk their wealth against more "traditional" pirates over risking their lives against monsters like those in Shellbeard's crew. Thus, the few ships that do dare venture more rare (and thus more lucrative) routes through deeper waters tend to be armed to the teeth... and loaded with treasure. A fine niche for Shellbeard to have carved out for himself, indeed.
The fearsome reputation of Shellbeard, the Reeker, and its crew has grown as of late, attracting both wanted and unwanted attention. Shellbeard lays the blame for most of his troubles on the largest destabilizing force in the pirate world today, the ever-increasing annoyance of the The Silver Crew, whose do-goody meddling has put pressure on all who make their fortunes by pillage and plunder. Other pirate groups who dare encroach on Shellbeard's chosen prey have found their ships ambushed without mercy, and what was once respect for his operation has grown to resentment. The crew's isolation and relatively small size (being only one ship as opposed to a fleet) does leave it vulnerable... and many merchant organizations, and not a few envious rivals, would pay a king's ransom to discover the whereabouts of the crew's hiding place...
Rot the seas!
Type
Illicit, Pirate Crew
Leader
Leader Title
Founders
Organization Vehicles
Notable Members
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