The Black Council
Brief Overview
The Black Council is the governing body of Reaper’s Port, an uneasy coalition of pirate lords who band together to maintain order in the lawless city. Founded in 455 AEL, three years after Orlann "Black Tide" Veskar seized control of Reaper’s Port, the council was established out of necessity. Even Veskar, with all his might, could not police the city alone, and thus he formed the council to ensure that disputes were settled with as little disruption as possible. However, no decision is made without Orlann’s approval, solidifying his place as the dominant force within Reaper’s Port.
The Black Council serves as both a governing body and a strategic war council, determining how piracy interacts with the wider world. Although fragile in unity, the council ensures that Reaper’s Port remains free from external rule and a safe haven for pirates who adhere to its laws.
In 469 AEL, the Black Council signed a treaty with the Al-Muru Daxin Contingent, formally integrating Reaper’s Port as a self-ruling city-state within the Contingent. This agreement provided mutual benefits: the Contingent granted safe passage for pirates in certain protected waters, and in return, the Black Council promised to safeguard Contingent ships from pirate raids in key trade routes. This treaty also solidified Orlann Veskar’s position on the Contingent’s Ruling Council, giving him and the Black Council greater influence in global politics than ever before.
The Black Council is both Reaper’s Port’s greatest strength and its greatest weakness. It keeps the city stable, but only just. If the balance of power tips too far in any one direction, the entire council—and the port itself—could collapse into chaos.
For now, however, the pirate lords continue their uneasy rule, bound by greed, ambition, and the law of the sea.
Structure
The Black Council operates as a loose oligarchy, with each pirate lord maintaining authority over their own fleets and operations. However, major decisions that affect Reaper’s Port as a whole—such as territorial claims, alliances, or large-scale raids—must be approved by the council. Disputes between pirate lords are either settled through negotiation or trial by combat if a resolution cannot be reached.
While Orlann Veskar is the dominant figure in the council, he does not rule alone. The council’s balance of power ensures that no one captain can act without consequence—even Veskar must tread carefully when making moves that might unite the others against him.
Council Composition
The Black Council consists of seven primary pirate lords, each of whom commands their own fleet and holds considerable influence within Reaper’s Port. While alliances and rivalries shift constantly, these lords form the backbone of the city’s power structure:
Orlann "Black Tide" Veskar – The undisputed power behind the Black Council, ruthless and pragmatic.
Mariva "Seablood" Vask – A master of storm magic and one of the council’s more diplomatic voices.
Gorthal "Iron Gills" Greyfin – A brutal enforcer, ensuring order through fear and strength.
Evony "Riptide" Selarne – The information broker, leveraging a network of spies and contacts to influence decisions.
Lothar "The Quiet Storm" Stone – A moral counterbalance, advocating for measured action over reckless bloodshed.
Naiz "Cutlass" Achurr – A showman and duelist, using his reputation to command respect and gather support.
Inessa "The Moonlit Mirage" Kay – The council’s arcane tactician, favoring deception, illusion, and subterfuge.
Other pirate lords may attend council meetings on occasion, but these seven form the core of the Black Council’s decision-making process.
Culture
Might Makes Right, but Gold Keeps It That Way – While strength is respected, a pirate lord who cannot maintain their wealth and crew will quickly lose influence.
Rivalries & Alliances Shift Like the Tides – Betrayal is expected, but only when the risk is worth the reward.
Loyalty to the Port, If Not to Each Other – The council members may despise each other, but they know that Reaper’s Port must remain strong to secure their power.
No Outside Masters – The council refuses to bow to any outside government. The Sultanate, the Dominion of Kafka, and The Al-Muru Daxin Contingent have all tried and failed to claim Reaper’s Port as their own.
Blood Debts Must Be Paid – If a pirate is wronged, they are expected to seek justice through the council, or else risk outright war within the city.
Public Agenda
The Black Council presents itself as the ruling authority of Reaper’s Port, ensuring stability in the lawless city while maintaining its status as a free haven for pirates, smugglers, and outlaws. Their outward goals include:
Public Agenda
Maintaining Order – Ensuring that conflicts between pirate crews do not destabilize the city.
Facilitating Trade – Protecting Reaper’s Port as a hub for black-market trade, smuggling, and illicit commerce.
Defending Against External Threats – Keeping the Sultanate, Dominion of Kafka, and other outside forces from interfering with their domain.
Upholding the Treaty with the Al-Muru Daxin Contingent – Ensuring pirates do not disrupt protected shipping lanes while benefiting from Contingent protection.
Controlling Criminal Activity – While crime is expected, excessive chaos is not tolerated, and the Council steps in when things spiral out of control.
Private Agenda
Behind closed doors, the Black Council is far less unified. Each pirate lord pursues their own personal ambitions, forming alliances and betraying one another as necessary. The Council’s true concerns include:
Preserving Individual Power – Each member seeks to maintain or expand their influence while preventing rivals from gaining too much control.
Expanding Their Reach – Discussions often center on which territories to raid, which factions to manipulate, and where new opportunities for power lie.
Suppressing Internal Rebellions – Ensuring that smaller factions and pirate crews do not rise against the established order.
Managing Information and Secrets – Controlling knowledge of hidden treasure hoards, black-market deals, and political intrigue.
Handling Power Shifts – Dealing with the rise of new pirate captains, ensuring they either join the Council or are removed before they become a problem.
Assets
Reaper’s Port Itself – A haven for pirates, smugglers, mercenaries, and traders, kept in line through Black Council law.
Trade & Smuggling Networks – The council controls black-market trade routes spanning Granheim, Nidira, and beyond.
Naval Power – While each pirate lord controls their own fleet, the combined force of the council’s ships makes them a serious power at sea.
Political Influence in the Al-Muru Daxin Contingent – With Reaper’s Port recognized as a self-ruling city-state, the council has leverage in larger political affairs.
History
The Founding of the Black Council (455 AEL)
After taking Reaper’s Port in 452 AEL, Orlann Veskar quickly realized that even he could not rule the city alone. Too many pirate captains had their own influence, and internal conflicts threatened to tear the city apart. Thus, in 455 AEL, Veskar gathered the most powerful captains and forced them to the table, forming what would become the Black Council.
Treaty with the Al-Muru Daxin Contingent (469 AEL)
In 469 AEL, the Black Council struck a historic agreement with the Al-Muru Daxin Contingent, officially making Reaper’s Port a self-governing city-state within the Contingent. This treaty granted:
Pirates safe passage through certain protected waters.
The Contingent immunity from pirate attacks on key shipping lanes.
Orlann Veskar a seat on the Contingent’s Ruling Council, granting him—and by extension, the Black Council—a say in broader world politics.
This marked a turning point, solidifying the Black Council’s power beyond just Reaper’s Port.
Modern Challenges & Internal Struggles
Despite its success and longevity, the Black Council remains a fragile alliance. Personal vendettas, power struggles, and shifting alliances constantly threaten to unravel it. Some pirate lords seek greater autonomy, while others grow restless under Veskar’s dominance. Meanwhile, external threats—such as the Sultanate’s growing navy and Kafka’s military expansion—loom on the horizon, forcing the council to remain ever watchful, ever ruthless.
Laws
Laws of the Black Council
Justice in Reaper’s Port is dictated by gold, fear, and power, rather than any formal legal system. The Black Council does not concern itself with moral law, only pragmatic rule—as long as the city functions and the Council’s authority remains unchallenged, most acts are tolerated.
Enforcement of Law
Wealth and Influence Dictate Freedom – Those with gold or power walk free, while those without are left to the mercy of the sea.
Retribution is Expected, Not Denied – If a crime is committed, it is up to the wronged party to seek justice. Duels, assassinations, and vendettas are commonplace.
Intervention Only When Necessary – The Black Council does not police every crime. They only act when the city’s stability is at risk.
Tolerated Crimes
Murder (With Reason) – If one pirate kills another, it is often overlooked, provided there is a justification (betrayal, unpaid debts, honor disputes). However, senseless killings that threaten public order will invoke the Council’s wrath.
Theft (If Subtle) – Pickpockets and con artists are expected to operate within reason. Large-scale robbery that disrupts trade or impacts the Council’s revenue will be punished.
Extortion (Within Limits) – Business owners and captains may pay for "protection," but if extortion becomes excessive and drives commerce away, the Council will step in.
Smuggling (Unrestricted) – Smuggling is a way of life in Reaper’s Port. The Council only interferes if an individual disrupts their established trade routes.
Gambling and Vice (Encouraged, Not Controlled) – Taverns, gambling dens, and brothels thrive in the city, with few restrictions beyond those imposed by individual proprietors.
Forbidden Acts
While much is tolerated, there are crimes that the Black Council will not abide:
Defying the Council’s Authority – Challenging a ruling, refusing tribute, or acting against the Council’s interests is met with swift retribution.
Piracy Against the Contingent’s Protected Ships – Violating the treaty with the Al-Muru Daxin Contingent is one of the few actions that will bring immediate consequences.
Uncontrolled Bloodshed – Massacres, wanton violence, and actions that threaten to destabilize the city will be crushed with force.
Slave Trading (Limited and Regulated) – While some Council members secretly profit from it, open slave trading is frowned upon, as it draws too much attention from outside forces.
Betrayal of the Council – Selling out the city, leaking vital information, or working with foreign governments against Reaper’s Port is considered high treason.
Judgment and Punishment
Justice in Reaper’s Port is swift and brutal, often determined by gold, duels, or exile.
Gold Buys Freedom – Those with wealth can bribe their way out of most offenses, so long as the offended party accepts the payment.
Duels Settle Disputes – Many crimes are resolved by trial by combat, where the aggrieved party may challenge the accused.
Exile for Unforgivable Crimes – Those who offend the Council may be stripped of their name, ship, and allies, sent to sea with nothing.
Death for the Worst Offenders – For betrayers, spies, or those who directly threaten the Council’s control, the sentence is swift execution—often by drowning.
"Coin flows where order reigns"
Founding Date
455 AEL
Type
Geopolitical, City council
Alternative Names
The Council of Black Sails
Leader
Founders
Government System
Oligarchy
Economic System
Mixed economy
Subsidiary Organizations
Location
Controlled Territories
