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The Scavs

The Scavs are nomadic pirate clan of the Darktow Isles, drifting like ghosts across the sea, always appearing at the perfect moment to claim what others leave behind. Whether it is a battle's aftermath, a sinking ship, or lost treasures floating on the waves, the Scavs are never far. Some say they have an almost supernatural sense for opportunity, while others believe they simply know the ocean better than anyone. Unlike the other great pirate clans, they do not seek dominance through war or conquest. They prefer to avoid conflict entirely, slipping away before a fight even begins. Because of this, the other clans underestimate them, seeing them as nothing more than scavengers, bottom-feeders of the pirate world. Yet, despite their lack of open aggression, the Scavs endure. Their fleet is ever-moving, their presence impossible to predict, and their hands always seem to close around whatever fortune the sea has to offer. Those who dismiss them as harmless may one day realize too late that the Scavs have taken everything while they were too busy fighting to notice.

Structure

The Scavs operate under a loose and flexible hierarchy, shaped by their nomadic and opportunistic nature. Unlike the other pirate clans of Darktow, they do not hold a fixed stronghold, nor do they follow strict chains of command. Their structure is based on loyalty, numbers, and chance—making them unpredictable and difficult to control.

At the top of the Scavs is Silas Reave, the undisputed leader as long as he remains alive and in command. His authority is unquestioned, and those who sail under his flag recognize his word as final. However, the moment he is absent or unaccounted for, the hierarchy shifts dynamically:

If multiple Scav captains are present, the one with the largest crew takes charge.
If two captains have equal numbers, a coin toss will determine who leads, emphasizing the Scavs’ belief in fate and chance.

Ship-Level Hierarchy

Each Scav ship operates independently under its Captain, who holds absolute authority aboard their vessel. Beneath them, the chain of command follows:

Right-Hand Man – The captain’s most trusted officer, often the enforcer of their will.
Left-Hand Man – The second-in-command, responsible for logistics, navigation, and strategy.
Crew Representative – If all higher officers are unavailable, a chosen representative from the crew steps up to lead, ensuring that every ship can continue to function even in times of crisis.

Culture

The Scavs' culture is deeply rooted in survival, opportunism, and an almost superstitious belief in fate. Unlike other pirate clans that thrive on power, conquest, or trade, the Scavs believe in taking what is given by the sea rather than spilling unnecessary blood to claim it. They do not engage in wars unless absolutely necessary, preferring to slip into the aftermath of conflict rather than start one themselves. They are only pirate clan that is welcomed by the commoners as they tend to have good connections with them.  

Core Beliefs & Customs

"The Sea Provides"
The Scavs believe that fortune favors those who wait. They do not plunder recklessly but instead watch, wait, and claim whatever the sea delivers—be it sunken ships, lost cargo, or treasures abandoned in haste.
Avoiding Direct Conflict
Strength is not measured by how many battles one has won but how many fights one has avoided. The Scavs are not cowards, but they will flee before engaging in unnecessary violence. However, when cornered, they fight with a ruthless cunning that catches their enemies off guard.
No Wasted Fortune
The Scavs hold a deep-seated belief in using every last scrap. Whether it’s a broken ship, discarded weapons, or old supplies, nothing is ever truly useless. This mentality makes them excellent scavengers, craftsmen, and traders of repurposed goods.
Superstition & The Flip of a Coin
The Scavs rely on luck and fate, often flipping a coin to make decisions, from leadership disputes to whether they stay or leave an island. This is not seen as mere gambling but a sacred tradition, trusting that the sea will guide them toward the right path.
Loose Brotherhood
Unlike other clans with rigid loyalty to a single leader, the Scavs operate on mutual benefit. A captain is followed only as long as he is useful. If he falters, his crew will find another to follow, or the coin will decide.

The Scavs’ Place in Darktow Society

Despite being one of the six major pirate clans, the Scavs are seen as bottom-feeders by the other factions. They are underestimated, mocked as cowards and scavengers, and often overlooked when alliances and power plays unfold. But this is exactly how they like it—staying in the shadows, avoiding direct threats, and always ensuring that nothing is wasted, and no opportunity is lost.
The Scavs are the only pirate clan welcomed by the common folk, as they always arrive with goods to trade for food, pay generously for shelter, and seeking help with repairs of ships, of course well payed; over the years, they have built countless connections across the islands, earning the trust and quiet protection of the locals—many of whom aid them without expecting anything in return.

Public Agenda

The Scavs' public agenda is simple: strength lies in numbers, and the common folk are their greatest allies. They believe in mutual support—offering protection and aid in exchange for resources, ensuring both parties thrive. They maintain neutrality with other clans, choosing no alliances unless absolutely necessary, and will only fight when forced to do so, always prioritizing their independence and the well-being of those who stand with them.


"Nothing Wasted, None Forgotten."

Founding Date
No one can really tell.
Type
Military, Navy Fleet
Alternative Names
Scavengers. Sea ​​hyenas.
Training Level
Trained
Veterancy Level
Trained
Leader
Head of Government
Location
Related Ranks & Titles
Related Ethnicities
The symbol
Members of organization are known to have matching tattoos that represents their loyalty to the organization. If the trust is lost but member do not desire death just exile, the X is make using the knife across the image and pirate is thrown to salt water and left behind.



The fleet

The Scavs fleet is a unique and versatile collection of ships, designed for efficiency and adaptability. They primarily use two types of vessels: Big Ships and Small Ships, each serving a specific purpose within their nomadic operations.

Big ship
are massive vessels used to carry vast amounts of cargo, often acting as floating trading hubs for the Scavs' smaller, faster ships. These ships are built with numerous sails, allowing them to maintain surprising speed despite their size. The Big Ships carry little weaponry, focusing instead on cargo space and speed, making them ideal for quickly transporting loot or goods between islands. While not formidable in battle, they serve as mobile bases, facilitating the scavenging and trading operations of the Scavs.


Small ship
on the other hand, are the true backbone of the Scav fleet. Built from repurposed merchant ships, these vessels are light, swift, and designed for rapid, stealthy operations. They excel in scavenging wrecks, disappearing into the mists before other pirates can react. Their speed and maneuverability make them almost impossible to catch, and they are indispensable to the Scavs' ability to strike quickly and vanish without a trace. These smaller vessels are typically used by lower-ranking captains, but they are vital to the overall success of the Scavs’ operations, enabling them to efficiently harvest and distribute their spoils.



Comments

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Mar 6, 2025 06:10

This is a great concept! Reading about your pirates is inspiring for the ones in my own world :)