Well, queue the violin music while I catch you up!
There was a big hurricane recently. Many ships returned to Port Falton for repairs. Governor Shillingsworth runs this small Jamaican island under the authority of the British Empire. As far as they know, he’s doing a great job and keeping the pirates at bay. And he is, but not by traditional means; many of the pirates are actually under his employ! He has three daughters. The middle one, Clara, just celebrated her 18th birthday. He is expecting several visitors: his oldest, and favorite daughter Deborah; a friend, George Hobbes, who may have news of much importance; a British Admiral, Adolphus Quinn, who wants to learn how the Governor runs such a tight ship. By the way, if you see the Governor, please let me know. Several people have been looking for him today.
There are four main pirate crews currently at Port Judas (the Pirate’s name for Port Falton), and there is no love lost between them. The Governor pits them against one another by making them compete for the good jobs, and they have to compete with one another to get prompt service by the town’s carpenters. There was even an incidence recently of one ship planting a spy on another ship.
There’s the Shark Hunter, whose captain has a hook for a hand. This crew is seldom in the limelight for they tend to move decisively in and quickly out, taking what they want and leaving the rest to beg. Some recall a time ago when a ship called the Emerald Lady docked and half the crew killed each other over some cargo. The only fellow from that crew who is still around is William Drake who now sails on the Shark Hunter.
The Howler is under the command of Captain Bainbridge. He has assembled a powerful and raucous crew which is tenaciously loyal to their Captain. The Captain in turn, would protect them with his life. All other lives have little value in the eyes of the Howler crew. Bellamy Vast, for example, is said to have shot a man in broad daylight a few years ago. The one life they do value is the retired and phenomenally rich Pirate Queen, Angelica. Bainbridge remains loyal to her and the old ways of piracy, for reasons known only to him.
The Wanderer is the newest ship in these territories. The Captain and the crew are magnanimous and charming — when others are watching. They play the game, but in actuality they respect no one. Their ship is smaller than most, but they can maneuver it like no other. That is, until last night. Last night, in a token gesture to the Crown, the Governor sent the entire crew of the Wanderer away to work as slaves in the sugar plantation.
The ship, The Broken Curse, is somewhat new to the area and has risen fast in the rankings. It seems they try harder — like they have something to prove; which they do, and which they are. Comprised entirely of “ladies” who started their careers under the guise of being cabin boys, they are light on humor and long on revenge. Captain Lucinda constantly pushes the limits, travels further, and turns a better coin than most other ships. This may be the cause of the Black Spot she recently received — someone has declared to kill her. In contrast to the hard fighting Lucinda, there is one on this crew, Katlyn, who seems to be to piracy as caviar is to roe.
Then there’s the “crew” of the wharf and town. The Bar Keeper, Marianne Finch, keeps her nose in the air and her ear to the ground. If you need know the value of something on the mainland, you’ll want to consult with Tiffany who is well traveled. Perhaps only more traveled is the naturalist currently doing research on the island. Keeping order of sorts, you’ll find Billy Bones and Ambrose straddling the line between Port Falton and Port Judas. They are civil servants to the town and confidants of the pirates.
Yesterday, the crews were rushing to finish up business and set sail before the British arrived. The reports were inaccurate though and the British arrived before they could leave. Seeing the flags of pirate ships flying in the Bay of Falton, the British pummeled the port with cannon fire to cover the infantry’s attack. Though caught off guard, the town and the pirates joined forces to overthrow the British invaders. The British ship was looted and scuttled and the dead quickly buried. While the town is in a state of disrepair, you can hardly tell that yesterday ended in an attack by the British.
Today, many are trying to get off the Island, because when one British ship doesn’t return, many more will follow…
Now that you are all caught up, I hope you’ll continue to recover from your coma.
Billy Bones