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Why Elven Pirates?

Mutiny On The Moonbeam

From the moment I conceived the idea of Mutiny on the Moonbeam, I knew my pirates would be elves. This is not the usual profession for those enigmatic beings, and that’s part of the fun.

Aidrian is a bored aristocrat who wanted to go off and have adventures. While he could just as easily been a human lord, it seemed to me that adding the fey component gave me a lot to play with. The enmity between the elves and the fairies speaks to a common history that is outside the human realm.

There is a song by the Corsairs called Pirate’s Life that outlines a pirate code of conduct. This was one of my key references in creating Aidrian’s code. However, I picture the elves making some adjustments:

The Pirate Code (with Elven Amendments)

  1. We accept no man as master, lord, or king.  (or woman as Queen for that matter!)
  2. We call no place home. 
  3. We take what we want. (Pate will take care of paying)
  4. We speak truth in all things. (within moderation)
  5. Captains drink rum (brandy); ale (wine) for the crew.
  6. We live every day like it might be our last.
  7. We allow every man an equal vote. (But the Captain has final say)
  8. We allow no woman aboard the ship. (Except the fae, of course.)
  9. We give Quarter when craved in time of Engagement.
  10. He that may be Drunk in time of Engagement shall suffer what Punishment the Captain thinks fit.
  11. The Captain and Quartermaster shall each receive two shares of a prize, the Master Gunner and Boatswain, one and one half shares, all other Officers one and one quarter, and private gentlemen of fortune one share each.

The bottom line is that the elves are mostly playing at piracy. They are not out to hurt anyone, though they might steal a cargo or two. But even that goes against the laws of the Elven Court, and this is what gets them in trouble.

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