Pirates of the Caribbean

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Piracy in the Caribbean/New World

Situation in 1702

The last two decades have been good for the pirate lords of the Americas. Perennial warfare raging back and forth across the seas meant plenty of opportunities for letters of marque and other bounties of privateering, while economic desperation both in Europe and in the New World augmented the ranks of the pirate fleets. The drastic geopolitical shifts of the previous 10 years have meant that established governments, patrols, and institutions have faded away or have struggled to be established (or re-established). Thus, though piracy had seemed in decline by the 1670s and 80s, the system has had a new breath of life, and is in full swing.

The pirate fleets of the Caribbean range far and wide, raiding as far north as Acadia and as far south as Fortaleza, while some adventurous men have even raided the Portuguese Azores. However, the bulk of the activity is, indeed, limited to the Caribbean itself. Pirates have established bases, anchorages, and ports all along the region, but are clustered around a few key ports/islands. In these locations the pirates exercise de facto control, and though they do not seek to establish legal jurisdiction over these regions (that would be a bit out of character for pirates) they do not pay anything but the most nominal lip service to their supposed sovereigns.

Of course, the pirates are as much a scourge on each other as they are the sovereign governments, and they are always open for business.

Pirate Ports and Strongholds (Nominal Sovereigns)

Kingston, Jamaica (Ireland)
Pirate Lord: Henry Avery
1 Fortress
1 BatRon
2 CruRon
4 PatRon
2-4 brigades of buccaneers

Tortuga, Haiti (France)
Pirate Lord: William Kidd
1 Fortress
1 CruRon
3 PatRon
1-3 brigades of buccaneers

San Fernando, Trinidad (Courland)
Pirate Lord: Thomas Tew
1 Fortress
1 CruRon
4 PatRon
1-3 brigades of buccaneers

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Changes as of Spring, 1703

With the increased action in the Caribbean following the French colonial auction, two of the Pirate Lords have now joined forces, while Thomas Tew is now sworn to the Polish crown--causing many of his more bloodthirsty men to abandon him for the more active captains. The end of the war in Europe has also led to a number of adventurers and mercenaries, dismayed at the lack of profit to be had there, joining the pirate fleets.

Pirate Ports and Strongholds (Nominal Sovereigns) [Faction Allegiance]

Kingston, Jamaica (Ireland) [Pirate Coalition]
Pirate Lord: Henry Avery
-1 Fortress
-1 BatRon
-2 CruRon
-4 PatRon
~3-5 brigades of buccaneers
Other Possessions:
Barbuda (England)
-1 Garrison
-2 PatRon
~1 brigade of buccaneers

Tortuga, Haiti (Spain) [Pirate Coalition]
Pirate Lord: William Kidd
-1 Fortress
-1 CruRon
-4 PatRon
~2-3 brigades of buccaneers
Other Possessions:
Antigua (England)
-1 PatRon
~1 brigade of buccaneers
Dominica (England)
-1 PatRon
~1 brigade of buccaneers

San Fernando, Trinidad (Poland) [Poland]
Pirate Lord: Thomas Tew
1 Fortress
2 PatRon
~1 brigade of buccaneers