The colonies in the islands of many oppurtunities. Called anything from a cursed endeavour to the promised land. The coming of civilization from the east bought great political upheaval to this area. The foreigners with their destructive weapons cared nothing for the indeginous peoples. About their old land claims and their culture. They dismissed this outrage with claims of bringing true religion and civilization to the 'savages' standing before them.

It is in this time of change that we will tell this story. A story of nations, large and small, whose actions will forge the future of this region.

A meeting of leaders
Today, the captains of the confederacy of pirate kingdoms have gathered in session to discuss the latest issues. The captains gather on the deck of The admiral's flagship, their demeanor more like old friends meeting than important leaders gathering to discuss the future of their people. Soon, everyone was seated, and Admiral teach opened the meeting officially, standing in front of the attendees in his trademark straightbacked pose.

'Gentlemen, I can waste all our times with pleasantries, or I can get to the point. I think we all prefer the latter rather than the former, so let us begin.' As if on cue, a crewman unrolled a detailed map of the archipelo and sets it up on a standard. 'The first thing to discuss today is the recent incident in the ogre khanate.' The attending captains started talking amongst themselves. The ogres outrage had been a popular subject of conversation recently. 'As you all know, the khanate blames us for allowing a serial killer in their lands without challange. As we all know, we had no way of knowing the identity of this man.'

The admiral calls everyone to attention. 'It is my suggestion that we placate the ogres in their demands for reparations.' The suggestion sparked outrage in some of the attending captains. 'We mustn't show them weakness' some called. 'We cannot afford it' others said. The admiral allowed them to say their mind for just a few moments, long enough to give them the idea they were being lsitened to, yet short enough to make it clear who was still in charge. 'If you'll all excuse me sirs, I'll explain you all my reasoning. Ti s a long-term investment you see.' The admiral allowed his words to sink in for a moment. 'Do any of you remember the time before we had a solid trade agreement with the ogres? Famine and shortages were rampant. Our very comrades were starving to death on the shores of poorly-maintained ports. It is only by the expansive farmlands and herd animals of the ogres that we can feed our people. It is only by their lumber that we can maintain our ports. It has always been an agreement most benificial to us, so I ask that we all do our best to preserve it.'

The attendants all fell silent, in consideration of the admiral's words. 'So, gentlemen, is there any opposition to this decision?' The admiral's intent was clear. There were more than enough other issues to cover today, so the time of debating this sepcific issue was over. Edward's spirited speech had silenced many of the dissenting voices. Some arms still rose in opposition of the decision, but not enough to reach the majority vote required to overturn a decision. 'we are in agreement then. we will concede to the ogres demands of reparations, in the interest of preserving our good relations for the future.

It took a few moments for everyone to regain their composure. It wasn't abnormal for feelings to get somewhat heated during discussions of this sort. Edward briefly lamented the fact they would be even heavier when he would start the next debate. 'Now, the next issue on today's agenda is something you'll all be familiar with. As you might all know, the northern part of our confederation has always... flirted with thoughts of seperatism.' The last few words were more spit out than spoken, immediately, everyone knew what edward was getting at. 'I call forward captain juan garcia. Leader of freebooter retreat and a rather infamous opposer of my policies.'

The crows fell silent. Everyone turned around to look for the man known mostly for never being in support of whatever the admiral suggested. Naturally, he had been amongst the attendees opposing the idea of reparations. The eslean man stood up from his seat and walked forward. his step was ponderous and unfettered. The posture of a man not particularly bothered by the things he did to get what he wanted. He now stood directly before the admiral he had always opposed so. 'Well, Garcia. I would offer to shake your hand again, but you refused the first time. So... tell us of the nature of your relation with the dwarven dominion of Oógurtz.'

It took a while for Garcia to process what his admiral just said, and, by extension, what he was accusing him of. 'Sir, I urge you to know... the initiative came purely from their side. It is not exactly a secret I take some displeasure in your... policies.' Garcia gave the glib smile of a man so slick he could lie as easily as he could breathe. Edward considered his retort for a moment. 'Well, Garcia. Then why is it that your 'response' to this initiative was timestamped as being sent before the dwarves had ever even contacted you? I must say, your ability to see into the future is commendable.' Garcia's breath stopped in his throat. 'Sir, that must have been some kind of administrative error. I would never dream of fraternizing with our enemies.'

Edward turned away from garcia. He knew the man was lying. Everyone in attendance knew. But no one would ever hear the man admitting to it. 'My fellow captains. I hereby ask that captain Garcia's residence and office be subjected to a thorough search. I think we all have sufficient reason to believe him to be a threat to the integrity of our free nation.' Edward sighed. It was a certainty that his decision would be overturned again. Garcia was a powerful man, even after the formation of the confederated pirate kingdoms. How Edward wished more people would realize the eslean agitator only wielded so much power because no one ever bothered to keep him in check.

Again, several hands rose in the sky to signify their opposition, again, his suggestion for inquiry into the eslean's skullduggery had been overturned. The aquilaan admiral wished he could just run the rat through and be done with it. But such would be completely unbecoming of the head of a civilized state that deserved to be recognized in their sovereignty. No doubt garcia would start cleaning out anything incriminating the moment he returned to his port of call. The fish had slipped the net again. And again the little beast had poisoned the confederacy with its wicked bite.

The rest of the meeting consisted of standard fare. A round of hearing for any internal disputes to be resolved. As always, the most complaints came from the area in Garcia's sphere of influence. And as always, it seemed to be disputes drummed up purely to challange the validity of Edward's laws.

backroom skullduggery
After the meeting was over, the attendees dispersed into the port, some went straight back to their personal ships to embark on the journey back home. Others took a trip to one of the many taverns of skarh fin retreat. Mostly old friends catching up over a glass of one of the many fine ales the taverns served. But also those with, darker intentions.

Captain Juan Garcia was one such person with darker intentions. He hadn't a shred of doubt he was being shadowed by edward's cronies again. It wouldn't matter anymore, the next meeting would be several weeks from now, and by that time. His plans would already have come to fruïtion.

He came into one of the more backwater alehouses of the pirate retreat. It was the sort of place even pirates would rather avoid if they had a choice. The smell of cheap ale and stale sweat was the first thing anyone entering noticed, immediately followed by the realization everyone in the bar was akways looking at whatever newcomer decided to make their entrance. Garcia saw a lot of familiar faces, though a few were new. It didn't take him long to realize who the newcomers were, the unrelentingness of their stare said enough. With the nonchalance of a man that considers himself untouchable, he steps deeper into the bowels of the establishment. Few notice the furtive figure slipping in behind him before the door fully closes. The eslean didn't need to look around long to see his contact. It was hard to overlook a hobgoblin after all.

Yes, a hobgoblin, the infamous lapdogs of the dwarven dominions. Integrated in their armies as expendable shock troops and light cavalry over some agreement far in the past. Garcia considered them even more unpleasant to be around than their hotheaded masters. At least the dwarves could appreciate a glass of quality ale.

'The admiral knows what we're doing.' garcia whispered. The hobgoblin just listened. 'I need you all to hurry it up. I don't know how much longer I can keep him off my back.' The hobgoblin simply nodded, as if to communicate he had understood what was being said but considered himself too good to give an answer.

'I want that garisson established in my retreat yesterday, if the admiral finds out just how deep I'm already into this, he'll keelhaul me a hundredfold... are you even listening?” Garcia looked up to the hobgoblin, he had just been silently sitting there, almost as if a statue. 'Am I clear?' The hobgoblin did not respond, but simply pointed at the same furtive figure that had entered the bar behind Garcia. He knew the little man perfectly well. It was the personal spymaster of captain edward. A goblin with considerable talent for incovering plots of intrigue and skullduggery,and equally good at keeping them hidden from prying eyes himself.

'I need to go,I have a ship back home to catch. but remember, I guaranteed a safe passage, don't leave me hanging here. This might just be the little bit of leverage the admiral needs to remove me from my position. And probably from my mortal coil as well.' The man and the goblin nodded to each other, one leaving before the other, pretending not to know the goblin sitting on a table in the corner, conveniently positioned to have listened in on just about everything just said.

In summary

Edward teach sits in his personal cabin on the anchored flagship he calls home. It had been an eventful day. The decision to humor the demans of ogre khans for reparations had been made moslty unanimously, and yet he had also failed yet again to do something about the eslean problem in his government. Again Juan Garcia ould go unpunished for his attempts at sabotaging the confederation, again he would be allowed to agitate matters for another two months.

A more worrying development had also come in from his spymaster. Garcia had met with a hobgoblin, and they had talked about something sounding suspiciously like a military alliance of some kind. It was his honest hope that garcia would fail at reaching his goals like he did. The net was finally closing around the despicable rat. And this time, there would be no escape.

A promised gold

"Our spies have come back to us with the promise of cities made of gold in our western neighbor's land. Tonight we shall be discussing on what we should if we were to, eh, secure this city," Alfos, a slann councilor, said. He was merely reporting on what his spies had told him and he felt the need to believe them. "Are these rumors worth our time? An entire city made of gold sounds far-fetched to me," Azul, another slann councilor questioned, not believing what she heard. "It is definitely worth investigating though, however I do agree with Azul. We should send more spies to investigate if these are true," another one said, gaining the agreement of his peers. "Then it is settled, we shall investigate this matter in more detail. I hope that these rumors turn up true. Now onto our next matters," Alfos said.

The other problems that were brought up were mundane things that were quickly dealt with, nothing out of the normal. More spies of the skinks were brought in to investigate the matter of golden cities. If this held true then an invasion would certainly hold place to gain control of this, having a golden city would be very promising for their economy, mainly because there has to be mines for that kind of operation. Many were hoping that this did hold truth just so it gave them a reason to go to war against their aggressive allies.

By dawn, the spies were already crossing the border into the lands of their neighbors. Being led by the one who had come with these rumors, leading them through the lands. They had to be sure that they were not caught as there could be harsh punishment but it was worth the investigation.

A Meeting of The Khans
"Da piratez ain't gonna 'and ova da tribute!" declared Ughat Slaugh, the chief of Da Stompaz and 1 of the 5 khans of the khanate "De'll gut demselvez before dey show uz weakness! An' wiv all deez rumorz ov separatism an' dealingz wiv da chaos dwarfz in da norf, I fink I can saflee say dat somfin' must be don!". Ughat had always opposed allowing the pirates to stay, but he could never get the majority vote required to remove them.
"I agree wiv Ughat!" declared Murob Homraz, the chief of Da Stunty Stompaz and another 1 of the 5 khans "We shud get our boyz togeva an' show da piratez wot it meanz ta cross Da Ogre Khanate!". Da Stunty Stompaz always agreed with everything Da Stompaz said. Da Stunty Stompaz and Da Stompaz were like remoras and sharks. Da Stunty Stompaz got themselves close to Da Stompaz to gain what they liked to call 'strength through association'. And due to Da Stompaz' vast power, Da Stunty Stompaz have a vast amount of power too.
"Fink about wot yor sayin'!" Exclaimed Pitgurat Kraugug, the chief of Da Sea Runnaz, admiral of the khanate's navy, and another 1 of the 5 khans "If we do dat, we'll be givin' up our best 'ope in a fight on da sea!". Da Sea Runnaz had always worked in favor of keeping the khanate friendly with the pirates. The khanate's experience in naval combat was quite lacking, so making sure the pirates had the khanate's back was a priority for the admiral.
"I'm wiv Pitgurat on dis 1" said Nughilug Otugbu, the chief of Da Ooman Munchaz and another 1 of the 5 khans "But I still think we shud do somfin' about da separatist piratez".
"Indeed we shud" a final voice chimmed in. The 4 lesser khans looked to the speaker. Quadagh Narhbub was the current chief of Da Ironsidez and the great khan of the ogre khanate. He was the strongest and the wisest khan, And so he commanded both the fear and the respect of his people. "We must show Da Pirate Kindomz dat we won't tolerate dis consorting with da dwarfz" Quadagh said "An' I sujest we do dat by makin' an example o' da separatist leadaz".

Supplies and a Speech
2 days later, a supply run was made to The Pirate Kingdoms. While Supply runs were usual round this time of the month, something was different. A Speeka ov Da Khanz, 1 of the khans' personal messengers had traveled with the supply wagons to deliver the message from the khans. Da Speeka climbed to the top of a wagon and unrolled a sheet of parchment stamped with the 5 seals of the ogre khans. "Piratez!" Da Speeka announced to the people who had turned up the collect the supplies "I speek for da khanz of Da Ogre Khanate! Rumorz ov separatism an' dealingz wiv da chaos dwarfz 'ave come ta da attenshun ov da khanz! Da khanz are displeased by dis turn ov eventz an' 'ave decided to show dose believed ta be separatist what dey are wivout da khanz generositee! Az ov dis moment, Freeboota Retreet, Da Island ov Barnacles, an' Ded Men Cove are no longa allowed to receive Ogre Khanate suppliez! Supply routez ta deez 3 retreetz will be reopened once da 'eads of dere leadaz or proof ov dere innocence is brought before da khanz! Dis iz da will ov da khanz! Disobey at yor own risk!".

Quiet Reflection
Quadagh was sitting on his throne, quietly reflecting on what had transpired over the past few days. The Pirate Kingdoms had decided to pay up. This was good, but Quadagh couldn't help but wonder if demanding the heads of 3 pirate retreat leaders was unwise...No. No, it wasn't unwise. If they were scheming with the chaos dwarfs, the separatist pirates needed to be put down before they could cause trouble...But still, Quadagh wondered how the non-separatist pirates would react to the khanate's demands.

In response to ogres
It took little more than a week for news of the ogres' embargo to spread. Not just from Shark Gin Retreat, but through the entire confederation. It was the talking point in every alehouse, merchants started hoarding supplies for when the shortages would start coming.

It wasn't long before people started gathering on the docks, demanding for action to be taken. Many of them had been alive during the famines of the past, and they did not want such a thing to happen again. Garcia was quick to consult with his closer allies, and it was agreed he would be representative of them all in addressing the public.

Now, the eslean captain stood before the masses. He knew that if he picked the wrong words now they likely wouldn't hesitate to drag him to the gallows. It was his fraternizing with the chaos dwarves that had caused this whole situation, and the masses knew this.

“People, please calm down. Yes, it is a fact that I maintain good relations with the dwarves, but should my personal contacts be a reason for all of you to starve? No, I say. For do our laws not state we all reserve the freedom to believe whatever we want? Sure, it may conflict with what the pirate code states, but does that same code not also give anyone the right to protest nonviolently?”

Quite a few people in the crowd were not impressed by Garcia's appeal. “You've been sabotaging the code ever since it was written. You're only saying all that because the code happens to benefit you right now.” The voice in the crowd shouted loudly. The impromptu counterargument found support from other members of the crowd.

Garcia was quite tense now. “Yes, of course I disagree with some parts of the code. But does that mean I disagree with the idea of laws in their entirety? You are exaggerating my opposition to the code sir!

The dissident did not take long to present another counterargument. “Sure, you may place the blame on the ogres all you want, but it is because of your antagonizing them that we are in danger of starving again.”

This small detail gave Garcia the weakness he needed. “My friend, do you know when the worst of the famine was? Not when we were free and sovereign, no, back then we could indulge in all the riches of these lands. It was only when teach began spouting his drivel that we began starving. And his solution was to make us all the ogres lapdogs. I have never stood for that, and now perhaps it is time we all do something about it!”

The dissident had shut up after this. However, another voice in the crowd now stood up to speak of its own grievances. An elderly undine of native descent. “This time of plenty you speak of was not for everyone, sir. It was only a time of plenty for those with the strength to take what they wanted from those weaker than themselves. I can name many present here today that would loathe to return to such barbaric times.”

The eslean just laughed at the arguments. “We are pirates are we not? Taking what we consider ours is what we do. And pretending we are better than that is plain hypocritical. If I made the laws here, we wouldn't be bowing our knees to those brutes that don't know a caravel from a galleon. But yes, if you want to see how this place slowly buckles to the influence of the ogres, be my guest. Believe me, from what I've heard paying tribute every now and again will sound favorable compared to how ogres treat their subjects.”

After this exchange, there was some more back-and-forth. But the main argument had been covered. The people were not supportive of Garcia right now. But it would only be a matter of time before the seeds of doubt he had sown right now would take root. It wouldn't be long before he would have the crowd rallying against Teach instead of himself.

A change of seasons
Admiral teach sullenly sat in his chair. The people were tense and worried. Out on the mooring of his flagship, concerned citizens had been gathering day and night. He understood their worries. The very idea of friends and family starving becuse of some corrupt snake's underhanded dealings was apalling. The council was coming together in emergency meeting today. Garcia had managed to rally the people to his cause, whether they realized what it involved or not. Teach only hoped the council would be willing to take the unpopular but necesarry decision in these trying times.

As before, the meeting was opened, but the captains did not greet each other like the friends they used to be. They were agitated and stressed. It was no secret today's meeting would be a very bipartizan discourse between teach and garcia, and of course their respective supporters. “Well people, I think it's a pretty clear case we have here tody. It is as I have told you all for years. Garcia's scheming is poisoning our nation from within, and this past week. That corruption finally went from a sleeping problem to an actual crisis!”.

Garcia's supporters derided this narrative with booing and obscene gestures the moment teach had finished his sentence. Garcia himself was quick to speak in coutnerargument. “Why yes, perhaps it would be for the best of the nation if I was removed from power... after all sir edward, you have no personal interest in seeing me fall... We all know you have no possible ulterior motives in doing this.”

Garcia's tone made his intent quite clear. The man was good at undermining his opponent's character if nothing else. “Yes, it's not a secret I have a great amount of disdain for you and your methods garcia. But should my personal opinion be the deciding factor in this argument? I have had quite enough of your dealing with our ideological enemies. I offer a simple choice, relinquish your seat on the council, or I will run you through like I shoudl have years ago.”

Teach realized what he had said only when it was already too late. Garcia had made him say exactly what he wanted him to say. “Ah, you show your true colors then... The colors of a tyrant that fooled everyone into thinking him a benevolent dictator. And a lapdog of the steppe brutes besides.”

Teach struggled to get a response in, but he knew it was already too late, Garcia now had the confidence to cut him off before he could even get a word in. “Now, let us turn things around captain teach. I hereby offer you a choice. Step down from the council, and allow those truly deserving to rule this nation. Or we wil run you through like the tyrant YOU are.” Garcia's rigtheous-sounding verbal beating was backed up by near everyone in the council. Garcia's supporters. Previously neutral members... even one or two of teach' supporters had changed sides.

Edward felt a sinking feeling in his gut... The eslean had won the day. If he were to save any face at all he had no choice but to stand down as the council now demanded. There was no way he coul salvage enough support right now to overturn such a decision.

And like that, the great reformer was lifted from power. Ousted by the government he himself had helped create. That same night, the captain boarded his flagship and sailed to seas unknown. Perhaps one day he would return. When the people would see the folly of who they now allowed in power.

Aid from an unexpected angle

garcia was now in power yes. But that didn't stop the fact the ogres embargo still stood... It would only be a matter of time until even worse sanctions came to pass. Garcia had foreseen this however. His plan had been ad-hoc from the start. But the situation he managed to engineer was quite a beneficial one. It was funny really. He was quite sure the ogres wouldn't inerfere before now. But they did, and it was their attempt at controlling the situation that gave him the leverage needed to take over. He didn't need to do things covertly anymore. After all, there was no doubt in anyone's heart that this new revolutionary could do no wrong. He had exposed the aquilaan tyrant, and now he would carry them all to greatness.

Two envoys moved out, one headed for the khanate, and one to the dwarven nation of oógurtz. To the ogres, Garcia's message was part insult and part chastising. If they really thought they could dictate law in the sovereign nations of pirates, they were sorely mistaken. Effective immediately, the pirates declared a counter-embargo. One much clearer in intent. The sea would no longer be a safe haven to ogres, nor those foolish enough to try and trade with them. It was their own fault. After all, what would one expect when they bit the hand that feeded them. The envoy came back with a small fleet in tow. Garcia had ordered the evacuation of the concessions in ogre lands. Many were left behind. For a clear distinction had been made to determine who was 'important enough' to save. The boats would not come back. And those left behind would have to fend for themselves.

This would have been an extroadinarily idiotic move if not for the second envoy. The message he carried was not an offer.It was a confirmation to go through with a plan decided upon long ago. The envoy came back, ship loaded with supplies. Food from the dwarven subteranean farmlands. It was not hard for the dwarves to provide for their new allies. Their population density was much higher. And they had decades of experience feeding such numbers. The food given was bland and tough, but filling.

And so, the political situation made an about-face. The question to ask now was... how would the ogres react to this?