Pirates Online Lore

[Batleth]

Chapter I: Who is Jolly Roger?

'Twas a position Jolly Roger long believed he deserved far more than Captain Jack. But when the captain of the Black Pearl gained the seat - though some whisper it was craftily attained -- Jolly Roger's jealous fury raged towards Jack and he vowed vengeance. Jolly Roger then conspired with a Voodoo witch doctor to settle the score. Together, they schemed to rig a card game to trick Jack out of his piece of eight -- the coin and beads entwined in Sparrow's hair -- a symbol of membership to the esteemed Pirate Brethren.

Jack coincidentally drew the winning hand through a combination of luck and guile. The victory further enraged Jolly Roger and triggered the ill-tempered loser to brutally slay the witch doctor right on the spot. In his final living moments, the witch doctor invoked a vindictive spell on his slayer. Legend has it that the evil curse doomed Jolly Roger to walk the Earth as the undead.

As the shaman's body dissipated into dust, Jolly Roger inherited the all-powerful Voodoo forces of his victim and was then transformed into a skeletal beast with empty gaping sockets for eyes and a gnarled fleshless hoof as his leg. Armed with a sinister flintlock and cutlass contraption in place of a limb, he became the heinous abomination now known as Jolly Roger, the villainous leader of an undead horde. The new power granted him the ability to devour his victims' souls and then raise them from the dead with his own supernatural breath. He began to build an army of undead monsters - each creature becoming an extension of Jolly's own dark soul.

Cursed to terrorize the high seas for eternity, Jolly Roger now unleashes his dark powers to raise the rotting remains of dead Pirates to do his evil bidding -- a fate far worse than death. Be forewarned, his abilities are far from being limited to raising the dead. He has inflicted his dark influence upon many natural creatures including: undead alligators, bats, wasps, crabs, scorpions, and deadly stalking tree stumps. They all possess malicious intents akin to Jolly Roger himself.

Those who treasure their lives, souls, and loved ones best steer clear of this evildoer's deadly path ... or pay the price, for he will not rest until he becomes absolute ruler of the Caribbean.

Chapter II: A Tale of Two Islands

Two middling Pirates by the name of Garcia de Avaracia and Pierre le Porc are self-proclaimed 'Lords' of two small islands in the backwaters of the Caribbean. Each recruit passing sailors, mercenaries, and Pirates as Privateers to guard the waters around their islands and to expand their territories. They issue "letters of marque" (of dubious value) which in turn grant permission for Pirates to fly their flags and sink "enemy" ships with impunity. They promise untold riches, fame and political influence to those who volunteer their services, but these rewards have yet to be granted.

The Spanish Pirate Garcia can be found mainly in taverns around the Island of Isla De La Avaracia, carelessly downing drinks and instigating drunken brawls while attempting to coax Pirates into joining his cause. In sharp contrast, the French Pirate Pierre prefers to remain low key and often hides away on his island of Ille D'Etable De Porc. Despite this, he is still somehow successful in enrolling recruits for the French faction.

Since their quest for regional control began, these French and Spanish factions under Pierre and Garcia have been at war, incessantly skirmishing on the sea, locked in a stalemate. Little do the recruits know that they are just pawns in a relentless game of chess between the two sides. Pierre and Garcia take little notice of the many lives lost nor the fact that there is a bigger benefactor to their chaos.

Jolly Roger, the vengeful leader of the undead legion, watches the war between Pierre and Garcia from afar, attracted to the carnage between the two factions. He takes advantage of this opportunity to replenish his undead ranks by raising fallen Pirates and enlisting them for his own sinister purposes. Large masses of undead skeletons clad in tattered French and Spanish clothing ceaselessly rise from sunken ships to solely follow the commands of Jolly Roger, oblivious to their previous allegiances. While the two factions squabble amongst themselves, Jolly Roger's minions slowly advance into their territories.

Chapter III: Rise of the Privateer

…the Frigate flyin' the French colors was well-armed and rained down fire and brimstone on me hearty crew from the opening volley! The hull of our galleon, The Prowler, was damaged in two places but we managed to stay afloat. After dousing two fires we rejoined the fray and returned the French Frigate a favor by pounding him with our cannons.

Joining us under the Spanish colors were two well-armed Sloops with swivel cannons fore and aft. The French had nothing but the single Frigate, which should have been easy prey -- but their Captain was a devilishly good sailor.

Slicing through the waters at a good clip, we passed and pounded each other with broadsides. There was only a bit 'o damage to me ship but we splintered the Frigate's hull and the Sloops took out her headsails. Once we got back up to full speed, we circled back around. I ordered me cannoneers to load up a chain shot to take down her main mast. Alas, the fates wouldn't have it. The French Frigate maneuvered to the other side, so's our cannons couldn't reach the canvas. We blasted 'em with a chain shot, which bounced off the thick hull like stinkin' pebbles. I heard the French Captain laugh like a hyena, as our compadres in the Sloops peppered their waterline at the rear. At last, the wretch was now crippled. Coming about for the final blow, we picked up speed and loaded for another broadside volley, as the French Frigate started listing badly to one side. With her hull exposed almost to the keel, we practically sideswiped the scallywag and blew 'em apart! His crew abandoned ship like a bunch of bilge rats. I sent me dinghy to give chase but the scared swine scampered onto their island and vanished into the thick underbrush.

We returned to Isla De La Avaricia to celebrate our victory and make repairs. I expect a handsome reward from Captain Avaricia, if he's in a generous mood… and sober. All in all, t'was a profitable first day as a Spanish Privateer.

Chapter IV: Curse of the Muertos Moon

As we all know, All Hallows' Eve is a powerful day. It's a day the dead are said to rise and visit with the kin they left behind. Only this year, a terrible thing happens on that very day - a full moon - and Jolly Roger be working to summon all his magic to curse the Caribbean for his gain.

Every night when the moon be at its fullest - anyone who walks on land that be touched by moonlight be "cursed" - and become undead! Them that's caught in the fray will be forced to attack towns ... and each other! Chaos will overtake me beloved islands and Jolly Roger's joy will be full as cursed Pirates fight for his unholy cause! At least, that's what the Mermaids done whispered - properly warned about the curse ye be.

When will this terrific mayhem befall the Caribbean? As the curse tells, starting October 31 - but how long will it last?

That mystery is still to be unraveled ...
So take care mate, if yer indoors the curse won't touch ye. Why? The scuttle be that Captain Jack got wind of Jolly's plan and took somethin' he needed to make the curse complete. Ole' Jack stole an ancient Aztec relic called - The Moonstone - from one of Jolly Roger's henchman. Now his curse can be broken and only affects those on land, not at sea - so there is hope.

Once the moon wanes, everyone indoors must come out and defend the towns against the undead! For if ye defeat an undead Pirate, it be a favor, it is. He lands in jail and returns to his natural state after a bit. And if enough cursed Pirates be defeated, we'll have saved the Caribbean from Jolly's curse. So do yer duty, watch yer back ... and pray for clouds.

Chapter V: From the Ashes - The New Port Royal Rises

The crew and I was just about to set sail for a day of plunderin' when we heard the first blast. Looked like Hades it did. Plumes of smoke and fire poured from the center of town as the very dock we stood on shook from the impact. Scared out of our wits we dove for cover. I followed me mates into the drink. Then I remembered ... I can't swim! Luckily, I was only in the water a second when my first mate Xavier hauled me to shore.

Within moments another blast, this one followed by a chain of explosions that seemed to cut through the island. The explosions continued for what seemed like half the day. When the smoke cleared, Port Royal was nothin' more than a steamin' heap of rubble. Save for the EITC dock, the Governor's Mansion, and a few small buildings, not a single shingle was left a hangin'! Fortunately for the townsfolk, most everyone was away on Tortuga -- for a weddin' -- of all things.
Rumor is, the East India Trading Company had been stockpiling massive amounts of gunpowder and other armaments for an all-out assault on us Pirates. A misplaced candle started the fire -- and the explosive chain reaction. Some say that Jolly Roger was behind it ... Be it candle or undead devil, me, I let time separate the truth from rumor.

In no time the Navy, as directed by the EITC, set upon rebuilding the town at a furious pace. Armies of craftsmen swarmed the island and rebuilt Port Royal almost over night! If I hadn't a seen it with me own eyes, I wouldn't have believed it - and I seen some strange things in this part of the Caribbean, I have! Regardless of who is to blame, let this be said... there is bound to be more stores of powder and ammunition on other islands. We Pirates best capture these weapons fer ourselves afore they be used on us.
- Captain Walter

The explosion which leveled Port Royal not only changed the town but set into motion events that would change the Caribbean forever. Many Pirates, merchants and townsfolk were suspicious of the official explanation Lord Beckett provided and wanted a thorough investigation. As his laughter echoed across the ocean, Lord Beckett refused - which left everyone in the islands wondering what the EITC were trying so hard to hide ...

Chapter VI: EITC - Plots & Rumors

Rumors travel fast in the Caribbean. Rumor was the EITC were planning an all out assault on the Pirates of the Caribbean. Believe what you will, but know this, Port Royal was destroyed by a massive explosion - one that could have only been caused if every cellar on Port Royal was filled to the brim with barrels and casks of gunpowder!

After the destruction of Port Royal, Pirates, merchants and townsfolk demanded an official investigation. Lord Beckett, the wretch that he is, passed the destruction off as a "blessing in disguise," and refusing further explanation, the EITC set upon rebuilding the town. The events and EITC's hesitancy to address them left most folks believing the EITC was concealing something much more than a plot to rid the Caribbean of a few troublesome Pirates.

Determined to discover the truth, the Pirate Brethren met in secret to discuss the recent events. They concluded whatever happened on Port Royal could happen again and they knew it was an omen for things to come. But why would the EITC destroy a town they depended on so heavily for trade? Something or someone else was involved but no one was talking. To complicate matters further, the EITC increased the number of ships patrolling the waters off Tortuga.

Eager to help turn the tide, Captain Walter, leader of the Marceline guild, has been leading raids on EITC ships and encouraging Pirates all over the Caribbean to do the same. Pirates now turn their eyes toward Tortuga where the EITC has been recently seen unloading crates and barrels of "goods."

To be continued ...

Chapter VII: From the Ashes - A New Tortuga

It was another perfectly fine day for sailing -- a fair breeze blew from the East, the smell of saltwater in the air and oddly, the scent of gunpowder. Almost a month had passed since the destruction of Port Royal and things were beginning to return to normal — or so it seemed.

I had just anchored The Magic in Tortuga bay, and we was ferrying our cargo to shore when we heard the first blast. I looked toward the sound and could not believe me eyes! Just like at Port Royal, a chain of explosions tore through the town — and then fire, fire everywhere! Splinters of wood, gold coins, and other bits rained down around our dinghy. They splashed down in the water beside us along with the remains of a cargo container with the letters "E I T C" branded on the side.

The crew seemed like they be ready to mutiny — thinking I was cursed and bringing this all upon us! I explained I just have me a terrible knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. They was just about to toss me into the drink when we heard that laugh — that dry, hollow, wicked laugh. Jolly Roger! What did he have to do with this mess?

After the smoke cleared, the EITC and Navy set upon rebuilding the town almost immediately. And like Port Royal, both the EITC and Navy denied any association with the incident.

Those days have passed now and the new Tortuga is being welcomed with open arms. Aye, I think back to the day of the explosion and that eerie laugh. It be Jolly Roger just enjoying the mayhem, says some. But in cahoots with the EITC, says I. Is that fiend Lord Beckett dealing with the undead? If that be so, we Pirates in some serious trouble, mates.

[Batleth]

Chapter VIII: Fiery Winds of Change

The explosion rocked the entire island and sent a shockwave as far away as Devil's Anvil. Some think the explosion was the work of another devil - Jolly Roger himself - while some would rather believe the fault lies on a careless EITC soldier that forgot about the large, underground stash of explosives the Company intended to use on Pirates. Nonetheless, Padres was the last island to be destroyed in a chain of explosions that also reshaped Port Royal and Tortuga. Things were changing in the Caribbean and at a quick pace.

After the destruction of Padres, curiously the EITC were seen less frequently around all the islands and had significantly reduced their numbers at sea. Most Pirates attributed this to the successful attacks led by the Founder brethren in the days before Padres was destroyed. Whatever the EITC's plan was, it had backfired - in more ways than one. The Company it seemed was now returning to backroom plots and conspiracies for another way to rid the Caribbean of the Pirate scourge.

Some savvy Pirates believe Jolly Roger is in cahoots with the EITC, since his undead ships were also seen in the fray. But why would Jolly interrupt the EITC's plan? If anything, would Jolly Roger not benefit from a war where poor Pirate souls lost in battle add to his ranks? It just didn't add up - something else is afoot.

To this day the EITC continue to deny any accusations that they were planning an all-out assault on the Pirates of the Caribbean, meanwhile Pirates wonder what alliance has been forged between Jolly Roger and the EITC - and how the union will affect them.