Articles of Agreement
From GURPS Swashbucklers 1st edition by Steffan O'Sullivan
Pirate Society
Pirates hd an interesting form of anarchy as the main feature of their society. In the Carribean, there was so much loyalty that one pirate cheating another was proactically unheard of. The very few recorded instances of this were met with astonishment and banishment. The Buccaneers of 1630-1690 especially loyal to one another. This Loyalty extended to all buccaneers, not just ship mates.
Leadership
The captain was chosen by vote, as was the quartermaster, who was often the more important figure. The Captain's Authority was strictly limited to battle, during which his word was law. The image of the pirate captain as a domineering tyrant who killed any crewmwan who questioned him arose because most non-pirates only saw pirates in battle, when the Captain *did* have absolute command.
(Jay's comment - domineering tyrants also make better villains.)
The vote for leadership was usually unanimous, being proceeded by enough debate to convince everybody. A split vote usually resulted in a split crew. The two seperate factions would go their seperate ways after the next capture. The better ship was given to the larger faction and each ship headed to port to make up a full crew. Such splits-ups were common enough that there was no rancor.
The GM needs to be able to role play any dissenting voice if the PCs want a ship's meeting. Manypirats were strong willed characters who wouldn't spinelessly go along with whatever a PC proposes. Make them earn the right to have their own way.
Pirates "owned" their ships in common. Sinc the ships were were stolen by the labor of all, it was only right that all shared in the ownership. The Captain had no sat over what to do with a ship. He could only suggest routes and goals.
Since the best strategist and tactician was customarily chosen as the captain, his ideas were usually listened to but it was not automatic.
The Captain's authority ended when the fighting ended; the quatermaster' s began immediately, The quartermaster was responsible for deciding what booty to take from the captured ship, and whether or not to take the whole ship to port. Gold, silver and jewels were mandatory, but he decided on on such articles as silks and spices, based on the anmount of free space in the hold and thenearst market to unlead such goods. A good merchant skill is needed for a quartermaster.
The quartermaster also oversaw the division of the loot, which was done as soon as possible. Since the pirates operated on a "no prey, no pay" basis, this was an important and eagerly awaited task. He would divide coins into equal piles and distribute them, then auction off larger items. As can well be imagined these auctions were wild times.
The Quartermaster also tried to patch up quarrels between pirates. If they were admantly hostile, the ship headed to a deserted stretch of shore for a duel.
The The quartermaster would count out the paces and give the order to fire. If both missed, cutlasses were drawn and the fight would go on until first blood was drawn.
Otherwise things were decided by vote. Where to head, how long to stay, what to do if no prey came in a certain amount of time, etc., were all were subject to debate.
Even deciding who who made up a boarding party (The most hazardous task) was decided by the group. Some crews decided by lot, others by rotation. None that we have records of relied on volunteers. In general things ran smoothly. Anarchy tends to work to work for small group, as most parties of PCs bear out. In case you haven't recognized it by now, pirate society closely resembles a group of role players.
Articles of Agreement
Most Pirate Ships (as well as privateers) drew up articles of agreement before a voyage. These covered the division of shares and whether any nation's ships would be exempt from attack - patriotism still lurked in many a piratical heart, and these were loath to attack a ship flying their native flag.
The agreements sometimes spelled out infringements liable for punishment: attacking another crewmember, cowardice in battle, withholding booty, cheating another crewmember at gambling and refusing to accept surrender.
Sometimes a reward was listed for being the first to spot a prize or the first to board an enemy ship - usually first pick of captured weapons.
The articles also included an "Insurance" plan. a typical plan was:
For the loss of the right arm - $12,000
For the loss of the left arm - $10,000
For the loss of one leg - $12,000
For the loss of one eye - $ 2,000
For the loss of both hands $36,000
For the loss of both legs $30,000
For the loss of both eyes $20,000
In some cases the afflicted crewman was alllowed to take captured prisoners as slaves instead of money, at the rate of one slave per $2,000. Not many pirates took pirsoners as slaves, however.
(Jay's note - other sources point out that african slaves were considered booty and almost never liberated, but were fenced like any other booty.)
Articles of agreement spelled out shares of the booty very clearly. Piracy was often referrred to as "going on the account". Each pirate recieved 1.0 share of the spoils, while the captain could recieve anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5 shares, the quartermaster, ship's surgeon, pilot, cooper, carpenter and first mate either recieved 1.5 shares or a fixed Salary.
(jay's note - other sources list different splits, down to 1.25 shares. other sources also describe an "apprentice split" of .75 or .5 of a share.)
Food and repair material for the ship were given a fixed estimate, and deducted before any sharing. These figures depended on the length of the voyage, ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 total for food and an eqwual amount for materials.
(Jay's note - some groups say "Overhead gets paid first!" and pay that off and then split whateverr is left.)
Following are two examples of articles of agreement.
Bartholomew Roberts' Articles of Agreement. here are the articles of agreement used by the crew of Bartholomew Roberts inn 1720.
1. Every man shall have an equal vote in affairs of moment. He shall have an equal title to the fresh provisions or strong liquors at any time seized, and shall use them at pleasure unless a scarcity may make it necessary for the common good a retrenchment may be voted.
2. Every man shall be called fairly in turn by the list on board of prizes, because over and above their proper share they are allowed a shift of clothes. But if they defraud the company to the value of even one dollar in plate, jewels or money, they shall be marooned. If any man rob another he shall have his nose and ears slit, and be put ashore where he shall be sure to encounter hardships.
3. None shall game for for money either with dice or cards.
4. The lights and candles should be put out at eight at night, and if anyof the crew desire to drink after that hour they shall sit on upon the open deck without lights.
5. Each man shall keep his piece, cutlass and pistols at all times clean and ready for action.
6. No boy or woman to be allowed amongst them. if any man shall be found seducing any of the later sex and carrying her to sea in disguise he shall suffer death.
7. He that shall desert the ship or his quarters in time of battle shall be punished by death or marooning.
8. none shall strike another on board the shipm but very man's quarrel shall be ended on the shore by sword or pistol in this manner: At the word of command from the quartermaster each man being previously placed back-to-back, shall turn and fire immediately. if any man do not the quartermaster shall knock the piece of of his hand. If both miss their aim they shall take to their cutlasses, and he that draweth first blood shall be declared the victor.
9. No man shall talk of breaking up their way of living until till each has a share of 1,000 pounds. Every man who shall become a cripple or loose a limb in the service shall have 800 pieces of eight from the common stock and for lesser hurts proportionately.
10. The captain and the quartermaster shall each recieve two shares of a prize, the master gunner and the boatswain one and a half shares, all other officers one and one quarter, and private gentlemen of fortune one share each.
11. the Musicians shall have rest on the Sabbath Day only by right. On all other days by favor only.
Sample Articles of Agreement
These Articles of Agreement are from fairly late in piracy, 1723. The language is closer to our modern English than those of the previous century.
These articles are unmodified, and contain a rare instance of pirates agreeing to flogging as a punishment. Moses's Law means 39 lashes.
1. Every man shall obey civil command; the captain shall have one fuillshare and a half in all prizes; the master, carpenter, boatswain and guner shall all have one share and a quarter.
2. If any man shall offer to run away, or keep any secret from the company, he shall be marooned with one bottle of powder, one bottle, one bottle of water, one small arm and shot.
3. If any man shall steal any thing in the company or game, to the value of a piece of eight, he shall be maroon'd or shot.
4. If any any time we should meet another marrooner that man that shall sign his articles without consent of of our company shall suffer punishment as the captain and the comany shall see fit.
5. That man that shall strike another whilst these articles are in effect shall recieve Moses's Law on the bare back.
6. That man that shall snap his arms, or smoke tobacco in the hold, without a cap to his pipe, or carry a candle lighted without a lanthorn, shall suffer the same punishment as in the former article.
7. That man that shall not keep his arms clean, fit for engagement, or neglect his business, shall be cut off from his share, and suffer such punishment as the captain and the company shall think fit.
8. If any man shall lose a joint in time of an engagement he shall have 400 pieces of eight; if a limb 800.
9. if at any time you meet with a prudent woman, that man that offers to meddle with her, without her consent, shall suffer present death.
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