These Pescatarian Plunderers who ravage the seas around Spawn Island are always hunting for food and prey. Their greed leaves them hungry for both treasure and Kelp Chipscuits anywhere they go. Unlike the nomadic pirates in the movies, the Pirates of Pizzaz seem to have a series of routes that they travel regularly. These routes tend to follow the shipping routes of their nemesis, The Angler Cargo Company. Aside from revenge, the pirates are driven by their greed, especially when they’re aware that a shipment contains fish, their favorite delicacy. It is safe to assume that anywhere The Angler Cargo Company goes, the Pirates of Pizzaz are not far behind.
This incessant game of cat and mouse takes place on a variety of scales. On its largest scale, it can look like an all-out naval battle. The Pirates of Pizzaz always attack in a sequence with their main ship the “Ketos” rarely leading the charge. They usually send out dinghies, small sail boats, and a variety of fishing vessels to first inhibit the travel of their victims. As these smaller ships close in, pirates begin boarding and looting the cargo of their target. Once looted, pirates scram, making way for Ketos, and hopefully saving themselves. The Ketos proceeds to sink the pirates’ prey by ramming the ship with its pointed beak.
The Ketos itself is a blend of a couple different kinds of ships, Triremes (ancient Greek and Trojan warships), and the traditional Galleon from the 17th and 19th centuries (like the Black Pearl). She features multiple decks (3 if you do not count the deck atop the captain’s quarters at the back) as well as a main mast, lookout, and large flag, which are all characteristic of the Spanish Galleon. She also features a single large, decorated sail, oars for propulsion and maneuverability, prominent vicious looking eyes on the sides of the hull, and a long, sharp, spear-like protrusion attached to the front of the hull.
For ancient history nerds, this unique hull shape will smack of ancient Greek naval battles and toll the bells of Homer, Odysseus, and the legend of Troy. Ancient Greeks who engaged in battle on the sea would use their boats like battering rams to sink the enemy’s ship. In a world without cannons, this method of battle was essentially a death sentence to any sailor on the losing side, as swimming wasn’t exactly a celebrated sport at the time. Speed, maneuverability, and Greek fire were a sailor’s only hope against the bronze plated ram of the Trireme back in the day.
Our fish loving pirates take much of their plundering strategy from these ancients who sank, ran, and out maneuvered one another on the high seas. Hence the endless game of cat and mouse in which they plunder, decamp, and puncture the ships transporting goods across the HumbleCraft server.
Some establishments near or on Spawn Island welcome the Pirates of Pizzaz despite their constant attack on the Realm’s commerce system in hopes to appease them. Establishments that are friendly will fly the sun studded pink and white striped flag outside their establishments. Some choose to proclaim their open arms loudly with obvious flags, while others hide their flags so as not to alarm local authorities.
For Patrons hiding their flags, they make frequent use of flowering azalea leaves, sunflowers, and dandelions to help draw attention away from the flag and blend it’s colors into the surrounding decorations. Some may try to hide their flags behind their front doors. Should you look through the openings on the door you can see it, but if not, it is easily missed. This design also doubles as interior decoration. Occasionally, these flags can be seen being used as window drapes. This seems to be another less conspicuous option for establishments welcoming the Pirates of Pizzaz.
Pirates can be identified as either Pillagers who grumble about the sad lot life has given them and the crumbling state of the world, or as starry eyed, spry llamas. The Pillagers are usually pushing onward out of spite, but some are weary enough to want to settle down and start a rickety tavern to host their comrades passing by. They see this as an opportunity to still add to the cause but finally settle down.
The llamas dressed in pink carpets with chests on their backs are motivated to create a future for themselves, and their fellow Pirates. Some of them dream of opening their own establishments along the pillaging routes their ships follow while others dream of adventures beyond their usual migration routes. Their open minds run wild with tales of the wider open seas.
Should you encounter either variant of pirate, it is important to remember that despite having places that will welcome them, the Pirates of Pizzaz will force their way into any environment that they perceive as having food or treasure. They have quite the appetite for Pescargo, Pirate Pescar, Kelp Chipscuits, and Siren Tear Tea. When running low on these favorites on the high seas, they will reach for Traveler’s Rations.
Should anyone see a lone Pirate of Pizzaz stalking a local fishing ship, beware. They can be paid off with fish, but they will likely return. In these instances, it can be more advantageous to have a place for them to go freshen up and get some food at your base. Perhaps offer some of them the opportunity to build their own establishment as a safe stop for the collective pirate community. Who knows what would happen then!
By: MasterJelly1286