240 Week 2: Honor Among Thieves (The Council, The Code, and The

 Here is the comprehensive lecture script for GOR 240, Week 2.

This lecture moves from the rotting docks to the smoke-filled boardrooms of the Delta. It explores how a city of criminals manages to govern itself without collapsing into anarchy. We study the Council of Captains, the rigid Code of the Brethren, and the brutal economics of the "No Prey, No Pay" system.

Lecture Script: GOR 240 - The Pirates of Port Kar

Instructor: Magistrate Kati Evans Location: Gorean College of Lara / Ar’s Station Educational Hall Week 2: Honor Among Thieves (The Council, The Code, and The Loot) Duration: Approx. 60 Minutes

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I. Introduction: The Necessity of Order (00-10 Mins)

(Action: The room is set up with a single table covered in a green cloth. Piles of gold and silver coins (props) are stacked unevenly. A dagger is stabbed into the table, holding a parchment in place. You sit behind the table, shuffling the coins.)

Magistrate Evans: Tal.

Last week, we saw the chaos of the press gang. But you cannot run a navy on chaos. If every pirate keeps what he steals, the crew mutinies. If every Captain fights every other Captain, the fleet of Cos will sail in and hang them all.

Even thieves need laws. In Ar, the law comes from the Home Stone. In Port Kar, the law comes from the Contract.

Today, we study the Politics of Piracy. We will look at the Council of Captains—the oligarchy of warlords who rule the Delta. We will read the Code of the Brethren—the strict rules that govern life and death at sea. And we will learn the mathematics of the Share—how to divide a mountain of gold without starting a riot.

Open your tablets. We are calculating the price of a man’s life.

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II. The Government: The Council of Captains (10-25 Mins)

Magistrate Evans: Port Kar has no Administrator. It has no King. It has the Council of Captains.

The Structure: The city is divided into districts, but power lies with the Fleets. The Council is composed of the most powerful Ubars (Admirals) of the raiding fleets.

Membership: You do not get voted in by the people. You get a seat by having the most ships and the most swords.

The High Captain: In times of crisis (war), the Council elects a High Captain or Ubar. (Historically, this role was famously held by Tarl Cabot, known as Bosk, who unified the fleets against the invasion of Cos and Tyros).

The Function: The Council does not care about zoning laws or trash collection. They care about:

Defense: Organizing the fleets to protect the Delta.

Territory: Deciding which fleet gets to raid which trade route.

Justice: Settling disputes between Captains before they turn into civil wars.

Magistrate’s Insight: It is a fragile alliance. Every Captain at the table is plotting to kill the others. The only thing that keeps them united is the knowledge that if they fight each other, the "Civilized" navies will destroy them.

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III. The Constitution of Crime: The Code (25-40 Mins)

(Action: Pull the dagger out of the table. Unroll the parchment.)

Magistrate Evans: Before a ship leaves the harbor, every man must sign (or mark) the Articles. This is the Code.

Key Provisions:

No Prey, No Pay: There are no wages in Port Kar. You only get paid if you capture a prize. If you sail for three months and find nothing, you starve. This ensures every man—from the Captain to the cabin boy—is motivated to fight.

The Vote: Surprisingly, pirate crews are often democratic. They vote on major decisions (where to raid, who to punish). However, in battle, the Captain’s word is absolute law. Disobedience is death.

Dispute Resolution: No fighting on board. If two crewmen have a quarrel, they must wait until they are on land. Then, they fight with knives and swords until blood is drawn.

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IV. The Economics: The Share System (40-50 Mins)

Magistrate Evans: How is the gold divided? It is a strict mathematical formula.

The Captain: 5 to 10 Shares.

The Officers (Quartermaster, Boatswain): 2 to 3 Shares.

The Specialists (Carpenter, Physician): 1.5 Shares.

The Crew: 1 Share.

The Boys: 0.5 Shares.

Gorean Insurance: The Code also provides disability payments.

Loss of a Right Arm: 600 Gold Tarns.

Loss of a Left Arm: 500 Gold Tarns.

Loss of a Leg: 400 Gold Tarns.

Loss of an Eye: 100 Gold Tarns.

This is "Social Security" for pirates. It ensures that men will risk their limbs, knowing they won’t be beggars if they survive.

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V. Discipline: The Keelhaul (50-55 Mins)

Magistrate Evans: Discipline is brutal. There are no brigs on a small ship. Punishments must be immediate and visible.

The Cat: Flogging with the Cat o' Nine Tails. (Standard naval punishment).

The Keelhaul:

The victim is tied to a rope. He is thrown off the bow. He is dragged under the ship, across the barnacle-encrusted keel, and pulled up the stern. If he doesn't drown, his skin is shredded by the barnacles. It is often a death sentence.

Marooning: Leaving a man on a sandbar with a bottle of water and a pistol (or sword). He waits for the tide to drown him.

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VI. Conclusion & Assignment (55-60 Mins)

(Action: Stack the gold coins into a neat pile.)

Magistrate Evans: Port Kar is a terrible place. But it works. The Code creates a bond stronger than many armies. A pirate crew is a family. A dysfunctional, violent family, but a family. They live together. They starve together. They get rich together.

As Administrators, when you face a pirate crew, remember: You cannot bribe the crew to betray the Captain easily. They have a contract. And they know the Captain pays better than you do.

(Action: Pick up the assignment scroll.)

Magistrate Evans: Your Assignment for Week 2:

You are the Quartermaster of the ship Black Tarsk. You have just captured a Merchant Roundship. The Loot:

5,000 Gold Tarns.

20 Bales of Silk (Value: 1,000 Gold).

10 Slaves (Value: 2,000 Gold). Total Value: 8,000 Gold.

The Crew:

1 Captain (5 Shares).

1 Quartermaster (YOU - 2 Shares).

50 Crewmen (1 Share each).

2 Men lost legs in the fight (Need Compensation first).

The Task: Write a Distribution Ledger (200 words).

Deduct the Insurance: Pay the men who lost legs first. (How much?)

Calculate the Remainder.

Calculate the Share Value: How much gold does a regular crewman get? Show your math. (The crew will kill you if you cheat them).

Next week, in GOR 240, Week 3, we study the Life of the Sea. The daily grind. The food (weevils and hardtack). The battles. And the unique caste of the Slavers of Port Kar.

(Action: Sharp nod.)

Magistrate Evans: Class dismissed.

Tal.