Ministry of Parley and Plunder of The North Pacific
Unveil’n the Treaty of Treasure Island
In a casino, on an island concealed by the seven seas, two bands of pirates enter the scene: the scurvy dogs of the North and the scallywags of the West.
Two robust pirate crews step through the doors of Treasure Island, lights flashing and alarms beeping all around. Cheeks flushed, laughter nonstop, they trample the red carpet and splash the mugs and flasks in their hands, waving every which way as they haphazardly stumble in their worn and tired boots. Though no one else is dressed as they are, no one seems to care. The casino houses an eclectic bunch. As most of the crew scatters like the wind to play the various games and machines Treasure Island has to offer, their newfound wealth of gold coins doomed to be depleted and added to the casino’s enormous coffers, a few remain, grinning but much more contained. Captain Ruben Rawjaw, famed for his lack of beard and constantly wagging tongue, throws his arm around Captain Vara, known far and wide as the unblinking Eye of the West. Vara grimaces but, respecting the occasion, allows the contact to go unanswered, flicking a wrist to signal to his first mate Ellis Na’Sov, known as the logical swordsman, to stay his hand just this once.
As they and their lieutenants walk over to the buffet and take a seat at one of the tables, nearby patrons begin to point and whisper, not subtle enough to escape notice. Soon the room shifts, giving the pirates a wider berth. Ruben’s first mate Mal Geist, seemingly appearing out of thin air and unable to stop his sneaking and silent movements, unfurls the parchment on which they wrote out the results of their successful parley. Vara’s other lieutenant Seafor, considered by most to possess sailing knowledge as vast as the sea itself, helpfully provides the ink well and quill, which Mal dips while looking around at the others, pausing so long they begin to become impatient and gesture for him to get on with it. Scanning the crowd and the group at the table, T. Lom, aka the Kracken, stands by in case any trouble arises. Ruben’s final adjudant, Connor McFred, leans over the table and continues reading the terms in case of any last minute changes, until his captain clears his throat so they can complete the signing.
Each captain signs wide and with a flourish, Ruben waiting to see Vara’s signature so that he can flourish even more dramatically and take up just a bit more room with his own signature. Ellis twitches and places a finger on his sword hilt, Vara smiling and then after a moment beckoning him over. Ellis grins widely at the whispered instruction, and carefully pulls out a small box of dice from a back pocket. As each of the others takes their turn signing on the parchment, Vara pats Ruben on the back, briefly causing the unsuspecting captain to slam his nose into the table. Before he can retort, Vara offers a wager and a game of odds. Ruben happily accepts as Seafor hands him a drink, already poured. Mal, having seen everything that transpired, briefly appears to consider saying something but instead eggs on his captain to engage in the game and drink.
As the celebration truly begins, Mal rolls the parchment back, the title, The Accord of Treasure Island between The West and The North, visible as he puts it away in a small cylinder and beckons to one of the crew members who stayed behind and observed the proceedings, Coz Mick, keeper of their tomes and history. As he leaves to ferry the agreement to a safe place, their captain’s groan can be heard as Vara snatches a pile of coins from his new ally exchanging a wink with Ellis who takes it and adds it to an expanding pouch.
Another group from Ruben’s crew arrives, flanking a pirate of more advanced age, though still one of the liveliest of the bunch: the grande dame of the seas herself, the enigmatic pirate known only as Great Bight’s Mum, who outlived her notorious son in years and infamy. After uncorking a bottle of the North’s famed rum with her teeth and spitting the cork behind her, she takes a mighty swig, downing more than half the bottle before throwing out her arms and giving a great cheer. She is joined by the others in the cheer, the crew behind her bringing more of the bottles and even encouraging the other patrons to join in. Their fear and nervousness gives way to the same joyous spirit filling the room as Great Bight’s Mum leads those assembled in the first of several shanties. At some point other veterans join her in the songs and mirth: the Chocolate Captain Darkesia, the formidable men known as BBB and BBD, Silly Sails Dorsett, and the mysterious captain of the ship dubbed the Dreadton. Even the wanted fugitive Captain “Mad” Jack Saint George stops by for a drink or five as he continues his race to stay ahead of the royal navy.
No one knows how long any one of the men or women will remain alive or free, or whether their crews will ultimately deal with each other again at the end of a blade or in sight of a cannon; but tonight they feast and laugh and sing and drink, and are united in their independence and their freedom, hard earned and hard fought and with the weight of many years like wind in their sails, pushing them ever forward.
WHEREAS, the Signatories be both Feeder crews committed t' comin’ about when we be becalmed;
WHEREAS, the Signatories recognize an already strong bond through past 'n present chasing, crimping, and cracking Jenny’s tea cup, as well as o'er fourteen years o' continuously droppin’ anchor together;
NOW, THEREFORE, The North Pacific 'n The West Pacific (“the Signatories”) agree t' the followin':
Article I - Mutual Recognition
- The West Pacific recognizes The North Pacific, represented by the Captain o' The North Pacific, as established under the Code o’ Conduct o' The North Pacific. The West Pacific will nah recognize any captain o' The North Pacific nah empowered by the Code.
- The North Pacific recognizes The West Pacific, represented by Captain Varanius 'n his successors, as established under the Manners o' Governance o' The West Pacific. The North Pacific will nah recognize any captain o' The West Pacific other than dat o' Varanius 'n his chosen successors.
- The Signatories will maintain thar established ports o’ call (i.e., on the NationStates land) 'n island hideouts (i.e., on thar respective regional waters) wit' each other.
Article II - Defense 'n Security
- The Signatories will nah engage in any subterfuge, espionage, or scuttlebut against each other fer the purposes o' pilferin' booty or mutiny, as outlined in Article I.
- The Signatories will nah engage in pillagin’ o’ boardin’ against one another. Participation on opposite sides of pillagin’ o’ boardin’ nah involvin' ships or ports owned, controlled, or otherwise protected by either Signatory shall nah constitute “engagin' in pillagin’ o’ boardin’ against one another” fer the purposes of dis parley.
- The Signatories will provide mutual defense t' one another in times of crisis, 'n may call on one another fer pillagin’ 'n/o’ strategic assistance in the event of an attack on thar crew.
- Whenever a Signatory discovers scuttlebut which may concern a credible threat t' the security of the other Signatory’s crew, said Signatory will provide all relevant information t' the concerned Signatory's captain.
- Any such intelligence will be kept strictly confidential 'n be shared only wit' those individuals necessary t' respond t' the threat, unless the other Signatory consents t' its release.
Article III - Communicatin’ 'n Cooperatin’
- The Signatories recognize occasional differences in thar approach t' privateerin’, but will endeavor t' support each other wit' acts of pardon, distractin’ Jack Tar, supplyin’, and/or other such efforts insofar as thar interests align.
- The Signatories will, from time to time, as be proper, splice the mainbrace, partake in square meals, and other activities fer the purpose of promotin' cultural exchange between their crews.
- The Signatories be encouraged to communicate and support one another through sharin' experiences and knowledge from captain to captain.
Article IV - Parley and Dissolution
- This parley shall be bindin’ upon agreement by the captains o’ both crews.
- Both captains may parley again upon agreement. New guidelines shall be agreed upon and bindin’ in the same manner as dis parley.
- If a Signatory believes dat the other Signatory may nah 'ave followed through or reneged upon the agreements set forth herein, it shall reach out and attempt to parley prior to dissolvin' the agreement.
- In the event of a failure to parley, a Signatory may scupper the agreement, whereupon it shall cease to give quarter to either Signatory.
The North Pacific is thrilled to announce this new bilateral treaty with The West Pacific. Of all our allies in the last few years, our connection and mutual respect has grown the most with TWP. It is as if an old best friend has come back into our life, and we are happy to be united again, and to rekindle what would have been our oldest alliance, had it survived the turmoil of the early years of NS. When NS was new and our regions were just starting out, The West Pacific was our oldest and most supportive ally. Through subsequent coups and shifting governments, our regions began to grow apart, and resentment grew, widening the gulf between us. Even in those bad times, one thing that was always clear was the desire of many in the West for our region to figure a way out of our troubles, and to adopt a better way for our community. Over the course of a decade, we did just that, and the ice that formed between our regions began to thaw. In recent years we have found ourselves in alignment more often, and with common challenges and enemies that we were able to successfully confront together.
We believe that we can accomplish even greater things together, and we recognize that today The West Pacific is one of the strongest champions of Independence in this game. Our partnership will allow us to be the example to the rest of the world of what can be achieved, in the World Assembly, on the battlefield, and in community events and cultural initiatives, as we continue to learn from each other and perfect our work in these areas. TWP has proven itself to be a reliable ally as it has supported us unfailingly throughout the conflict and then war with BoM. TWP has sacrificed more than most of our allies in doing this, completely losing most of its historic treaty network as it committed to the course set by the PPO and MGC. It has proven itself the most reliable ally in terms of warfare, bringing the most troops to our most recent significant operations. It has proven itself capable of pushing a new, more constructive version of national sovereignty at a time where the world cried out for a revolution. And it has adapted to the times and provided constructive, positive legislation, and been willing to defend. If we must recognize that we have grown and changed as a region to get to this point, it is undeniable that TWP has as well. We hope this treaty is a marker of that growth, and a starting point for how far we can grow together as allies.
Signed,
Ruben Rawjaw,
Halsoni
Sea Captain
Mal Geist,
Pallaith
First Mate
T. Lom "The Kracken",
Kranostav
Quartermaster
Connor McFred,
Comfed
Master at Arms
Coz Mick,
Dotopolis
Cabin Boy
