The Pirates of Ianarea were actually less of pirates and more of privateers. True, they both looted and plundered ships and port towns, but they did have distinctive differences. The inhabitants of Ianarea had a code of morals for one thing, and they followed a God as well. As privateers, Ianarean pirates were more or less authorized in their havoc-wreaking, since Lady Ianite had never spoken against their ways. They refused to harm children or innocents, and only attacked women if for a good reason, like if the woman was attacking them first. There was an unspoken rule of never attacking another Ianarean ship, unless you planned on turning traitor.
That had lots of other customs as well, like always returning home to worship their Lady. Most ships would return once a week for church visits, while ships that regularly traveled further from home would return every two months. Very rarely would a ship from Ianarea leave and not return to it's birthplace. Even the feathers in the Captain's hats held an ancient custom of Ianarea; a Dove's feather to show the peace of their God and a Hawk's feather during times of war or severe danger, with the hope of carrying them to a quick victory or triumph.
Ianarean children are raised from birth in the prospect of being a pirate. It doesn't always work, for some people aren't meant to be at sea no matter how much of it runs through their blood, and those children who wish to keep their boots resting on solid ground stay home and help keep Ianarea running smoothly. It is one of the highest honors for an Ianarean child to finish their schooling and immediately set sail on a ship of their own, it is what nearly every child born on the island strives for. Samuel and Allis Eaton were no different.
Many Ianarean surnames are taken from things about the island or the ocean surrounding it. The Eaton children got their name from the water surrounding them, of course. Names were always a huge part of the island's culture, a pirates alias was chosen by their family at birth. On rare occasions their nickname could be changed, normally by some heroic exploit or devastating misdeed. Samuel Eaton was given the pirate name of Redbeard, as he had a shock of orangey-brown hair that was a telltale trait of the Waters family. Allis Eaton's epithet was more of a burden, being called Capsize because her grandparents ship was sunk on the day of her birth.
A common fault of Ianareans, though, was to judge a child based upon their name rather than their prowess or family skill. Samuel would be judged on normal standards, for his name would remind most of them of ancient pirates of legend like Blackbeard or Graybeard. Allis, on the other hand, would have to work twice as hard to prove her worth, because the islanders would only ever associate her skills with the tragic crash she had gotten her name from. Even her parents would fall victim to this unfair mindset, encouraging and enabling her brother more than her.
This judgment would only be a minor set back for Allis, for like most Ianarean children, she was born with a fighting spirit and a tough heart. Piracy ran through her veins and adventure strengthened her will. A born captain and leader, she would rise to the top no matter what hardships befell her. The life of a pirate or privateer was never going to be easy, but an Ianarean child will always push onward.
AN: I realized that I love Captain Capsize and Skipper Redbeard too much to not write a backstory for them. I don't know quite yet how many chapters this will be, but I'd like to make it about as long as "To A Good Home", give or take a few chapters.
Also, "The Stranger's God" will be on hiatus for a little while. I know I said I wasn't going to write/post anything until Friday, but I've had this sitting around in my documents for weeks now and I figured I might as well post it. Writing is actually pretty therapeutic for me, so hopefully this project with help settle my anxiety a little bit.