Pat Croce - The Pirate Handbook: A Rogues Guide to Pillage, Plunder, Chaos & Conquest

There comes a time in every rightly
constructed boys life when he has a
raging urge to go somewhere and dig
for hidden treasure.

MARK TWAIN

Pirate. Upon hearing this word, your mind should instantly conjure up fantastic images: swashbuckling rogues swinging from the rigging of tall ships, daggers firmly clenched between teeth. Wicked boarding axes and razor-sharp cutlasses clashing against one another again and again and again. Lean, tanned bodies slick with sweat and sea spray, fighting tooth and nail to the death. Thick clouds of black powder smoke blotting out the horizon as volley after volley of cannon fire from broadsides transforms wood into splinters and men into ghosts. Hordes of treasuregleaming gold doubloons and silver pieces of eight, precious gemstones and ornate jewelry, priceless artifacts and rare antiquitiesenough wealth to last a hundred lifetimes and justify the taking of a hundred lives. And then there are the names: Blackbeard, Captain Kidd, Black Bart, Thomas Tew, Anne Bonny, Henry Morgannames that cause a tremor among the living, or bring a smile to the dead.

We are the last of our kind, and we dont take our profession lightly. In fact, Id venture to say its not a profession at allits a lifestyle. And if you choose to join our ranks youd best come prepared.

Fightin, drinkin, gamblin, whorinWhat most consider vices, to be avoided like the plague, we consider fun, to be engaged in whenever possible. And engage in em we do, but only after prizes have been boarded and plundered, and the bootys been divided. Theres no sense celebrating if theres nothing to celebrate about.

Now there are those who believe an honest days work equals an honest days pay. Bilge! That lily-livered mentality will bring you nothing but boredom, regret, and poverty. But pirating on the other hand, well matey, thats a life worth livin.

It doesnt matter where you hail from, or if your bloodline is pauper or prince. Your reasons for sailing under the black flagbe it running from your past or cause youve had salt in your bones since you first sucked airare yours and yours alone. So long as you sign the Articles and carry your weight, the brethren of the coast will embrace you with open arms.

Ah, the Articles. Thats our code of conduct, spelling out the rights, duties, and powers for all aboard the ship, crewmen and officers alike. We wrote em together, we obey em together, until the day our hearts beat no more. Chores and responsibilities, leisure activities, sharing booty, arguments and disputesthe Articles cover it all. And make no mistake, the Articles leave no room for interpretation. The code is gospel, more important than the water we drink or the air we breathe.

So make your mark, put a fresh grind on your blade, and prepare yourself for exotic lands, amazing sights, and incredible adventures, all far beyond imagination. Tis a hard life youve chosen, one that may have lasted considerably longer had you remained at home. Then again, had you stayed put, youd never have fulfilled your destiny and unleashed your pirate soul.

Welcome aboard!