Kar Nodge Pledge

They crept along the dark, shadowed dry dock cradle holding the Seacutter. Dread Pirate Dubloon's flagship was getting its hull sheathed in copper, something only prosperous captains could afford for their ships.   A handful of crew remained on board to watch over the ship. None of them had been spotted, and judging from the sounds of ivory rattling on wood, they were too distracted with a bit of gambling to be vigilant.   "Do you think any of them's on deck?" One of the three creeping around said as they stopped at the bracing arm of a cradle.   "Shhh," one of them whispered back, "can't tell from here."   A hand slapped each of them across the back of their heads.   "Shut it, both of you," the third one said. "Climb up and look."   Rubbing their heads, the first two climbed without another word while the third one followed. They saw no one. Grinning, the first two stepped onto the deck and gleefully tiptoed to the door of the captain's cabin. A faint jingle sounded as they took out their lockpicks. There was a silent argument between them over which one would pick the lock.   "Hey!" A voice shouted. The two spun around in time to catch the light of a suddenly raised lantern in their eyes. Footsteps pounded up the steps and onto the deck. Dropping their lockpicks, the two ran and dove over the side of the ship. Sailors rushed to the deck as they thumped against the ground, then laughed as the pair limped away.   The third fellow, still unnoticed, slipped away, cursing silently. They could have retired filthy rich if they had stolen the Kar Nodge Pledges.

  The founding of the Kar Nodge Fleet happened when the captains swore their allegiance to Dread Pirate Dubloon. These were not mere oaths but written contracts signed by each captain. Without these pledges, there would be no Kar Nodge Fleet, making them absolutely precious to Dubloon.   Over time, these contracts have come to be called the Kar Nodge Pledges. Many have determined that to break the fleet, they need to break these captains away from Dubloon,.   Some think these pledges are so binding that if they own them, they will own those captains' allegiances. Others think that destroying the pledges will free the captains, and they will then disperse, thus dissolving the fleet. Even the Kar Nodge captains believe these pledges are potent. Captain Gusty Squall believes it so strongly that, when he died, he remains as captain of his ship, the Booty Wind. Few realize he is actually an undead as he works hard to hide this with makeup and cologne.   These pledges are the most valued pieces of papers in the back alleys and questionable waters of the Basquay Sea. Thieves will seek to take advantage of every momemt they see as an opportunity to steal them. They will even risk death for a chance to become extremely rich. Dread Pirate Dubloon is well aware this and has taken great measures to keep the pledges away from everyone but him.   As to what is written within the pledges themselves, this is a secret held between Dubloon and each captain. All of them refuse to talk about it, though, few ever dare to ask. Those who did have disappeared, usually by walking the plank.