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The Articles of Agreement of The Medallion

Herein be the Articles of Agreement for the company of this vessel. Let every man read and set his mark to these laws ere we venture forth upon the seas.

I. Command and Governance

  1. The Senior Officers shall comprise of the Quartermaster, the Captain, the Master at Arms, the Master of Fog, the Master Lookout, the Master Surgeon, The Master Gunner, and the Master of Sail.
  2. Senior Officers shall have a vote in affairs of moment, whether it be the charting of our course or the choosing of a prize to be taken.
  3. The Captain's word is law in time of chase or battle. In all other matters, his authority shall be guided by the will of the Senior Officers, as determined by a majority vote. In the event of a tied vote, the Senior Officer whose area of expertise is most relevant to the matter shall cast the deciding vote.
  4. The Quartermaster shall be the magistrate of the company, charged with settling all disputes and ensuring the voice of the crew is heard.

II. The Division of Spoils

  1. All prize and treasure shall be allotted into shares. A common seaman shall be granted one share. A man of special skill or a junior officer, such as a Surgeon's assistant or Mid-shipman, shall be granted two shares. The Senior leaders of the vessel shall be granted three shares.
  2. An act of uncommon valour or singular skill in the heat of battle may be rewarded with an extra half-share, should the Senior leaders vote it so.
  3. Any person who should lose a limb or be grievously wounded in the service of the ship shall have compensation from the common stock ere the prize is divided. For the loss of a right arm, sixty silver pieces; for a left arm, fifty silver pieces; for a right leg, fifty silver pieces; for a left leg, forty silver pieces; for an eye or a finger, ten silver pieces. This sum may be increased by a vote of the Senior Officers in recognition of uncommon valour.
  4. A portion of shares from every prize shall be set aside for the upkeep of the ship, the amount to be determined by the Quartermaster with the consent of the Senior Officers.

III. Onboard Discipline

  1. Let no person presume to strike their shipmate. All quarrels shall be brought before the Quartermaster, who shall mediate the dispute. If he cannot bring the parties to reconciliation, the matter shall be ended on shore, by duel of sword and pistol to first blood, with the Quartermaster presiding.
  2. Any person who offers to meddle with another without their consent shall suffer present death.
  3. He that is found guilty of theft from a shipmate shall feel the lash and forfeit his share of the next prize taken.
  4. He who is guilty of drunkenness, if a seaman, shall be put in irons until he is sober. If an officer, he shall forfeit one-tenth of his next share for his lack of discipline.

IV. Duties and Responsibilities

  1. Every person to keep their piece, pistols, and cutlass clean and fit for service.
  2. He that shall sleep upon his watch, or neglect his duty, or forsake his station, shall suffer a lashing or forfeit his share, as the company shall see fit.
  3. No person shall give or dispose of the ship's provisions, but every one shall have their equal share of fresh victuals and strong liquors.
  4. No snapping of guns or smoking of tobacco in the hold.

V. Conduct in Battle

  1. To desert the ship or one's quarters in battle is punished with death or marooning.
  2. Good quarter to be given when craved.
  3. If any person shall defraud the company to the value of a single silver piece in plate, jewels, or money, marooning shall be their punishment.
  4. No person to talk of breaking up their way of living, till each had shared five hundred silver.

VI. On Matters of Faith

  1. Every person may worship as they see fit, or not at all, so long as their practices do not endanger the ship or her company.
  2. No person shall be compelled to attend any religious service, nor shall any person be scorned for their private beliefs.

VII. Treatment of Outsiders

  1. No passenger shall be taken aboard this vessel without the Captain's express consent. All who sail with us shall be subject to these articles.
  2. A fit place shall be set apart for the sick and hurt, prisoners included, where they may be tended to by the surgeon.
  3. The Commanders shall use their utmost endeavours to detect, apprehend, and bring to punishment all offenders, prisoners among them, who do violate the good order of the ship.

VIII. On the Matter of Slavery

  1. This ship and her company shall take no part in the trade of human souls. No man, woman, or child shall be held in bondage aboard this vessel, whether as cargo or chattel. Any found engaged in such trafficking shall forfeit his share and be cast from the company.

IX. The Articles Themselves

  1. These articles shall be put in writing, by way of bond or obligation, and every person who joins the company shall set their hand to it, and be bound by its laws.
  2. He who offends against these articles shall be punished as they prescribe. All other faults and misdemeanors not herein mentioned shall be punished according to the laws and customs used at sea.
  3. These articles may be amended only by a majority vote of the Senior Officers.