The scroll, carried by Captain Redbeard, holds the Articles of the Coalition—the laws binding every ship and crew under the Crooked Cross. Legend has it that those who signed the original Articles were bound by more than mere ink; they fell under the Curse of Redbeard, as though swearing their very souls to the Coalition’s cause.
Beware this parchment, for it is said that even reading its contents risks binding your own soul to the Crooked Cross. The Articles are not just a contract—they are a warning, a curse, and a reminder of the price of loyalty.
The true identity of Morgan, or if that was even their name in life, remains a mystery. Some whisper it was the original quartermaster of the Damned Promise before being overthrown by Darin McGrew. Others insist it was the infamous mad Frenchman, Charles Sixième.
Whoever they were, Morgan—now known as the “Silent Witness”—presides over the Hearings of the Accused during Coalition Conclaves, serving as judge and impartial overseer. Silent yet ever watchful, Morgan is said to be Captain Redbeard’s closest and most trusted advisor, their presence a constant reminder that justice always has its eyes on the crew.
Before the ARC’s founding, the crew of The Cartographer sailed west of the Caribbean, landing on the shores of South America. There, they were welcomed by a Mayan king who, envious of their wealth and tales, betrayed them. Under cover of night, he sent assassins to slaughter the crew, but vigilant mates on watch thwarted the attack, saving their comrades.
Among the fallen assassins, they discovered a skull-shaped ring. The captain declared it a symbol for a newly formed vanguard, a select group tasked with protecting the crew. The ring was given to the first member of this vanguard and later recreated for others, a reminder that not all that glitters is gold and that treachery often hides behind a smile.
Forged in the early days of the ARC, the silver signet rings are worn by its three founding members: Captain Yeah-Yeah, Captain Redbeard, and Darin “No-No” McGrew. The design bears the Crooked Cross at its center, encircled by a rope with three distinct knots.
Legend holds that the rings were created to solidify their bond and declare their leadership. Each founder wore their ring as a mark of trust and mutual loyalty, signifying that no decision would be made for the coalition without the agreement of all three.
Forged in the depths of Niðavellir by the most skilled of dwarven smiths, the Shield of Valhalla was wrought from a metal so strong that not even Þór himself could break it. A gift to Odin Allfather, it was crafted in preparation for Ragnarök, a token of the dwarves’ loyalty and their pledge to arm the gods for the final battle. Yet before that fated day, Odin entrusted the shield to the Valkyrie Þyri as she departed Valhalla for Midgard, charging her to safeguard it until the time of its destined return.
Like Mjölnir, the shield is bound with powerful magics, able to shift in size from a pendant worn close to the heart to a full battle shield when the sacred words are spoken. It is said that only those worthy of its might may wield it, for the enchantments woven into its core will allow none but the chosen to call forth its true form.
Loosely translated to “ancestral property” or “birthright”. Carried by Abbot John Sinclair, this staff appears to be a common wooden walking stick. A branch pruned from Yggdrasil; the World Tree the Northmen believe connects the nine worlds of the cosmos. While John was on a journey to reclaim a piece of his family’s legacy it was gifted to him by Ratatoskr, a squirrel that dwells in Yggdrasil and carries messages between an eagle at top of the tree and Nidhogg, a serpent in the roots. This wonderous staff can change shape to match John’s needs, be it walking stick, cane, or quarterstaff. Rumors vary as to what other properties the staff possesses from granting wisdom, vitality, and one outrageous claim that it produces various potent libations, poisons, and remedies of John’s choosing. The only known truth of the staff is that John is rarely seen without it.
