The Black Book of Corsairs

I. On the War

1. Corsair warfare is of ultimate importance to the City of Umbar. Its mastery is absolutely necessary if the people of Umbar ever wish to grow in wealth and ultimately overthrow the people of Gondor whose thirst for our land shall never fade.

2. To master the warfare of Corsairs must one be willing to learn. To be willing to learn must one be humble before his elders and predecessors. To be humble before his elders must one understand that nobody is born a champion. To understand that nobody is born a champion must one submit to patience.

3. Corsair warfare is patient. There will be no decisive battle, no decisive victory. There will be raids and strikes. Like a ship that has sailed all the Seas of the world may not be sunk by a storm, can Gondor not be conquered by one show of power. Like a ship that has sailed all the Seas of the world can be eaten by bugs, may Gondor be worn to death by the raiders of Umbar.

4. Courage is not to strike the enemy as hard as possible in vain. Courage is to strike the enemy quickly and then sail back, knowing that you will sail to face him again one day.

5. Valour is not honour, honour is not wisdom, wisdom is not valour. May these three not be confused. Such is the art of Corsair warfare. On a pedestal near an eastern window is a book with black leather covers. Golden frames secure the back cover of the book on the pedestal, making sure it is taken nowhere.

II. On Ships

1. The ship is the steed of a crew. Like a steed, a ship has a personality. Like a steed, a ship needs care and protection. Should a steed fail a man in the desert, the man shall die of thirst. Should a ship fail a crew at Sea, the crew shall drown. Like a man loves his steed must a crew love their ship.

2. A horse can run fast. A mule can carry great weight. A camel can walk a long distance. A mumak can trample a thousand enemies. Similarly: A Raider can sail and overtake. A Slaver can bear a crowd. A Merchant or Khurn-nagla can sail afar with a small crew. A Palanrist can sink a fleet. But a mule wins no races. A Slaver does not survive a storm. A Merchant is helpless against a warship.

3. There are three kinds of rigging: Lateen rigging, fore-and-aft rigging and square rigging. Lateen rigging and suqare rigging are dominant riggings, fore-and-aft rigging is usually used in supplementary sails. Square rigged ships run well before the wind. Lateen rigged ships have less effort moving into the wind. With oars, lateen rigged ships may outrun a square-rigger upwind. Hence our preference of triangular sails. Fore-and-aft rigging is, if it is, used in the mizzen mast, lugsails, spankers, jibs and staysails while the courses and topsails remain square-rigged.

4. A shepherd may easily drive a wolf from his cattle. A pack of wolves can tear a herd into shreds. A pack of wolves is never unnoticed; a lone wolf may sneak upon a prey in secret. A herd of cattle is likely to attract beasts; a lone animal may run a great distance without danger. Sailing together in a convoy or a squadron is always an option, but not a necessity. Sailing alone may be cunning and effective, but with ill winds and fortune, a mere disaster.

5. Every raider must be careened regularily. Whenever you notice the need, find a safe haven and carry the task out immediately. In a battle, barnacles might cost a Captain his loot, or even his life.

Continue Reading The Black Book

Return to the Table of Contents of the Black Book