Council of the Corsair Elders

[CorsairCouncil]

Update: 23:12:009 817A.S.

Since the departure of the Omega Pirates Guild, the Council of Elders has been re-organised. The return of the Brotherhood to the Council was welcomed, and representation of individual groups has reduced to 2 Elders per faction.
As of the reorganisation, representation takes the form of 2 Elders per ancient participating faction, and 2 indipendant representatives.
In total, 6 Elders currently sit in the Council of Elders.

On universal date 18:12:009 817 A.S a revised version of the Corsair Laws Document was published by the Council of Elders, signed here and became the official Laws of the Empire.
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Summary of Meeting 23:12:009 817 A.S.

4 of the 6 Elders convened on 23:12:009 817 A.S to discuss a range of issues for the empire. A great number of ballots were taken.


1) Warship deployment to Omicron Eta
After concerns raised by a number of warship captains, and representatives from the Black|Sails organisation, a motion was proposed to extend the defined zone of "Core territory" to include the Southern region of Omicron-Eta. This would lead to capital ships being allowed to be stationed in this region for defence of Etna base without the attendance of a support fleet or an Elder.
A ballot was taken.

• 5 votes in favour. (1 vote taken by clan proxy)
  
• 0 votes against.
  
• 1 vote not taken. MOTION CARRIED.
  

The laws of the empire will be amended, so that the defined "Core Territory" will include South Eta.



2) Passage of Neutral Warships
After a question was presented to the Council regarding guidelines for our forces' response to the deployment of Neutral-faction warships to our territory, the Council of Elders discussed what kind of response might be appropriate.
It was suggested that Neutral foreign warships should be allowed to pass through, under supervision of Corsair ships whenever possible, and should not be allowed to remain in orbit of Corsair bases.
The following amendment was drafted;

Neutral warships may pass through Corsair space. They should be escorted/supervised by Corsair ships when possible, and must not sit stationary outside of Corsair bases or in orbit of Crete. Visiting warships should follow the instructions of Corsair pilots. Any that refuse should be reported to the Council of Elders"

A ballot was taken over the proposed amendment;

• 5 votes in favour. (1 vote taken by clan proxy)
  
• 0 votes against.
  
• 1 vote not taken. MOTION CARRIED.
  

The laws of the empire will be amended, to include the above guideline.



3) Treatment of Empty Ships
After a question posed by a pilot regarding the guidelines for our forces' treatment of empty vessels in our territory or approaching our ports, the Council of Elders discussed the matter.
It was suggested that empty vessels should be eligible for piracy, at a low level, and that they might be denied docking rights and asked to come back with useful cargo.
The following amendments was drafted;

"Non-allied vessels passing through Corsair territory empty, or not carrying significant levels of cargo may be taxed, though any tax imposed must be modest (preferably below 1 mill)
"Empty vessels may be denied docking clearance and sent to return with a useful cargo."

A ballot was taken over the proposed ammendment;

• 5 votes in favour. (1 vote taken by clan proxy)
  
• 0 votes against.
  
• 1 vote not taken. MOTION CARRIED.
  

The laws of the empire will be amended, to include the above guideline.



4) Hogosha vs. |Sails
After receiving concerns from the Hogosha that the |Sails organisation, operating in Sigma-13, were expanding their operations into the Honshu system of Kusari, the Council of Elders discussed how it might respond.
It was proposed that a mildly worded letter be written to the |Sails leadership to request that they consider the effect of their actions on Corsair diplomacy, and request that they do not expand into Kusari for the time being.
Elder Sephardi offered to draft the letter.
A ballot was taken regarding this letter being drafted and sent.;

• 5 votes in favour. (1 vote taken by clan proxy)
  
• 0 votes against.
  
• 1 vote not taken. MOTION CARRIED.
  

The letter will be sent to the Sails leadership.



5) Alliance with Samura?
The Council of Elders was recently contacted by a representative of the Kusari-based super-corporation Samura Industries. the talks were suspended while the Council discussed it's stance.
Support for the principle of a trade relationship with Samura was unanimous. However, concerns were raised that Samura's request of exemption from Corsair piracy could only be achieved by a change in legislation, or by a formal alliance with the corporation.
It was proposed that, representing the Council of Elders, Elder Carlos Benitez push for a formal trade alliance with Samura.
A ballot was taken on this proposition;

• 5 votes in favour. (1 vote taken by clan proxy)
  
• 0 votes against.
  
• 1 vote not taken. MOTION CARRIED.
  

It was suggested, however, that the offer of total exemption from Corsair piracy would be a very generous move on the part of the Council, and that, it would be prudent to demand a significant up-front contribution of resources to the Empire before any treaty would be signed.
Elder Carlos Benitez will continue to negotiate with Samura on the Council's behalf, and will offer a formal trade alliance in exchange for a significant up-front contribution of resources from the corporation.



Other discussions;

• Preliminary discussions took place regarding the introduction of a new non-Elder "Magistrate" to manage and chair discussion in a new "Supreme Court" to discuss matters of lawbreaking.
  The construction of a new "Supreme Court" Building on Crete was agreed.
  Ivan, administrator of Cadiz Base, was proposed as a candidate for the position.
  
• Preliminary discussions took place regarding the addition of HAF and |Sails representatives to the Council of Elders. It was agreed that each should be granted 1 Elder position for the time being, and that the selection of candidates to fill these seats be left, as always, up to the leaders of those individual factions.
  

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Corsair LawsCorsair Court
Our forces combined, no-one shall stand before us. Our enemies shall be burnt and cast to the wind, our troops marching forward over their mangled corpses. True we stand alone, with wolves circling, but our isolation lends us our strength, for we are one and they are divided.
The days of Darkness are no longer, for we are the Corsairs and we are fear incarnate! Viva los Corsairs, the Empire shall rise!
The blood of the Hispania runs in our veins. The blood of our enemies shall wet our hands.