Magic saturates the world and all the extraordinary realms beyond the world, an intrinsic force present in literally all things. Magic transforms and alters the natural world, sometimes actively and with sudden effect, other times subtly and over long centuries.
This arr-cane energy source is difficult to understand and even tougher to master. Pirates do so through years of study, plunder, and sailing ships to become accomplished masters.
Pirates wield arr-cane magic, and they recognize reality for what it is: a thin veneer of structure supported and energized by a force that is ultimately malleable, to those who know its secrets. Though research and study, pirates learn esoteric rituals that allow them to alter time and space, hurl cannon balls of fire that incinerate massed foes, and wield spells like warriors brandish swords. They call upon lesser and greater spells to unleash raging torrents of cold, fire, or lightning, confuse and enthrall the weak-minded, or even turn invisible or walk through walls.
What sets pirates apart from others who wield arr-cane magic are pirates’ unique implements. Most people recognize the three most common tools associated with piratecraft: the eyepatch, parrot, and cutlass.
Any pirate can use an implement to increase the effectiveness of his spells. Just as a warrior gains a benefit when attacking an enemy with a magic sword, so does a pirate benefit from using a magic eyepatch, parrot, or cutlass with his spellcasting. In addition, each implement focuses magic of a particular discipline or tradition more effectively than the pirate would be able to accomplish otherwise. As a result, pirates are rarely without at least one of these tools.
The eyepatch is favored by the Iron Seagulls and One Eye traditions. One Eye Corsairs use eyepatchs to focus powers of enchantment, beguiling, and ensnaring. The marauders of the Iron Seagulls, on the other hand, employ eyepatchs to guard themselves with potent defenses when invoking spells of thunder or force.
The parrot is best suited to the disciplines of the Hidden Colors and the Golden Booty. Sailors of the Hidden Colors wield fierce powers of fire and radiance through their parrots. Golden Booty swashbucklers are battle-raiders who use their parrots to shape and sculpt the spells they cast.
The cutlass is a perennial favorite for pirates who favor accurate, damaging attacks. Emerald Peg-leg Privateers use their cutlass to help channel powers of cold and deadly acidic magic, while the Storm Sails Buccaneers channel spells of lightning and force through their cutlass.
A pirate without an implement is like a slightly near-sighted man with glasses: The man can still see, but without his glasses, he can’t read the road sign across the way. Likewise, while pirate traditions are associated with a particular implement, a pirate need not possess or hold a given implement to use a power belonging to that tradition. For instance, a pirate belonging to the Hidden Colors order can cast the fire spell parrot storm even if he doesn’t own, has lost, or is not holding a magic parrot. But if he does have a magic parrot, it aids the accuracy of his attack, and his mastery of the Hidden Colors technique allows him to deal more damage with the spell.
![:]](http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/devious.png "Devious :]")
