Cormyrean Freesails

"The Cormyrean Freesails" is the title given to the collective fleet of privateers and corsairs in service to Cormyr. The Freesails were established by King Azoun IV, and their authority is likewise recognized by his grandson King Azoun V. While the Imperial Navy is sufficient to protect the capital city of Suzail and an important trad hub like Marsember, in a time of crisis they would leave the smaller coastal villages along the Lake of Dragons defenseless and these villages would depend on the Freesails for protection.

Letters of Marque

The authority to grant letters of marque, much like adventuring charters, rests with the patriarchs of noble houses and are notarized by a royal clerk, and do not require the written consent of the King. In the past, this has been used by unscrupulous nobles to fund pirates who raided under Cormyr's banner, but this is uncommon since Alusair's last inquisition (which saw forty privateers hanged and the heads of three royal clerks on pikes in Marsember's harbor).

Here is an example of a letter of marque granted to Syd Barrett, captain of the Salember's Skean, who sailed under the banner of House Longbrooke during the Goblin War.

The King to all and singular Admirals et cetera, Greeting.

Know ye that we have granted and given to our well-beloved House Longbrooke to Syd Barrett, master of a certain ship called the Salember's Skean, liberty to equip in the port of the towns of Suzail and Marsember, at his own charges, the aforesaid ship with as many mariners, men-at-arms, and bowmen as shall be necessary for his navigation and defense at sea against our enemies, whosoever they may be, and for subduing, capturing, and destroying the same; and liberty to set forth with the same ship, so equipped, upon the sea for the purpose aforesaid. And we will that whatsoever he succeed in winning, gaining, and having by capture from our enemies aforesaid, he may have and keep for his own proper use, without claim or hindrance by or from us, or our heirs or ministers, or the ministers of any our heirs whatsoever. Provided always that under color of this license he, his mariners, men-at-arms, and bowmen aforesaid, neither do nor permit to be done any violence, hindrance, or hurt to any who are in friendship with us.

Witness the King Azoun IV at Castle Obarskyr on the 9th day of Marpenoth, 1370 DR.

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