While pirates are generally free to do as they please, there are three rules (which they call guidelines) that most abide by out of self interest and fear of the more senior pirates.
- Don't shit where you live: The towns considered of the The Northern Reach and The Garden Isles designated as Pirate Havens are sacrosanct. They are immune from raids, ships traveling to and from these ports are not prey and the citizens of these towns are to be treated with respect. Most pirates know these towns are crucial for their survival and as a market for their ill gotten gains.
- Help your brethren when convenient: Pirates often help each other and while most won't die or risk their lives for one another, it is often surprising the lengths they will go to render each other assistance.
- Piracy Means Freedom: Pirate culture is strongly individualistic, pirates don't like authority in any form. Their ships are often governed by Charrers that are surprisingly democratic. They take a dim view of anyone attempting to impress or enslave others against their will.