Editing Gloria-Etalia (section)

=== Account of Black Sand Pirate Representative's interaction with the Heavy Eater ===
The news of the actions of the East's Heavy Man have been puzzling lately. Weeks after a disastrous Raid on the Celestial Empire, he launched a raid further west than he has ever gone, into waters which trough unspoken word fall under the jurisdiction of the Black Flag. Thus the Admirals of the Pirate Council have decided, to send me as a representative to demand and explanation from the Fat one and to understand his actions and to judge whether or not we should see this as an act of war. I have been assigned a 100 ships to my retinue as protection, I am vying for the sympathies of said crew for if said sympathies I obtain then they may chose to stay as my own fleet. 

To find the Gluttonous Fleet is no easy task one has to travel to the Far East, beyond the nation of the Glass Merchants, or Bean Farmers, North Beyond the Radmathir Khaliphate and alongside the shores of the Damphir Swamplands. It is said that the Glutton Controls most of the Trade coming out of the Deep Swamp. If a ship does not work for him directly, it pays him to avoid his wrath. Trough some minor raids, we soon caught attention of his men, who while they approached us with hostility were soon swayed by gifts of gold, slaves and booze. 

As such soon we were taken to the Glutton, the Captain of his fleet. The fat man of the East. The rituals of the east are odd, before being even permitted to set foot on the "Big Shelly" (Name of Mollusk, actually is in an asian tongue similar to vietnamese which just translates to "Big/Enormous Shell[pet name]") we had to bow and pay respects to the captain. While the Pirates on the boats look not very different to the Pirates of the Black Sands, the ones on the Flagship certainly do. All obese and grand in statue, in armor out of shell always eating something. The smell of odd things being fried in oil and slaves lamenting in cages filled the busy streets. It was hard to tell whether one was on a ship or in a city at times.

In the West Great Magnats wish for castles, while grand Pirates wish for grand ships. The East's Heavy Eater had both. Entering the Palace reminiscent of a cheap imitation of those found in the Celestial Empire we were asked to bow once more and remove our shoes and all present weapons. We complied, as surrounded by so many, no amount of weapons could protect one. Wandering the inside were servants eternally offering us food. It is considered a great insult to refuse food gifted to you, as such we ate. Finally we entered the grand ballroom taken up by the Glutton himself 1/3rd just him, 1/3rd the servants serving him. The rest was a grand dining table prepared for us. Once again, we bow. The high Glutton bows back.

"There is no need for that my lord, it is custom to bow to a lord while in his castle in our land, no need for him to bow." - I replied as politely as possible

"If an equal bows before you, you bow before them. This is the custom of this land. You showed the respect I deserve bowing to me the captain when you set foot on the ship and to me the lord when you entered my palace. You speak on Behalf of the Black-Flags, now let's talk as equals." - the voice of the Fat Man rang inside our head. As he continued to eat.

Me and my compatriots looked puzzled, magic which invades one's mind is rare and taxing. Why would one use it out of mere convenience? The Glutton sat there food being presented to him without break. That which he judged worthy he sprinkled with salt and ate, that which he did not judge worthy he either ate or had it thrown to the slaves. 

"You my lord are a Captain I represent a 10 000 Captains. A 10 000 captains which you have insulted, by raiding waters they consider theirs. I wish to understand why, so it does not have to come to unneeded hostilities." - I uttered this prepared reply, with fear and angst.

"Among you Raiders of the West, no matter the fleet or ships all Captains are to be seen equal, but equal only in dignity, not responsibility." - a pile of black flags is brought out and thrown on the ground - "If I am no more than a mere captain of your ilk, then I have broken the unspoken agreement 67 times fewer than you pirates of the West. Now watch your words, for even if I am a kind man I am also one who does not wish their dignity insulted."

Indeed piles of black flags amassed over decades. It was then when fear struck me, but also a sense of opportunity.

"If their punishment was death, then shan't it too be yours?"

A hearty laughter filled the room, from the true mouth of the Glutton.
"We both know justice lies on the side of the strong. If you have the power to justly punish me then do so! Great sailors are valued, I don't put them to death. Willy nily. For the wished to raid in the east I let them, but that is under my flag and in my name. If you did not comply then you met your punishment. Here I would ask, if you truly wish for me to join the Council?"

His answer had, put me on the spot. If I was to be fair I should agree, but one captain as strong as this joining a council of thousands... what would stop him from putting us under his hegemony? I had to relent.

"No, my lord. No punishment or war is in order then. The Council has overstepped it's boundaries and we wish to return to the old Unspoken Agreement. May, I know though why you have staged 2 rare massive raids so recently? Rarely does the 'Big Shelly' herself participate in raids so why 2 so close by." - I accepted my defeat, and he accepted it graciously. At least my 2nd mission had to now be fulfilled accordingly.

"Tell be, Captain of the Black Flags. What is the difference between a pirate fleet and a state?"

"I do not follow."

"A nation gains soldiers from it's kin. From raising kids. From the men of the land. A nation bitten and wounded has the luxury of calm and and rest and rebuilding after a defeat. A fleet stands on the shoulders of it's myth. No more is needed than one grand defeat, for your men to loose hope. For them to leave. A fleet cannot sit idly by after a defeat. It has no luxury, so if you ask why? It's to keep up the myth. In most recent memory I am not Glutton the Looser of Dan-Dio. I am Glutton the devouter of Giants!"

Another healthy laugh followed from his mouth, as he took a second to neat eat. For one to attack not because he is strong, but because he is weak. An odd form of wisdom rarely found in the west. 

I have chosen to return to the West, but only 70 of the protective vessels chose to follow me, the rest joining the Glutton's fleet willingly. On the way back we raided relentlessly so I may not return without a victory.