Tażeg
| Varṡasb Tażeg | |
|---|---|
 An artist's rendition of what "The Eagle" would have looked like. | |
| Born | Varṡasb Þovan Ïṡkanaran 1 February 1680 Ïṡkanar, Rikat Bavkïran |
| Died | 16 May 1738 (aged 58) Takub, Rikat Bavkïran |
| Parent(s) | Çaṡyet Þovan, Darya Þovan |
Varṡasb Tażeg (Taara: /väɾʃäsb täʒɛg/; 1 February 1690 - 16 May 1738) was a Bavkïr pirate. Considered one of the most infamous pirates on Sahar, Tażeg was the pirate the Great Pirate War was allegedly started by. The way he spoke led some to consider him a prophet, as he spoke with vague words and foresaw the death of the empire he was born in.
Early Life
Being born into the clan Þovan meant that he was to be raised under its laws and customs. Þovan wasn't a very well-known clan at the time, as it was very new, so its customs and laws are mostly unknown. His early life is not well documented, and conflicting theories keep arising. However, the most popular, and supported theory comes from a list of documents found in the historical city of Ïṡkanar. The documents are alleged to have been written by either Tażeg's brother or friend, and what's written is he liked to play by the harbor, and that he liked to watch the birds fly around in the air.
By the age of 16, he was allowed to be on the crew of one of the largest naval vessels in the empire's armada, known as "Kyalulqor" or "The sea god's wrath", after having served on smaller vessels for the better part of 4 years and earning the favor of many captains he had served under. During his career in the navy the encountered many pirates, foreigners, and merchant ships. Here, he learned the empire's naval maneuvers and tactics that would later be improved upon and employed during his pirate career.
Statesman
He was at the age of 19 when he decided to return to Ïṡkanar, and began to work for the mayor of the town, hoping to get into the local political system. After having settled down, and for 2 years, he served as the mayor's adivisor, started a family, and helped the town prosper. It was here he realized the potency of the diplomatic ability to influence the world around you and to help others. Then one day, during a famine, the mayor of the city decided not to share his wealth with the town, despite Varṡasb's words of warning. After taking gold illegally from the coffers of the mayor to give to the people of Ïṡkanar, the mayor found out, and with the help of "The Albatross", called so because of his size, was ousted from political office. The time came for the mayoral election. The town gathered together, and voted for the man who would take the place of Varṡasb's master. The overwhelming majority of people voted for "The Albatross", a man who was loyal to the empire.
Pirate
Varṡasb swore revenge, and upon discovering that "The Albatross" was a member of his clan, he cut ties, swearing off his last name, leaving the village. In time, Varṡasb would find a base of pirates, and instead of being restrained and imprisoned immediately for stumbling upon a place that is supposed to remain secret, he was recognized by a man who had served on the 'Kyalulqor', now a pirate vessel, with Varṡasb. It is said that Varṡasb then became a member of the Pirate Lord's crew that had occupied the local port in the large city to the south of Ïṡkanar.
The Eagle The story of how Varṡasb got the nickname "Tażeg" or "The Eagle" varies from person to person.
The Eagle's journal
June 13, 1714 My ship, "Kyal's Retribution", a two-decker and her escorts, three one-decker ships have begun to head back to a port city as we are starting to run low on supplies, and the crew is getting restless. The ship-captain of "Destruction", one of the sloops, informed me that his vessel no longer had food on board. Currently we have about a weeks worth of supplies, so we are heading to a port located in Siakua.
I fear for the sake of my comrades, for they are hungry and tired. It appears they are losing hope after many weeks of patrolling the open ocean. Maybe a game or two will brighten their mood.
June 16, 1714 We came across a Dhweran trade vessel that was being escorted by a single 3-decker. Flying the black flag, we managed to capture both vessels, but since we did not have the crew to add either vessel to the convoy, we left them to the elements. With bolstered supplies, additional wealth and boosted morale, we decide to return to the Taanttu Sea.
For the most part, The Dragon Sea is a dead zone when it comes to trade. The Taanttu and Parshita seas are far more lucrative and are trafficked by a larger volume of trade ships. The reason I came out here was to try and lay low from the law for a while, as the Empire was looking a little too much for my ass.
June 27, 1714 We had a few run-ins with some other pirate captains, though nothing came of them. My crew suggests stopping in Mereland, though they have yet to tell me why.
I fear one of my subordinates wishes to replace me as captain. I point the finger at the ship-captain of "The Crow". Perhaps I should have a talk with him over a bottle or two of rum.
When the only thing you've seen for the past few days is the rise and fall of the waves, you eventually go crazy. That's what happened to Ayu, who thought he saw a sea-monster, only for us to find out he just needed some fluids in him.
July 2, 1714 Heading out from Mereland, my convoy is headed towards the south. There are many cities to sack in the Empire. If there's anyone I wanted to meet in this life, it would be the man who was called Kyal Incarnate. It had been said that he was able to survive walking the plank, forever earning him his title named after The God of the Sea.
I had to read out the rules for being part of my crew for the first time in a while, as we had to pick up a few new recruits to replace the ones we lost during an engagement while back.
July 14, 1714 Yesterday, we sacked a Terminian city, carrying off a chest of loot, supplies, weapons and a few prisoners.
Some say that sacking a city is a what makes you a good pirate, and you cannot be considered one until you have done so. However, the opposite is true as you need to be a good pirate in order to sack a city. Reason 1) The government of the city you sacked is going to come after you. 2) You have to be able to do so without alerting the city's defense. 3) You need to sack the city fast enough for the city to be unable to stop you.
July 19, 1714 Today I set out to bury most of the treasure I have amassed. I found a few areas around one of which I have chosen to place my treasure. The prisoners that I have on board are not to leave the lower decks for any extended period of time. We must also shout out incorrect directions to the crew, having the prisoners believe that we are headed in a certain direction.
Final Words
Even now, Tażeg's legacy lives on, but it would not be so without the parting gift he left his executioners. The words that are attributed to Tażeg still reverberate through the modern world for people still study his quotes. His final words are as follows:
"Today, The Albatross is triumphant over The Eagle, but tomorrow, it will be picked apart by wandering crows, for it has become weakened by its boasts of surviving the wilderness. The jungle and sea air are unforgiving for many creatures, yes, but clever words can sway the hearts of even the strongest men to your side."
Some considered him a prophet, because in one year, on a November morning, the empire was officially dissolved due to a series of revolts from numerous prefectures that declared themselves independent, due to the army's disbanding.