The Drac Law of Succession

Political event

Marten Drac becomes Sea Lord and nearly bankrupts Freeport. He institutes a law stating only those of Drac name and blood can become Sea Lord of Freeport.

Fifty-seven years ago, a descendant of the original Captain Drac succeeded the outgoing Sea Lord. This man, Captain Marten Drac, is rumored to have used blackmail and assassination in his rise to power, and he most certainly used them to maintain his position once there. Marten ruled for 14 years, yet the damage he did to the city in that time was substantial. A series of duties and taxes fattened his coffers but drove away many merchants. More ominously, he drove a new law through the Captains’ Council that required the Sea Lord of Freeport to be a descendant of the original Captain Drac.   Thankfully, Marten’s youngest brother, Anton, who became the next Sea Lord, saved the city from complete disaster. Captain Anton Drac proved to be cut from the same cloth as his illustrious ancestor, and he was able to undo the worst excesses of Marten’s reign. The unfair duties were abolished, and Anton provided a series of incentives to win back the trade the city had lost. He also provided limited military aid to several important continental nations, earning their thanks and their business.   Anton’s one failing was he did not abolish Marten’s succession law. He was regularly urged to do so by the Captains’ Council, but could never bring himself to do it. When the councilors realized Anton would not budge on the succession issue, they changed tactics. Since the reign of the original Drac, the Sea Lord had wielded the power to nominate new members to the council. Although the council voted to confirm these nominees, they were never able to put up their own candidates. This was a power they desperately wanted, and they put the question to Anton.   The Sea Lord was initially against the idea. He knew this change would further diminish the powers of his office. He also knew the sting of Marten’s hideous regime was still in everyone’s mind, though, so he proposed a compromise. The council would gain the ability to nominate councilors. In return for this power, the Sea Lord would be allowed to cast two votes for his nominee and also to break all ties. Thus, to elect their own nominee, at least eight councilors would have to vote against the Sea Lord’s wishes. The councilors were not pleased with Anton’s suggestion and held out against it for many years, hoping Anton would have a change of heart. Despite his enlightened rule, however, Anton considered Freeport his family’s property. This notion would be his undoing.   Almost 18 years ago, a great war broke out on the continent, involving nearly every nation. Freeport stayed out of it at first, but the Captains’ Council knew they had to honor the treaties they had signed. They were torn on the issue, but ultimately they approved the move by only a single vote. The Freeport navy would go to the aid of its allies in the spring, the first time the full fleet had sailed to war since the days of Drac and Francisco.   Anton made the announcement so preparations could be made throughout the winter. The unfortunate side effect of this was it gave his enemies several months to plot a course of action. They used the time wisely, concocting an ambitious plan. In fact, it was so ambitious that rumors continue to circulate that they had outside help from the agents of governments who wanted Freeport to stay neutral.   The Captains’ Council also used their time well. They feared Anton might die in this war, so they would never gain the power to nominate new councilors. After years of impasse, the Captains’ Council finally accepted Anton’s offer and gained the power they craved. This political moment has come to be known as “Anton’s Gift.” As matters transpired, the gift was given just in time.   Toward the end of that winter, Sea Lord Anton was inspecting the fleet on the docks. A single yellow-feathered arrow flew from the crow’s nest of an anchored ship nearby, piercing Anton’s chest. The wound should not have been mortal, but the arrow was enchanted with vile, deadly magic. Anton was slain as soon as the arrow hit him, and Freeport was without a Sea Lord for the first time in 200 years.   The assassin was cornered and killed before he could talk. The body was then stolen before priests could try to speak with the dead man. The killer was dismissed as a lone renegade, and the magical nature of the attack was hushed up. The Captains’ Council had more pressing business to attend to, after all—who would succeed Anton?