The Santelmin Order (pronounced san-TELL-min) is the smallest of the major factions of the Blacksand League. All members of Santelmin crews are potent mages, and the faction does not openly recruit. Rather, to join the Order, one must be specifically selected by the pirate admiral Heshwen. Most Santelmin ships are magically automated, driven and maintained by constructs, animated objects, or undead. The Order serves as something of a kingmaker among the League factions - when they deign to speak on a matter, the others soon fall in line.
Location
The Santelmin Order is mostly active within the Kilche Sea, preying on the merchant vessels that travel its busy trade routes. Santelmin ships often target merchants near Laniobriga as well. Santelmin ships frequently visit the ports of the Blacksand Archipelago, which are widely considered safe havens for pirates.
History
The Order is the oldest of the current major factions within the Blacksand League, having successfully survived both the good times and bad of the last four hundred years. The rigid hierarchy within the Order ensures there is always a clear path of succession, and new leaders can rapidly step into the role without delay or hesitation.
Interests and activities
Though the Santelmin Order has been one of the most successful pirate groups within the Kilche since it was founded, they remain secretive and closed to outsiders. The Order does not allow any to join as long as they are capable, unlike most pirate crews, instead preferring to selectively contact only those who display enough skill and ambition. The long-term goals of the Order are unknown to those outside its membership, though they seem to be content to be patient for now.
The Order has a reputation for leaving no survivors on ships they capture.
Ships
The flagship of the Order is the Midnight Sun.
The Order uses a variety of vessels, with a preference for fast outrigger warships driven by both sails and oars. Santelmin warships can operate with very small crews due to extensive magical automation of their operations.
Notable individuals
See also: Heshwen
Relations
The Santelmin Order prefers not to involve themselves in disputes between the other factions, instead letting the other pirates fight before gaining the spoils for themselves. In diplomatic meetings between the League factions, Santelmin representatives rarely participate; when they do choose a side, the matter invariably resolves quickly in their favor.
Relations between the Order and Tarkuus are unclear - from the perspective of outsiders, both seem to ignore the existence of each other.