Pirates: I Loaded the Game Panel

Adrian thought for a moment, gathered a small wisp of Ghost Energy at his fingertip, and began sketching on the shell coffee table before him.

Before long, an angular pirate flag design appeared on the table.

At the top, a trident symbolizing the Sea God formed the central axis. To the left stood a shapely young mermaid, and to the right, a powerfully built fish-man. They stood back to back, each holding a plainly decorated Sailor's Cutlass. Beneath them, at the center of the design, hung a huge golden anchor crossed with chains.

After studying the design for a while, Queen Otohime said tactfully, "Your drawing skills are remarkable, White Ghost. I daresay this design is ornate enough to serve as Fish-Man Island's emblem."

In other words:

Too many details. Pirates would have trouble recognizing it.

Adrian smiled. "That's all right. I have a simpler version."

He sketched again.

The new emblem was much simpler.

A plain Sailor's Cutlass formed its central axis. A dragon-shaped ghost with a wavering, ethereal tail coiled around the blade, the corners of its mouth curling into a sinister grin.

That was right!

Both designs Adrian had drawn took inspiration from the legendary pirate city-state of Bilgewater!

Character creation in games always seemed to invite some outrageous choices.

And if he was going to draw, he might as well draw something that didn't exist in this world!

White Ghost had lent Fish-Man Island his name and flag to protect its residents from greedy pirates!

The following morning, King Neptune and Queen Otohime announced the good news throughout Fish-Man Island in a joint public address.

The Fish-Man Race, generally hostile toward humans, greeted the news with suspicion. The naturally optimistic merfolk, who loved peace and beauty, had far fewer misgivings.

Some of the beautiful young mermaids,