Canal Pirates of Glantri
by AozCanals of Glantri could at peak times have up to 1000 vassals per day.
I could see vassals being the target of bandits, thieves and canal pirates. However, a Canal Pirate would never target a ship inside Glantri; but outside the city is a different story. A few may work with the Beggars Court (the Uglier Pirates) and share a split of the loot with the court.
I said never attack inside Glantri that is unless the Canal Pirates were aligned with The Canalmaster as detailed in Gaz 3, GKoM and in Robin's Great School of Magic in detail
starting on page 266 and The Canalmaster on page 270
[Of course, The Canalmaster would get a large share 25% to do nothing/50% if he must intervene with a minion and 75% if he must take an action]
Unlike some normal pirates that target random ships. Canal Pirate or Canal Bandits or Canal thieves are looking for ships that have already unloaded the goods, may have bought some local goods but still have surplus of extra gold (dc). The ships with treasure or raw gold are the most always the most attractive.
Now some newbie canal pirates will loot everything on a vassal and will be hunted down with extreme Glantrian prejudice, but smart canal bandits and pirates will hold up the ship for 5-20% for "Water Right Protection Fee" or "Protection Fee". This groups will be wanted but not as badly as the newbie canal pirates.
A few canal pirates may even work with "Recovery Specialists" that even have Glantri business permits of course. An example: Merchant Company Applebees just unloaded all the famous apple honey and collected their pay but on their way back to Darokin a mile or so outside of Glantri, the Greenhorn Bandits take everything including beating a few Applebees employees' unconscious. The Merchant Company Applebees returns to Glantri and starts filing criminal reports but that is when a wizard from Speedy's Recovery Specialists makes an introduction. Speedy tells Applebees that within two weeks he can return 95-100% of loot taken and even capture (dead) a few Greenhorns but Speedy will get: 6% (95%) to 10% (100%) depending how much is recovered.
Applebees wants to think about it. Then Speedy adds that he will pay for Applebees and their employees lodging, food, and basic needs for two weeks or until he recovers the treasure. If Speedy cannot recover the treasure, then lodging, food, and basic needs is on him but if he does recover the loot then Applebees can pay the expenses.
In 3-12 (8) days Speedy will return with 96-99% (97%): treasure [8% finder's fee on 97%] and 1d3 (2) bodies with marks of the Greenhorns on the bodies (actually,just random dead bodies with markings added) even a forged note telling the Greenhorns when to strike Applebees. So, Applebees pays 8% (of 97%) plus replays Speedy for the lodging, food, and basic needs. The Merchant Company Applebees sails back to Darokin thankful for Speedy's Recovery Specialists and will hired more soldiers on next trip.
Meanwhile,
Speedy makes 8% (on 97%) plus recovers expenses for lodging, food, and basic needs (owned by Silent Partner)
Greenhorns still keep 3% (on 100%)
Just another day and week in Glantri.