[quote=@Vonghese]
Settling disputes: Nobody wants to risk their ship being damaged too badly to outrun pirate hunters, and ship engagements are never a sure thing among pirates. Similarly, a captain cannot allow a crew to divide itself over an issue. Therefore, whenever there is a dispute that cannot be judged fairly by a third party, it is settled on the spot with single combat. Ships and crews may choose a champion to represent them, but personal quarrels must be settled personally. Thieves are not tolerated, and in a culture where reputation is everything, an accusation of theft is always followed by a fight to the death. 
[/quote]

Pirates had a system of hierarchy on board their ships determining how captured money was distributed. However, pirates were more egalitarian than any other area of employment at the time. In fact, pirate quartermasters were a counterbalance to the captain and had the power to veto his orders. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_purchase,_no_pay

Reason I give you this info is because Sodi my character with  one of the artifacts, is the Quartermaster.