British forces outwit Capt. Flint’s combined pirate and slave forces at Nassau Harbor, sinking his ship and causing survivors to flee, including Madi, the Maroon leader and Long John Silver, her new lover.

Silver washes up on shore, far from Nassau, but Israel Hand, an estranged friend of Blackbeard (Capt. Teach) captures him, planning to literally cash in on Silver’s mythology by surrendering him to the British for a reward.

Nassau de facto baroness Eleanor Guthrie plans to hit up her wealthy grandfather for ships, mercenaries and arms to help new husband, Gov. Goodes Rogers, fight the pirates and settle mounting debts.

Manipulative brothel Madame, Max, uses unwitting informants to betray her old pirate friends. Teach, Capt. Jack Rackham and their fighters plot to avenge the British execution of Charles Vane, Teach’s protégé, by capturing Guthrie, whom they hold responsible.

Longtime frenemies Flint and Billy Bones, with Madi, scheme to recruit more slaves to their cause by emancipating them from a major plantation. After commandeering it, though, Flint and Bones literally cross swords over leadership.

Silver and Hand, his newly converted friend, secretly meet Max to discuss an alliance, but after violence breaks out, each party escapes to safety.