Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard, is the main antagonist of Windrose. The game takes the historical pirate and transforms him into a supernatural threat: a man who forged a pact with the devil and now commands an army of the undead.
The historical Blackbeard
Edward Teach (also spelled Thatch) operated in the Caribbean and along the American Atlantic coast from roughly 1716 to 1718. He captured a French merchant vessel, renamed it Queen Anne's Revenge, and equipped it with 40 cannons. He blockaded the port of Charleston, South Carolina, and became the most feared pirate of the Golden Age. He was killed in a battle with Royal Navy forces led by Lieutenant Robert Maynard at Ocracoke Inlet, North Carolina, on November 22, 1718.
The historical Teach cultivated his terrifying reputation deliberately, reportedly tying slow-burning fuses into his beard during battle to create a wreath of smoke around his face. He was a master of psychological warfare who preferred intimidation over bloodshed.
In-game version
Windrose's Teach retains the ambition and ruthlessness of the historical figure but adds a supernatural dimension. In the game's lore, he was a member of the Brethren of the Coast, the pirate brotherhood. He betrayed them by stealing a large sum of gold meant for Tortuga and used the stolen wealth to build his own crew.
His motto in the game captures his character: "Why settle for less when you can take it all?"
The devil's pact
At some point, Teach made a deal with infernal powers. The exact terms are part of the game's unfolding story, but the result was the ability to raise and command the dead. His undead fleet does not tire, does not fear, and does not need supplies. This made him effectively unbeatable through conventional means, which is why the British Navy was destroyed and why the player needs supernatural countermeasures to fight back.
Narrative arc
Blackbeard ambushes the player at the start of the game, leaving them shipwrecked and powerless. The entire game is about rebuilding: gathering allies, gaining strength, uncovering the secrets of Columbus's Book of Prophecies, and ultimately finding a way to defeat someone who has already beaten everyone else.