It's been mentioned a few times, but all the various mutilations and accoutrements stereotypical of pirates could make for some "pirateyness". For instance, through whatever combat mechanic you have, your pirate captain could get injured. For each of these injuries, he draws a card detailing his injury. Injuries might have negative results (peg leg = -1 fencing; eyepatch = -1 gunnery; etc.) which might be overcome as the pirate gains skill, but each injury would increase a pirate's reputation/terror factor/etc.
You might also come up with interesting game effects for pirates who acquire trappings such as a parrot, burning matches in their beard, etc. etc. whatever feels piratey.
-AJF
