Its rather simple, if u can't be on server that day just find replacement. That way u will always have someone to represent Piratez. If by any chance no-one can be on that day and hour, u ''miss turn''.
But u must know - general is most vulnerable when he is ''inactive''. If someone attack your general in state of inactivity u lose by default! You lost Territory on which u stand, go into retreat mode and your general suffers one (-) penalty.
Basically u lose 1 of 3 health bars.
All health gone - out of the game. Out of the game - You lose all territories that u had till that time. They became property of NPC Rebels again.