August 14, 1719
After a few months of gloating in the glory of having made it to the Shores of Gold and faced the evil that resided in it's belly of gold, the crew of the Lady LeGoon receive another quest from Duke...[DUKE]
first interaction
- Fancy earning some gold from the Order of Souls… and making me look good to boot?
More money to be made, Duke?
- The Order of Souls has entrusted me with an important task - retrieving stolen property! I know, it's not typical pirate work… The skellies made off with several of their Dark Relics; powerful, mystical objects. Who knows what strange rituals they're attempting?! But, I have Dark Relic Voyages from the Order, based on their visions of where the items might be. Find as many as you can, pirate. Do it for Duke! Also… these Reaper's Chests have started showing up all over the place. Beware, they're cursed with the Reaper's Mark, so they invite trouble! I don't know what's inside the bizarre things, but I smell an opportunity! I'll pay you in Doubloons; which will soon be even more valuable…
DARK RELICS
- The dark relics, huh? Alright, cough up 10 doubloons for me and I'll hand over the posters.
- Duke gives you 3 bounty posters for Bad 'Un Haddon, Red Jed, and Captain Typhoonan
REAPER'S CHEST
- There was a pretty nasty ship battle near the Glorious Sea Dog Tavern, and the ship that lost happened to be looking for the chests themselves at the time, so find the shipwreck and you might just find a Reaper's Chest to nab. You'll know if it's in the wreck- that reaper's mark has a strange way of letting everyone know it's there...
The bounties say that the skeletons were last seen at Rum Runner Isle
Roll to see how many waves and how many skeletons
The chest bears a striking resemblance to the Box of Wondrous Secrets, but it's of a lighter color and has no runes scratched into it. Instead of a strange voice coming from inside, there's just a red mist seeping through the cracks and a strange low vibration emanating from it.
These are the Dark Relics. What could the skeletons have possibly wanted with these?
~~~~
September 11, 1719
A month after you reclaimed the Order's lost relics, Duke has a new business opportunity to offer, and two strange but familiar figures have appeared on the shores of an uncharted island...[DUKE]
first interaction
- Duke's back on top and I'm launching a brand-new Black Market! Only shh, because it's a Black Market. I've got some unusual new jobs for you, too!
What's this Black Market of yours, Duke?
- Remember how I had everyone collect all those Reaper's Chests? Well, many of them contained old, but quite rare and valuable equipment! And with investment from the Trading Companies - thanks to everyone who helped me rebuild few bridges - I think this could be a new kind of shop! The Black Market lets you trade Doubloons for rare, special items, some of which might have slipped through your hooks in the past. I can pay you with Doubloons for certain Voyages, too, so you'll have plenty of spending money. This is my chance to make a name for myself. Oh, I'm still a Bilge Rat at heart, of course. But this is a chance to make it big! You'll help me find more Reaper's Chests, right?
What's this work you have to offer?
- Oh, yes! When I opened all those Reapers Chests, there was some fascinating old equipment. There was also a load of waste rubbish! Rags, dust and plenty of old bones. Worthless! Well I buried them in Rag and Bone Crates on Shipwreck Bay until I could figure out what to do. But wait! I had a spot of luck. Stitcher Jim is back and he's turned over a new leaf. No, seriously! That wretched old fool is wracked by guilt. Jim has buyers on the Seaposts for those Rag and Bone Crates. 'One pirate's trash is another's treasure'… so grab a shovel and get digging!
Who are the Bilge Rats?
- We're more of a club than a Trading Company, but we do reward pirates who chase adventure and follow their noses even if they get broken now and then… Bilge Rats love adventure, rumours, and challenges. Whenever something new is happening on the Sea of Thieves, you can count on me to know about it!
Where is Stitcher Jim?
- Oh, I think he said he was headed over to where the Killer Whale is wrecked, you know, Merry Merrick's old ship? He said he met his, "beloved," or something.
[UNCHARTED I-12 ISLE]
You anchor your ship at the new wooden dock facing Merrick's old shipwreck. On the dock are some strange drawings and an open box with something in it. Ashore you can see two figures - it looks like... Stitcher Jim! And someone in a painted porcelain mask...
The pages have strange plans and diagrams for a sort of automaton bird marked with illegible notes and skeleton runes. Somehow you feel like you recognize the penmanship...
Closer to the box you can recognize that it's an opened Reaper's Chest! Inside are an entire body of bones and some elegant clothes.
They stand near a construction site, a circle of stones stands at the center.
[STITCHER JIM]
first interaction
- Hmm? Yes, I'm Stitcher Jim. Sorry, I don't remember you. So much has happened since the Shroud opened. I just want to be useful, along with my beloved.
Didn't you betray your alliance and pin it all on Captain Morrow?!
Ah, I can't tell you how much it stings to hear it aloud... but yes, you're right. I was weak and foolish. Maybe I still am. I regret it every day. My master had his gilded claws in me... I became blinded by greed, I stole a Box of Wondrous Secrets and peered inside! And you know what I saw? Myself. That... was... painful, to put it lightly. I almost lost my mind. Would've died of thirst in The Devil's Roar if not for my beloved! It took a long time to claw my way back here and regain my senses. Now, my guilt stabs at me every day like a lance. I've wasted so much time... But this is the Sea of Thieves! Misfits of all kinds can find a place here. Duke gave me a second chance - to prove my worth and join the Bilge Rats!
What are you doing out here?
- I don't think I should show my ugly mug on the Outposts until after I've earned Duke's trusts, do you? It won't take long, though. I've helped him broker deals to sell those nasty old Rag and Bone Crates to the Seaposts. I'm good at bargaining! Some are just disposing of them, some are turning them into soap, plant food, amulets... maybe old rubbish really can be something good?
Who's your... erm... friend?
- My beloved! The flame in my heart, the stars in my sky! NO, she doesn't say much. She likes her privacy. Please don't disturb her. She found me, broken and dying in the Devil's Roar. She rescued me, literally gave me a second chance at life. I'd do anything for her!
[MASKED STRANGER]
first interaction
...
- So how do you know Jim?
...
- You like to sketch things...
...
- So, you and Jim... is it true love?
...
~~~~
October 16, 1719
It seems that it's been revealed what those Dark Relics were used for...
[DUKE]
first interaction
- Cheers! The Black Market's a success, thanks to pirates like yourself! And you'll want to look good while you're braving that twisted Fort…
Twisted Fort? What's Going on, Duke?
- Seriously, go and scout out Old Boot Fort! Someone's worked an evil ritual there… I fear we didn't retrieve the Dark Relics in time. I'm hearing reports of dangerous shadow skeletons there which can't even be hurt in daylight. Only a matching Flame of Fate will do! We're calling them Shadows of Fate. The best person to ask about it is Stitcher Jim, out on Castaway Isle. He's had many brushes with the beyond. He mentioned that Ritual Skulls are the key, so take a Bounty Voyage from me and I'll send you to find one. If you're in a hurry to meet your fate, I can also point you to some stashes of Ritual Skulls that us Bilge Rats hid on the Outpost.
So, how's the Black Market going?
- Good, very good! I was a little worried about competition from those new Emporium folks, but they're only interested in Ancient Coins. Oh, fair warning: you should be aware that I can only sell a single Letter of Recommendation per Trading Company each month, now. The Pirate Lord made some kind of ruling about it. Bah! He hasn't had to earn a living since… since… he died!
[CASTAWAY ISLE]
Jim is ashore holding his spyglass, and the masked stranger stands beside him...
[STITCHER JIM]
first interaction
- Here, have you seen what's happening at Old Boot Fort? I've been watching dark forces at work, there. more like a Fort of the Damned, now!
Fort of the Damned?! That sounds bad.
- It is! I scouted it out. The fort has been twisted, somehow... turned into unhallowed ground for some dark ritual. But you can still stop it! There are six weird statues in the Fort. Each one appears to accept a Flame of Fate. You know, from the Ferry! Six colours, six ways to die... Once all six are lit, place a Ritual Skull on the plinth and you'll wake the fort, giving you a chance to smash the skellies and their schemes!
- Jose: I think we left a ritual skull back at our hideout!
Why don't you go and light the statues?
- Ha! Because you can only get the coloured flame you need from the Ferryman's Flames of Fate. They change colour depending on how you die, right? Then you can carry that flame back, in your lantern. Problem is... The Ferryman has a bone to pick with me. I don't dare go down there! I did some bad things, I'll be honest. They don't call me Cuddly Jim, right? and now I fear if I end up on the Ferry, the skipper won't let me leave.
What's happening at that fort?
- I scouted the place out and I think I know what's afoot. I learnt a thing or two from spending time with a certain shiny Skeleton Lord... The skellies recently stole some Dark Relics. With those and the right ritual, you could create a kind of... window to the Sea of the Damned. The whole place is being warped by the other world... it's like a dark mockery of the Ferryman's Portal! No wonder those Shadow's of Fate are slipping through. If you think you can stop them, take a strong crew and do it now!
[MASKED STRANGER]
first interaction
- ...
So... you and Jim? Has he popped the question yet?
- ...
DO FORT OF THE DAMNED
Ingredients needed:
The Flame of Lost Seafarers (Shark)
The Flame of Burning Hearts (Fire)
The Flame of Cursed Bones (Skeleton)
The Flame of the Viper (Snake)
The Flame of Treacherous Weather (Lightning)
The Flame of Embattled Souls (Pirate)
Ritual Skull
Awaking on the ferry, the well of fates has a hint of (blue, red, green, purple, white, pink) glimmering in its ghostly flames. Will you dip your lantern in?
On the horizon you see a ship... It's the Faithful Gull! Maybe you could use them to your advantage.
As you approach the blot of otherworldly smoke that sits where Old Boot Fort used to be, the sky around you turns green and the air turns humid and warm, yet somehow cold at the same time. Heading deeper into the mist you can make out the silhouette of the fort. Taking your ship around the cliffs of the island, you reach a shallow dock where you stop your ship. The entire place is cast in an eerie green light and mist covers the ground everywhere, pouring down from the cliff in front of you. Parts of the fort seem to have been broken off and float in the air, frozen in time. There are chains and red candles scattered around the place. Large bells hang from the cannon towers. a rickety staircase leads upwards.
Climbing up the slopes you can almost hear the toll of the Ferry's bell. Reaching the top you find a large gate which is open towards the main fort building, and fixed above the entrance, a giant hippocampus figurehead. the ramps running over the vault door have the Victorian banisters of the ferry flanking their sides.
Entering the fort you can see what Jim described- at the back, a closed cage with a headless skeleton inside, held up by two giant wraith statues. circling the room are 6 statues of the ferryman holding a lantern, each resembling a different fate: One shattered down the center with a white glow, one skewered with swords, one with a shark jaw sunk into it's shoulder, one scorched and burnt, one scratched with 3 skeleton arms dangling from it, and one covered in purple stains and puncture holes. In front of each statue is a grate.
Which statue would you like to light?
As you approach the statue ghostly hands reach up and clasp at you from the grate.
The flame leaps into the statue's lantern and you feel a burst of heat blast towards you
The flame leaps into the statue's lantern and you smell the sea breeze blow past you
The flame leaps into the statue's lantern and the skeletal arms hanging off the statue twitch
The flame leaps into the statue's lantern and some poison sprays out from the punctures in the statue and burns holes in your clothes
The flame leaps into the statue's lantern and you feel a static shock and hear a roll of thunder
The flame leaps into the statue's lantern and the swords in the statue sink deeper
the cage holding the headless skeleton opens abruptly.
You place the cracked skull on the skeletons neck and it locks in place as the fort groans strangely and a deep bell tolls.
1 The bell tolls - Ghostly hands grasp out from the red statue's grate and you can hear skeletons crawling out of the ground outside (roll D10 for # of skeletons)
2 The bell tolls - Ghostly hands grasp out from the purple statue's grate as shadowy skeletons crawl out from the floor of the fort
3 The bell tolls - Ghostly hands grasp out from the green statue's grate as skeletons crawl out from the ground inside and outside, 1 of the skeletons is holding a gunpowder keg
4 The bell tolls - Ghostly hands grasp out from the blue statue's grate as skeletons crawl out from the ground outside, one of them has a gunpowder keg
5 The bell tolls - Ghostly hands grasp out from the pink statue's grate as skeletons crawl out from the floor
6 The bell tolls - Ghostly hands grasp out from the white statue's grate as 6 shadowy skeleton captains crawl out from the floor
7 The bell tolls - Ghostly hands grasp out from the red and green statues' grates as skeletons crawl out from the ground outside. a red skeleton is holding a gunpowder barrel
8 The bell tolls - Ghostly hands grasp out from the blue and white statues' grates as skeletons crawl out from the floor. A white skeleton is holding a gunpowder barrel
9 The bell tolls - Ghostly hands grasp out from the pink and purple statues' grates as skeletons crawl out from the ground outside and the floor
10 The bell tolls - Ghostly hands grasp out from the green blue and pink grates as skeletons emerge from the ground
11 The bell tolls - Ghostly hands grasp out from the purple red and white grates as a skeleton captain of each color emerges from the ground
12 The bell tolls - Ghostly hands emerge from the green statue's grate as skeletons crawl out of the floor, 3 of them are holding stronghold gunpowder barrels
The bell tolls - A tall ghoulish figure rises from the ground- it is the ghost of Lord Graymarrow, and he is laughing like a madman. He is holding a blunderbuss adorned with tusks. Ghostly hands are grasping out from the green statue's grate.
Graymarrow explodes in a puff of smoke and the fort stops groaning.
~~~~
November 20, 1719
Entering the tavern, the crew notices a distinct lack of Duke, and the foul presence of Stitcher Jim. On the counter, there is a note...
[STITCHER JIM]
first interaction
- Look! I’m finally a member of the Bilge Rats and I’m even watching over Duke’s business! Such an honour. I suppose you’re here about the Ashen Tomes?
What’s this about Ashen Tomes, Jim?
- My old master said the Ashen Tomes tell the secrets of the vile Ashen Lords. The skellies have been hoarding them, inside Ashen Chests! We must get hold of some. You’ll find Ashen Chests by defeating Ashen Guardians, or look for the telltale clouds that reveal Skeleton Ship battles. I also have Voyages leading to the Ashen Guardians, but it’s a job for Legends only. Otherwise try bartering for or stealing an Ashen Chest! That’s not all. The Ashen Chests are locked by Ashen Keys. I have separate Voyages to help you find those, but be warned - they’re also guarded!
Where has Duke gone?!
- Duke feels that we’re underestimating the skellies. They seem far too organised. So, he’s gone to find Larinna! She’s kind of the Bilge Rat leader, if there is such a thing. Don’t worry, you’re in safe hands with me.
Where is your… beloved?
- Ah, she’s not one for rowdy taverns. She said she’s found a nice little refuge where she can work on something important.
["DUKE'S" NOTE]
To All My Friends and Customers! I have left on a vital errand - you may notice that the tavern has a grog surplus! The skellies are getting too big for their bones! I've gone to ask Larinna, leader of the Bilge Rats, for help. Jim has kindly agreed to run the Black Market for now and take over my Bilge Rat duties. Back before you know it - DUKE
[WANDERER'S REFUGE - WANDA'S LAB]
In the old lab where the Warsmith messed with the cursed metal of Flameheart's cannons, there are some shadows moving from behind the locked door at the back...
Peeking through the metal grate of the door, you can see a hooded figure writing... something carefully. They won't be stopping anytime soon.
