The news of the capture of the most dangerous and powerful pirate ever to sail the imperial waters brought joy far beyond the borders of the Empire. Through his dark deeds, Redbeard had made many enemies on both sides of the coast. And those who called themselves the “Union of Free Sails” celebrated louder than anyone, cheering the end of the old order and the start of a new one. They drank and feasted so wildly that even the sound of cannon fire reached the East Island — surely so the main guest could hear it from his prison. So passed a day or two, until the celebrations grew dull. The festive calm lasted too long — it was time to break it with the rise of a new storm!
Attention, Lords and Ladies! Rumours say that pirate recruiters and clever tricksters have once again appeared in the taverns of the Empire, tempting travellers to join them with fake secrets and bright stories of easy loot and fast ships with skilled crews. Stay alert!
Extracts and secret rules from the new Pirate Code:
1) By the pirate code of honour, only proven captains of combat level 5 and above may take part in raids, and all attacks on enemy ships are fought in 1-on-1 battles;
2) Raids are carried out only with the crew that fits aboard your ship. The rest may drop anchor at the inn or stay in the tavern;
3) Through your spyglass, carefully judge every possible target: from deck guards to the skills and talents of the captain, in case they dare to fight in person. If the enemy crew is too strong for yours, it is wiser to pick an easier victim. But remember — the easier the enemy, the smaller the reward;
3a) New this season! Every captain worth their salt now uses a brand-new spyglass with powerful lenses! Almost the whole sea lies before your eyes! Not a single shabby tub will slip past unnoticed! Still, don’t stare for too long: a set of four targets is more than enough to choose your prey (you can now attack 4 targets of different difficulty, based on their current silver);
3b) Important! Keep in mind: if the enemy proves too strong, the sea will grant no second chance. Better try your luck against another foe. And do not worry about the last tub on the list (#4) — that old wreck can always be caught. You may board her as often as you wish;
3c) If a bad wind tickles your nose when you look at your targets, do not test your luck for nothing. Sail past, take another look — but no more than twice, or the crew may get the wrong idea. But if you decide to board — do not turn back. Stand by your choice and face what you have chosen;
4) Given the dangers of the trade, you should enter battle wearing standard shop equipment. Modifiers do not work;
4*) New exception! Forget the rule above if your target is toothless as an old shark. Yes, we mean that same tub again, go wild on her! Against the weak enemy #4, take any artifacts you like and strike until she is smashed! Still, do not waste silver on enchantments, because true sea wolves do not fight that way;
5) Besides imperial merchant ships, you may also meet smugglers and many others along the sea routes, including the orphaned hounds of Redbeard. They are harder to catch, as their paths are not set in advance, but if they fall into your sights, let them know that these waters now belong to the sea wolves of the “Free Sails”!
6) Important! Remember: your faction skills no longer apply — you are a pirate now! Or a pirate lass — our views are free. Still, some past experience may help your crew: the bonus stats from your highest-level skill will surely not go to waste (the system automatically takes the skill with the highest level you possess). But forget about your talents, no more land-based tricks!;
?) Secret rule! For true pirates only! And if you are not one yet — this will surely make you one! The real treasure is the full list of pirate talents in a handy wheel — take what you like, but choose wisely, for talents should not be wasted. If your eyes start to wander, begin with the skill in the center, such mastery is known only to our brotherhood;
??) Another secret rule, and further down the text… Cursed magic! Think three times if you truly need it. Then think seven times more! If all hope is lost, learn Holy or Darkness. Bless and curse, but no Chaos! Chaos shortens a ship’s life. Leave that wicked craft to storm-callers — they have eaten more than one charred stingray on it. Nature is also out of favor, even among the living. And do not play with decay, or it will eat through the deck to the keel. Thankfully, the sea’s damp air has weakened that nasty filth — thanks be to the sea. And forget the berserker spell altogether — never recall it, never ask about it!
7) Important! You may carry out no more than 12 successful raids per day. Do not drive your crew too hard — they are not horses, they will drop fast. However, all unused raids carry over, for a rested crew can achieve much (maximum — 72 victories);
8) The raid must not last longer than 6 days (until February 11 inclusive), except in special cases — then no more than 3 extra days (you may finish remaining attempts until February 14 inclusive);
9) Important! After a successful raid, take with you everything that shines, rings, rattles, and bubbles: gold, creature armaments, diamonds, reserve creatures, summon scrolls, reserve creature parts, and parts of special artifacts. Plus, your Thieves Guilds’ points as a bonus;
10) Important! Do not forget the mercenary market, where you can hire extra crew for silver. Prices there are steady as a calm sea — no wild bargains, but no tricks either, day or night. And the service — first class, as always! Want to get rid of a couple of useless fools? Go ahead! And without any fee! All for the people! Want to see them all? Easy! Just do not lose your eyes, or they may scatter, and you will never catch them. What use is a blind captain to a crew?
11) Important! If too much silver piles up, you may spend it on a new and stronger ship or on cannons for it. Ship guns are now discounted during raids, almost given away for free, so do not miss the chance to fire a proper broadside!
12) The stronger the ship, the more crew it can carry and the more cannons can be mounted on it;
13) Important! Cannon stats depend only on their upgrades and the captain’s level, but their initiative is affected by both equipped artifacts and skill level. Not full crew members yet, but they keep pace!
14) New pirate trick! Once you have plundered enough, some two dozen ships (24 victories) — and earned true fame, you may dare to start anew. The crew will support you and even forget past mistakes. Once or twice only, no more. Do not hope to cheat fate: repeated raids on old routes will bring no new valuable trophies (except what you failed to take last time) and will teach you little the second time around.
15) To keep spirits high, pirates hand out a bottle of premium rum for 24, 50, and 70 victories!
And one more thing! A little bird has whispered that some ships carry a most valuable cargo — fragments of War Cloak and parts of Fear Boots. Around 10 pieces or so. Plunder as much as you can, and you will surely claim them!
After the raids are over, depending on the amount of silver looted, pirates will grant an extra reward of up to 10 parts of War Cloak.
- The best 75 military clans and all active Lords and Ladies within them will earn special respect among the pirates and receive an additional reward. Ranking will be based on the final clan rating, where the result equals the total silver plundered by the top 100 Lords and Ladies of the clan;
- Clan rewards will be given to unblocked Lords and Ladies of successful military clans who have earned at least 27,000 points;
- If a Lord or Lady leaves or is expelled from a military clan, the clan loses all points gained by that member; upon rejoining, those points will be restored;
- Leaving a clan on the final day of the event and before the rewards are handed out is forbidden;
- From the second day of the event, recruitment into military clans will be limited to three Lords and Ladies per day;
- Important! Lords and Ladies who score 48 or more victories during the raids will not be able to join any military clans until the event ends.
Reward for all Lords and Ladies of the leading combat clans:
| Clan rank | Reward | Glory | | 1 | | 1,500 | | 2 | | 1,300 | | 3 | | 1,100 | | 4 | | 1,000 | | 5 - 8 | | 900 | | 9 - 13 | | 800 | | 14 - 20 | | 600 | | 21 - 30 | | 500 | | 31 - 45 | | 400 | | 46 - 60 | | 250 | | 61 - 75 | | 100 |
Personal reward for the top 5,000 Lords and Ladies of the event:
| Lord/Lady rank | Reward | | 1 - 50 | | | 51 - 100 | | | 101 - 200 | | | 201 - 400 | | | 401 - 650 | | | 651 - 1000 | | | 1001 - 1500 | | | 1501 - 2250 | | | 2251 - 3000 | | | 3001 - 3750 | | | 3751 - 5000 | |
All hands to boarding! |
