The sun has reached its peak in the sky, I can feel the scorching heat through my hat. I decide to make my way home with my catch of the day when I spot a glimmer on a sandbank close-by. I raise my sails, and turn around until I can determine what the glimmer is. Glimmers are rare around these parts, as it is mostly fish and… well, the occasional big fish. I spot the glimmer again, this time I can make it out to be a bottle. Perhaps some rum? I get giddy at the prospect of something other than water. I lean overboard to see if there are any sandbanks nearby. I leave my sails slightly unfurled as I get close, making sure to furl them all the way before I disembark. I walk over to the bottle, pick it up and shake it lightly. No liquid. I am disappointed at the absence of rum; but when I uncork two rather two pieces of rolled up paper fall out. I thought that was just a thing of pirate stories and I start unfurling the pieces of paper: a map and a message.
Perhaps it not as bad as I thought, this looks like treasure just like in the stories. I briefly inspect the pieces of paper; the letter has an ink stain on it and the map some strange riddles. Both pieces of paper have messages on front and back... oh boy, whomever left this certainly is a writer. ‘Couldn’t have made it a little shorter, eh’ I think to myself. I roll up the pieces of paper, and stuff them back in the bottle as I make my way back to my ship. I grab my compass, home is South East, I look at the horizon and see nothing but blue skies. I look at the bottle, I’m not the best at reading... I just… fish. I look at the pieces of paper sticking out the bottle and spot the words: Fortune. I look at the horizon again, calm waters and a few hours, I might as well give it a go. I unfurl the sails, take a seat close to the wheel, grab the bottle, my smoking pipe, and decide to start with the letter.
To thee who heeds the call of the sea;
Sailors and the people who brave the sea relish in rumours, whispers and strong stories. One of such stories you might have heard once upon a time is the story of the Sea of Thieves and the fortune of Athena it contains. If you are reading this, that means this bottle has somehow managed to get away from that fabled sea. I do not know if this will be legible, or if you can read this, but as a historian I have to try and document history in some way. The mythological Sea of Thieves that you might have believed to be a strong tale; it is real. If you do not know what it is, I will tell you all about it. As my father once left to me, and his grandfather left to him, I leave to you my journey on the Sea of Thieves and the old map my father left me so many moons ago. May you one day find yourself fortunate enough to sail the seas of adventure. May you one day find the Sea of Thieves. I leave you my legacy.
My name is Enthonius Erinome the Third, but in messages my friends refer to me as Erinom3. A mockery of my three limbs. My father was Euronotus Erinome the Second, Brave Vanguard and Founder. My grandfather was Eurus Erinome, the first of his name. I come from a family of sailor historians, determined to find a sea of myth. My grandfather was one of the Insiders; a group of people that somehow garnered knowledge of the Sea of Thieves. My grandfather tried finding Athena’s Fortune and the Sea of Thieves as part of the Dutch Strike Force. But before he ever came close my grandfather was caught in a battle between two nations at war; sinking long before he could ever find and sail the Sea of Thieves. I never had a chance to meet my grandfather, but my father used to say that his knowledge lives on through us and that is why we must keep searching.
Before he passed my grandfather told my father the tale of the Sea of Thieves and, of the fabled Athena’s Fortune. Tales that he had learnt whilst sailing the seas far and wide. My father would spend his life pursuing those stories; joining the Brave Vanguard to sail around the world looking for clues. When my father would come home from his adventures, he would often tell me stories of the fabled Sea of Thieves. We would do many different things together during his time at home before he would set sail again. During his time at home I would sail with my father, I would navigate reefs and rivers. I learnt the constellations in the sky, how to set-up camp, make campfires, how to hunt. He taught me how to swim, to read and write, how to fight with a sword, how to load and fire a gun, how to tie knots, how to mend a ship. He also taught me how to read maps. But out of all the great things I learnt and did with my father my favourite were the riddles he made for me growing up.
Then on the eve of my 17th birthday, he came and showed me a map. A map of the Sea of Thieves. He said he had found it and had to leave right away. He said goodbye that night, so many moons ago, and he would never return. He left me a single riddle that day, a riddle unlike any other. One I had to figure out from all the different stories, riddles and clues he told me over the years. It took me many years traversing the seas on my trusty sloop pursuing clues before I was able to piece it together. Finally, after searching far and wide, it led me to three things he had hidden away: the map he showed me when he left; a journal with the fable of Athena's Fortune on the first page; and a necklace that held a golden coin with a skull on one side and a compass face on the other. I did not know how he came to possess these things, and so I shared them with no one.
It took me many years before I pieced together what those things meant. Time which I used to hone my skills in sailing, navigation, duelling, reading and writing. I braved many dangers on my journeys, and learnt to abide the unspoken Pirate Code. My skills as a pirate are far from perfect, as I have no sense of direction, and one can only guess how I earnt myself the nickname “Branch Fingers” But, I have somehow always found my way home. I survived ship battles, sword-fights and the occasional brawl after the consumption of too much grog. During my time traversing the seas looking for clues, I joined the legendary Pirate Union: Fortune. A group of pirates from different cultures and places. A union that became legend far before their arrival on the Sea of Thieves, if you ask me.
It was on a stormy March day, a fabled day, that my friends from Fortune, friends from the for rums, and my trusty companion Kaptuhn Redhead set sail to the ever-changing Sea of Thieves. Over the years we pieced together the pieces we heard in rumours and stories. We learnt of a way to get to the Sea of Thieves. But getting there was easier said than done. The journey to the Sea of Thieves was certainly not easy and many lives were lost. But after three long days and three long nights we eventually broke through the mystic shroud. We had made it, I had made it, finally we were on the fabled Sea of Thieves that we had sought after for so long.
The pirates who had made this journey with me dispersed to find their own answers on this mystical ever-changing sea. I knew we would see one another again on these foreign, yet familiar, seas. I too set out to find answers on my own. My first heading was Sanctuary Outpost. My father told me stories of the tavern patron, Clumsy George, who had made his way to the Sea of Thieves with only a trusty broom. I thought a tavern belonging to such a legend would be a good place to start. Clumsy or not, George had found his way to the Sea of Thieves and established a successful tavern. He was also a member of a famous old group of pirates; the Old Salts.
I sat down that day at the George & Kraken, with a tankard in my hand putting together the pieces and clues my father had told me over the years. I probably looked at the three things he left me a thousand times before I finally decided to leave the outpost. I stepped outside and decided to explore the sea I had only experienced in my dreams and seen on my father’s map. I decided to split my focus; I would look for my father and try to build reputation with the trading companies spoken of in the fable of Athena’s Fortune.
It would take much longer than anticipated, and I witnessed many sunrises and sunsets before I was able to find some answers. My skills as a sailor, navigator, pirate and adventurer were put to the test on many different occasions as I slowly rose through the ranks of the trading companies.
The fate of my father was what I eventually decided would be worth pursuing the most. Pursuing this interest, I stopped working for the trading companies. I managed to scavenge, sneak and steal to get by while I sailed the seas looking for answers. If my father was still alive, I’m sure we would be able to find Athena’s Fortune together. I spent many hours traversing the seas and roaming the islands in search of him. During my time exploring I discovered various hidden caves on islands. The map my father left me had a sentence written on it “Star’s Souls hidden in Darkness”, a sentence that often came to mind in these dark places I explored. One day whilst exploring such a dark cave, I stumbled upon a clue. A clue that would propel me to eventually piece together the clues on the map he left me, finding the stars lost souls spoken of on the map.
But finding these unfortunate souls brought me no closer to my father. Until one day, by pure coincidence, I stumbled upon a shipwreck. The name of the ship familiar, but not where I expected to find it as the ship was no longer where the clues led me. Perhaps the ocean currents or mysterious beasts moved it; the Sea of Thieves works in mysterious ways. Unfortunately, it was on this ship that I found a journal held by a skeletal hand, my father’s name carved into it, his fate clear. If I wouldn’t have been afraid of potential sharks or the fact I was underwater; I would have shed a tear.
The Sea of Thieves is not for the weak of heart or mind. The storms alone can make you shiver to your spine as lightning strikes tear your ship to pieces; but that is but a taste. There is the Kraken, the relentless undead horde, sightings of Megalodon and rumours of the undead horde taking to the seas. Not only that even if you find riches, they can curse you to an eternal drunk state, or a fill your ship with tears of sorrow. That, and the ever-looming threat of hostile pirates, make the Sea of Thieves a place for anyone but the weak; only the law of the jungle applies to this lawless sea.
And what for, you may ask? I found my father dead, lost upon the wreckage of his ship. Many friends have passed during our journey to the Sea of Thieves, and many more would pass during my adventures upon its seas. And, yet, despite my many days and nights roaming the seas, I have come no closer to finding the fabled Athena’s Fortune. Upon finding myself drinking grog in my favourite tavern I spotted a mysterious stranger standing by the backdoor. After exchanging no more than a few words I suspected that this man knew something as mentioning the name Athena’s Fortune seemed to make his eyes glimmer. But before he would say anything else, he told me that I needed to gain respectable reputation with the three trading companies. Begrudgingly, I decided to continue working for the trading companies I had forsaken so long ago. It was my only clue at that point.
After sailing the Sea of Thieves solo for longer than I can remember whilst pursing the fate of my father; I decide to try and make contact with some of my friends and compatriots. Perhaps strength in numbers and combining our efforts in working for the trading companies would pay off. I manage to establish contact with my oldest friend & shipmate; Kaptuhn Redhead. Lady luck continued her blessings as I also manage to contact the Quartermasters of Fortune: the Dr of boom DrBullhammer; the merchant Thor von Blitz; the swashbuckling savage SirioNDB who leads Fortune; the beautiful bearded lady Rhami; the mystic chef Conal Cuan; Koala the self-proclaimed Duke of Ancient Spire; and last, but certainly not least, the man of the upside-down who we simply call Chaos.
It is through the combined effort of my friends and I that the wind started blowing in our favour. I slowly made my way through the ranks of the three trading companies with their help. I am not there yet, but I will find Athena’s Fortune in my father’s stead. Upon waking up groggily in a tavern after a long adventure working for the trading companies; I spot a new arrival. Duke, from the Bilge Rat Adventurers. The Bilge Rats don’t agree with the monopoly of the trading companies. And they established their business on the Sea of Thieves offering dubloons upon completion of their adventures. Using these dubloons you can buy letters of recommendation to improve your standing with the trading companies. Or trade them in for gold, or even time-limited equipment. But of course, there’s a catch, the dubloons can’t be used with anyone but the Bilge Rats.
If anything is to be learnt on the Sea of Thieves, it is that everyone soul upon it has their own agenda and they all aim to improve their own standing. However, I trust the Trading Companies even less than I trust the Bilge Rats. I decided to shift my focus yet again and worked hard to complete these various ‘Bilge Rat Adventures’. Each adventure they ask us to undertake is different from the one before. Some adventures are of questionable intent and purpose, but working for the Bilge Rats I learn more about these seas than the trading companies ever taught or showed me. I do not understand how the Bilge Rats can increase our standing with the trading companies, it is probably some sort of under the table deal we aren’t told of. But I work tirelessly to buy these letters and improve my standing with the trading companies through this alternative method as I never wanted to work for these trading companies again.
a big smudge covers most of what is written next, but I can make out the words “Athena’s Fortune”
It has taken me many years before I thought I could finally write down these words; but I have done it. I have located Athena’s Fortune, where I found the Pirate Lord who swore me to a vow of secrecy. A vow I have attempted to break many times being the historian I am. But, every time I have attempted to write down the location of Athena’s Fortune, an incident befalls me and whatever was written does not survive. You can see the proof of that above this paragraph. When I try to speak of the location, my throat seems to grow barnacles and I am unable to utter a single word. Finding Athena’s Fortune was a blessing, but I am not able to tell you why or write down where it is.
Now you know the true reason I wrote this, admittedly lengthy, letter. To tell you Athena’s Fortune is real. To serve as a message, a story, a historic overview of what goes on in the Sea of Thieves. Something any sailor, adventurer, fisher or soul that wanders and braves the seas could find. As a historian I believe I have fulfilled my duty in writing this, hopefully, comprehensible message.
If you have ever thought you were destined for more, the Sea of Thieves calls to all who yearn for adventure, it calls to those who seek fortune. And perhaps it now calls to you like it called to my father, and my grandfather before him. May you find these seas and find fortune upon it like I have for all these years.
Abiding the Pirate Code to the best of my abilities, I see this message as my final tribute to Article 6 of the Code: Respect New Pirates and their Voyage Ahead, may the old legends help to forge new ones.
My legend may very well fade into history, but you can still write your own legend upon these seas.
Just like my grandfather gave to my father, and my father gave to me, I leave to you my father’s map and the story of Athena's Fortune.
May you be of ever good Fortune.
Erinome Enthonius the Third, of the order of the Branch
I roll up the piece of paper as the sun almost sets on the horizon. I stand up and can see some lights in the distance; home. I close my eyes for a second, because I simply can’t believe it. The Sea of Thieves…real? That’s just a story, like the Kraken, told by old sailors who had too much grog. But it has to be, right? Why would this “Erinom3” write this entire letter for naught, to fool someone? He calls himself a historian, and wrote in a way even I could understand. The Pirate Code he speaks of is something I have never heard of, but I certainly have heard whispers in the dark of Athena’s Fortune and rumours of the glories that await those who brave the Sea of Thieves to find it. I take a look at the other piece of paper, a map. A short rhyme is written on the back of the map.
Rare treasures and riches vast, from Pirate legends in the past
Shared voyages with faithful crew, called to sail the ocean blue
In the Sea of Thieves, the rumours fare, a fortune lies buried there
Hidden route under fearsome sky, a fortune calls to those that try
The Gold Hoarders seek beneath the sands, the keys to chests within their hands
The Order of Souls are full of mystery, they came to seek the skulls of history
The Merchant Alliance are seeking coin, a profit made by those that join
Athena's Fortune now calls to ye, to become legend upon the sea
My heart beats faster in my chest, and part of the map seems to light up as I say the words “Athena’s Fortune” out loud. My eyes grow wide in amazement, I try saying the words aloud once more but nothing happens. I look at the two pieces of paper, before I stuff them back in the bottle. My mind can only think of one thing: I must find this place, I must find this Fortune. The distant lights of home flicker, but I will not return home. Tonight, my adventure and my search begins.
Words: 3370
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Based on: https://www.seaofthieves.com/forum/topic/76545/a-tale-told-through-images-short-stories-my-journey-on-the-sea-of-thieves