As mentioned in my post about a new trading company Scholars of Curses, I had a few ideas for other content drops.
Now I know the concept for a grapple or crab type boss is new. But this was just my idea on how it could all be tied to together and work in world.
Hope you enjoy
Lore
Confusion has poured across the Sea of Thieves. Word of new islands appearing and disappearing across the original three regions. Some sailors have even said these appear to be moving across the horizons.
Reports of a lone pirate can be found on Crook’s Hollow. She says that her crew attempted to go ashore one of these islands. On it they found a crack as if the land has been broken in two. Her crew ventured inwards as she was instructed to watch the ship. From the edge of the island bubble began to form, then a mighty rock appeared to erupt from the sea! Smashing the ship and making it appear to sail itself off. She claims though it wasn’t her ship leaving her, it was in fact the island taking her from the ship. Water begin to appear around her ankles, as if the island itself was sinking. Nearby she spotted another island and bested her luck with the sharks.
Many don’t believe the tale and instead blame it on faulty anchors. It wouldn’t be the first time a ship hasn’t been anchored properly and set itself of on it’s own adventure. Because of this the tool-smiths have worked with shipwrights to modify ships cannons to now fire a land anchor.
New Tool - Grapple Hook
These are rare items found in containers. They can be loaded into the ships cannons and fired at islands to make a rope which pirates can climb along. Making ferrying items to and from without a rowboat easier.
Another use is during ship to ship combat they can be fired at enemy ships to act as a way of boarding. If the rope goes past the cannons turning circle it will snap. Pirates can attack the ropes with their swords to also break them.
Final use for grapples is for land maneuverability. If the play has a blunderbuss, when the grapple is selected in the inventory when holding RT/Left Mouse, they will load and on release fire. Giving the player a rope to climb from their position. Can be helpful for those pesky loot items that are stuck on cliff faces.
New Encounter - Giant Hermit Crab
Due to the raising temperatures around the eastern part of the map the giant hermit crabs that were living there have begun to migrate for a new home. They are unique and have the ability to float to the ocean surface, which is where they spend most of their time. Because of this foliage has begun to grow on their shells making them appear as small islands.
Crabs can come in multiple forms with different personalities. All appearing as 1 of 6 islands. Occasionally these islands can just appear and not actually be a crab itself just a hollow shell.
Types
The Hardened Hermit
No cracks in shell to begin with and takes multiple hits to puncture shell. Very few points where a grapple can be shot into.
The Scurrying Snapper
Smaller and quicker. Upon first interacting this crab will move as fast as a ship in wind.
The Diving Devil
Occasionally will go partially under water leaving a few trees poking out. Water becomes superheated around.
The Poisoned Prancer
Highly aggressive, has plants all over it which spit poison the players as they walk past. (similar to snakes)
Nipper Senior
Has larger claws (one larger than the other) which do more damage and are harder to avoid.
Attack Pattern
Uppercut
Bubbles will begin to form at the front of the grab and it will attack either left or right near this area.
Swipe
If behind crab or somewhere it can’t attack it will spin and swipe a claw as it spins.
Grab
If the players ship is close enough to the island two eyes will pop up out the water and the crab will grab the ship with its claw. Similar to Kraken grab. Must shoot eyes to get it too let go.
Player Inhale
If a pirate is in the water in front of the crab it will begin to suck them in.
Dive
Will sit lower in the water for awhile. Similar to how the Meg acts.
How to Defeat
- Can be defeated purely from cannon fire however this will destroy the shell and will give less loot. Plus will take more time to defeat.
- Player must shoot at cracked parts of shell to make openings. A grapple can be shot at foliage on the crab to then board it.
- Players can then enter the cave of the shell (filled with water) and dive to attack the fleshy part of the crab. After so much damage the player will be shot out, similar to the effect a geyser.
- Once defeated the shell will become hollow and the players can grab the loot inside.
New World Event - The Husk
A new type of cloud can be formed in the sky to indicate the location of The Husk. On first appearance it is just a small wooden structure sticking out the ocean. When a ship gets near enough though it erupts out to reveal a skeleton fortress.
This acts as a hybrid of the crab bosses and skeleton fortress. The crab itself is powder white, it is much slower and won’t attack as often however does have access to all its attacks.
The fort does have cannons a few cannons that it will fire at the player ship, the battle for the fort will always consist of 3-5 rounds. With the final round always being a new Skelly type “barnacled” they must be killed with a bullet but only once all the barnacles have been knocked off them with a sword (there’s multiple ammo crates on board the fort).
The encounter actually acts as two battles. If you kill the crab first the fort won’t move and is easier to board. If you kill the fort first the crab has less elements attacking you. Both hold separate loot as well.
And that's the full content drop, there could be a campaign similar to that of The Hungering Deep, with the character on Crook's Hollow being the main quest giver like Merrick.
