So this is one thing that should have others like the game more. With the Hungering Deep, and how the story quest went, I think it's best to say that I believe each Trading Company quest giver, each NPC, and random NPCs on islands should be able to give you quests that have story to them.
For example, let's say that at Devil's Ridge, a lonely woman waits for her opportunity. She meets one of the players and Asks them a favor. She was a Sea Dog and tires of the skeletons, so she hunts a spirit from the Sea of the Dead, where the Ferry of the Damned resides. How ever, she requests you to find, and hunt down the former captains that have encountered the damned spirit. Each one you successfully hunt gives you a "map" that adds to the clues to summon and defeat the final boss. And after you hunt down each one, you return to her and she leads to where it can be awoken. Upon summoning it, you will get a Large land based boss, out of cannon range, and only swords and guns can best it. Upon beating it, you can get a rather expensive sword that cripples and defeats undead enemies much more easily.
Sure, people are going to say "OMG UNBALANCED DON'T DO THIS" just be quiet. A new kind of sword with a special effect would only be given to those who beaten the boss.
Or, how's about one of the Gold Hoarder quest givers asks you to hunt down a famed golden pirate and his crew, and bring back his oversized chest, which requires two people to carry but maybe worth 6k. And at the end he gives you a Shovel that makes it to where all your chests are of higher quality, even on lvl 50 gold hoarder quests.
basically, add new and interesting quests with good story and great rewards.
