The Tall Tales was a great addition added to the game. It was something everyone can take part in to learn more about the world of the Sea of Thieves. Mike Chapman, Design Director, in the video Official Sea of Thieves Behind the Scenes: Tall Tales states at 2:03, "We really went in for this right? We wanted to tell the quintessential Sea of Thieves pirate story, you know, that's captured that spirit of adventure. The idea that there's this lost island out there in The Devil's Shroud and by engaging with characters and completing different stories in the different world you can get there yourself, and I think that really captures that adventure, Indiana Jones feel that sits so well in the Sea of Thieves world." For the lack of better words, this is one of the most amazing updates in a while in my opinion and well, after completing all of the Tall Tales five times and getting every commendations done, I played The Shores of Gold multiple times and figured out, what if there was a continuation of the Tall Tales...what if there was something new and how could they implement that in the game?
When doing the Tall Tale, The Shores of Gold, and making it to the very end where the Pirate Lord does his monologue, he mentions, "As for the Gold Hoarder, I doubt we've seen the last of him," I thought long and hard about what that meant. I even thought about it for a while that I came up with my own theory as to what the next chapter of Tall Tales will be about. Before I explain what my theory is, let me brief you on what the Tall Tales is about (for those who may or may not know). For those who know the story of the Tall Tales, then you can just skip to my theory.
Tall Tale Story: The Mysterious Stranger in the tavern had received word of a vast treasure (The Shroudbreaker) which was sought by the Pirate Lord himself. This lies hidden beyond the far reaches of the Sea of Thieves. Upon obtaining the Shroudbreaker, important pieces are missing and you are tasked to hunt down a Skeleton Lord known as Briggsy because she may know of their locations. In Briggsy's memories, a young girl and a shipmate of hers, Sudds, know the location of the first two missing pieces of the Shroudbreaker. Two lovers, Wild Rose and George, are somehow entwined with that of the Shroud breaker. A parrot named Salty knows something about the Trapmaker which then leads to another stone. Beyond that, we learn that a crew who was also attempting to go to the Shores of Gold, The Morningstar, was killed by a Skeleton Lord known as Graymarrow. Upon slaying Graymarrow, you get the final missing piece of the Shroudbreaker which will then lead you to the Devil's Shroud. Once you have reached the fabled island Tribute Peak, you have many puzzles to go through to reach the Gold Hoarder to stop his curse.
Enough about that story, let's jump into my theory or what I like to call my rendition of a next chapter for Tall Tales...
After the events of slaying the Skeleton Lord the Gold Hoarder, and delivering it to one of the two outposts closest to the Devil's Shroud (Galleons Grave and Morrow's Peak) we learn that Madame Oskana and Madame Oya are not to be trusted. They feel what the Gold Hoarder is feeling inside and they are succumbed to free his soul from the skull. In doing that, the Gold Hoarder seeks vengeance and wants to take everyone's soul, starting with Madame Oskana and Madame Oya.
The Pirate Lord himself wants to stop the Gold Hoarder from taking everyone's soul and in the process, somehow, is constrained and the Gold Hoarder wants the title of Pirate Lord (upon going to Athena's Fortune Hideout during this mission, the Pirate Lord is missing). The Gold Hoarder succeeds and is now dubbed the Pirate Lord. The Mysterious Stranger has gone missing, and you read a book on where he went to. You follow a trail to an uncharted island at the very bottom of the map and discover he is in a hidden outpost which can only be reached with the Shroudbreaker.
The Mysterious Stranger explains to you that where we are, is actually Athena's Fortune Hideout which is the only outpost people can get to with the Shroudbreaker, which you found out upon reaching the area. Through a hole in the roof of the hideout (from inside looking at the top, is where we are) you see the Gold Hoarder somehow wipe everyone's soul away. He disappears somewhere. You are tasked with your first big mission by Grace at Morrows Peak Outpost to go to Tribute Peak (which is still active with traps) through the same dungeon to find out if he is in his room. You find out that the gold has disappeared and by reading a journal which was hidden under gold, find out that his next target is the Ferryman. You pass that news back to Grace and that Tall Tale is complete.
The next mission is then started in Athena's Fortune Hideout where the Mysterious Stranger is sitting in the old Pirate Lords chair. You're tasked to kill yourself so you can go to the Ferry of the Damned and find that the ship is free of chains and is moving somewhere. You see other ships moving parallel to you and eventually find out that the Soul of Briggsy and Graymarrow are there to help you track down the soul of the Gold Hoarder.... (my thought process ended here).
However, I thought of an ending. Somewhere in this chapter, there is a Tall Tale where Briggsy's soul was taken and the Gold Hoarder had a power that he thought he would never have. Graymarrow, the only one left that the Gold Hoarder was afraid of, sends you back to the real world with some of his powers. He now is taking captain of the Ferry of the Damned and is in human form.
Upon reaching the bottom of the map (The Lost Shores) you are sent to (island name - Death Valley [Could not think of a better name]) and have to go through a set of traps, rooms that test your new found powers against mini-skeleton lords (created by the Gold Hoarder) and a boss fight ensues with the Gold Hoarder. Upon defeating him, his soul dissipates into thin air, the Mysterious Stranger follows your trail and congratulates you on defeating him but sadly reveals the losses that were made in the process of defeating him. You, as the character, are now the New Pirate Lord. Every outpost you go to, whomever souls were taken (Madame Oskana and Madame Oya) are now replaced with their souls. Going to Athena's Fortune Hideout, you will find that one of these two characters (a mirrored reflection of your character or the Mysterious Stranger) are now sitting in the Pirate Lords chair and can now purchase Athena voyages again.
Fin!
This is probably one of my biggest posts yet! Please leave your thoughts if you would want something like this or leave ideas too. I liked the idea of a Cursed-Themed Tall Tale kind of story. Thanks!
