New Players perspective

@lil-miss-mary

Fishfolk: The merfolk have always been shrouded in mystery yet always apparent, I believe after the skeletons have learned their place (for a time) and the nonsense with the GMU clears up, the merfolk may very well make their move on the Sea of Thieves. They owned it once, if only partially, and may seek to regain that control. Whether they approach with diplomacy or militaristic tactics is yet to be seen, though it may very well be both - they can hold our ship transport as ransom, as they do transport us back, however that would likely lead to a faction war amongst themselves.

Island population: Don't really know about priests and natives. The Ancients ruled the lands once, but they are long gone, or at least as far as we know. They appear to have created or released the Devil's Shroud in their attempts to hide the Sea of Thieves, though whether they were seeking to keep something out or in is not known. We could very well encounter them at some point, within a Shroudbreaker-protected pocket in the Shroud. It remains that currently, the populations of islands were either wiped out by the threats of this Sea, or pushed out by smugglers.

More animals: We all hope to see it, but currently the storyline takes priority, it seems. Perhaps the Hunter's Call can import more animals into the Sea of Thieves like they did with the increased fruit types next anniversary.

Giant bird and sea serpent: Commonly requested, and personally I want to see what Rare can do with the designs of these creatures. The existing krakens and megalodons are unique, moreso than what I've seen in most games attempting similar creatures - though simply larger sharks and squids may be realistic, they lose their charm after so many games use them. Don't know about dragons, people seem to be resisting the Asian influence for the more European and North/South American style, although in the lore people from around the world came to the Sea of Thieves, though so many died in the crossings there to fleets and the Shroud.

Blackbeard: I pictured a huge skeleton ship more than Blackbeard, he's overdone and probably fine making his legend outside of the Sea of Thieves. Flameheart seems to have replaced him as the most feared pirate, too. The skeleton ship I though of would be cobbled together out of smaller ones, giving it a unique appearance. It'd be captained by a Skeleton Lord, and retreat underwater when nearly sunk, dropping its treasure behind due to the damage. Appearing out of fog would be nice, too, perhaps it could form fog banks around it, alongside occasionally calling in another skeleton ship? Or it could go in the shipwreck-ridden fog region suggestion, as a player-activated event.

Mainland: Though nothing like that has been found within the Sea of Thieves, with the possible exception of Tribute Peak, it could perhaps exist within the Shroud, waiting to be discovered. Either it's the Ancients' final stronghold or everything left there is dead already.

Linear progression: Yes, it is against the core of the game. No, it won't be added. Get what you want, you may find something later you don't, but don't focus on the grind or the goal, focus on the adventures you have and the stories you gain from it. That's where the magic of the game truly lies, without the journey there it becomes a glorified sailing simulator with repetitive quests. Glory, not gold.

Ahoy!
I do agree that I would like to see more aggressive animals and sea monsters. I also think it would be cool if there was a land monster that randomly spawns on big islands or something. I have mixed feelings about the tribal people on islands who attack you. One of the main things I like about Sea of Thieves, os that there are four basic weapons that you can't upgrade. It just comes down to skill. The point of the game is to enjoy the adventures you have with your friends and live the pirate life. So you save money to buy a new cosmetic or weapon that comes out.