Hey Folks, I think that since we have approached a new year, the big idea the Joe Neate showed us going forward was what to do about future content. And I was pouring over the books, both chapter and comic, about what could be done to bring new content forward and I was thinking about integrating the Athenas Fortune book with the game.
I especially think there should be a DLC that involves Rathbone, but in the final stage of his life. What would happen is players would get word from Duke that Herbert, strictly Herbert, the Hoarder, has been in a state of distress. The players would then investigate whats going on with Herbert when he discusses, in his own multisyllabic way, that the Gold Hoarders Company is undergoing a change. This change that Herbert mentions involves all the traders giving UP THEIR GOLD! The reason why Herbert and the others give up their gold is because of one word: Rathbone.
The player has no clue who that is, but Herbert explains who he is in two words: Hoarder. First.
Player leaves Herbert to talk to more of the Gold Hoarders about this Rathbone character, and the player gets more information from Hugh the Hoarder about Rathbone. Being Hugh, he's watchful, snobbish and snippy towards the player, but he mourns the loss of his coin. He confesses to the player that the mass collection of gold is for the first Gold Hoarder: Rathbone. The player presses Hugh more about Rathbone, and pretty much Hugh explains that Rathbone went to the Sea of Thieves and wanted to amass a great hoard of gold, much to the dismay of his crew, Ramsey, Shan, and Mercia. Hugh then explains that he heard rumor that Rathbone is still sailing around but he personally thinks that thats hogwash. Hugh, very disappointingly, knows that Hyde the Hoarder has been acting off lately, he doesn't say anything else on the subject, but believes that the player is "worthy". The player is then rewarded with the Gold Hoarder Tattoo set, which is laden with chests and gold pieces, an arm sleeve of paces leading to an X, but the hallmark are the keys tattooed on each of the players fingers.
The player then sails to talk to Hyde, but he's GONE! the Tent, and all its contents, empty. Save for one little note on the tarp of the tent: Hyde explains it is time for him to go, rather in a rush to boot, but he discusses that all the gold was collected, Rathbone will be pleased. Hyde then explains that Rathbone promised him a share of the trove once all contents were assorted. Hyde also discusses how the treasure was difficult to collect, and even harder to transport from thieving eyes. But very easy to hoard, in a place that only a Gold Hoarder can "Discover" (Uppercase D). From this, the player travels to Discovery Ridge, and they must locate the skull with the gold key under the waterfall. The key on the skull lights up, along with the Gold Hoarder tattoo set which they must wear. What follows is a very thin entrance to a cave a glowing light, The player goes in and there is what looks like a settlement with pots, supply boxes, ammo crates, etc. But then, the player keeps going forward into the empty cavernous region, no skeletons, nothing but a body lying on the floor holding an emerald mermaid gem as well as a chair with a body laying on it. On the base of the chair there is some writing: Take the emerald gem and place it in my head, and great fortune will be yours alive or dead. The player retrieves the gem from the body of what it looks like a solid gold Hyde! He was turned solid gold! Players places the gem in an empty slot on the top of the skeleton in the chair, and it changes and moves and creaks into a skeleton made of gold and green clothing. He tells the player his name is Rathbone! He was cursed to be buried in the gold he swore to hoard. Hyde believed in Rathbone's resolve to hoard all the gold for themselves, but Hyde was a means to an end. Rathbone then explains to the player that now he has returned to take all gold and leave a bloody trail behind for being put with this curse.
The player and company (if any) must fight Rathbone, Rathbone's weapon of choice is a shovel but he is a walking tank: can take multiple spread shots from a blunderbuss.
But once defeated, the skeleton shifts away to reveal a ghost version of Rathbone, revealing his human form. He thanks the player for freeing him from the curse, and instructs him that he has done the Gold Hoarders a great service, offering the player a special outfit, ship, weapon, 7 different gold plated scar sets, but also to place the emerald on the back of the chair. Before doing so, Rathbone says one phrase: Take what you want. Doing so, the player is lowered on a rumbling pedestal to the Trove: a room FILLED TO THE BRIM with chests, trinkets, and special gems and jewelry that the player can take to Rathbone to sell.
Then the DLC would end, of course this is a suggestion. And I can not wait to see what the Rare team has in mind for expanding DLC's.
Will Smith
First Mate of the Cutthroats Sea of Thieves Discord Group
