Want to know how to play Sea of Thieves Tall Tales in order? Alongside the usual Voyages, Sea of Thieves players can embark on a number of fully voiced, highly cinematic story campaigns known as Tall Tales. Expect fearsome baddies, deadly traps, forgotten islands, even some very familiar faces from outside the Sea of Thieves, with Tall Tales often introduces unique new mechanics or twists on existing ones.
There are plenty of Tall Tales to get stuck in with in Sea of Thieves, though, so read on for our walkthrough on how to start each Tall Tale and what order to play them in.
On this page:
How to start a Tall Tale
How to play Tall Tales in order
Tall Tales rewards and Commendations
How to start a Tall Tale
Tall Tales are started by interacting with special books placed in specific locations throughout the Sea of Thieves. Helpfully, your ship's map table includes icons denoting where you'll find them, provided the option is enabled in your Settings menu. Once you find a book, beginning a Tall Tale simply requires the majority of crew members to vote on it.
Tall Tales can also be selected via your ship's Quest Table, but, slightly confusingly, doing so doesn't immediately begin the adventure. Instead, it merely points crews toward the Tall Tales' starting location and provides the opportunity to fast-travel there by diving beneath the waves. Either way, once you reach your destination, you'll need to find the starting book and vote on it as usual to begin the Tall Tale.
At the time of writing, Sea of Thieves features four Tall Tales story arcs spanning a total of 19 individual Tall Tales, each split into multiple checkpointed chapters.
Characters and locations introduced in earlier Tall Tales story arcs reappear in later ones, so there are advantages to playing in release order. To get the full benefit of this, you should play the story arcs in the following order:
Shores of Gold
Ashen Age
A Pirate's Life
The Legend of Monkey Island
Within those story arcs, however, there are lots of individual Tall Tales that you'll also need to play in order to follow along with the story. Here's how to play them in the right sequence, along with their individual starting locations:
Shores of Gold
Set sail on an epic, swashbuckling adventure across the Sea of Thieves and beyond the deadly Devil's Shroud in search of the legendary lost island known as the Shores of Gold.
Tall Tales in order
Starting Location
1. The Shroudbreaker
Interact with the book near the Mysterious Stranger inside any Outpost tavern to begin.
2. The Cursed Rogue
Interact with the book near Madame Olivia inside Plunder Outpost's Order of Souls tent.
3. The Legendary Storyteller
Interact with the book near Tash in Ancient Spire Outpost's tavern.
4. Stars of a Thief
Interact with the book near Sudds at The North Star Seapost.
5. Wild Rose
Interact with the book near Madame Olive inside Sanctuary Outpost's Order of Souls tent.
6. The Art of the Trickster
Find the shipwreck on Plunder Valley's eastern shore and interact with the book near Salty the skeletal parrot.
7. The Fate of the Morningstar
Die to gain access to the Ferry of the Damned then interact with the book near the Ferryman.
8. Revenge of the Morningstar
Interact with the book near Sandra at Dagger Tooth Outpost's shipwright shop.
9. Shores of Gold
Interact with the book near Grace Morrow outside Morrow's Peak Outpost's tavern.
Ashen Age
Witness (and participate) in the events heralding the return of a great evil to the Sea of Thieves.
Tall Tales in order
Starting Location
1. The Seabound Soul
Visit Shipwreck Bay and interact with the book inside the shipwrecked Blackwyche's Captain's quarters.
2. Heart of Fire
Interact with the book near Tallulah inside Morrow's Peak Outpost's tavern.
A Pirate's Life
Join Captain Jack Sparrow on a rip-roaring adventure to save the Sea of Thieves from the nefarious machinations of Davey Jones - and a long-dormant threat stirring far beneath the waves.
Tall Tales in order
Starting Location
1. A Pirate's Life
Interact with the labelled book at the glowing Castaway's Camp at any Outpost.
2. The Sunken Pearl
Interact with the labelled book at the glowing Castaway's Camp at any Outpost.
3. Captains of the Damned
Interact with the labelled book at the glowing Castaway's Camp at any Outpost.
4. Dark Brethren
Interact with the labelled book at the glowing Castaway's Camp at any Outpost.
5. Lords of the Sea
Interact with the labelled book at the glowing Castaway's Camp at any Outpost.
The Legend Of Monkey Island
Return to Mêlée Island and other familiar locations to save Guybrush Threepwood, the mightiest of pirates, from a fate worse than death on the Sea of the Damned.
Tall Tales in order
Starting Location
1. The Journey to Mêlée Island
Interact with the labelled book at Capsize Charters at any Outpost.
2. The Quest for Guybrush
Interact with the labelled book at Capsize Charters at any Outpost.
3. The Lair of LeChuck
Interact with the labelled book at Capsize Charters at any Outpost.
Once a Tall Tale is underway, a special Tale Book is automatically placed in each crew member's radial Quest menu, alongside any unique item that may be required to complete the adventure (as sometimes you may need to progress a little before these appear).
Tale Books contain clues – usually in the form of diary entries and images – hinting at where you should go next and what you should do once you get there, so a thorough read is often essential. However, certain Tall Tales in the Monkey Island and A Pirate's Life story arcs are more explicit, marking your first destination with a glowing beacon visible in sky.
There's one exception to this, though. In A Pirate Life's The Sunken Pearl adventure, your crew is guided out into the middle of the ocean. Otherwise, beacons usually point to active portal arches close to Outposts. Sail through and a short cutscene will play while the game prepares a private instanced server, meaning you can complete the Tall Tale away from the shared world and any PvP interruptions.
Do Tall Tales save my progress?
Unlike Voyages, Tall Tale progress is saved each time a crew reaches a chapter checkpoint, and the save point persists between sessions. However, resuming from a saved checkpoint is a little long-winded.
First, go to the Quest Table on your ship and use the Quest menu to select the Tall Tale you wish to resume. You'll then be presented with the option to either restart the adventure or carry on from an earlier checkpoint. Pick the checkpoint option then either manually travel back to the point you left off or fast-travel to its approximate position.
When working through more complex Tall Tales with bespoke locations, you may be instructed to interact with a Wraith Statue at your destination – this will teleport you straight to the checkpoint location, allowing you to bypass areas you've already seen.
Can I cancel a Tall Tale?
Once a Tall Tale is underway (crews can have one Voyage and one Tall Tale active at any time), it can be cancelled using the same method as a standard Voyage; simply get a majority of your crew to vote to cancel the Tall Tale using the scroll that appears on your ship's Quest Table.
Tall Tales rewards and Commendations
While Tall Tales are primarily about immersing yourself in big cinematic stories, each one also features a number of optional challenges known as Commendations. These are listed under the Pirate Log > Reputation > Tall Tales section of the in-game menu, and can either be completed along the way or during repeat visits. Doing so rewards unique titles and fancy cosmetics relating to each Tall Tale, so they're definitely worth the extra bit of effort.
Here's the full list of Commendations and their associated rewards – including the mandatory Maiden Voyage tutorial which, while not part of a story arc, technically counts as a Tall Tale. You can also jump straight to each Tall Tale using our handy index below:
Maiden Voyage Commendations
Shores of Gold Commendations
Ashen Age Commendations
A Pirate's Life Commendations
The Legend Of Monkey Island Commendations
Maiden Voyage Commendations
Commendation
Requirement and Reward
Unto the Horizon
Reach the Sea of Thieves: unlocks the Pirate Lord Jacket
A Storied Crossing
Discover all ten of The Pirate Lord's Journals on Old Sailor Isle.
Hidden Secrets
Open the hold of the Magpie’s Fortune.
A Fine Catch
Catch a fish whilst on the Maiden Voyage.
Yer Boat
Discover the rowboat on the Old Sailor's Isle.
A Hearty Meal
Cook some meat on Old Sailor's Isle.
Saluting the Pirate Lord
Fire a cannon from the wreck of the Magpie’s Fortune.
The Adventure Begins…
Complete all Maiden Voyage Commendations: unlocks the Magpie’s Fortune Sail
Shores Of Gold Commendations
The Shroudbreaker Commendations
Requirements and Reward
The Lost Voyage
Discover Magpie's Wing Ship Log.
Vault of the Ancients
Discover the Ancient Vault
The Key to Adventure
Find the Shroudbreaker Artefact
Mercia's Lost Memories
Discover all five of Mercia's Journals.
The Shroudbreaker
Complete The Shroudbreaker Tall Tale: unlocks the Pirate Lord Hat
Footsteps of the Pirate Lord
Complete the Tall Tale five times.
A Sunken Legacy
Complete all Commendations for The Shroudbreaker Tall Tale: unlocks the Magpie's Wing Cannons
The Cursed Rogue Commendations
Requirements and Reward
The Rogue's Key
Recover the Skeleton Key
Relics of the Cursed Rogue
Return Captain Briggsy's Artefacts
Free at Last
Defeat Captain Briggsy
The Hunter's Trail
Discover all five of the Bounty Hunter's Journals
The Cursed Rogue
Complete The Cursed Rogue Tall Tale: unlocks Briggsy's Sword
Briggsy's Greatest Foe
Complete the Tall Tale five times
Fateful Memories
Complete all Commendations for The Cursed Rogue: unlocks the Curse of the Order
The Legendary Storyteller Commendations
Requirements and Reward
The Storied Crown
Discover the Crown Key.
The Storied Chalice
Discover the Chalice Key.
Tasha's Dream
Discover the treasure of Captain Briggsy.
The Lady Behind the Mask
Discover all of five Briggsy's Journals.
The Legendary Storyteller
Complete The Legendary Storyteller Tall Tale: unlocks Briggsy's Hat
Seeker of Stories
Complete the Tall Tale five times.
Sea of Dreams
Complete all Commendations for The Legendary Storyteller: unlocks Briggsy's Sails
Stars of a Thief Commendations
Requirements and Reward
Heavenly View
Discover Sudd's Enchanted Spyglass.
Eyes Filled with Stars
Awaken the Ancient Statue.
Stone of the Heavens
Claim the Shroudbreaker Stone.
Notes of a Stargazer
Discover all five of Sudds' Notes.
Stars of a Thief
Complete the Stars of a Thief Tall Tale: unlocks the Constellation Tattoo Set
Friend in the Sky
Complete the Tall Tale five times.
The Stolen Sky
Complete all Commendations for Stars of a Thief: unlocks the Ancient Spyglass
Wild Rose Commendations
Requirements and Reward
The Path of the Lovers
Return Mementos to Madame Olive.
Rose's Fate
Discover the whereabouts of Rose.
George's Fate
Discover the whereabouts of George.
True Treasure
Discover all five of the Lovers' Notes.
Wild Rose
Complete the Wild Rose Tall Tale: unlocks Rose's Compass
The Seas of Eternity
Complete the Tall Tale five times
Always Yours
Complete all Commendations for Wild Rose: unlocks the Wild Rose Wheel
The Art of the Trickster Commendations
Requirements and Reward
Drinking in the View
Discover the Rum Bottle Spyglass.
The Trickster's Key
Discover the Trapmaker's Key.
The Trickster's Stone
Claim the Trapmaker's Shroudbreaker Stone.
Traps and Treasure
Discover all five of the Trapmaker's Journals.
The Art of the Trickster
Complete The Art of the Trickster Tall Tales: unlocks the Rum Bottle Spyglass
The Trickster's Tale
Complete the Tall Tale five times.
The Trickster's Folly
Complete all Commendations for The Art of the Trickster: unlocks the Trapmaker's Capstan
The Fate of the Morningstar Commendations
Requirement and Reward
Treasure of the Damned
Discover the Ferryman's greatest treasure.
Fate of Fontaine
Set Fontaine free.
Fate of Eli Slate
Set Eli Slate free.
Fate of Dinger
Set Dinger free.
The Fate of the Morningstar
Complete The Fate of the Morningstar Tall Tale: unlocks the Morningstar Flag
Ghost Stories
Discover all five of the Ghost Hunter's Journals.
Deed of the Dead
Complete the Tall Tale five times.
The Unbroken Bond
Complete all Commendations for The Fate of the Morningstar: unlocks the Morningstar Sails
Revenge of the Morningstar Commendations
Requirement and Reward
One of Slate's Crew
Discover the Morningstar Crew Outfit.
Skull of an Old Foe
Discover the Skull of Captain Douglas.
The Forsaken Chalice
Discover the Chalice of Resurrection.
An Avenged Crew
Defeat Greymarrow.
Whispers from the Morningstar
Discover all five of Eli Slate's Journals.
Revenge of the Morningstar
Complete the Revenge of the Morningstar Tall Tale: unlocks the Morningstar Hull
Souls at Rest
Complete the Tall Tale five times.
The Morningstar Rises
Complete all Commendations for Revenge of the Morningstar: unlocks the Morningstar Figurehead
Shores of Gold Commendations
Requirements and Reward
The Fabled Island
Reach the Shores of Gold.
Path to Forsaken Fortune
Discover the Gold Hoarder Coin.
The Stain of Greed
Discover all ten of Briggsy's Journals.
Shores of Gold
Complete the Shores of Gold Tall Tale: unlocks the Gold Hoarder Jacket
Lord of Gold
Return the Skull of the Gold Hoarder five times.
Gold and Glory
Complete all Commendations for Shores of Gold: unlocks the Gold Hoarder Figurehead
Seeker of Grand Adventure
Complete all Shore of Gold Tall Tale Commendations: unlocks the Shores of Gold Curse
Ashen Age Commendations
The Seabound Soul Commendations
Requirements and Reward
A Watery Grave
Free Captain Martha Jane.
A Foiled Ambush
Free Captain Randal Stone.
Entombed
Free the Soul of the lost Captain.
Ashen Artefacts
Discover the three Ashen Artefacts.
The Ashen Journals
Discover the five Ashen Dragon Journals.
The Seabound Soul
Complete The Seabound Soul Tall Tale: unlocks the Sword of Souls
A Rise in Power
Complete the Tall Tale three times.
Fire and Ash
Complete all Commendations for The Seabound Soul: unlocks the Sails of the Ashen Dragon
Heart of Fire Commendations
Requirements and Reward
The Liar's Hideout
Discover Stitcher Jim's hideout.
The path of the Eternal King
Take the path of the Eternal King.
The path of the Forsaken Flame
Take the path of the Forsaken Flame.
The path of the Burning Heart
Take the path of the Burning Heart.
The Fire Rises
Discover the Chest of Rage.
Stitcher's Schemes
Discover all five of Stitcher Jim's Journals.
Heart of Fire
Complete the Heart of Fire Tall Tale: unlocks the Hull of the Ashen Dragon
Saver of Souls
Complete the Tall Tale three times.
The Blackwyche Reborn
Complete all Commendations for Heart of Fire: unlocks The Ashen Curse
A Pirate's Life Commendations
A Pirate's Life Commendations
Requirements and Reward
Strange Shores
Successfully navigate Dead Man's Grotto.
Tales of the Dead
Rescue the Cursed Captain.
Waiting for Eternity
Summon the Ferry of the Damned to Sailor's Grave.
Raising the Dead
Learn what happens to pirates who betray other pirates.
Treasure for the Dead
Return a treasure to its 'rightful' owner.
A Powerful Thirst
Help quench the thirst of one who cannot help themselves.
Ship of Thieves
Find a way to open the door of a locked ship.
Secret of the Grave
Discover the secret of Sailor's Grave.
The Prisoner
Release the Ferryman's prisoner.
Tales of the Damned
Discover the Cursed Captain's Journals in Sailor's Grave
The Crew of the Headless Monkey
Discover the five Journals of the Headless Monkey's Captain
A Pirate's Life
Complete the A Pirate's Life Tall Tale: unlocks the Cursed Captain's Hat
Mist and Memory
Complete all commendations for A Pirate's Life: unlocks the Cursed Captain's Sails
The Sunken Pearl Commendations
Requirements and Reward
Heart's Desire
Recover the special object you were sent to find.
For the Crew
Triumph when adversity strikes without warning.
Revenge of the Silver Blade
Avenge a fallen pirate crew.
Deadly Chorus
Confront a dangerous enemy beneath the waves.
Crew of Freedom
Release those who dream of freedom.
Chest of Sorrow
Find the Chest of Everlasting Sorrow.
Tales of Eternal Sorrow
Learn the truth of a sorrowful encounter.
Pieces of Silver
Discover the five Journals of the Silver Blade's Captain.
The Sunken Pearl
Complete The Sunken Pearl Tall Tale: unlocks the Revenge of the Silver Blade Cutlass
Pearl in the Dark
Complete all Commendations for The Sunken Pearl: unlocks the Revenge of the Silver Blade Capstan
Captains of the Damned Commendations
Requirements and Reward
Ghosts of the Bayou
Reveal a path through the bayou.
Fort of the Forgotten
Find a way inside a long-abandoned fort.
Captain of Memories
Survive a pirate duel.
Treasure for Eternity
Discover a hidden stash of valuables and give it to the cursed pirates.
Key to Freedom
Show mercy to the imprisoned
Treasured Hoard
Investigate the town treasury
The Raid of Isla Tesoro
Escape when the past catches up with you.
Charting a New Destiny
Return what was borrowed.
Lost Memories
Discover the five Lost Journals throughout the Sea of the Damned.
Forgotten Memories
Discover the five townsfolk's Journals.
Strike Yer Colours!
Return fire!
Captains of the Damned
Complete the Captains of the Damned Tall Tale: unlocks the Tankard of the Damned
Captain of Haunted Waters
Complete all Commendations for Captains of the Damned: unlocks the Concertina, Hurdy-Gurdy, Banjo, and Drum of the Damned
Dark Brethren Commendations
Requirements and Reward
Secret Waters
Discover a different way to descend.
Dutchman's Rest
See a sailor's worst nightmare with your own eyes.
Symphony of Sorrow
Survive a fierce battle aboard a ship.
Dark Desires
Learn more about the Dark Brethren.
Ritual of Thieves
Overcome greed's fury before time runs out.
The Siren's Call
Discover all five of the hidden Siren Murals in the Coral Fortress..
Heart of a Thief
Peek at the contents of some private correspondence
Lost at Sea
Discover all ten of the hidden Journals in the Coral Fortress.
Dark Brethren
Complete the Dark Brethren Tall Tale: unlocks the Pistol of Sunken Sorrow
Fortress of Sorrow
Complete all commendations for Dark Brethren: unlocks the Figurehead of Sunken Sorrow
Lords of the Sea Commendations
Requirements and Reward
Ancient Armada
Defeat 20 Ghost Ships of Davy Jones' Brethren Fleet.
Sea of Silence
Destroy 10 Siren Statues.
A Touch of Destiny
Witness a long-overdue reunion.
The Sea Rises
Defeat boarding Ocean Crawlers.
Crew of Freedom
Release those who dream of freedom.
Captains of the Past
Overcome the wrath of forsaken pirates.
Dead Man's Fate
Locate the source of an evil power.
Sea of Freedom
Save the Sea of Thieves
Journals of Forsaken Souls
Discover the five Journals of forsaken pirates trapped in the Sea of the Damned
Journals of the Black Pearl
Discover all five of Jack's Journals aboard the Black Pearl.
Lords of the Sea
Complete the Lords of the Sea Tall Tale: unlocks the Cannons of Sunken Sorrow
An Eternal Pirate Life
Complete all Commendations for Lords of the Sea: unlocks the Hull of Sunken Sorrow
A Pirate's Life for Me
Complete all Commendations for the Sea of Thieves: A Pirate's Life Tall Tales: unlocks the Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life) Shanty
The Legend Of Monkey Island Commendations
The Journey to Mêlée Commendations
Requirements and Reward
Hired Help
Purchase the Chef's Uniform.
Delayed in Transit
Deliver the Citizen of Mêlée's missing cargo.
Prison Break
Free Otis.
Save the Clock Tower
Repair the clock and set it to midnight.
House Call
Gain entry to the Governor's Mansion.
Pop Up Pirates
Defeat Ghost Pirates with root beer.
In Good Company
Take a seat in the Scumm Bar.
Elected Legend
Read about Guybrush's re-election campaign.
Groggy Dog Story
Hear all six things Spiffy has to say.
A Guided Tour
Take Murray on a tour of the town's nine key locations.
Mêlée Island Historian
Purchase the Mêlée Island History Book.
Memoirs of a Legend, Vol. 1
Take in the view at all ten memoir spots.
The Journey to Mêlée Island
Complete The Journey to Mêlée Island Tall Tale: unlocks the Legend of Monkey Island Figurines and Tavern Chef's Uniform
Mêlée Island Investigator
Complete all Commendations for The Journey to Mêlée Island: unlocks the Mêlée by Moonlight painting
The Quest for Guybrush Commendations
Requirements and Reward
Clearing the Air
Dispel the cursed fog enveloping Mêlée Island.
Mêlée Island Spectacular
Complete a circus performance.
Trial of the Sword
Complete the Trial of the Sword.
Trial of Treasure-Huntery
Complete the Trial of Treasure-Huntery.
Trial of Thievery
Complete the Trial of Thievery.
Spectacular Superstar
Complete a circus performance in under 25 seconds.
Sword Master
Use all 20 insults and retorts during Insult Sword Fighting.
Yo-ho-ho, and…
Enjoy a delicious Grog Classic.
Gainful Unemployment
Get fired from your new job.
The Beast Whisperer
Tickle The Beast
Stantastic Voyage
Send Stan on an ocean voyage.
Escape from Mêlée Island
Read all five of Elaine's journals.
Memoirs of a Legend, Vol. 2
Take in the view at all ten memoir spots.
The Quest for Guybrush
Complete The Quest for Guybrush: unlocks the Idol o' Many Hands and Circus Superstar Costume
Legendary Trial Master
Complete all Commendations for The Quest for Guybrush: unlocks the Governor Guybrush Portrait
The Lair of LeChuck Commendations
Requirements and Reward
Part of the Crew
Speak with all three people aboard the Black Pearl.
Highly Strung
Snare Herman in his own trap.
A Helping Hand
Place all three Monkey Idols on the Monkey Hand.
Second Biggest Monkey Head
Use the Cotton Swab Key.
Under Monkey Island
Navigate through the catacombs.
Glad to Be Dead
Defeat LeChuck's ghost ship.
No Fruit-Picker Required
Make a banana fall from its tree.
Whoops…
Hit your own ship using the primitive art.
Memoirs of a Legend, Vol. 3
Take in the view at all ten memoir spots.
The Castaway's Musings
Read all ten of Herman's notes.
Ghost Writing
Read all five of LeChuck's logbooks.
The Lair of LeChuck
Complete The Lair of LeChuck Tall Tale: unlocks the Burning Blade Cutlass and The Legend of Monkey Island Cutlass
Do the Monkey!
Complete all Commendations for The Lair of LeChuck: unlocks the LeChuck Portrait
Legend of Monkey Island
Complete all Commendations for The Legend of Monkey Island Tall Tales: unlocks the Monkey Island Shanty
That's everything you need to know about Sea of Thieves Tall Tales. If you want to tackle these adventures with your mates, here's how to add friends and play Sea of Thieves crossplay across multiple different platforms, and we've also got an extensive beginner's guide on what to do first and how to get started.
Introduction: My name is Francesca Jacobs Ret, I am a innocent, super, beautiful, charming, lucky, gentle, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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