The Captaincy System (Lore) — Sea of Thieves Walkthrough

Discover all about Treasure in Sea of Thieves! Learn how to find, carry, and sell various treasure items to Trading Companies for Gold, Reputation, and Emissary Value.

Treasure items are the primary means of acquiring Gold, Doubloons, Reputation, and Emissary Value in Sea of Thieves. These items can be found scattered across the seas, hidden on islands, within shipwrecks, or obtained through various encounters and quests. Each Trading Company specializes in valuing and purchasing specific types of Treasure, offering rewards upon delivery at Outposts.

Treasure can be found through various means, including dedicated Voyages offered by Trading Companies, or discovered randomly on islands, floating in barrels, within shipwrecks, or guarded in Fort vaults. Enemies like Skeleton Ships, Megalodons, and the Kraken may also yield treasure. All treasure items emit a distinct colored glint or glow, aiding players in spotting them from a distance.

Carrying treasure requires players to hold it in their hands, which restricts their ability to fight or use equipment. While a single pirate can only carry one treasure item at a time, smaller items can be consolidated into Container Chests, which can hold up to three items and help conceal their glow. Treasure dropped in water will eventually sink, except for Trade Good Crates which remain afloat longer. Harpoons can be used to retrieve treasure from afar.

When sailing as a Trading Company Emissary, collecting relevant treasure grants Emissary Grade Reputation, with additional bonuses for bringing it aboard your ship. These reputation increases are awarded only upon the first claim of a treasure item.

Treasure items are categorized by the Trading Company they are sold to. The three main companies are the Gold Hoarders, the Order of Souls, and the Merchant Alliance. Within these, treasures can be further classified into Regular, Ashen, Stronghold, Skeletal, and Ghostly variants, depending on their origin.

Gold Hoarders Treasure:

The Gold Hoarders accept various Treasure Chests and Artefacts. Treasure Chests are locked and sold to the Gold Hoarders for their contents. They emit a white glint and come in several types: Regular, Shipwrecked, Coral (found in Siren Shrines/Treasuries), Ashen (found in The Devil's Roar, worth double), Valuable (from specific encounters), and Cursed (tied to specific effects or locations). Artefacts are smaller items found throughout the seas or within fortress vaults, emitting a golden glint.