Setting sail with Baron-Captain Guy-Mard
ZeniMax Online Studios has announced a new in-game event for The Elder Scrolls Online. The High Seas of Tamriel arrives as part of Season One and runs from Wednesday, September 30, to October 14. The High Seas of Tamriel adventure begins off the coast of Anvil, where players meet Baron-Captain Olsien Guy-Mard, a spectral captain, and help recover his cherished ship, the Riotous Redress, from the briny deep. Completing the introductory quest lets players sail the ancient ship to brave the Abecean Sea.
Captain Guy-Mard first appeared as an offhand reference in the lorebook ‘The Royal House of King Eamond,’ which launched with ESO over a decade ago and is readable at Bangkorai Garrison and Evermore.
The event is part of Season One and follows reports that ESO lost roughly half its development team.
Combat above and below the sea
Once the ship is seaworthy, players unlock a new daily quest that sends them on expeditions above and below the depths. On the deck of the Riotous Redress, combat uses traditional mechanics against new and dangerous foes. Players must repair breaches from incoming cannon fire and deal damage with the ship’s artillery. Battles with Sea Elf pirates offer different challenges each time, as swashbuckling cultists try to sink the ship. Below the surface, players explore the ocean floor while maintaining a protective bubble to survive deep-sea dangers. The undersea map includes a pair of memorable boss fights and a large explorable space between the boss arenas, with treasures and lore across the Abecean Sea floor.
Privateer rewards and craftable furnishings
The Abecean Sea Privateer outfit style debuts as dropped rewards and as wares at the Impresario during the event. Completing the introductory quest awards the Ostentatious Pirate Wig and Hat collectible. Reward boxes can award a new scroll that grants Skill XP for the Excavation and Scrying Skill Lines. The Suncleft Grotto Ornaug is available in three fragments earned via different event activities. Brand-new furnishings and antiquities are also rewards, available from the reward box, boss drops, and undersea treasure chests. Some furnishings are granted via Antiquity leads, and for the first time, Antiquity leads grant furnishing recipes, so players can craft as many furnishings as they want.
German Davila, Senior Content Designer, said the team wanted to deliver a new event that felt ‘special, fun, and thematic from start to finish.’ He added that braving the seas aboard the embattled ship and then diving deep to explore the depths is a unique event experience. Michael Zenke, Lead Narrative Designer and Loremaster, said the event is ‘a love letter to all the incredible nautical stories and lore in the Elder Scrolls franchise.’
