Duke

Duke
Details
Type	NPC
Location	Taverns
Voice Actor	Valentine Kozin

Duke is a Bilge Rats NPC who was introduced in The Hungering Deep event, and can be found in every Tavern. Duke keeps a close eye on current events on the Sea of Thieves, and enlists Players to investigate and take part through Bilge Rat Adventures or Mercenary Voyages. Players can also spend either Doubloons or Gold for various Time-Limited Items and Cosmetics.

Duke's Black Market

Main article: Black Market

Duke's Black Market offers a variety of options for Players to spend their Gold or Doubloons whether it be purchasing cosmetics, Mercenary Voyages, Letters of Recommendation, or Currency Exchanges. The Black Market Archive previous time-limited Cosmetics were are made available in the Black Market Archive.

Lore

Ever since The Hungering Deep, Duke has represented the Bilge Rats in the taverns, providing exciting challenges for adventurous pirates through Bilge Rat Adventures and Mercenary Voyages, rewarding dubloons and unique cosmetics.

During Smuggler’s Fortune, Duke took the fortunes he found from inside all the Reaper’s Chests that had been sold to him and set up a Black Market to sell even more cosmetics.

Duke left his post at the taverns during The Seabound Soul, replaced by Stitcher Jim, who claimed that Duke had entrusted the Black Market and Bilge Rat business to him while a note from Duke could be found pinned to Tavern counters, explaining that he had gone off to find Larinna, leader of the Bilge Rats for help against the increased skeleton activity.

He would remain missing through Festival of Giving, until returning during Legends of the Sea, injured and covered in bandages from an attempt to investigate Flameheart's lair, the Heart of Fire. When confronted about his time away, Duke seemed oblivious of any note or mission to find Larinna. With Duke back at his post as Bilge Rat ambassador, healing from his wounds, his "trustworthy" assistant, Stitcher Jim, has decided to run off into The Devil's Roar to chase a lead on Flameheart's return.

With Flameheart presumably amassing a fleet, the Pirate Lord has enlisted Duke's help to hand out special voyages to prepare pirates for the dangers that may soon sweep the Sea of Thieves in the times to come.

Dialogue

Current Dialogue

During Haunted Shores:

Have you seen them? Flameheart's ghostly ships, I mean? If you're feeling brave, I'm selling Voyages that'll take our fight to him...

Ghost ships? You mean skellies?

Quite the opposite. These are spectral ships summoned from the Sea of the Damned by Flameheart himself!
At least, that's what Madame Olivia tells me. They might not even have a crew... At least nothing you can stick a sword into!
Worse still, I've heard they attack with volleys of shrieking, tormented spirits. It makes me a bit queasy, honestly.
Still, a true Bilge Rat never shies away from danger! Your cannonballs should do the job. There's power in iron, you know...

Where do I find these ships?

I've heard from other Bilge Rats that they seem to patrol near islands. It's almost as if they're waiting to be found...
The Order of Souls cares about skulls still carried by the ghost ships, so you could check with them for bounty Voyages.
They'll only offer them to pirates with sufficient reputation, but your old mate Duke convinced Olivia to let the Bilge Rats help.
Come and see me if you think you're ready to take on a whole fleet - we need all the pirates we can recruit to foil Flameheart!

Flameheart's causing trouble?

And then some! Ashen skeletons, ghost ships, the Heart of Fire... He's waging war on multiple fronts, just like when he was alive.
He even had family, once, but it wasn't enough to keep him away from the Sea of Thieves. Not when there were battles to fight!
Scuttlebutt says he's personally assembling a huge armada, the "Fleet of the Burning Blade", somewhere out there.
Not even the Order of Souls is desperate enough to send pirates against HIM. Not yet, anyway...
Ugh, I've given myself goose bumps now. Look, all up my arms. Another grog will calm me down...

Previous Dialogue

During Lost Treasures:

Sorry friend, I have no Voyages for you today but I will gladly accept a grog, kind of you to offer! I can suggest a way to make gold though...

How do I go about making this gold then?

Emissary work is the big way to get rich right now! Speak to the Trading Companies at the Outpost and they will tell you more.
You can make more money - and imrpove your standing in the Company faster - than you normally would for each Voyage you take.
The longer you cling to Emissary status the better Grade you get and the more you make!
Just beware treacherous rogues like The Reaper's Bones. They would sink you and take your Emissary Flag just to make a name for themselves!

Who can I be an Emissary for?

You can work for the Hold Goarders - sorry, one grog too many - Gold Hoarders, and the Order of Souls and Merchant Alliance!
A Pirate Legend could even work for Athena's Fortune as an Emissary.
You could also help The Reaper's Bones... if you're the sort who wants to ruin everything we've built! Like Stitcher Jim, making a fool of old Duke!
Bilge Rats may love freedom too, but those brigands threaten the entire Sea of Thieves. The Pirate Lord set up this balance for a reason...
Larinna is furious with me for allowing Jim and his ilk to get such a foothold. What if she... strips me of my Bilge badge?!

Can I get anything special for being an Emissary?

Of course! For one thing, you get access to company uniforms and you can earn special Voyages if you get to Grade V.
Also, your contribution to your Company is marked in the Emissary Ledger. When it closes at the end of a month, the pirates in each Tier get rewards!
Cosmetics, titles, nice extras to show your prowess off to other pirates. I know you like healthy competition.
It's a great way to rise up in your Company too, for their rewards and some new ones. They're even promoting pirates beyond the Master level!

During Ships of Fortune:

Ahoy, pirate! Come, peruse my Black Market, or... oh, I don't know. Just buy old Duke a grog with that lovely Emissary money coming in!

No Voyages, Duke?

Not this month, no. Sorry. I just haven't been myself lately. The Trading Companies have plenty on offer, though.
In fact, they're paying out plenty of gold if you can pledge to represent them as an Emissary.
Me... I'm just busy keeping the Black Market afloat!
Why did I go into business with Stitcher Jim?!

What is this Emissary business?

The Trading Companies are all trying to boost their standing on the Sea of Thieves... make a big show of their strength and value.
Maybe it's their fear of Flameheart, or a bid to impress the Pirate Lord. In any case, if you make a one-off pledge of gold, you can become one.
Emissaries gain Grades as they perform the duties of their Company, getting paid extra too. The longer you keep that Emissary Flag, the better!
Of course, pirates will be pirates. Sail under one of those Flags and you might as well tell everyone you're carrying loot aplenty.

Stitcher Jim got himself into some hot water...

Oh, I know! And pulled me right into the pot as well!
After all, I vouched for him when he returned. Thought he was a changed man. I still believe he was, you know.
I think that paramour of his got him twisted. You've seen what they built, the Reaper's Hideout?! All in the name of true piracy, they say.

During Heart of Fire:

Here for a grog, a Voyage, or both? Fair warning, I only have one and it's for Pirate Legends only. Pirate Lord's orders, sorry! But it's a beauty...

A Voyage for Legends only? What's that about?

The Pirate Lord wants to ensure that the very best pirates are ready to respond if Flameheart launches some kind of attack.
So, he's funded a special Athena's Run Voyage that will really test your mettle! It's going to be chaos...
Now, only Legends can take it, but there's nothing stopping everyone else from crewing up with a Legend. Or ambushing one...

Where is this special Voyage happening?

Thieves' Haven and some of the surrounding islands. All those Legends, hitting the same spot...
I recommend finding a spot nearby, taking a full keg of grog and a spyglass and enjoying the show!
Oh, and the Pirate Lord wanted to ensure that his Legends had some prizes to seek worthy their stature.
But... you don't have to be a Legend to sell them to the stranger over there in the corner. So don't be afraid to steal some!

Still no sign of Stitcher Jim?

The last I heard, Jim had a real bee in his bonnet about this whole Flameheart business. I told him it's too dangerous!
He ran off to the Charred Parrot in The Devil's Roar, chasing a lead. Maybe you should see if he's okay?
I was a bit annoyed that he took off. Seemed personal, somehow...
Then again, he's a Bilge Rat now, a daredevil of the seas. I can hardly criticize him for following his nose, even if it gets burned...

During Crews of Rage:

Flameheart is out there... whatever he's up to, things are heating up in The Devil's Roar. Let's nab some Chests of Rage and fight fire with fire!

What can we do to help?

Throw some cold water on the skellies! Molten Sands Fortress is especially hot right now... maybe Flameheart's heating things up in the Roar.
And Cursed Chests are now bursting with fire - Chests of Rage! They're dangerous to pirates and skeletons alike when they blow their lids.
The rage comes from the souls of crews bound inside. A cursed fate! They also contain Ashen Jewels... feels like a recipe for dark magic to me.
I've got some Bounty Voyages here for you to seek out these Chests of Rage and sue them to put the heat on the skellies for a change.
The same Voyages should also lead you to Ashen Chests and Keys. We should keep confiscating those Tomes!

There are more Tomes to collect?

That's right. Tomes of Resurrection. They're locked inside Ashen Chests, so you'll need to find Ashen Keys to unlock them!
You may encounter the Key Masters who have what you need if you follow my Raging Fire Voyages.
The best places to find Ashen Chests right now are from Skelly Ship battles, or by braving the inferno at Molten Sands Fortress.

Chests of Rage sound dangerous...

They are. They just keep getting hotter and madder until they vent all their rage as burning flame! I believe it's a reaction to Flameheart's presence.
Maybe there's a way to cool them off? Either way, the Gold Hoarders know how to handle Cursed Chests, so they'll buy them from you.
If you want to double your money, you could also take them to The Reaper's Hideout. That Masked Stranger sure is generous lately...

During Legends of the Sea:
Duke has returned, covered in bandages, with no knowledge of the note supposedly written by him explaining his absence.

Yes, yes, don’t fuss. ‘Tis but a scratch. Buy a grog for a weary sailor, won’t you?’

You’re back! Your note had us worried.

Um... what note?
I’m fine, anyway...
More or less.

Things have been chaotic as ever around here!

So I hear... Pendragon appearing, all these Tomes and rituals... and talk of the return of the dreaded Flameheart! Things are bad, mark my words.
But don’t despair, we’re still pirates! In fact, I have a free Gilded Voyage for everyone! These lucrative Voyages will please the Trading Companies.
Or... you could make twice the gold if you take your loot to The Reaper’s Hideout. The masked lady will pay you... you know, Jim’s beloved.
The same goes for any more of those strange gifts you find, or even Reaper’s Chests - you’ll get more Doubloons.
Oh, I hear Umbra’s camping at the Lagoon of Whispers. I once shared an adventure with that great woman! When that chapter closed, I got a tattoo to remember her.

Did you manage to find Larinna?

The head Bilge Rat? Not a bad idea, I suppose, but I haven’t seen her in years. What gave you that idea.
But I think I did find the Heart of Fire! The very place where Flameheart resides... but I wasn’t up to the task.
Look what happened to me! Don’t go there, my friend. I’m not even sure I could remember the way.
Hey, at least my Black Market is still open! I knew I could trust Jim. Take a look at my newest stock, or go back through my older items.

Duke remained absent during the Festival of Giving.

During The Seabound Soul:
Duke was no where to be found, leaving Stitcher Jim to tend Bilge Rat duties, and only a note hinting to Duke's whereabouts.

To All My Friends and Customers! I have left on a vital errand - you may notice that the tavern has a grog surplus!

The skellies are getting too big for their bones! I've gone to ask Larinna, leader of the Bilge Rats, for help.

Jim has kindly agreed to run the Black Market for now and take over my Bilge Rat duties. Back before you know it - DUKE

During Fort of the Damned:

Cheers! The Black Market's a success, thanks to pirates like yourself! And you'll want to look good while you're braving that twisted Fort...

Twisted Fort? What's Going on, Duke?

Seriously, go and scout out Old Boot Fort! Someone's worked an evil ritual there... I fear we didn't retrieve the Dark Relics in time.
I'm hearing reports of dangerous Shadow skeletons there which can't even be hurt in daylight. Only a matching Flame of Fate will do!
We're calling them Shadows of Fate. The best person to ask about it is Stitcher Jim, out on Castaway Isle. He's had many brushes with the beyond.
He mentioned that Ritual Skulls are the key, so take a Bounty Voyage from me and I'll send you to find one.
If you're in a hurry to meet your fate, I can also point you to some stashes of Ritual Skulls that us Bilge Rats hid on the Outpost.

So, how's the Black Market going?

Good, very good! I was a little worried about competition from those new Emporium folks, but they're only interested in Ancient Coins.
Oh, fair warning: you should be aware that I can only sell a single Letter of Recommendation per Trading Company each month, now.
The Pirate Lord made some kind of ruling about it. Bah! He hasn't had to earn a living since... since... he died!

During Smuggler's Fortune:

Duke's back on top and I'm launching a brand-new Black Market! Only shh, because it's a Black Market. I've got some unusual new jobs for you, too!

What's this Black Market of yours, Duke?

Remember how I had everyone collect all those Reaper's Chests? Well, many of them contained old, but quite rare and valuable equipment!
And with investment from the Trading Companies - thanks to everyone who helped me rebuild few bridges - I think this could be a new kind of shop!
The Black Market lets you trade Doubloons for rare, special items, some of which might have slipped through your hooks in the past.
I can pay yo with Doubloons for certain Voyages, too, so you'll have plenty of spending money. This is my chance to make a name for myself
Oh, I'm still a Bilge Rat at heart, of course. But this is a chance to make it big! You'll help me find more Reaper's Chests, right?

What's this work you have to offer?

Oh, yes! When I opened all those Reapers Chests, there was some fascinating old equipment. There was also a load of waste rubbish!
Rags, dust and plenty of old bones. Worthless! Well I buried them in Rag and Bone Crates on Shipwreck Bay until I could figure out what to do.
But wait! I had a spot of luck. Stitcher Jim is back and he's turned over a new leaf. No, seriously! That wretched old fool is wracked by guilt.
Jim has buyers on the Seaposts for those Rag and Bone Crates. 'One pirate's trash is another's treasure'... so grab a shovel and get digging!

Who are the Bilge Rats?

We're more of a club than a Trading Company, but we do reward pirates who chase adventure and follow their noses even if they get broken now and then...
Bilge Rats love adventure, rumours, and challenges. Whenever something new is happening on the Sea of Thieves, you can count on me to know about it!

During Dark Relics:

Fancy earning some gold from the Order of Souls... and making me look good to boot?

More money to be made, Duke?

The Order of Souls has entrusted me with an important task - retrieving stolen property! I know, it's not typical pirate work...
The skellies made off with several of their Dark Relics; powerful, mystical objects. Who knows what strange rituals they're attempting?!
But, I have Dark Relic Voyages from the Order, based on their visions of where the items might be. Find as many as you can, pirate. Do it for Duke!
Also... these Reaper's Chests have started showing up all over the place. Beware, they're cursed with the Reaper's Mark, so they invite trouble!
I don't know what's inside the bizarre things, but I smell an opportunity! I'll pay you in Doubloons; which will soon be even more valuable...

During The Reaper's Run of Wanderers Refuge:

Ready for some more mercenary work? This one won't be so gentle!

Sounds... dangerous!

I hope so! Us Bilge Rats have got a taste for making the Companies compete, so we bring you... Mercenary Voyages to The Wilds and Ancient Isles!"
These voyages offer a mixture of tasks and rewards, but mercenary life isn't a cruise. I also present my latest challenge... THE REAPER'S RUN!
Oh. I was hoping for a roll of thunder. Reaper's Run Voyages keep you returning to one island, making you easy pickings for other pirates!
Not risky enough? Think you're as brave as a Bilge Rat? Okay... run the gauntlet with the Reaper's Mark flying!

During The Mercenary Voyage of the Rum Runner:

Ahoy! I'm craving some new adventures. Let's play these stuffy Trading Companies against each other!

What did you have in mind, Duke?

I'm offering Mercenary Voyages that will have all the Companies kissing your boots. A notorious rum runner scattered their stash and everyone wants a taste!
I could get used to this... complete a full voyage and I'll let you buy something special to commemorate the occasion. Assuming you're up to it?
Oh, and these voyages are a great way for new pirates to dip their toes. Bring your friends, load your guns and get out there, causing trouble!

Between Shrouded Spoils and The Mercenary Voyage of the Rum Runner:

Oh, hi! Um... remarkable weather lately... and have you seen the price of grog? Um... let's talk about you for a change!

So... any wild adventures afoot this week, Duke?

Adventures! Um... Well, adventures, let's see...
Tina's grog tastes a bit funny, maybe there's a... weevil in the barrel?
I... um... I also thought I saw a shifty pirate. Or not. Maybe.
Okay, okay, it's quiet right now. Even the Bilge Rats have days off!
Why don't you follow your nose? Go poke a Skeleton!

During Shrouded Spoils, while Gilded Voyages were available:

Season's Greetings to you, pirate! Come to get your Gilded Voyage?

You seem to be in a festive mood, Duke!

I love this time of year, my friend. A warm fire, a song, plenty of egg grog. Happy days!
And I have the honour of dishing out Gilded Voyages, courtesy of the Pirate Lord himself!
Now, His Pirateness only has so many of these to go around, so he was very specific: ONE voyage per pirate!
So, choose wisely and pick a Voyage that suits you, because you only get one. But it’ll be lucrative – a real holiday gift!
Giving these out, I feel like I should be a big, fat man with a white beard... . Oh. Hey, stop laughing!

During Shrouded Spoils:

Haven't seen fog this thick in a while! Makes racing off into the unknown a little more treacherous... all the more fun for us Bilge Rats!

What’s causing all this fog?

I haven’t the foggiest idea! But I do know that the skeletons are using it as cover while they build up more forts and crew more ships.
Even the megalodons are acting up. We’re seeing new ones emerge from the deep, all different colours."
It’s not all bad, though. There are more spoils to be had, too. Our shipwrights have been hard at work on new capstans, wheels and cannons.
The fog may be rolling in, but there’s still plenty of pirating to be done!

During Festival of the Damned:

Don’t look so serious, it’s the Festival of the Damned! A new festival where we celebrate dodging death!

The Festival of the Damned?

Yep, something new we’ve cooked up to honour the fallen, but also to celebrate the Ferry that lets us stay pirates forever!
But there’s more. On the Ferry itself, the Ferryman will allow dead pirates to capture a coloured flame, depending on how they died.
We honour him by bringing those flames back here and lighting other lanterns and beacons with them.
The most memorable deaths change the colour of your flame... blue for those eaten by sharks, purple for death by venom. I found the white one very tricky...
If it’s a Bilge Rat challenge you’re after, try finding them all, or lighting all the beacons we’ve built around the Sea of Thieves!

During Forsaken Shores:

You might want to fill a few barrels for your ship, pirate. Soon everyone will be sailing east!

Why are people going east?

Rumour is, The Devil’s Shroud has lifted there. Nobody knows why, but a region we thought lost has finally opened again!
The Devil’s Roar... an extremely dangerous place, with volcanoes, boiling water, earthquakes...
I can’t wait! It’ll be a Bilge Rat’s playground! Better still, some pirates have started a new Outpost over there!
Imagine that; a new base to explore from, to have adventures from... a new tavern to drink in! Think you’ve got what it takes to tame the Roar?
Some long-lost pirate captain is overseeing things. They say she was already living out there! Must be one tough lady.

During Cursed Sails:

Grab a grog while the taverns are still open! Have you seen the banners?

What's going on with these banners?

We’re being called out! It seems a skeleton captain calling herself Warsmith has united crews of skellies against the outposts!
Have a look and you’ll see where they intend to do battle. Good luck to you! As for us Bilge Rats, we’re itching to know what caused all this.
Something’s not right. Even I’ve never seen skeletons amass like this! But, I heard the shipwright at Golden Sands knows something about it.
When you aren’t busy blasting holes in skelly ships, go see if you can find out the truth! Trust me, us Bilge Rats can smell a story.

During The Sunken Curse:

Ah, you look like the sort who isn’t scared of a little light drowning...

So, what's new around here?

The Bilge Rats, as always, have been first to catch wind of local weirdness! How d’you feel about swimming? And malevolent curses?
See, these strange mer artefacts have been sighted lately. You’ll find them underwater, but they harm whoever gets near!
If you’re brave enough, you can swim down and destroy them. Just a warm-up for us, naturally. But you might struggle!
I think a real pirate would have no trouble finding and destroying the artefacts. I did it before my morning grog!

During Gunpowder Skeletons:

Keep your wits about you! The adventures are coming to us now, armed with explosives.

So, what's new around here?

You’ll need to speak up, my ears are ringing! The skellies have started using gunpowder barrels to catch out unwary pirates.
Here’s a tip from the Bilge Rats, though- shoot the barrels and blow them up before they reach you. Child’s play for us, obviously."
We’re challenging you to use the gunpowder skellies against the others. Have you got the skill to blow up three skellies at once by shooting the barrels?
Don’t stop there, get creative with it! A few stunts like that and everyone will know your name!

During Skeleton Thrones:

Here's to the open sea! You ready to test your mettle with the Bilge Rats?

So, what's new around here?

We Bilge Rats have cooked up a challenge for pirates who love to explore. I doubt you’ve got what it takes to handle this, but you’re free to try.
We’ve scavenged parts from across the Sea of Thieves and built ten skeleton thrones in truly tricky places. Easy for us to reach, but for you... ha!
It’s a real thrill to sit atop the world and survey the seas from our thrones- if you can work out how to reach them...
We challenge you to find and sit in all of them. Some are so big that you’ll need to sit with a pirate from another crew. So, put your heads together!

During The Hungering Deep:

Here's to the open sea! You ready to test your mettle with the Bilge Rats?

So, what's new around here?

You noticed the sharks getting excitable lately? Great fun trying to outswim them if you ask me!
Bit of a mystery, really. If you're feeling curious, there's a fella called 'merry' Merrick who seems to know something about it.
He might tell you, if he's sober. Last I heard, he was camped on the South-West side of Shark Bait Cove. Adventure calls, mate!

Trivia

• Duke is voiced by Valentine Kozin, who is Principal Technical Artist at Rare

Gallery

• 

  Duke before the January 2020 Legends of the Sea (Content Update).

• 

  After returning from his leave of absence, Duke was seen getting progressively worse and weakened, with his whole body covered with bandages.

Patch History

• 2.0.11 : Returned to Taverns.
• 2.0.9 : Replaced by Stitcher Jim in Taverns.
• 2.0.7 : Duke's Black Market opens for business.
• 1.1.2 : Begins selling items for Doubloons.
• 1.1.0 : First introduced.