Trials of Exploration is one of the four types of Trials that you can complete during Season One. While completing the Trails of Exploration, you will be sailing across the ocean and meeting the inhabitants who live in the Sea of Thieves.
There are over a dozen Trials of Exploration to complete. While some of the Trials in the Trials of Exploration contain self-explanatory Deeds, some Deeds can be a little difficult, and a guide might come in handy. Below you’ll find guides on how to complete some of the trickier Trials that Season One has to offer!
As we continue to play through Season One we will also be updating this article with more guides for the Trials not yet covered.
Aspiring Explorer
Get to know the Sea of Thieves and learn its secrets in this swift Trial.
Deeds to complete:
Find and examine a nameplate at Shipwreck Bay, or a unique rock painting at Snake Island, Plunder Valley or Thieves’ Haven.
Set foot on an island somewhere on the waves.
Speak to Umbra at her camp located on the Lagoon of Whispers.
Thoughts?
Find and examine a nameplate at Shipwreck Bay, or a unique rock painting at Snake Island, Plunder Valley or Thieves’ Haven.
For this Deed you only need to find and interact with one of the four Rare Easter Eggs hidden in the Sea of Thieves.
Nameplate at Shipwreck Bay
Sail over to Shipwreck Bay. As the island name suggests, you can find the debris of many ships strewn about the island.
However, one shipwreck is much more prominent than the others: the large, somewhat intact, ship on the south shore.
You can find the nameplate above the door to the Captain’s Cabin. Stand below it, look up, and follow the prompt to read a bit about this ship.
Unique rock painting at Snake Island
Sail over to Snake Island. Snake Island has three parts; you’ll want to walk up the main island in the center. You’ll find what you seek on the North side, across from a large altar.
It is a rock painting of the mighty Battletoads overlooking the North sea.
The picture below is rather helpful in showing its location relative to that altar.
What you might not notice from the picture is that you’ll need to stand on a bit of a ledge to get a good look.
Unique rock painting at Plunder Valley
You can find the unique rock painting on Plunder Vally near the center of the island on the middle level. Plunder Valley is crowned with a gigantic bird shaped rock formation.
The rock painting is at the base of that rock formation.
Climb on up to the middle level of the island, working your way around to the east side of this base. Aye, you’ll find this painting on the East side of the rock formation—facing towards the East sea.
This rock painting depicts the majestic Banjo-Kazooie!
Unique rock painting at Thieves’ Haven
You can find the unique rock painting on Thieves’ Haven in the Northern Caves.
There is a cave system on the middle level of the island, which can be accessed from the North side.
Follow the caves westward. Soon enough you’ll come across a rock painting celebrating Viva Piñata!
Set foot on an island somewhere on the waves.
To complete this Deed you must set foot on a Seapost in the Sea of Thieves. Simply sail to the closest Seapost and step foot anywhere on the tiny island to complete this Deed.
Speak to Umbra at her camp located on the Lagoon of Whispers.
You can find Umbra at the Lagoon of Whispers in The Shores of Plenty. It’s just South of Port Merrick.
She is on the Northern side of the small island. Simply walk up and talk to her to complete this Deed.
You might also talk to Duke while you’re there. This will complete a Deed for the Trials of Adventure: Proficient Bilge Rat.
Aspiring Scavenger
The sea provides! Learn to harvest nature’s riches with this swift Trial.
Deeds to complete:
Catch a wild animal in a cage.
Start an island campfire at night and cook some food.
Pick up treasure that’s been washed up on shore.
Aspiring Historian
Learn the legends of pirates past in this swift Trial, delving into the greatest stories ever told.
Deeds to complete:
Find and read one of Umbra’s Journals.
Find and examine some of Umbra’s Immortalizations.
Speak to Umbra at her camp located on the Lagoon of Whispers.
Thoughts?
Find and read one of Umbra’s Journals.
There are a total of 10 different journals that Umbra has stashed away across the Sea of Thieves.
Luckily, we have a detailed guide showing the precise location of each one: Legends of the Sea Journal Locations Guide.
Simply pick the closest one to your current destination and sail on over. Once you find the journal, read it to complete the Deed.
Find an examine some of Umbra’s Immortalizations.
There are a total of 50 different Player Immortalizations hidden across the Sea of Thieves.
Do we have an incredibly detailed guide showing the location for each and every one? Of course! Legends of the Sea Immortalization Locations Guide
You can also use the interactive SoT companion map. Simply click on the top left filter button, open “Legends of the Sea,” and toggle on “Player Immortalizations.”
Simply pick the closest immortalization to your current destination and sail on over.
For what it’s worth, the Shores of Plenty has far more immortalizations than the other regions. So, if you happen to be sailing in that bright, sunny region, you might look up the guide or pull out your interactive map.
Once you find the Player Immortalization, interact with it to complete the Deed.
If you happen to be on Port Merrick or Sanctuary Outpost, we actually made a video for the “10 Legends Searching” Goal in the 12 Deeds of Giving Challenge.
In that video, we show how you can find 10 Immortalizations just by going to Port Merrick and Sanctuary Isle Outpost: 10 Legends Searching Video.
Speak to Umbra at her camp located on the Lagoon of Whispers.
Once again, you can find Umbra at the Lagoon of Whispers in The Shores of Plenty. The Lagoon of Whispers is just South of Port Merrick.
She is on the Northern side of the small island. Simply walk up and talk to her to complete this Deed.
Once again, you might chat a bit with Duke, too.
Aspiring Lightbringer
How you died is reflected in the Ferry’s Well of Fates. Claim the Flames to complete this swift Trial.
Deeds to Complete:
Acquire a Flame of Fate from the Ferry.
Use your lantern to light a beacon with any Flame of Fate.
Light your ship’s lanterns with blue or white Flames of Fate.
Thoughts?
What is a Flame of Fate?
Ah, yes. For any new pirates out there, this might be unfamiliar territory.
Luckily, as with so many other topics covered in these trials, we have a guide—several actually… We’ve written about the Flames of Fate on several occasions given how often they are used in various events.
The most basic primer is probably this guide: Flames of Fate Guide.
Note: that guide was written in 2019. Thus, the red Flame of Fate lists its death as “Death by Volcano.” This is because—once upon a time—volcanoes were the only means to die by fire. Now, there are obviously several additional means to create a conflagration!
Lighting Beacons with Flames of Fate
Aye, we have guides on this as well. However, your quickest way of seeing now only where these beacons are located—but also how to get to those beacons—would the short videos we made on the beacons found in each region.
Aspiring Pioneer
Your Maiden Voyage began just beyond the Sea of Thieves. Relive it in this swift Trail.
Deeds to Complete:
Catch a fish on Old Sailor Isle.
Find any journal on Old Sailor Isle.
Complete the Maiden Voyage.
Thoughts?
Where is Old Sailor Isle?
If you can’t find “Old Sailor Isle” on your map table, there’s a good reason: it’s not there.
Old Sailor Isle is an island just on the edge of entering the Sea of Thieves. You can only access this island through the Maiden Voyage.
Do we have a guide on the Maiden Voyage? Does Salty the Parrot regret many life choices? (Yes, yes he does.)
This guide will help you with any and all Deeds related to Old Sailor’s Isle and the Maiden Voyage: The Maiden Voyage Guide.
While you can find much more information in that guide, we will answer a few quick questions here.
I’m on Old Sailor Isle. Why can’t I fish?
Before you can catch a fish during the Maiden Voyage, you’ll first have to retrieve your equipment. Speak with the Pirate Lord, eat a Banana, gather your sword and speak with the Pirate Lord once more.
He will give you a shovel and a map to dig up a chest. This chest contains your equipment which includes a fishing rod.
Once you have found the chest, delivered the chest to the Pirate Lord and taken your equipment, you are ready to start fishing. Find any large pool of water or the sea surrounding the island and cast your reel.
As soon as you catch a fish you will have completed this Deed.
Find any Journal on Old Sailor Isle.
As soon as you wake up on Old Sailor Isle you are free to find any one of the ten journals found on the island—and we have a journal to help you find all ten! The Maiden Voyage Journal Locations
However, we will include a little tip here to help you find one journal very quickly.
When you first wake up on Old Sailor’s Isle, turn around. You see a small pool with a cave. Head into that cave and you’ll find the closest journal toward the back.
Complete the Maiden Voyage.
The Maiden Voyage is meant to be a pirate tutorial of sorts. The Pirate Lord himself will walk you through the steps ultimately guiding you to the Sea of Thieves.
The Pirate Lord is fairly helpful, but if you’d like a bit more assistance on making the most of your time on Old Sailor’s Isle, you can always take a look at that Maiden Voyage Guide.
Accomplished Pioneer
Dig deep into the hidden secrets of the Maiden Voyage to complete this grand Trail.
Deeds to Complete:
Cook some chicken on a campfire on Old Sailor Isle.
Find a Rowboat on Old Sailor Isle.
Fire yourself from the cannon of the wrecked ship on Old Sailor Isle.
Thoughts?
“Second verse, same as the first.”
For this Trial you will need to complete three different Deeds all found in the Maiden Voyage.
If you follow along in the Maiden Voyage Guide, you will have no trouble completing all three of these deeds.
Accomplished Explorer
The more you venture out into the world, the closer you’ll come to completing this grand Trial.
Deeds to Complete:
Find and destroy a Cursed Mermaid Statue.
Set foot on an island in each of the four regions.
Visit a Skeleton Fort.
Visit a Seapost.
Accomplished Scavenger
Search high and low for valuables, then sell them for a profit to complete this grand Trial.
Deeds to Complete:
Hand in a Shipwrecked Chest to the Gold Hoarders.
Hand in a supply crate of any kind.
Hand in an Ashen Chest to Larinna or the Reaper’s Bones.
Accomplished Historian
Gaining a more complete understanding of legendary pirates is the key to this grand Trail.
Deeds to Complete:
Find Some of Umbra’s Immortalizations.
Find all of Umbra’s Journals. (0/10)
Find and examine a nameplate at Shipwreck Bay, or a unique rock painting at Snake Island, Plunder Valley or Thieves’ Haven.
Thoughts?
Well, we have thoughts. We just already shared them up above in the “Aspiring Historian” section.
We can certainly save you from scrolling to find the links though:
Legends of the Sea Immortalizations Guide
Umbra’s Journal Locations Guide
Throne Seeker
Sitting in Skeleton Thrones across the Sea of Thieves will see this grand Trial defeated.
Deeds to Complete:
Sail to Thieves’ Haven.
Sit on the throne at Thieves’ Haven.
Sit on a throne hidden in a sunken cave at K-9.
Thoughts?
What and Where are Skeleton Thrones?
Skeleton Thrones appeared in the summer of 2018 with the first ever Bilge Rat Adventure!
Some are large, some are small, and yes this is a meaningful distinction.
Do we have a guide detailing their sizes, locations, tip and tricks for actually getting up onto them? Yes. Yes, we do.
In fact, we have a written guide, we have beacons on the interactive map, and we have a little video demonstration. Take your pick, me hearties!
The Written Guide: Skeleton Throne Locations Guide.
The Map: You can also see the throne locations on your interactive SoT companion map. Simply click that filter button in the upper left-hand corner. Then scroll all the way down to the bottom of the categories.
Just above “Campaigns” you’ll see “Skeleton Thrones” under the heading “Bilge Rat Adventures.”
The Video Demonstration:
Sit on the Throne at Thieves’ Haven.
While we’ll point you to the guides listed above for most of these thrones, we did think we could at least give you a quick rundown on finding the thrones at Thieves’ Haven and the sunken cave at K-9.
The Skeleton Throne on Thieves’ Haven is located on a rock sticking out of the water to the East of the island. This is by far the easiest throne to sit on.
Simply sail your ship up to the throne so that you can jump right off your bowsprit and onto that throne.
Sit on a Throne hidden in a sunken cave on K-9.
From the center of the uncharted island, dive below and swim South. You’ll find a cave entrance that leads to a long underwater cave. This cave will spit you out into an underground cavern with the throne.
Throne Climber
Skeleton Thrones high overhead must be reached to complete this grand Trial.
Deeds to Complete:
Sit in the Throne at Shipwreck Bay with another crew.
Sit in the Throne atop Devil’s Ridge.
Sit in the Throne atop Hidden Spring Keep.
Sit in the Throne atop Mermaid’s Hideaway.
Thoughts?
I suppose we’ve already given all of our thoughts on thrones in the section above. If you jumped straight to these deeds, just scroll up a bit. There you’ll find resources for the exact locations, tips and tricks for every throne in the Sea of Thieves!
Accomplished Statue Smasher
Cursed Mermaid Statues lurk beneath the waves. Destroy them to complete this grand Trial.
Deeds to Complete:
Hand in a Mermaid Gem to the Gold Hoarders.
Hand in a Mermaid Gem to the Merchant Alliance.
Hand in a Mermaid Gem to the Order of Souls.
Destroy all three kinds of Cursed Mermaid Statue.
Master Explorer
Visiting every last corner of the Sea of Thieves is the only way to complete this epic Trial.
Deeds to Complete:
Open Treasure Vaults. (0/10)
Ring the bell high atop the Sea Dogs’ Tavern.
Find a way to reach the Shores of Gold.
Master of Thrones
Ascending to every Skeleton Throne and taking your rightful place will defeat this epic Trial.
Deeds to Complete:
Sit in all small Skeleton Thrones.
Sit in all large skeleton Thrones with another crew.
Thoughts?
One more time for the pirates in the back: use any of the guides listed above in the “Throne Seeker” section to find all ten of the Skeleton Thrones.
Master Statue Smasher
Complete this epic Trial and ensure that the seas are that much safer for unwary pirates.
Deeds to Complete:
Hand in Emerald Mermaid Gems. (0/3)
Hand in Ruby Mermaid Gems. (0/3)
Hand in Sapphire Mermaid Gems. (0/3)
Destroy Cursed Mermaid Statues. (0/50)
Master Pioneer
Leave no stone unturned in the Maiden Voyage to chart the Pirate Lord’s legacy in this epic Trial.
Deeds to Complete:
Find and read all of the Pirate Lord’s Journals. (0/10)
Unlock the hold of the Magpie’s Fortune.
Thoughts?
Not much beyond what we shared for the Maiden Voyage Deeds above. However, if you’d rather not scroll back up to find those links, we’ll put them here, too.
Find and read all of the Pirate Lord’s Journals.
There are a total of ten Pirate Lord journals hidden in the Maiden Voyage. To find each one you can follow along in our Maiden Voyage Journal Location Guide here.
Unlock the hold of the Magpie’s Fortune.
To unlock the hold of the Magpie’s Fortune you will need to locate both the key and the secret hold during the Maiden Voyage.
You can find the key in the pond right next to the main shipwreck on the island. The secret hold is in between the two halves of the shipwreck on the ground.
For detailed instructions on how to find both the key and hold, head on over to the Maiden Voyage Guide.
1 thought on “Sea of Thieves: Trials of Exploration Guide”
>>Light your ship’s lanterns with blue or white Flames of Fate.
this looks like the devs made a mistake, and it should be
>>Light your ship’s lanterns with blue AND white Flames of Fate.
well, for me, i did it multiple times, nothing happened, and it only validated when i got both colors