Sea of Thieves

The Shroudbreaker Journals—Locations and Text

Marquette Bycura
April 30, 2019

updated as needed

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As the very first Tall Tale, the Shroudbreaker’s lore sets the scene. You’ll receive much of this lore from the Pirate Lord himself in the form of your Tall Tale book.

However, you might be keen to see this story unfold from another’s perspective. In the Shroudbreaker Tall Tale, there are five journals written by Mercia—a member of Ramsey’s crew.

Here you’ll find the locations and text for each Shroudbreaker Journal.

Sure, if you’re sailing around finding these journals you might have the text in front of you.

However, there is more and more lore being woven into the Sea of Thieves, and it’s all connected. So, we think the writings in these journals might just come in handy in the future.

Since most of you are likely here to find the journal locations, we’ll begin there.

Where are the Shroudbreaker Tall Tale Journals?

Remember:

These journals appear only if the Shroudbreaker Tall Tale is active!

So, first find a Mysterious Stranger at any tavern. Off to this right, you’ll see the Tall Tale book. Vote on the book to begin the Shroudbreaker Tall Tale.

The Location for Shroudbreaker Journal #1:

This journal is located on your journey’s first destination: the Uncharted Island at N13. If you are completing the Tall Tale, you must go to this island to find the Magpie’s Wing Ship’s Log anyway. Two birds, one cannonball!

You can find the journal on the North West side of the island laying in the sand.

To get a more precise location—often helpful if you’ve found yourself in fog—you can take a look at the marker on your interactive SoT map: Shroudbreaker Journal #1 on the Uncharted Island.

The Location for Shroudbreaker Journal #2:

The ending of Mercia’s first journal tells you where to go next: Ancient Spire Outpost. Ah, but where is the journal within those winding spires?

The easiest way to find this journal is likely to go to the top of the North spire. Staying on that North spire, make your spiraling way downward into the caves. You only need to go down one level.

There you will see the book placed on a rock surrounded by candles.

What do you mean North spire? Perhaps seeing the marker on the map might help: Shroudbreaker Journal #2 on Ancient Spire.

The Location for Shroudbreaker Journal #3:

Just as Mercia set a course for Devil’s Ridge, so must you. There is a cannon on the North side of the island on the middle level. You will find Mercia’s third journal just to the left of that cannon.

Yes, Devil’s Ridge is an awfully large island. Perhaps this will help you pinpoint the location: Shroudbreaker Journal #3 on Devil’s Ridge.

The Location for Shroudbreaker Journal #4:

As you’ve likely gathered from the text above, Thieves’ Haven is your next destination.

However, like Devil’s Ridge, Thieves’ Haven is huge! Who knows how long it might take to find a little journal!? Never ye fear!

There is an overgrown hut near the water on the inside lower level of the island. This journal lies in a crate in this hut.

See its precise location on your interactive SoT companion map: Shroudbreaker Journal #4 on Thieves’ Haven.

The Location for Shroudbreaker Journal #5:

You can find this journal on the other Ancient Isle outpost: Plunder Outpost.

This is a rather convenient location. The second tall tale begins with Madame Olivia on Plunder Outpost. Thus, finding your final Shroudbreaker journal here will see you well-poised to begin your next adventure: The Cursed Rogue.

To find this final Shroudbreaker journal, check the rowboat next the Gold Hoarder tent.

What rowboat? This rowboat: Shroudbreaker Journal #5 on Plunder Outpost.

What do the Shroudbreaker Tall Tale Journals Say?

The Text for Shroudbreaker Journal #1:

This journal is titled, “What is the Devil’s Shroud?”

It reads:

Finally, a balmy day, and a chance to document my research before it all spills out of my head and overboard.

Ramsey has been thinking again, and that usually means I’m the one due for a headache. He called for me late last night…

“Mercia. How might we stay safe in the Devil’s Shroud?” I just stared at him. We all know how dangerous that fog is.

It surrounds the Sea of Thieves, but it ebbs and flows. Sometimes it swallows whole islands for months or even years at a time.

Sail into that mist, and you’ll start to choke. The deck beneath your feet will splinter. The Shroud feasts on ships and sailors alike.

Being me, of course I told Ramsey I’d find a way. I’ve left my notes tucked away at Ancient Spire. I’ll see what I can learn.

The Text for Shroudbreaker Journal #2:

This journal is titled, “An Ancient Clue?”

It reads:

Did you ever walk into a room thinking about something so hard, you couldn’t see it right in front of you? The truth is like that, sometimes.

While filling my tankard below deck, I happened to glance down at the map table. Ancient Spire. In the Ancient Isles. The truth…

I’ve asked to set course for Devil’s Ridge, nearby. If I’m right, the key to breaching the Shroud has been in front of me all along.

We like to think of ourselves as being the first to find a way of reaching the Sea of Thieves, but that isn’t the truth. Not one bit…

The Text for Shroudbreaker Journal #3:

This journal is titled, “Comings and Goings.”

It reads:

The First Ones. The Lost Tribes. The Ancients. Whatever you call them, they lived here, in what we now know as the Sea of Thieves.

Signs of their civilisation can be found all over the place, even on islands that were once claimed by the Devil’s Shroud.

They built temples, altars — places that were important to them. They couldn’t simply pack up and leave when the fog drew in…

I’ll need to cross-reference some of my oldest notes, stashed away back at Thieves’ Haven. Our first hideout! How nostalgic.

The Text for Shroudbreaker Journal #4:

This journal is titled, “The Shroud Breaker.”

It reads:

It exists! Proof lies in some of the most obscure places (Ramsey won’t let me write down where) but the relic’s real enough.

As near as I can tell, they used artefact like a beacon to protect their homes and places of worship from the Shroud’s effects.

At other times, it was taken to a vault to recover its powers. When I told Ramsey, he replied “Ah, so it’s a shroud breaker, then!”

All of this seems to have inspired him. We’re making for Plunder Outpost on Ramsey’s orders, to see a man about a map…

The Text for Shroudbreaker Journal #5:

This journal is titled, “The Shores of Gold?”

It reads:

Well. This escalated quickly. Ramsey remembered the drunken ramblings of some old salt who’d sailed too close to the Devil’s Shroud.

The old man claimed he’d glimpsed a glittering island… One where the very ground was made of gems and precious metals.

It sounds impossible, but as Ramsey likes to say, that’s just another way of describing something we haven’t seen yet.

At first light, we’ll be setting out to find that Shroudbreaker. If these Shores of Gold are real, it’s the only way we’ll reach them.

I should get to my bunk and try for sleep. From now on, Ramsey’s voyage journal can tell our story…

Congratulations!

If you’ve been following along with this guide in the game, you have now discovered all five journals, and you should see that beautiful commendation unlocked: Mercia’s Lost Memories.

Note: If it does not appear unlocked the first time you check your Shroudbreaker commendations page, exit the page and try again. Sometimes it takes a bit to record the accounts of your glory.

To the Tavern!

Aye, we pirates do love a good tavern. ‘Tis a place to share our findings and adventures. ‘Tis a place to clap each other on the back. ‘Tis a place to glean further insight.

Happily, we’ve found proverbial taverns on several social outposts—each bustling with a vibrant pirate community! Want to join in the merriment? Ye will always find a hearty welcome at our table!

Share yer Findings

Follow Along

To the Tavern!

Aye, we pirates do love a good tavern. ‘Tis a place to share our findings and adventures. ‘Tis a place to clap each other on the back. ‘Tis a place to glean further insight.

Happily, we’ve found proverbial taverns on several social outposts—each bustling with a vibrant pirate community! Want to join in the merriment? Ye will always find a hearty welcome at our table!

Share your Findings