Ahoy, matey! So ye wish to know about Aides, the stout-hearted souls who'll join ye on the high seas? Mark this well: they be more than just deckhands. They're yer key to fortune and glory in this grand age of sail.
What Be an Aide?
Think of 'em as yer loyal first mates, savvy in ways ye might not be. They sail a second ship for extra plunder, wield unique skills, and grow stronger right alongside ye. They're the backbone of any proper captain's crew.
- They bring mighty benefits: A bigger hold, skills to boost trade, production, and battle, and they'll even keep disasters at bay during long voyages.
- They are NOT alts. These be NPC companions, not other vessels ye command from a different port.
Choosing and Recruiting Yer Crew
Don't just hire a pretty face or a scallywag with a fine hat! Think on yer style—be ye a trader, adventurer, or maritimer? Then seek an aide whose starting skills match yer ambitions. Ye can find 'em in taverns from Seville to Jakarta, but some exotic sorts require gold or a rescue from the briny deep.
Ye start with one, but a captain of yer stature can build a crew of five. Each new hire demands greater feats from ye and yer existing mates.
Putting 'Em to Work: Duties
Every aide must have a duty. Choose wisely, for no two can share the same job. They shape how yer aide grows and what aid they give:
- Navigator: Tames the wild seas and its curses.
- Lookout: Spots fish, salvage, and shipwrecks.
- Paymaster: Lines yer pockets with better haggling and craft.
- Storekeeper: Keeps the rats and thieves out, and fame in.
- Lieutenant: Holds the line in a broadside.
- Surgeon: Keeps the crew from mutiny and malady.
Pick duties that suit yer goals—a Paymaster and Storekeeper for trade, a Lieutenant and Surgeon for war.
Making 'Em Stronger
Yer aides gain experience as ye sail and fight. Their duty decides if it goes to Adventure, Trade, or Battle skill. The road be long, but there be... shortcuts for those with the coin for premium logbooks.
Their true power lies in Traits and Skills. Hidden at first, these reveal themselves as yer aide levels. Feed 'em special grub to encourage these traits to grow. With time, they'll learn powerful Aide Skills and grant ye a +1 boost to yer own abilities.
From Mate to Captain
Earn an aide's trust by sailing together, and once they hit 50 trust, ye can make 'em Captain of yer aide ship! This lets 'em fight beside ye in land battles, gaining their own strength with every skirmish.
Other Grand Uses
When not at yer side, a trusted aide can run a Bazaar in port, selling yer wares day and night. Send 'em to the Aide Fleet to earn contributions for yer company. And if ye train one to absolute perfection, ye can send 'em to yer nation's Royal Navy with honor, granting a permanent boon to yer other mates.
So there ye have it, the bones of it. A good aide is worth their weight in gold doubloons. But this is just the shoreline glimpse of a vast ocean of knowledge.
If ye hunger for the full chart—every secret of hiring, every trick to training, and how to unlock their true potential—then set a course for the complete guide below. I'll show ye how to forge a crew that legends are made of.
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