Wanda, also known as Captain Warsmith or the Masked Stranger, was the Weaponsmith stationed at Golden Sands Outpost who created Cursed Cannonballs by experimenting with the found remains of Captain Flameheart's cannon. She became Skeleton as a result of the experiments, and waged war with the Outposts for a brief period before retreating. She would later return as the mysterious Masked Stranger, conducting archaeological research on Reaper related artefacts and oversaw the construction of The Reaper's Hideout, all while plotting the resurrection of Captain Flameheart.
Wanda has since splintered off from Captain Flameheart, instead becoming a member of the Dark Brethren. She, along with the rest of the Dark Brethren was directly involved in the assassination and subsequent capturing of Merrick in The Forsaken Hunter.
Once she was Wanda, arrogant weaponsmith of Golden Sands Outpost, whose desire to follow in Flameheart's footsteps resulted in the return of Skeleton Ships and Cursed Cannonballs to the Sea of Thieves.
The destruction of her fleet did not impede this newly dubbed Warsmith for long. Donning the guise of the Masked Stranger, Warsmith oversaw the construction of The Reaper’s Hideout as a way to bring further glory to Flameheart's cause. When Flameheart refused to acknowledge her desire to rule at his side, Warsmith abandoned the Reapers, seeking a new place among the Dark Brethren.[1]
Wanda believed her business was the top in the Sea of Thieves, though she disliked selling to pirates. A businessman named Salty had obtained a Cursed Cannon that belonged the legendary Captain Flameheart. He established a partnership with Wanda, and they tried to replicate the many magical effects of the Cursed Cannon through alchemy and blacksmithing, creating consumable cannonball versions. They tried to sell the cannonballs at the Outposts, but Outpost governors refused to give them seller permits for their goods. Wanda became especially frustrated, believing the Order of Souls were behind the conspiracy.
She created more dangerous cursed cannonballs, waiting until the Outposts came back to their senses. One experiment backfired horribly, inflicting Wanda and Salty under a terrible curse. Salty turned into a small undead skeleton parrot, and Wanda was slowly turning into an undead skeleton, both slowly losing memories of who they are. Just prior to Cursed Sails, her affliction robbed her voice and caused a noticeable transformation to her arm. She also displayed cursed cannonballs in her shop that were rewarded for the eventual Cursed Sails campaign. Once she fully transformed into a skeleton, she left her shop to her twin sister Wonda, and waged war on the outposts as Skeleton Captain, "Captain Warsmith". She helped create the Skeleton Ships, and helmed The Sandman’s Revenge for its battle in Cursed Sails.
The Cursed Sails Campaign prompts pirates to trace Wanda's disappearance at Sharon's request, through her journals scattered in the Sea of Thieves.
The Masked Stranger first appeared with Jim during Smuggler’s Fortune at the Uncharted Island now known as The Reaper’s Hideout. She was working on deciphering the contents of Reaper’s Chests and creating sketches of a chalice, a dragon figurehead, and of Shipwreck Bay.
Later, through The Fort of the Damned, she and Jim moved to Castaway Isle to keep a close eye on Old Boot Fort, which had just transformed into the now Fort of the Damned, where the Ghostly form of Graymarrow was released with a Shadowy Ritual.
With the The Seabound Soul, their planned ritual at Shipwreck Bay was completed, releasing the Ghost of Sir Arthur Pendragon from his curse. This set Pendragon on a mission to enlist pirates with the task to release the souls of other cursed Captains, which lead to the accidental releasing of Captain Flameheart whose soul had also been cursed. During all of this, Stitcher Jim was at Taverns, filling in for Duke as the Bilge Rats representative, while the Masked Stranger worked away behind a locked door within Wanda’s Hideout on Wanderers Refuge.
Coming out of hiding for Festival of Giving (2019), she charted the previously Uncharted Island at I/J-12 and named it The Reaper's Hideout. There she took residence on the South-Eastern island, dressing it up for the festive season, and began collecting Gifts from passing Pirates. Construction continued through Legends of the Sea, with a Fort erecting around the South-Eastern island, while The Masked Stranger accepted various of the more valuable Trading Company Treasures for double their value.
In the Heart of Fire Tall Tale, Stitcher Jim's carvings in the walls of his hidden Hideout at Liar's Backbone indicate that the Masked Stranger is Captain Warsmith. Additionally, the Stranger can be seen overlooking Stitcher's ritual during the Tall Tale.
The construction was complete with Ships of Fortune, and the Masked Stranger disappeared. In her place, The Servant of the Flame moved in, representing the Reaper's Bones company.
Wanda reappears during the Dark Brethren Tall Tale, where it is revealed that she has joined the Dark Brethren because she learned that she was only being used by Flameheart and wish to take revenge on him.
In the trailer for the Fort of the Forgotten, she could be seen standing on her ship with another figure dressed in a similar outfit, looking at the Sea Fort in which her sister, Wonda is being held captive.
At The Reaper’s Hideout during the Heart of Fire
Bring us your treasures and goods. We are not wanting for gold.
Haven't seen Stitcher Jim for a while?
My... beloved... is fulfilling his destiny as we speak.
...
Just what are you building here, anyway?
All will be revealed.
Soon, us forgotten souls will no longer have to wander.
Why do you wear a mask?!
...
I'm looking at your face and wondering why you don't.
Welcome to the Reaper's Hideout
Where is Stitcher Jim?
My dear Jim is guided by a fate you cannot fathom.
Right now, he's preparing for a special journey.
Are you really paying double for some treasures?
Yes. An investor has taken an interest in this place.
Reaper's Chests are valuable to us. For now, so are Chests of Rage.
Let's help each other.
Are you worried about Flameheart?
His rage is boundless, his wrath terrible...
But neither are aimed at me.
More. We need more.
So you're paying double for loot?
Yes. Bring us more.
I have... an investor.
Let's see who among you will fight hardest for our money
Where's Jim gone?
He has important business to attend to.
His role will be fulfilled soon.
Why...or what...are you building here?
Time will tell...
...very soon.
...
Who are you really?
I am she, and she is I. Yet I am only a servant of a greater power.
Stitcher sends his love!
I am eager for us to be together again. Our destinies are entwined.
Stitcher has many pirates out looking for gifts to bring you.
His devotion manifests in crude ways, but he is useful. I will reward you for bringing gifts.
...
So... you and Jim? Has he popped the question yet?
...
...
So how do you know Jim?
...
You like to sketch things...
...
So, you and Jim... is it true love?
...
At Golden Sands Outpost before the Cursed Sails:
Now having lost her Weaponsmith title, Wanda began to show signs that something was wrong with her; her right arm had transformed into a Skeleton arm and her right eye had gone blind.
What do youe want? Pick a weapon and get out!
You're awfully snappy today.
This is shop where you trade money for objects that kill things. Not a... a... hand-holding friendship parade!
And soon it'll be the ONLY weapon shop that matters, thanks to the treasure I've got my hands on!
But it's MY discovery! Keep your nose out!
Buy something, or leave!
What are those things on the shelf?
They aren't ready yet. Leave them alone!
I working one something... new. Something that every pirate will wants.
You should go and start saving your gold, becuase the days of Wanda selling rubbish to get by are GONE!
What is the best weapon you ever made?
Finally, an intelligent question. My best work... is yet to come!
I've got an idea for something that will knock everyone's boots off.
I just need a little more time...
Then everyone will know who the BEST weaponsmith on the Sea of Thieves is!
What brings you to Wanda's shop? What could you possibly want?
Is something wrong?
And what could possibly be wrong?
I running an unsurpassed business that's second to none.
Prehaps the problem may be the lowlifes I have to sell to?
Yes that's it!
Pirate wannabes with rusty blades and rusty minds.
Just like you!
Yes, welcome to Wanda's shop. You're in the presence of a master craftswoman, you shold know. Everyone should know.
You seem unhappy.
Maybe because I spend my time crafting the finest weapons, only to get asked inane questions by stupid pirates.
Nobody's willing to part with a more coin to get the best.
You poeple need a second-hand cutless shop, not a weaponsmith of my calibre. Pah!
But with the treasure I've discovered... oh yes, you won't be seening the same old Wanda any more...
What would you recommend for my armoury?
What is the best weapon you ever made?
Finally, an intelligent question. My best work... is yet to come!
I've got an idea for something that will knock everyone's boots off.
I just need a little more time...
Then everyone will know who the BEST weaponsmith on the Sea of Thieves is!
What brings you to Wanda's shop? What could you possibly want?
Is something wrong?
And what could possibly be wrong?
I'm running an unsurpassed business that's second to none.
Perhaps the problem may be the lowlifes I have to sell to?
Yes that's it!
Pirate wannabes with rusty blades and rusty minds.
Just like you!
What would you recommend for my armoury?
The bottom of the ocean!
Really! I bet it's full of nothing but bilge!
You're here now at least, unless you made a mistake walking in here?
I wouldn't be surprised.
Do you make the weapons all by yourself?
Now there's an idea! Someone who actually makes an honest living around here.
Not that the likes of you would know much about that!
As soon as I make enough coin, I'll be gone.
Good luck finding a decent blade and shooter when that day comes.
To browse the journals written by Wanda, please refer to Wanda/Journals.
The Masked Stranger at Castaway Isle during Fort of the Damned.
The Masked Stranger behind closed doors at Wanda’s Hideout on Wanderers Refuge during The Seabound Soul.
The Masked Stranger at The Reaper’s Hideout.
