The Orb, also known as the Snowburned Ship Lantern and Snowbound Ship Lantern, is an NPC/object in Sea of Thieves. While its form is of an inanimate snowglobe lantern, the Orb is occupied by several sealed souls of unknown identities and origins that seemingly speak through it. It can be found in The Reaper's Hideout, currently serving as an oracle for the Reapers Bones.
 |
This article or section needs to be cleaned up to meet quality standards.
Please help improve this if you can. The Discussion page may contain suggestions. |
At an unknown point of time, The Orb was created, presumably by the ancients. Its seemingly only purpose was to seal away a group of individuals and what seems to be their ship. While not much is known about the occupants or why they have been sealed away, it is assumed that they lean towards more power-hungry attitudes, as they are currently serving as an oracle to the Reapers Bones.[1]
At four points during the Festival of Giving Twitch Stream (2021), the Orb would be interrupted by the Shanty Who Shall Not Be Returning before fading into the Orb, transitioning to The Reaper's Hideout.
Each teaser is delivered by the voice of The Servant of the Flame in the form of a one-sided conversation with an unknown individual, assumed --except in the second teaser--to be Flameheart.
The first of the Teasers appeared approximately 11 hours into the stream. While there's some debate over the source of the sounds preceding the Servant's dialogue, it is likely the hatch in the center of The Reaper's Hideout being lifted followed by the Servant's descent into the depths.
The Servant of the Flame
The flame burns brighter now, here in the dark.
There shall be no glory for the Dark Brethren, your fierce fire will shatter their bones.
No Lords of the Sea, but a king of fire!
Once bound at sea, but now true freedom calls you back, moving like a deathly veil across the waves.
The Sands of Gold will be shrouded and all be chained eternally as seabound souls.
Her sister will be bound to your will.
She of the deep will not stop it now.
May our flame burn eternally, Father.
After fading back to the Orb in the tavern, Belle can be seen in the background warming her hands at the fire.
Many lines in the teaser alluded to events in the coming content updates and adventures, especially those of Season Six. These events included Golden Sands Outpost becoming shrouded in the final weeks of Season Five, it's residents being imprisoned in Forts of the Forgotten, Flameheart's attempt to recruit Wanda's twin sister Wonda, and Belle, Legend of the Deep's appearance in-game. Additionally, the closing line confirmed a popular fan theory that The Servant of the Flame is none other than Flameheart Junior, Flameheart's son.
Beginning around 30 hours and 23 minutes into the stream, flames around the tavern begin fading to a bright green. The teaser itself begins at approximately 30 hours and 26 minutes with similar sounds as before, with the sounds of what is assumed to be a hatch opening.
Phantom
[Unclear shouting]
The Servant of the Flame
Memories can be harnessed and focused - bent to your will.
Memories can be powerful allies and accursed weapons.
Phantom
They're breaking down the defences!
A hit! The walls are crumbling!
The Servant of the Flame
Your king is dead in the world beyond, long live the king.
He shall give you freedom unchained and life everlasting - endless riches vast.
Bring your forts of stone and bow to the blade of fire.
After fading back to the Orb in the tavern, a pair of Stonewall Imperial Sovereign Hats can be seen resting on a nearby table.
This teaser is unique in that the Servant appears to be addressing someone other than Flameheart. We can assume based on the events that followed that the individual being addressed is someone in a position of power over the Spanish Navy, as this teaser would come to foreshadow the arrival of Spanish Sea Forts to the Sea of Thieves. Additionally, the intelligible Phantom dialogue used would later appear in the Legend of the Veil.
Beginning around 39 hours and 54 minutes into the stream, flames around the tavern begin fading to a bright green. The teaser itself begins at approximately 39 hours and 58 minutes to the same sounds as before, this time followed by the sound of parchment being unfolded.
The Servant of the Flame
Found at last!
The Relic of the Ancients, passing between worlds in a belly of gold.
The Hunter is broken and his ship is no more - it is ours, Father.
Finally we will break the seals and the Reaper's Chests will open.
The soul flames will burn once more and weaken the veil between.
Tides will turn once the relic is ours.
Memories into bones. Will into iron. Souls into life.
You will arise to a new pirate life as our king for a new dawn.
After fading back to the Orb in the tavern, the Veil of the Ancients and a Reaper's Chest can be seen resting on a nearby table.
This teaser would foreshadow a number of events in the game's near future, including the opening of the Box of Wondrous Secrets to release the Soulflame Captains during Shrouded Islands, the discovery of the Veil of the Ancients in the belly of the Shrouded Ghost, Belle's raising of The Killer Whale, and the eventual resurrection of Captain Flameheart during Return of the Damned.
Beginning around 51 hours and 52 minutes into the stream, flames around the tavern began fading to a bright green. The teaser itself begins at approximately 51 hours and 56 minutes to the same sounds as before, this time followed by the sound of a liquid being poured into a container and subsequently being consumed, then a clash of metal on metal.
The Servant of the Flame
Pirates for all eternity!
The curse is a gift. They will descent to claim it, then arise to a sea of bones.
Your gift will unite all thieves to true piracy.
They will drink, they will die, and they will live again to serve the fire.
After fading back to the Orb in the tavern, Skeleton Runes can be seen fading into the wood of the table: "Pirates for all Eternity".
This teaser would foreshadow the Skeleton Curse and the Reaper's Lair introduced in Season Eight.
At certain points during the Festival of Giving Twitch Stream (2022), the Orb would be interrupted by The Servant of the Flame requesting knowledge from it, before displaying a vision from the eyes of a Reaper Parrot spy.
Beginning approximately 45 minutes into the stream, after the Grand Switch-On, the stream switches to a familiar interior view of The Unicorn tavern, with Tasha working behind a festively decorated bar, and the Snowbound Ship Lantern resting on top of a table. The scene is calm for a short while until members of the Reaper's Bones, lead by The Servant of the Flame, attack and steal the lantern. The Orb's blue glow changes to a fierce red in The Servant of the Flame's hands, and the scene cuts to black.
Following this, several short scenes play out, following the lantern's journey in the Reapers' possession, with the lantern at the centre of view. First, a glimpse of the lantern - its Orb glowing blue once again - among treasure being hauled in a cart to be loaded on to a galleon, followed by a glimpse of the galleon being attacked and destroyed by a Kraken. The lantern is then shown submerged among the ship's debris as Reapers attempt to swim to safety. The lantern then appears washed ashore, its blue Orb begins to change to a glowing red, and its gold and red base changes to silver and green. A skeleton's hand grabs hold of it. The next glimpse of the lantern is on a rowboat approaching The Reaper's Hideout, then being lowered into the Reaper's Lair.
Finally the lantern is shown resting atop a table in the Reaper's Lair, transformed into the Snowburned Ship Lantern, with its Orb glowing a fierce red.
The Servant of the Flame
(Once the Snowburned Ship Lantern has arrive in the Reaper's Lair)
Welcome to you. Voices of Ancients past. I see within you, Relic. Dead men will always have tales to tell. We are listening.
Beginning approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes into the stream, The Servant of the Flame appears speaking to the Orb, asking it to share its secrets regarding who holds the key to the secrets of the Ancients.
A Reaper Parrot is seen gliding down to The North Star Seapost, spying upon a scene playing out. Sudds is holding a scroll reading "the mask it the map", with drawings depicting the night sky as well as Briggsy's mask. A pirate carries a crate containing Briggsy's mask with astronomy equipment. The pirate holds the mask up to their face, with The Servant of the Flame's voice-over suggesting that the red jewel the mask holds may show the wearer a star chart map.
The Servant of the Flame
The time has come. What can you whisper to us? What will you share?
*Indecipherable whispering and otherworldly squelching*
Understood. Now, reveal to me what you can see beyond the veil.
Show me who holds the key to the secrets of the Ancients.
(A Reaper Parrot glides down over The North Star Seapost)
As ever, be my eyes and fly swift upon the winds.
That mask... so that silly fool still pines for his old captain.
So, the jewel within her mask reveals a map... but where does it lead?
It's a hidden star chart. The stories of the Ancients wrought bright across the night sky. It tells of their secrets and legends.
Ah yes, the great adventurer never did find her cure.
You must tell me now, where does it lie?
When the shot returns to the Reaper's Lair, a red jewel now sits on a stone column to the back left.
Beginning approximately 24 hours and 30 minutes into the stream, The Servant of the Flame appears speaking to the Orb, asking it to share its secrets regarding what the Guardians know of the dark constellations and what Belle knows of "the curse".
A Reaper Parrot is seen gliding down to the central pond on The Sunken Grove, spying upon a scene playing out. Belle jumps down into a pool of water, shortly meeting with an Ancient. The Servant of the Flame's voice-over speaks of how Belle has discovered the location of a temple with both a curse and cure. He goes on to speak of Trials of the Ancients, to prove one's self worthy of living on. The Servant speaks of how "the curse is a gift", and requests to know "why did you leave into the Sea of Tribute". Finally, he asks to know more regarding a "golden city".
The Servant of the Flame
The time has come. What can you whisper to us? What will you share?
*Indecipherable whispering and otherworldly squelching*
Understood. Now, what do the Guardians know of these dark constellations? Does she know of the curse? Show me what Belle knows!
(A Reaper Parrot glides down over The Sunken Grove)
So, she knows. The temple's location has been found, but why a temple with both a curse and a cure?
So the trials of the Ancients, to prove yourself worthy of living on and protecting what you hold dear.
You see, we have so much more in common than Ramsay realises. The curse is a gift, why did you leave?
Into the sea of tribute? Now, tell me of your golden city.
When the shot returns to the Reaper's Lair, the Reaper on the right has been replaced with a ghostly version of human Briggsy.
Beginning approximately 28 hours and 15 minutes into the stream, The Servant of the Flame appears speaking to the Orb, asking it to share its secrets regarding the Pirate Lord's plans.
A Reaper Parrot is seen gliding down to the hold of the Magpie's Fortune on Old Sailor Isle, spying upon a scene playing out. The Pirate Lord watches a map to the Sea of Thieves with each of the three main Trading Company emblems, as well as Athena's Fortune's, depicted. In disagreement with the Pirate Lord, The Servant of the Flame's voice-over suggests weakness within the Trading Companies, as well as speaking of pirate "guilds" of which Ramsey hopes will "be enough". The dialogue is concluded with the words "a pirate's life for us".
The Servant of the Flame
The time has come. What can you whisper to us? What will you share?
*Indecipherable whispering and otherworldly squelching*
So, Ramsey's next move. What does the so-called Pirate Lord plot to do next? He can never let go of the past, show me Old Sailor's Isle.
(A Reaper Parrot glides down over Old Sailor Isle)
The Trading Companies. Ramsey has always been uneasy with their place in this world.
Guilds? The formation of petty pirate guilds!? Does he really think this will be enough?
They shall sail together, yes, but in time they will learn, that they shall fail together.
A pirate's life for us!
When the shot returns to the Reaper's Lair, the Pirate Lord's cane now sits alongside a pre-existing Servants of the Flame styled dagger.
Beginning approximately 45 hours and 30 minutes into the stream, The Servant of the Flame appears speaking to the Orb, asking it to share its secrets regarding plans for New Golden Sands Outpost. He claims that the Pirate Lord is becoming what he previously "sought to escape", before referring to New Golden Sands Outpost as "Port Merrick".
A Reaper Parrot is seen gliding down into The Captain's Head tavern at New Golden Sands Outpost, spying upon a scene playing out. A ghostly Merrick watches over Sharon and Cecil carrying out restoration work on the Outpost, as a rat with glowing green eyes twitches behind him. The Servant of the Flame's voice-over speaks of an "imposter" within the ranks of the Guardians of Fortune, and he wishes their legend to "rot within his prison".
The Servant of the Flame
The time has come. What can you whisper to us? What will you share?
*Indecipherable whispering and otherworldly squelching*
What of New Golden Sands? What else are they trying to accomplish?
So, Ramsey is becoming what he sought to escape. Port Merrick? show me!
(A Reaper Parrot glides down over New Golden Sands Outpost)
So, an imposter watches their every move. It sees a vault.
You must reveal it now, who is this imposter who watches from the shadows?
Of course, now we watch and wait. We wait until the tides turn. The Guardians of Fortune will be destroyed from the inside! The legend you speak of, can rot within his prison.
When the shot returns to the Reaper's Lair, a rat with glowing green eyes now sits on a stone column to the back right.
Beginning approximately 48 hours into the stream, The Servant of the Flame appears speaking to the Orb, asking it to share its secrets regarding the intentions of an imposter within the ranks of the Guardians of Fortune.
A Reaper Parrot is seen gliding down over the Athena's Fortune Hideout, spying upon a scene playing out. A Bandit Ragamuffin cat is sitting on a table alongside Pendragon's Sword of Souls. The Servant of the Flame's voice-over suggests that it is the now "tainted" Burning Blade the impostor seeks. It is unclear whether this is referring to Flameheart's flagship, or the Sword of Souls shown. He goes on to speak of how this "blade" that the impostor is seeking is the only thing that can bring down the Pirate Lord.
The Servant of the Flame
The time has come. What can you whisper to us? What will you share?
*Indecipherable whispering and otherworldly squelching*
So, an imposter waits until the time is right. Show me what it seeks. Show me it now!
(A Reaper Parrot glides down over the Athena's Fortune Hideout)
What a revelation! The blade is tainted. Once bathed in fire it will never be the same. Of course the prophecy of the ages always spoke truth, the Burning Blade, now made of steel and fire. The king's rightful heirloom, the only thing that will bring Ramsey to his knees. Of course, the imposter seeks it. My father has dealt with scurrying rats before. Let's see if we have a new Duke in the making!
When the shot returns to the Reaper's Lair, the Sword of Souls now sits in front of Flameheart's coffin to the left.
To conclude the stream, and beginning approximately 49 hours and 30 minutes in, The Servant of the Flame appears speaking to the Orb, thanking it for the many stated ways in which it has helped the Reaper's Bones.
The Servant of the Flame
We Reapers thank you, relic. What a devious and insidious object you are. Tell us, what is your name, Orb?
*Indecipherable whispering and otherworldly squelching*
Yes, you are many. A prison of the Ancients, restless voices of the banished, bound in glitter and jewel. Now you have the greatest honour. Every king needs his oracle.
At the last month of Season Ten, the Orb has resurfaced in the Reaper's Hideout, but starting halfway through Season Eleven, the Orb will tell teaser dialogue to anyone who consults the Orb.
The first teaser the orb speaks is about Madame Olga and the Order of Souls, who now also use cards to foreshadow a future event coming in the Sea of Thieves. There are 5 cards on the table beside Madame Olga, and with each monthly update, a Skeleton Rune will be revealed on one card. The runes revealed are:
The second teaser the orb speaks is about the reacquaintance of Briggsy and Ramsey in the Athena's Fortune Hideout, along with Teddy's reunion with Louise. The Burning Blade's Figurehead has been moved from the construction site at Shipwreck Bay to the Reaper's Hideout. Speaking with Teddy, Briggsy, and Ramsey in the Athena's Fortune Hideout will offer players new lore on the story. Also, Briggsy, Teddy and Louise had poured their memories into the Burning Blade Cutlass as part of their plan to cure Tasha of her skeleton curse.
After the Sea of Thieves 2024 Preview Event, a series of five teasers are spoken by the Orb. These teasers speak about leading to certain locations when following the Orb's clues starting at the Reaper's Hideout. Visiting these locations the Orb hints at will have a Reaper Scout perched somewhere on the island. The islands revealed by these location teasers are:
After a time, the orb then tells that the islands with the Reaper Scouts are now digging sites, including a sixth island: Lookout Point. A map with the marked sites is found in the Reaper's Hideout and on the islands. Speaking to Umbra also tells that she is ready to vacate Lagoon of Whispers in case the small island becomes a site for the Reaper's Bones' activities.
The Orb then speaks that the Burning Blade Cutlass has been moved to The Unicorn Tavern at Ancient Spire Outpost. Tasha is slowly being cured of her skeleton curse thanks to a shackled Burning Blade cutlass, along with Teddy and Louise now fully reunited in the Athena's Fortune Tavern.
The orb also speaks additional quotes about their disgust towards Tasha's road to recovery.
The Orb speaks about how Port Merrick's weaponsmith Wonda is now in possession of Wanda's Cursed Cannonball. The Cursed Cannonball is now located in Wonda's shop. Speaking with Wonda now gives dialogue on the new weapons added in Season 12, including a weapon she has crafted with the magic of the cursed cannonball: the Bone Caller.
The Orb, at the last monthly update for Season 12, will now speak teasers about the preparation of Captain Flameheart's return. The Burning Blade Cutlass Tasha was guarding was taken, and the partially assembled Burning Blade has been moved from Shipwreck Bay.
