Sea of Thieves: The Quest for Guybrush Tall Tale Guide - Rare Thief (2024)

Word of Guybrush’s unfortunate predicament has reached the Sea of Thieves. Guybrush’s old foe, LeChuck, has trapped him in a twisted fantasy land where Guybrush is the legend he always wanted to be. With Guybrush out of the picture, LeChuck can do as he pleases on the Sea of Thieves.

However, there is a way to snap Guybrush out of his trance! With Guybrush back in action, you’ll be able to reach LeChuck and put an end to his nefarious plan!

To start the second Legend of Monkey Island Tall Tale, The Quest for Guybrush, you’ll want to head over to Kate at the Capsize Charters on any Outpost in the Sea of Thieves.

Once you’ve found Kate, look just to the right of her. Two Tall Tale books are sitting on a small makeshift bench nearby. Approach and interact with the book for The Quest for Guybrush to vote on and start the Tall Tale.

As soon as you enter the Tunnel of the Damned, you will no longer be in control of your ship. You can let go of your ship’s wheel and freely roam around your vessel.

However, you won’t be alone for long! LeChuck will board your ship and let you in on his plans. If you don’t meddle in his affairs and swear an oath to him, he promises to make you richer and more powerful than you’ve ever dreamed of.

After LeChuck leaves, your ship will continue to travel through the Tunnel of the Damned until it reaches the end, where you will teleport to the Sea of the Damned!

Once you reach the end of the Tunnel of the Damned, you and your ship will teleport to Mêlée Island. Keep sailing toward the island, and you will soon see a dock slightly off to your right, to the South by South East if you are facing the island as you approach.

Once you reach the dock, park your ship and hop onto the island.

While your first order of business is to meet with Corina, you’ll first want to stop by the Scumm Bar Kitchen and speak with the Scumm Bar Chef.

Open the door to the Scumm bar and head to the back, where the Kitchen is. Approach the Chef, talk to him, and he will fire you from your short-lived job as an assistant. Speaking with the Chef will unlock the ‘Gainful Unemployment’ commendation.

After the Chef has fired you, leave the Scumm Bar and go to Low Street, where the International House of Mojo is. Open the door and walk inside to find Corina waiting for you.

She will immediately start talking to you upon entering. Corina will inform you that she can devise a brew to bring Guybrush to his senses. However, she can only prepare the potion using emblems of true pirate courage. The only way to acquire the necessary ingredients is to undertake the Three Legendary Trials!

Now that you’ve met with the Legend of Monkey Island, Governor Threepwood, the Pirate Leaders may be willing to indulge you about the Trials. Speak with them in the Scumm Bar.

Leave Corina and make your way back to the Scumm Bar. Once inside, go to the back of the bar and talk with one of the three Pirate Leaders at the long table. Let them know you’ve met with the Governor and are ready to undertake the Trials.

The Pirate Leaders will then explain each of the Trials. You must complete Three Legendary Trials and provide proof of completion for each. The three Trials are:

• The Trial of the Sword
• The Trial of Thievery
• And the Trial of Treasure-Huntery

However, before you can start working on the trials, you must clear the fog shrouding the island. Fortunately, Corina can brew a mystical potion for you that can dispel the mist!

Return to the International House of Mojo once more and talk to Corina. Tell her you have permission from the Pirate Leaders, and she will give you a list of items you must collect before you can start the Three Trials. These items will aid you in the trials.

Corina needs you to collect the Mighty Pirate Sword, a Rubber Chicken, and the Treasure Map. Once you have them, you will return to her.

Exit the International House of Mojo and turn the corner to your left to talk with Citizen of Mêlée. He has the Treasure Map you seek.

When you talk to him, choose the last dialogue option that lets you ask if you can trade for the Treasure Map. Citizen of Mêlée is up for a trade but wants a chart from one of the Governor’s adventures in return. He also mentions that it might be on one of the shelves in the Governor’s Mansion.

Stop by the General Store and speak with the Storekeeper on your way to the Governor’s Mansion. When you talk to him, choose the last dialog option, asking if he offers credit.

You are in luck! He does have some spare Notes of Credit lying around. If you can get one signed by the Governor, he is willing to do business with you.

The Storekeeper will then give you a Blank Credit Note that still needs to be signed. He will add the Credit Note to your Quest Radial, which you can access anytime.

It’s now time to make your way to the Governor’s Mansion!

Go to the Governor’s Mansion and inspect the shelves on either side of the staircase on the first floor. You will find 12 books that you can pull out.

Pull out each book until you find one titled ‘The Time I Blew Up LeChuck.’ Once you find it, examine it, tug on it, and it will fall to the ground. Upon falling, it will reveal Guybrush’s Signed Sea Chart.

Pick up the sea chart to add it to your Quest Radial. Then, head upstairs to Guybrush.

You can leave the store and go to Citizen of Mêlée with a sword and rubber chicken purchased. Equip Guybrush’s Signed Sea Chart from your Quest Radial, approach Citizen, and trade it for the Treasure Map.

After you’ve traded, you can pick up the Treasure Map on the ground before Citizen.

Now that you are ready for the Three Trials return to Corina and talk to her.

Corina will tell you that she has one last gift to bestow. She used the last of your root beer and other ingredients to brew a magnificent potion. With the potion, you can clear the fog from Mêlée Island, allowing you to explore the rest of the island.

Follow the fog-cleared path down Lookout Point to the South East. Keep descending the mountain’s switchbacks until you reach the first zipline to your right. Interact with the zipline to slide down to the South side of the raised Troll Toll Bridge.

When you land on the ground, turn around to the North and approach the lever to the bridge. Interact with it to lower the bridge, allowing you to cross it.

From the broken cart, continue heading North along the dirt path. You will soon come to some wooden scaffolding, stairs, and ladders leading up to Lookout Point’s top on your left.

Walk up the stairs and a couple of ladders until you come to a platform with several barrels and another journal written by Elaine. Read the journal to make progress on the ‘Escape from Mêlée Island’ commendation.

Dig in front of the sign to discover the Chest of Treasure-Huntery. Open the chest and pick up the Directions of Legendary Treasure-Huntery. You will add the directions to your Quest Book. Equip the Quest Book and flip to the pages you just picked up. You will see that there is more treasure hunting to do!

However, before you continue the Trial of Treasure-Huntery, you’ll want to find another memoir spot and journal.

Stand up from the memoir spot and walk South past the torch. Don’t walk too far, though! Stop before the grove of yellow flowers and turn left. Then, walk down the dirt path leading South by South East.

You’ll reach a dead-end, but you will also find the third journal on the ground, lying against some rocks at the base of a tree. Read the journal to make progress on the ‘Escape from Mêlée Island’ commendation.

From the shack, face North and walk to the lone post with the lantern straight ahead.

Once you reach the post, turn right and walk North East by East until you reach a fallen scarecrow on your left.

Walk back up the hill and through the two dead trees. Now, face East by South East down the path you have yet to take. Walk down that path until you reach a small, bumpy bridge.

Continue walking down the path to the South until you get to a tree with a lantern.

From the camp, look for bright lights on a building off in the distance to the South West. Walk South West toward the bright lights, but stop at the first lantern post you reach.

At the post, turn right to the West.

Dig at the torch’s base to discover the Golden Chest of Legendary Treasure. Open the chest and pick up the Trophy of Legendary Treasure-Huntery. Congrats on completing your first Trial!

Corina will appear through a small portal when you pick up the trophy. Giver her the Trophy of Legendary Treasure-Huntery, and you unlock a Checkpoint and the ‘Trial of Treasure-Huntery’ commendation.

Time to take on the Trial of Thievery!

After reading the journal, find Stan just below the sign for his business. Approach him, and he will start talking to you. Once Stan finishes his pitch, you must ask him about four vessels around the shipyard.

First, walk up to the white sign next to the Grog Rowboat with the vending machine and interact with it to ask Stan about it. He will walk over and give you another pitch about the Grog Rowboat.

After his pitch, walk down the dock and ask Stan about The Vociferous Carmichael. Then, do the same for The Black Pearl and The Headless Monkey.

After he gives you his pitch for all four vessels, meet Stan at the front of his office. Once he returns, talk to him and choose the last dialogue option, asking about the cheapest ship.

From Stan’s Previously Owned Vessels, walk South up the hill toward the zipline. Use the zipline and keep heading East toward the Hook Island sign.

Just North of the sign is a small rock with an inkwell nearby. Sit on the rock to take in the view.

Stand up and use the zipline by the Hook Island sign to make your way to Hook Island. Once on the other side, approach the building, open the door, and head inside. You’ll find Meathook waiting for you. After he finishes talking, talk to him and choose the last dialogue option, saying you are there about The Headless Monkey.

If you can bring The Beast back home and put it in its cage, Meathook will give you the Bill of Sale for The Headless Monkey.

Inside Meathook’s house, approach the Cage and interact with the broken cutlasses around the frame. Remove five broken cutlasses and then head outside to the West side of the house, where you’ll find piles of wood. Then, pick up all the Wooden Planks and return to the broken Cage inside. Use the Wooden Planks to repair the Cage in three places.

After you’ve repaired the Cage, you need to fix the lever. Go outside and head to the forest to the East of the island. You’ll find a Rare Mop Tree sapling. Interact with the tree to break off a Mop Tree Stick and bring the stick back to the lever so you can repair it.

Meathook will then request you find Concentrated Banana Grease. Search his house for Concentrated Banana Grease. There are four pieces of furniture that you can interact with where it might be hiding. Once you find it, give it to him.

While holding The Beast, use your Primary Use button to interact and tickle it. Tickling The Beast by interacting with it will unlock ‘The Beast Whisperer’ commendation!

If you are in a crew, make sure that each person picks up The Beast and tickles it themselves.

With the Bill of Sale in your Quest Book, return to Stan’s Previously Owned Vessels. Talk to Stan and tell him that you have the Bill of Sale for The Headless Monkey.

Now that you have a ship, it’s time to talk about all the extra features you’ll need. Talk to Stan about getting more firepower. After Stan makes his pitch about the cannons talk to him again about the shiny wheel. You can then speak to him about the capstan.

After you talk to him about the cannons, wheel, and capstan, you can talk to Stan about high-quality furnishing options. You then must talk to Stan about the cupboard and ask if playing hide and seek in it is possible.

Stan will then step inside the cupboard to demonstrate. Interact with the cupboard to lock Stan inside.

With Stan inside, you can interact with the side of the cupboard several times to push it into the ocean, unlocking the ‘Stantastic Voyage’ commendation.

With Stan out of the way, you can now take Stan’s Office Key from behind the vending machine and open up his office. Inside, you’ll find Stan’s Sales Ledger. Pick up the ledger and flip to the last page. You’ll find directions on how to open up the safe inside his office. You are looking for a phrase like, “Left 2 Right 3 Left 1” or “Left 2 Right 2 Left 3.”

Continue along the path to the tent and enter it. After the Fettucini Brothers finish talking, talk to Alfredo. They will then tell you about a death-defying routine, the Mêlée Island Spectacular! If you can complete this routine, you will win a grand prize!

Next, speak to Bill and ask why you need a costume. After he tells you why you need one, turn to your left and pick up the Circus Costume from the blue wooden platform. After you pick it up, return to the brothers and use the nearby Clothing Chest to equip it.

Before you begin the routine, go to the cannon on the far side of the tent and line it up so you don’t spend time doing it while actively doing the routine. After you line up the cannon, head back to the brothers to start the routine.

Ring the Circus Bell near the brothers and climb the ladder to your right.

Once you’ve reached the top, walk over the tightrope and jump across the gaps. Ring the second Circus Bell, and then jump to the platforms to your right to ring the third Circus Bell.

Hop over to the zipline on the platform below and climb into the cannon. Shoot yourself through the flaming rings and land in the hot tub. You will unlock the ‘Spectacular Superstar’ commendation if you are fast enough. You can check your time on the chalkboard next to the brothers. ‘Spectacular Superstar’ is not a crew-based commendation, so you’ll need to get under 25 seconds yourself to unlock it!

Don’t worry if you can’t get under 25 seconds right away. You don’t need to be fast to complete the routine and receive your winnings to continue the Tall Tale.

Once you complete the routine, you can talk to Bill to collect your Pieces o’ Eight. After many excuses, they will eventually give you 404 Pieces o’ Eight.

If you don’t have the Mighty Pirate Sword equipped, use the Armoury on the side of the house to equip it now.

With your sword equipped and drawn, knock on the door. Captain Smirk will answer the door. Talk to him and tell him you can pay for sword training.

You will then need to present your sword to him. He will invite you inside if you have the Mighty Pirate Sword equipped and drawn.

Insult Sword Fighting is a sword fight with an added layer of witty banter. While you will still trade blows with your opponent using your cutlass, your main goal is to look for pauses where you can attack with an Insult or defend with a Retort.

Insults and Retorts come in pairs. For every Insult, there is one corresponding Retort. To learn Insults and their Retorts, you will want to partake in fights around Mêlée Island. The fighters you battle during these duels will teach you Insults and Retorts.

So, if your opponent delivers an Insult, stop slashing at them with your sword. Instead, approach and interact with them to respond with a Retort. If you choose the correct Retort, you will stun your opponent, allowing you to damage them with your cutlass. However, if you select the wrong Retort, you will stagger and take damage.

Similarly, if you deliver an Insult, you will stun your opponent if they don’t respond correctly. While stunned, you can then attack them with your cutlass. However, if your opponent does answer with the correct Retort, you will stagger and take damage.

Three successful landed Insults, or Retorts, will grant you a victory in the fight. Also, stay within the fighting area during Insult Sword Fighting. If you do leave the vicinity, you will forfeit the duel and lose.

Captain Smirk’s first Insult will be, “My swordplay will amaze you!” which you must respond to with a Retort. To Retort, interact with The Legendary Machine, and a list of dialogue options will appear. You have yet to learn the corresponding Retort, so it doesn’t matter which option you choose.

After choosing the wrong one, Captain Smirk will teach you the correct Retort for that particular Insult. The next time you hear it, use that Retort.

He will then teach you another Insult: “My deeds are spoken of worldwide!” Again, you need to Retort by interacting with The Legendary Machine. You will see the Retort for the previous Insult with a yellow dot next to it. The yellow dot means you still need to use the Retort. However, that Retort matches the last Insult, not this one. So, instead, choose any of the other options below.

After choosing the wrong one, Captain Smirk will teach you the correct Retort.

He will then attack you and try one of the insults you know the Retort for. If it is, “My swordplay will amaze you!” choose the Retort, “Yeah – I’m amazed you’ve lasted this long.” to win the exchange, allowing you to do damage.

He will then let you perform an Insult. Captain Smirk will respond with the incorrect Retort, allowing you again to do damage.

That will conclude the Training, and Captain Smirk will suggest you learn as many insults as possible by dueling other fighters. He will give you a map showing where you can find the fights. The map is marked with red cutlasses showing you where you can fight.

After the training from Captain Smirk, you will know two Insults and two Retorts. You need to learn a total of ten Insults and ten corresponding Retorts.

Use the zipline on the northeast side of Captain Smirk’s house to cross the water and walk to the nearby post with the lit lantern. The lantern will turn green, and Murray will appear from some bushes. He will tell you that spots like this, the lit posts, are great for sword-fighting contests.

Approach Murray, talk to him, and choose the last dialogue option, letting him know you are ready to fight.

Expect to lose your first two fights and win your third. After you win your third, you will lose two more and win your sixth. However, don’t worry about winning or losing these fights. You are fighting to learn every Insult and Retort to defeat the Sword Master.

During each fight, you will be learning Insults and Retorts. Ensure you use Insults you have not used before to learn the corresponding Retort.

After you learn every Insult and Retort, win or lose the fight, Murray will give instructions to help you find the Sword Master. Murray will add the instructions to your Quest Book.

To challenge the Sword Master, you’ll need to travel through the forest and make your way to the yellow flower grove from the Trail of Treasure-Huntery. Once you reach the yellow flower grove, walk southeast to where you found one of Elaine’s journals. Walk behind the nearby sign and interact with it to press the Secret Switch. The two broken logs will rise, creating a bridge for you to cross.

Walk across the bridge and make your way to the Sword Master. You will be in a massive fight between LeChuck’s guards, Carla and Captain Smirk. You will also see Ribbsy waiting to fight you.

During your fight with Ribbsy, you can only defend yourself with Retorts. You cannot Insult Ribbsy, so you only need to worry about your Retorts. However, Ribbsy’s Insults are variations of the Insults you know. While they will not match word for word, their overall meaning is the same.

If you need help deciphering which Retorts to use for Ribbsy’s Insults, below is a list of every Ribbsy Insult and its corresponding Retort:

After you defeat Ribbsy, Carla and Captain Smirk will vanquish their foes. Carla, the Sword Master, will then hand over her medallion to give you proof of completing the Trial of the Sword.

Take Carla’s Medallion, and Corina will appear. Hand over the medallion, and you will finish the Trial of the Sword, unlock a Checkpoint, and complete the ‘Trial of the Sword’ commendation.

With your final triumph, you’ve gathered everything Corina needs to complete the elixer. Return to her shop to free Guybrush from his curse.

Walk past the Governor’s Mansion, past High Street, and into Low Street to enter the International House of Mojo. Corina will begin talking to you as soon as you enter and start brewing the potion for Guybrush.

Take the Mojo Potion of Unclouded Mind from the cauldron and head to Guybrush in the Governor’s Mansion.

Once you reunite with Guybrush, Corina will appear and suggest we all take a drink. Give Guybrush the potion and it will free him from the spell.

Now that Guybrush is back in reality, he is ready to track down LeChuck and save Elaine! Before heading to Monkey Island, he must make amends with the people of Mêlée Island.

While Guybrush handles business on the island, you will sail back to the Sea of Thieves and await further instruction.

There are a total of 15 commendations for The Quest for Guybrush Tall Tale. You will unlock most of them naturally as you play through the Tall Tale. However, you’ll need to be on the lookout for journals, memoir spots, and more to unlock the rest!

The commendations for The Quest for Guybrush are:

• Clearing the Air
• Mêlée Island Spectacular
• Trail of the Sword
• Trial of Treasure-Huntery
• Trial of Thievery
• The Quest for Guybrush
• Spectacular Superstar
• Sword Master
• Yo-ho-ho, and…
• Gainful Unemployment
• The Beast Whisperer
• Stantastic Voyage
• Escape from Mêlée Island
• Memoirs of a Legend, Vol. II
• Legendary Trial Master