Setup

1. Assign Pirate Characters

Each player chooses or is randomly assigned one pirate character: Captain Blackhook, The Scarlet Dancer, Quartermaster Stone, or The Ghost. Each pirate has unique special abilities and a peronal quest deck. Take all three starting quests and place them at the quest holder places at the bottom of the pirate card. Shuffle the quest deck and place beside the pirate card.

Make sure every player understands their character's abilities before play begins.

2. Deal Trick Cards

Give each player their 10 trick cards (numbered 1–10). These form each player's personal trick hand. Keep your trick cards visible to yourself but do not reveal them to opponents.

3. Distribute Starting Resources

Each player receives 1 gold and 1 rum to place in their hold. These are their starting funds.

4. Set Up the Court Market

Separate the Loot card deck and the Favour card deck. Reveal 4 Loot cards in a row extending from the Loot deck, and 4 Favour cards in a row extending from the Favour deck. These are the cards available for purchase from the start of the game.

5. Prepare the Dice Bag

Place all 40 dice (20 colored, 20 black) into the draw bag.