In the Estes Sea, a ship’s figurehead is far more than carved wood or ornamentation—it is the spiritual extension of its captain, a semi-living artifact bound by ritual, reputation, and willpower. Unlike a ship’s hull—whose strength depends on construction, weight, and reinforcements—a figurehead grows in power only with the captain who commands it. This makes each figurehead a deeply personal relic, often surviving long after the ship that carried it has sunk beneath the waves.
Every figurehead possesses its own system of level-based pearl slots, separate from the ship’s main slot grid. These pearls empower figurehead weapons, elemental bursts, defensive wards, or emergency preservation functions. They cannot contribute to propulsion or speed; that domain belongs to the hull, sails, and keel alone.
Pearls come in five standardized sizes:
Tiny Pearl: 1 slot
Small Pearl: 2 slots
Medium Pearl: 4 slots
Large Pearl: 8 slots
Giant Pearl: 16 slots
A figurehead may equip any combination of pearls that fits within the pirate’s total slot capacity:
Total Slots = Captain Level
Level 1 → 1 slot (Tiny Pearl only)
Level 2 → 2 slots (Small Pearl or two Tiny Pearls)
Level 4 → 4 slots (Medium Pearl becomes available)
Level 8 → 8 slots (Large Pearl becomes available)
Level 16 → 16 slots (Giant Pearl becomes available)
This creates a natural, intuitive progression where only seasoned captains—hardened by battles, storms, and the will of the sea—can wield the larger, more dangerous pearls.
1 Small Pearl (2)
2 Tiny Pearls (1+1)
1 Medium Pearl (4)
2 Small Pearls (2+2)
4 Tiny Pearls (1×4)
1 Large Pearl (8)
2 Medium Pearls (4+4)
1 Medium + 2 Small (4+2+2)
1 Large Pearl (8) + 2 Tiny Pearls (2)
2 Medium Pearls (4+4) + 2 Tiny Pearls (2)
1 Medium (4), 1 Small (2), 4 Tiny (4)
Captains choose loadouts based on fighting style, elemental discipline, or the role of their figurehead in the fleet.
At level 16+, a pirate gains enough internal strength to equip a Giant Pearl (16 slots). While smaller pearls may still fit if slot space remains, most captains leave their figurehead mostly empty when housing a Giant Pearl.
This ensures:
lower elemental strain
minimal feedback risk
survival if the main ship is destroyed
space for emergency ritual anchoring
The figurehead acts as a lifeboat for the captain’s most valuable resource.
They cannot channel wind, current, or stabilization pearls.
Any figurehead weapon—cannon, prow blade, magical claw—requires at least one slot to empower and awaken.
They are powerful, autonomous constructs but cannot:
replace a hull
carry crew
perform long-distance travel alone
They are guardians, tools, and last-resort vessels.
If a ship sinks, the figurehead can detach, seal itself, and protect whatever pearls lie inside.
This is how lineages preserve Giant Pearls across generations.
Tiny/Small pearls used for:
minor elemental bursts
protective wards
weapon empowerment
Medium pearls unlock:
reliable combat abilities
elemental utility
short-range defense
Large and Giant Pearls enable:
devastating figurehead strikes
high-level wards
core pearl preservation
legendary back-up attacks
Veteran captains intentionally leave slots empty at high level, keeping their figurehead light and resilient.
Every figurehead is hand-carved, soul-bound, and painstakingly enchanted. They reflect:
personality
lineage
myth
elemental affinity
Most crews treat the figurehead with the same respect as the captain themselves.
As a pirate levels up, their figurehead evolves from a simple carving to a mythic weapon-artifact, capable of housing pearls that would annihilate lesser beings.
With enough pearls, a figurehead can:
defend its captain
unleash elemental blasts
keep fighting after the ship sinks
preserve the lineage’s core treasure
It becomes a silent witness and protector—the only thing that might remain after battle.