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Brigand Kings (abbreviated BK) are special brigands found occasionally when players attack red- or orange-ringed ships. Brigand Kings cannot be distinguished from normal brigands before entering sea battle. Rather, the Brigand King makes an announcement at the start of the sea battle and the brigand ship will display the <Brigand King> flag on the battle navigation screen. During the melee the normal swordfight puzzle background is replaced with a special "Brigand King!" background. Once the battle ends the Brigand King's ship disappears immediately. Barbarian Kings behave exactly like Brigand Kings, except they display <Barbarian King> during sea battle, rumble during the melee, and use a "Barbarian King!" background.

A ship engaged with a Brigand King ship.

Defeating a Brigand King provides a special trinket particular to that king. These trinkets can be held in portraits. The trinkets are inscribed with the message, "Ransomed by <Brigand King> to <Pirate> on <date>." Every experienced player¹ aboard will receive the same type of trinket, but they may be different colors.