Chat circle

A chat circle is a way to communicate with other pirates who are in the same scene, via the /speak chat channel.

Forming a chat circle
A chat circle is automatically formed when one player clicks on the circle around another pirate, pet or NPC, clicks on or in a pre-existing chat circle, or offers a trade or challenge - provided it is possible to create a chat circle at that location. The pirates will stand in a circle, the outline of which can be made visible by hovering the mouse cursor over it, and may then chat with each other via the /speak channel. As long as there is no physical problem with a chat circle being expanded, such as an obstruction like a building or another chat circle, more pirates can join the circle and talk freely to everyone in that circle. Any pirate not in the circle will be unable to hear the chat no matter how close they stand.

Pets in chat circles
Pets may join and leave chat circles. When following an owner, they will join and leave circles as the owner does if it is possible. While a pet is roaming, one or more pirates may form a chat circle with a pet. When joining or leaving a circle, pets will speak a word or phrase into the chat circle which all pirates can hear.

Visibility of chat messages in scenes
Chat circles are required to communicate with other pirates via the /speak channel when outside on an island, or on ships. One may use /shout outside on an uninhabited island to converse via the /speak channel, although this can become annoying to others. On ships, which have a ship-wide/vessel chat, chat circles allow pirates to hold a more private conversation, as pirates outside the circle cannot hear the chat. In buildings, chat circles have no effect, as all pirates within the same room can all hear anything said in the /speak channel.