Background

The game uses a number of backgrounds for various purposes. While most of the backgrounds are created by Three Rings staff, a few have been created by players in contests.

Portrait backgrounds

Single portraits

These backgrounds are available in portraits with the following details:
One row, 1 pirate
15,000 PoE & 20 Doubloons
Additional Prints: 5,000 PoE & 7 Doubloons

Beach by Bluebeard	Beach Ship by Bluebeard	Cove by Bluebeard	Ocean View by Bluebeard	Palm Tree by Bluebeard	Sandy by Greenbones	Ship Deck by Nemo

Good Omens by Pishkirlin	Distillery by Mobutu	Iron Monger by Nordenx	Shipyard by Albini	Weavery by Molasses	Commodities Market by Molasses	Navigation by Pishkirlin

Double portraits

These backgrounds are available in portraits with the following details:
One row, 2 pirates
30,000 PoE & 40 Doubloons
Additional Prints: 5,250 PoE & 7 Doubloons

Romantic Sunset by Nemo	Clear Skies by Prometheus	Journey To Atlantis by Llama

Expansive portraits

These backgrounds are available in portraits with the following details:
One row, 4 pirates
60,000 PoE & 80 Doubloons
Additional Prints: 5,750 PoE & 7 Doubloons
OR
Two rows, 5 pirates
75,000 PoE & 100 Doubloons
Additional Prints: 6,000 PoE & 7 Doubloons

Please note: All names (save Dockside Tavern and Perilous Plundering) are prefixed with "Expansive".

Cove by Bluebeard	Docked Ship by Nemo	Ship Deck by Nemo

Palace View by Nemo	Dockside Tavern by Mobutu	Perilous Plundering by Fishheadred

These backgrounds are available in portraits with the following details:

One row, 5 pirates
75,000 PoE & 100 Doubloons
Additional Prints: 6,000 PoE & 7 Doubloons
OR
Two rows, 7 pirates
105,000 PoE & 140 Doubloons
Additional Prints: 6,500 PoE & 7 Doubloons

Please note: The portrait Ocean View is prefixed with "Expansive".

Ocean View by Bluebeard	Hunting Vargas by Corwyn

Special Portraits

Eminent Explorer portrait

This background is unlocked when a pirate achieves Eminent Explorer Reputation.

Eminent Explorer

Puzzle Pirates Adventures portraits

A portrait with the background below was automatically awarded to pirates who completed the Greyghost's Treasure Adventure (which is no longer available).

Greyghost's Treasure by Fishheadred

Vampirate Lair portraits

Vampire lair trinkets can be traded in for a design that allows the following portraits.

Vampirate Sanctum (S) by Greenbones	Vampirate Sanctum (M) by Greenbones	Vampirate Sanctum (L) by Greenbones

Vicennium portrait

During the Holiday Vicennium Celebration in December 2023 and January 2024, the Vicennium portrait could be won in tournaments. Players could also purchase a Vicennium portrait design from the palace shoppe. Although the designs are no longer for sale, this portrait is still available to those who hold the designs.

Vicennium

Limited Edition & Seasonal portraits

For a full list of current and past limited edition backgrounds created by players see the gallery of winners.

Most of the limited edition backgrounds found in game have been a result of the ongoing Portrait Background Contest. They are available in game for a limited time only. However, over the years, the Ringers have chosen a few portraits that they thought were appropriate to bring back each year as "seasonal" and can be viewed in this gallery.

The current Limited Edition backgrounds are:

Cattrin's You, Me and The Kraken (2)
Dagger's Siren's Cove (5, 7)
Dragonjayne's Now What? (2)
Molasses's Still Thirsty (1)
Greylady's Sand Arrrtists (4, 5)
Greylady's Shopping (1)
Greylady's Tropical Spring (1)
Lulee's Picnic Day (2)
Masters' Travel to the Depths (1)
Masters' Victory Banner (1)
Phillite's Verdant Ship (1)
Yx's Lucky Cards (2)
Velternal's Time For Tea (2)

Some other backgrounds are also currently available:

(Corwyn's) Dawn Raid (5, 7)
Expansive Blood Seas (4, 5)
Ye Dread Dead (5, 7)

Retired limited edition portraits

Over the years, many portrait backgrounds have been introduced as limited edition portraits and then retired. Most of these portraits were winners of a portrait background contest. These backgrounds can be viewed in the gallery of retired backgrounds.

Puzzle backgrounds

Piracy

The following puzzles are generally played while pillaging or aboard the Navy.

Bilging	Carpentry	Gunnery	Navigation	Patching


Rigging	Rumble	Sailing	Swordfight	Treasure Haul

Carousing

The following puzzles are available to play at any inn:

Boxing	Drinking	Hearts	Poker	Spades	Treasure Drop

Crafting

Visit a shoppe or bazaar* for these puzzles:

Alchemistry	Blacksmithing	Distilling	Foraging	Shipwrightery	Weaving

*Exception: Pirates need to be aboard a ship ported at an uncolonized island for Foraging.

Brigand Kings

When in battle with a Brigand King, backgrounds for the swordfighting or rumble will change.

Barbarian King	Barnabas	Brigand King

Atlantis

During an Atlantis battle, dragoons will challenge players to a swordfight which has a unique background.

Dragoon

Cursed Isles

When at the Cursed Isles, the backgrounds for swordfighting, rumbling, and foraging will change.

Swordfighting	Rumbling	Foraging

The Vampirate Sanctum

When in the The Vampirate Sanctum, the backgrounds for swordfighting, treasure haul, and carpentry will change.

Swordfighting	Treasure Haul	Carpentry

Historical notes

Prior to 2006-12-08, each puzzle background included an embedded title at the top (in English). These titles are now added dynamically based on the player's settings.