The Hidden Smuggler Base is the Smugglers of Port Royal faction's main camp in Windrose. It sits inside a region called Smugglers Waters (marked by green-striped water on the world map) and is accessed via a hidden cave on a small island within that zone. It is the only location in the game where the Smuggler Buyer NPC purchases luxury and contraband items.
How to Find
The Hidden Smuggler Base is not marked on the starting map and cannot be found by casual exploration. It is unlocked through the Underground Network quest chain, which begins after the player reaches Tortuga and finds a Smuggler Camp in the Foothills with a Letter to a Good Friend in one of its chests.
What the Base Contains
Smuggler Buyer (next to Marita). The only NPC who purchases luxuries and contraband. Pays in Piastres for bulk items and Guineas for the rarest relics
Smuggler Bounty Agent. The faction's Bounty Agents rep turn-in. Accepts Insignias and Letters of Favor
Smuggler Provisioner. Sells rep-gated gear including Conquistador's Armor, Pikeman's Armor, Hull Bracing variants, and Windrose Naval Tactics
Piastres-to-Guineas currency exchange. The only exchange in the game; rate strongly favors the house
Ketch refit opportunity. After clearing the cave, the player can refit a Ketch on the beach to unlock persistent fast-travel to the base
Luxury and Contraband Inventory
Category | Representative Items | Currency Paid |
|---|---|---|
Luxuries (250 Piastres) | [object Object], [object Object], [object Object], Silver Earring, Clay Vase | Piastres |
Contraband (150 Piastres) | [object Object], other Piastre-tier contraband | Piastres |
High-tier relics | [object Object], Ancient Incense Burner, Pot with Golden Horns | Guineas |
Gold artifacts | Gold Mask of the Priest, Gold Temple Jug, Gold Vase of the Chief | 5 Guineas each |
Why Push Smuggler Reputation
The Smuggler base is uniquely valuable because its buyer is the only sink for contraband/luxury relics, and its Provisioner is the only source for Windrose Naval Tactics and Smithing Flux. Players who plan to naval-combat through the late game typically push Smuggler reputation to Rank 3 as a priority path.
See Also
Smugglers of Port Royal — the faction
Underground Network — unlock quest
Windrose Naval Tactics — Rank 3 reward category
Ancient Chalices — highest-value luxury item