Revision 3

Underground Network is the quest chain that unlocks the Hidden Smuggler Base in Windrose. It takes the player from Tortuga to a Foothills Smuggler Camp to the Smugglers Waters archipelago and finally into the Smuggler cave.

How to Start

Underground Network becomes available after reaching Tortuga through the main story. Triggering the quest requires the player to find and clear a Smuggler Camp somewhere in the Foothills (marked as a coastal Pirate Camp on the map). One of the camp's chests contains a Letter to a Good Friend, which is the keystone lore item.

Reading the Letter

The Letter to a Good Friend hints at a Smuggler operation hidden in the Smugglers Waters zone of the world map (marked by green-striped water). The letter points the player toward a specific island within that zone, where a cave entrance can be found along the coast. The Curios Tab stores the letter for re-reading during travel.

Reaching the Smuggler Cave

The Smugglers Waters island chain is a significant sailing trip from Tortuga. Bring naval supplies, a fully provisioned ship, and boarding gear in case of encounters along the way. The cave entrance itself is not combat-heavy; the Smuggler faction is neutral until the player becomes hostile.

Inside the Cave

The Smuggler cave contains Smuggler-aligned guards and a small dungeon layout. Clearing the guards triggers the quest's next objective: refit a Ketch on the beach outside the cave. Refitting the Ketch unlocks persistent fast-travel to the Hidden Smuggler Base and spawns the key NPCs: the Smuggler Buyer (next to Marita), the Smuggler Bounty Agent, and the Smuggler Provisioner.

Quest Rewards

• Permanent fast-travel to the Hidden Smuggler Base

• Access to the Smuggler Buyer (the only luxury/contraband sink in the game)

• Access to the Smuggler Bounty Agent and Provisioner inventory

• Unlocks the Smuggler faction reputation grind

See Also

• Hidden Smuggler Base — the location this quest unlocks

• Smugglers of Port Royal — faction overview

• Tortuga — quest starting hub

• Curios Tab — where the Letter to a Good Friend is stored

Marita and the Smugglers Cave

The second major objective sends the player to talk to Marita at the Smugglers of Port Royal Main Base. Her hideout is inside a cave on an island surrounded by green-striped waters on the map. Dock and circle the island; the cave entrance is not signposted from the outside. Once inside, Marita stands near a Buyer.

What Underground Network Unlocks

• Access to the Smugglers of Port Royal Buyer, who pays top Piastres for treasure-class loot and Contraband.

• A free Fast Travel Bell point at the cave base.

• Entry into the Smugglers' reputation track.

Quest Chain Position

Underground Network follows directly after the Buccaneers (Quest) chain. Players reach this point only after delivering Gunpowder to Henri Boucher and tanned hides to Charlie Sharpe. Finishing Underground Network opens Smugglers-specific quests and vendors.

Tips

• Scan the map specifically for green stripes in the ocean; red or plain water does not indicate the Smugglers island.

• Drop a Fast Travel Bell outside the cave so return trips do not require the full sail.

• Save low-tier loot for other vendors; Marita's Buyer specializes in treasure and contraband.

Full Objective List (Seven Steps)

The Underground Network quest log shows objectives one at a time, so a consolidated step list helps avoid dead ends between fast travel points. The full sequence:

1. Ask around on Tortuga about the smugglers (Long Ben in the tavern behind the bar).

2. Talk to Marita at the Smuggler's base inside the Smugglers Waters cave.

3. Find Hale at the underground cave southeast of Blackbeard Waters. A wooden cover hides the cave entrance; a sword swing reveals it. A crab enemy blocks the path. Hale is deceased on interact.

4. Return to Marita and report Hale's death.

5. Talk to Long Ben in the tavern at Undead Waters; choose the "Who's Henry?" dialogue option first.

6. Find and sink Marlowe's ship (Bony Sue) northwest, accompanied by a Blackbeard Gunboat. Recommended character level is 3.

7. Return to Long Ben to close the quest.

Dialogue Shortcuts

Two dialogue moments materially affect quest flow. With Long Ben, the second option in the first pass ("Someone has wrecked the smuggler's caches") moves the quest forward faster than the other branches. With Marita, the first option with an exclamation mark at the end is always the quest-advancing choice, regardless of other branches. Choosing flavor dialogue first and then re-approaching for the quest line also works; no option permanently locks out progress.

Rewards