Sea of Thieves continues to sail strong into 2026, with the game’s ever-expanding world drawing both veteran pirates and fresh crews. Back in 2021, Rare and Disney joined forces to deliver the unforgettable “A Pirate’s Life” crossover, thrusting Captain Jack Sparrow into the Sea of Thieves. Even five years later, word of the Dark Brethren Tall Tale—the fourth chapter in that saga—still echoes through outposts, as players hunt for its ten elusive journals. These collectibles are hidden deep within a submerged fortress, rewarding explorers with deeper lore and a satisfying completion check. If you’re ready to chart every last notebook, here’s a freshly updated guide for 2026.
The Quest Begins: Getting Inside the Fortress
After Jack Sparrow wraps up his cryptic speech and opens the dungeon entrance, you’re immediately submerged in Davy Jones’ domain. The environment is a tangled, breathtaking ruin of coral, shipwrecks, and phosphorescent rock. Tread carefully: journals blend into the gloom, and a single missed ledge can mean a lengthy swim back.
📙 Journal #1 – “My Darkest Hour”
Right after swimming through the opening, swing your gaze to the right, toward the broken ship listing out of the water. Clamber onto its hull; the first journal sits on a wooden plank atop the wreckage. It’s an easy grab, but easy to sail past if you’re focused on the far shore.
📙 Journal #2 – “Following”
Continue into the water cave. Follow the tunnel past the glowing purple rocks until you reach a cavern with a rocky outcropping on the left. Perched there, almost watching you pass, is the second journal. Hop up and claim it before pressing on.
📙 Journal #3 – “Company”
Look for a geyser in this area and ride it to a higher platform. Once up, spot the pulley mechanism that shifts a long mast. Use the pulley, scramble across the mast, and land on a ledge. The third journal rests on that ledge, partially obscured by seaweed. A nimble pirate might also grab it from a different angle, but the mast route is the most reliable.
Deeper into Davy Jones’ Lair
The middle stretch of the Tall Tale leads you straight onto Davy Jones’ own ship—an eerie, dripping galleon frozen in time.
📙 Journal #4 – “Davy Jones”
Head below deck. Interact with the map to yank the dagger free, which opens a back door. Step through, and you’ll spy a table on your left with the fourth journal placed in plain sight. For lore enthusiasts, this issue offers a chilling peek into the fears of even the mighty Davy Jones.
📙 Journal #5 – “Risk”
After you defeat the mermaids in the next cavern, dive underwater and locate the cage area. The fifth journal is locked inside one of those rusty cages, visible through the bars. A quick slash of a sword or a well-aimed shot will break the lock and let the journal float free.
📙 Journal #6 – “A Better Offer”
Right where you freed the previous entry, search for the ropes holding a sunken ship to the seafloor. Cut them all, and the ship will rocket to the surface. Climb onto the floating wreck, then use it as a stepping stone to reach the nearby ladders. The sixth journal is waiting at the top, tucked behind a beam.
The Puzzling Room and Its Secrets
After navigating a puzzle-filled chamber, you’ll enter a broad hall with two Siren statues. Use them to fill the lake room with water—this is where the last journals lie hidden.
📙 Journal #7 – “Change”
Once inside the lake room, swim to the left-hand wall. Nestled among pale coral fronds, the seventh journal sits on the seafloor. It’s easy to overlook because of the dappled lighting, so keep your lantern handy.
📙 Journal #8 – “A Change of Location”
Now the real challenge begins. Return to the Siren statues and manipulate the water level until it reaches the ceiling, making sure to activate the statue that spouts water from its mouth. With the room fully flooded, head to the top of the area and look for a cluster of purple coral. The eighth journal is balanced there, glinting faintly. Be precise—the narrow ledge can be finicky.
The Final Encounter
After sliding down the water chute, you’ll emerge in the chamber where Davy Jones himself holds court. This final room is thick with atmosphere and flower-shaped coral.
📙 Journal #9 – “Rescue”
On the right side of the room, next to a large, petal-like formation of coral, the ninth journal lies flat on the ground. It’s nearly hidden beneath the coral’s shadow, so crouch and scan carefully.
📙 Journal #10 – “The Brethren Convenes”
The last journal stands propped against a chair in the very center of Davy Jones’ meeting spot—the same chair where he delivers his grim monologue. Simply walk up to it and claim the final piece of the puzzle.
Why Bother? What the Journals Reveal
Completing the set doesn’t just tick a box on your commendation list. Each journal adds a stanza to a haunting narrative about the Dark Brethren, their betrayals, and their fears. In 2026, with many new Tall Tales added over the years, completing this classic story arc still unlocks unique cosmetics and commendations that tie into the broader Sea of Thieves lore. Plus, it’s a badge of honor among seasoned pirates.
The eerie underwater corridors of the Dark Brethren fortress still captivate players in 2026.
For a quick reference while you’re on deck, here’s a table of all ten journals and their locations:
| # | Journal Title | Location Hint |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | My Darkest Hour | Top of broken ship on the right after entry |
| 2 | Following | Left-hand rock past purple glowing rocks |
| 3 | Company | Ledge after moving mast with pulley |
| 4 | Davy Jones | Table in back room of Davy Jones’ ship, after map dagger |
| 5 | Risk | Inside a cage after defeating mermaids |
| 6 | A Better Offer | Top of ladders after cutting sunken ship free |
| 7 | Change | Left side of lake room, hidden in coral |
| 8 | A Change of Location | Top of room on purple coral after flooding room |
| 9 | Rescue | Floor next to flower-shaped coral in final chamber |
| 10 | The Brethren Convenes | Propped on a chair in Davy Jones’ meeting area |
Extra Tips for 2026 Adventurers
-
Use a Crew: While the journals can be soloed, a second pair of eyes makes the search far smoother.
-
Keep a Light Source Active: Many caves are poorly lit even on high-end monitors.
-
Check Your Tall Tale Progress: The in-game journal tracker (added in a later update) now shows which journal IDs you’ve found, a huge help compared to the 2021 launch.
-
Beware of Other Players: The Dark Brethren instance is shared, but rival crews can still interfere during the initial stages.
Sea of Thieves is available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and via cloud gaming. Even years after its release, “A Pirate’s Life” remains one of the most-played story arcs, and developers continue to support the game with seasonal content and quality-of-life improvements. Whether you’re a first-time sailor or a Pirate Legend returning to finish unfinished business, these ten journals are well worth the dive. That should help you get every last page. Now go find Jack and tell him you’ve done your homework.