Even though Build 1.11 completely changed the Avatar Combat system, the Pirates of the Burning Sea team is far from done with new updates and content. In fact, Build 1.12: Rebel Apostles will add the first chapter of a serial story that unfolds over many milestones. According to the latest dev blog, "We will spin this tale over six milestones and many missions, making it the biggest addition of new content since launch."

Chapter 1 is called "Black Flags and Dread Saints" and is about the rise of a new pirate faction called the Dread Saints in the Caribbean. The missions in this update will revolve around the mysteries of this faction and how it will upset the balance of power. Also, this new content will have opportunities for players of all levels to participate.

The beginning of the serial story isn't the only update coming in 1.12. There will also be changes to career skills, which you can read about here. If you'd rather read more about "Black Flags and Dread Saints," the full dev blog can be found below.

1.12 is called Rebel Apostles and it’s the start of something new (and dare I say exciting) for Pirates of the Burning Sea . Since launch we have added much new content and introduced epic missions like Fortaleza da Luz and Bey’s Retreat. What we haven’t yet done is a serial story that unfolds over many milestones but that’s about to change. Rebel Apostles is Chapter 1 of new story arc called Black Flags and Dread Saints . We will spin this tale over six milestones and many missions, making it the biggest addition of new content since launch.

Black Flags and Dread Saints is about the rise of a new pirate faction in the Caribbean. Their origins are unknown but they seem to mix religious zealotry with ruthless pirating. A new gospel is being preached on the Burning Sea and its message is not peace, love, and understanding. The appearance and growth of the Dread Saints are of concern to all nations because the presence of a new faction upsets the balance of power. Even Captain Kidd and the Brethren of the Coast are wary.

In Rebel Apostles the Dread Saints make themselves known, appearing for the first time on the Open Sea. Where they came from and what they want is a mystery. The 1.12 missions revolve around these questions and involve a host of competing theories. While ships crisscross the Caribbean trying to find out more about this new threat, the Dread Saints are wreaking havoc by attacking the ships of all nations. It’s going to take many captains to oppose them effectively and every ship is needed.

One of the goals for Black Flags and Dread Saints is to provide new content for characters of many levels. Rebel Apostles thus has mission chains for low, mid, and high level characters, so no matter where you are in the game you can be involved in the story arc. We want this to be exciting for all players, not just those with level 50 characters.

The planning for Black Flags and Dread Saints has been going on for some time. We did not want to launch it until the new avatar combat system went in because an awesome story deserves awesome sword fights. This story arc will give us a chance to really put the new avatar combat system through its paces and our mission designers are ready for the challenge. Expect bigger and better battles, both on land and at sea.

As you old salts know, this month we are celebrating the one year anniversary of Pirates’ launch. Black Flags and Dread Saints is a great way to kick off year two of Pirates of the Burning Sea , so get ready for Chapter 1 in 1.12. Now clear the decks and run out the guns!