From now until 3:00 PM PDT on May 21st, 2012, you'll earn a FREE Banana Box for every $9.95 you spend on doubloons or every month of subscription time you purchase! That's 5 Banana Boxes for purchasing a $49.95 package, 12 Banana Boxes for purchasing an annual subscription, or even more! Featuring the seasonal color Banana, each Banana Box has a fantastic prize inside, including some brand-new surprises, such as the new Banana Dog pet, the Banana Snake familiar, or the Banana Monkey! What monkey wouldn't love being Banana?!

There's a bunch of other great prizes available, as well: Banana sloops, Banana furniture, and even Banana Spring and Summer trinkets! Don't let it be a cruel, cruel summer: peel open a Banana Box right now! For a full list of available prizes and other more detailed info, the official rules can be found here.

Good luck, everyone!

Technology continues to leap forward here on the Puzzle Pirate seas. Why, it feels like only yesterday that some forward-thinking genius out there invented the top hat, and soon afterward, the felt chamber pot. Even so, it's a red letter day for us all here at Puzzle Pirates HQ as we're pleased to announce that the very first Steam Class Sloop has rolled off the production line!

Or, well... I guess it sailed off the production line. Let's not get too ahead of ourselves here.

The Steam Class Sloop is sturdily built out of only the finest and most buoyant bronze available. We asked one of the engineers exactly how this worked, but he just threw an empty rum bottle at us and called our mother something uncouth. We're going to assume this means that it's a "trade secret".

But surely you must be thinking... how does it all work? What is this strange device in the hold? Why aren't we giving you a chance to ask these questions yourself? Well, dear reader, through an advanced alchemical process known as "ocean potion locomotion", this "engine" found in the belly of the ship makes very loud noises and belches poisonous smoke. Meanwhile, alcohol, in the form of rum, is pumped from the ship's hold into the pirates crewing the vessel. This increases morale significantly, giving them the energy they need to sail the ship forward, as well as to survive the incredibly toxic smog being put out by the engine. Did we mention that the smoke was ridiculously dangerous, odorless, invisible, and has no real effect on gameplay? I feel like we forgot that part. At any rate, it's very hazardous. Don't inhale it.

Oh, it's not all ridiculously-light brass and poisonous fumes, however. The Steam Class Sloop also has all the trappings you'd expect to see in a Limited Edition ship of its caliber: a sturdy vault door sealing the captain's cabin off from the rest of the ship in not-quite-airtight comfort, the finest in bronze cannonry and fittings, and even an extraordinary automaton figurehead! While we personally feel that it's a metallic monster whose existence challenges the very notion of our humanity and what ethical lines should be drawn when pushing the limits of technology, our artists thought it was "neat".

The Steam Class Sloop is only available for the month of May, however, so speed on over to your Shipyard and buy the ship of tomorrow... TODAY!

Oh, and by the way... We've also turned top hats on for purchase for the duration of the Steam Class Sloop's availability, because frankly, if you're half as excited about this as we are, you're going to need a place to relieve yourself, and quickly.

Avast ye defenders o' the free archipelagos, ye knights-errant o' the briny deep!

I be the gilded pirate Goldtooth Glittersleeves, Secretary o' the Treasure, and this be an official-like announcement - so set yer deadlights on me words and mark 'em well... It be my great honour to announce the release of the Gold Box!

Ah, the plunder has been a'flowin' heavy of late, and we at the Department have taken a portion of the surplus and appointed the finest of goldsmiths to fashion it into loot befitting our noble pirate natures and pack it into shiny Gold Boxes!

Aye, noble indeed! For hasn't it fallen upon us to put our courageous hearts to the test and battle the wickedest forces on the high seas, the fiercest of sea-monsters and to repeatedly send the Empire the message that they don't yet rule us all? Indeed, be we not the last free folk o' the sea, robbin' from the rich and givin' to the poor? True, the poor has mostly meant ourselves since most of us were as poor as wharf-rats when we first went "on the account" - but that don't take away the fact that we're an honorable and princely lot, says I!

It be in this spirit that we've created the Gold Boxes and distributed them to banks across the ocean, installing a shiny new golden safe in each bank to hold these grand new glittering goodies!

And in addition to the lustrous loot, we've engaged the services of exotic beast-tamers from the furthest reaches o' the world to add a rare few magickal beasties to the fare!

We've also employed gifted ship designers and ye'll be able to turn in yer Gold Box trinkets for glorious Gold Class Ship designs at ye olde Trading Post.

The first shipment be ready now, but after that, the Gold Box will only be available for a two week period every other month, since "acquiring" the raw materials takes a wee bit o' effort and not a few deeds of daring-do!

SO! If ye be needin' even more explanation than all that, feast yer eyes on this summary o' all the fiddly details. Otherwise, put on yer fancy boots, stump yer intrepid ol' bones down to yer island bank and TREAT YERSELF. Ye've earned it, mate!

T. Hieronymous "Goldtooth" Glittersleeves
Secretary, Department o' the Treasure

April's Limited Edition ship is our most luxurious yet. Say ahoy to the Emperor Class Sloop!

Easily the stealthiest ship on the seven seas, the new, fully transparent Emperor Class Sloop is perfect for midnight raids on Imperial outposts, as well as for everyday pillaging and treasure hunting!

The Emperor Class isn't without teeth, however. Check out the new "giant-sized" cannons here on its deck that do three times the damage of a small cannonball!

But what would a Limited Edition ship be without some luxurious fixtures? Every Emperor Class Sloop comes with a complete pet menagerie, including some exotic and never-before-seen animals, as well as a beautifully appointed captain's cabin, with an extra-special Sea Battle board game table and attentive servant NPPs!

You don't have to worry about getting rumsick aboard the Emperor Class, either. As you can see, there's a fully functional distillery down here in the hold, so you can make as much fine rum as you need while you're out on the water!

The Emperor Class ship is only available for the month of April, so make sure you place your order now before it disappears!

EDIT: Sorry, everyone, but it turns out that the shipment of new Emperor Class ships has gone missing! We could swear they were safely tied up at the dock, but when we went to check on them this morning, they weren't there. Our apologies for any inconvenience!

From now until 3:00 PM PDT on March 19, 2012, you'll earn a FREE Lucky Box for every $9.95 you spend on doubloons or every month of subscription time you purchase! That's 5 Lucky Boxes for purchasing a $49.95 package, 12 Mystery Boxes for purchasing an annual subscription, or even more! Featuring the seasonal color Spring Green, the Lucky Box has a wide array of awesome prizes inside, including some never before seen items, such as a green spectral hound straight from the wild otherworld or even the rarest of wonders: the Green Monkey familiar! Wait, really? Egads! What have we done?

Not only that, but there's also a bevy of great Spring Green-colored prizes: Spring Green sloops, Spring Green furniture, and even Spring Green parrots! Try your luck this Spring by tearing into a Lucky Box right now. For a full list of available prizes and other more detailed info, the official rules can be found here.

Good luck, everyone!

The season be right for all things green me buckos, and it be high time for a new Limited Edition Ship to ride the waves! So here she is: the Bardic Class Sloop. What a thing o' beauty she is, with her elegant lines, intricate knotwork carvings and shades o' brilliant green! But let's have ourselves a closer look shall we?

From her bow hangs a fierce-looking kelpie figurehead. This carnivorous shape-shifting water-horse o' legend be just the thing to strike terror into any chicken-hearted blaggard what crosses yer path!

Here be young Master Fergus, a good lad, standing high upon the sterncastle surrounded by shamrock planters, a captain's chair fit for a true sea-chieftain, and a fine harp to accompany his favourite songs o' the sea. Ahoy Fergus! Be there a cabin beneath ye?

Aye, indeed a cabin there be: snug green chambers equipped with green-tinted lights, a working storage chest, a globe that shows ye yer known world, and a traditional drum to help the ship's master keep time with the rolling o' the waves. 'Tis a grand space indeed, but let's have Fergus head back out to continue our tour...

...and here he is out on the deck proper. As ye can see the deck is as lush and emerald-hued as the rest o' the vessel, and ye'll also find special chairs for the crewmen painted in the same hues, and a working sword-rack. Avast Fergus! Pick ye up that fiddle there and play us a tune, me lad! Nay? Well, young Fergus is a humble fellow and doesn't wish to show off...perhaps another time me boyo? Shall we head below then?

Here be Fergus, standing in the well-equipped and handsome hold o' the ship. Here ye'll find another working sword-rack and clock to check the time, more green-tinted lights and a rum barrel that let's ye and yer mateys access the drinking puzzle! But what is it that Fergus is staring at? Why 'tis a mysterious and ancient standing stone, brought aboard for luck. Look lively Fergus! There be a banshee behind ye lad! Ye'd best stopper yer ears afore she starts a wailin'! That's right me hearties, every Bardic Class Sloop comes inhabited by a unique banshee!

A finer ship ye'd be hard-pressed to find, but alas: the Bardic Class Sloop is only available until 3 PM PST on Monday, the 2nd of April. So head to the shipwright and place yer order afore the banshee comes a callin' for ye!

A Sweet Ship for Your Sweetheart! Prepare for February's Decadent Chocolate Class Sloop! Based on the winning design by Slartibartfa of Meridian, it's guaranteed to melt in yer mouth, not in the sea!

Here we see the lovely Theobroma aboard her very own rich, velvety vessel. Which is the box of fine chocolate bonbons and which is a crate of classy cocoa-colored cannonballs? Only taste-testing will tell!

Just imagine the ambrosial aroma that enveloped our dear Theobroma as she strode into this luxuriantly chocolate-laden cabin! Can she resist the temptations before her?...

...Yes! But only long enough to go down to the hold and see what other smooth, delectable wonders await her. Now she only needs to decide what to nibble on first, and with whom to share this exquisite chocolatey bounty! There's plenty enough for two my dear, care to invite me aboard?

The Chocolate Class Sloop is only available until 3 PM PST on Wednesday, March 1st. Get one for that special someone, even if that someone is you!

From now until 3 PM PST on Tuesday, January 31st, every purchase of $9.95 or more will earn you a free Ice Box! Featuring the seasonal color Ice Blue, the Ice Box has a wide array of awesome prizes inside: Ice Blue Penguins, Ice Blue War Brigs and Sloops, Ice Blue Chromas, and even Ice Blue/White Parrots!

Be the coolest rogue on the island by sinking your hook into an Ice Box right now! For a full list of available prizes and other more detailed info, the official rules can be found here.

Good luck, everyone!

"Charavie's Dragon Celebration" background, now available!

This week on Portrait Day: a festive array of backgrounds perfect for Chinese New Year! The full list is as follows...

• Cayenne's New Year's Festivity Garden
• Charavie's Dragon Celebration
• Charavie's Crocodragon Party
• Greylady's Chinese New Year
• Inghild's Year of the Dragon
• Velternal's Dragon Dance At Dusk

There's a new background for every size group, so round up your hearties and head over to your nearest portrait easel today! These backgrounds will only be around until Wednesday, February 1st at 3 PM PST, so don't dawdle: start your New Year celebrations now!

One final programming note: this is the last Portrait Day! From now on, new player-created backgrounds will be released alongside other seasonal stuff, like Limited Edition ships or other goodies. Thanks for following Portrait Day, and keep your eyes on the blog and the Pirate News for future portrait background info!

Happy Portrait Day, everyone!