All Sea of Thieves world events and cloud markers

Sea of Thieves world events
(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)

The Sea of Thieves world events are special randomised events that appear at different points in servers, with at least one active at any one time. If you've seen giant clouds shaped like skulls or tornadoes on the horizons, those mark SoT's various world events - special challenges for brave or bold players that can be triggered by whoever approaches them. If you survive, you'll sail away with a hold full of treasure - but that's a big if. Still, if you're seeing strange portents on the horizon, here's all the world events in Sea of Thieves, and what you can expect to find once you make it there.

All World Events in Sea of Thieves

Sea of Thieves world events

(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)

At time of writing there are five world events in Sea of Thieves, some of which involve fighting enemies hand-to-hand, others of which focus more on ship combat. We've listed them all below, as well as what weather and cloud markers show them, and what you can expect once you sail there. 

Keep in mind that no matter which of these you're heading for, you'll want to be ready for combat, either on the high seas or hand-to-hand, so make sure you have plenty of food provisions and throwables ready to go.

  • Skull-shaped cloud with green eyes: Skeleton Fort world event. Players who land at the Sea of Thieves skeleton fort under the Cloud fight twelve waves of Skeleton enemies, all to earn a key that opens the fort's vault.
  • Skull-shaped cloud with red/orange eyes and vertical cracks on its crown. Fort of Fortune world event. A more deadly version of the Skeleton Fort, where players have to fight an Ashen Lord for greater rewards.
  • Red/orange cloud in the shape of a three-sailed ship. Skeleton Fleet world event. Sailing to this marker triggers skeleton-controlled ships to appear and attack the player. Three waves of ships attack, and each ship drops loot.
  • Green tornado rising up to a black cloud. Ghost Fleet world event. Sailing to this marker causes ghostly ships to appear and attack the player in waves. The final wave includes the Burning Blade, a boss ship. The Burning Blade and all ships with the Ashen Dragon symbol on their sails drops loot when defeated.
  • Red/orange tornado rising up to a grey cloud. Ashen Winds world event. Sailing to the island beneath this marker will push you into an encounter with an Ashen Lord, a powerful skeleton boss with fire powers. Defeating the Ashen Lord drops a variety of treasure, including the Ashen Winds Skull, which is sold for large amounts of money and reputation, or can be used as a flamethrower.

© 12DOVE. Not to be reproduced without permission

Joel Franey
Guides Writer

Joel Franey is a writer, journalist, podcaster and raconteur with a Masters from Sussex University, none of which has actually equipped him for anything in real life. As a result he chooses to spend most of his time playing video games, reading old books and ingesting chemically-risky levels of caffeine. He is a firm believer that the vast majority of games would be improved by adding a grappling hook, and if they already have one, they should probably add another just to be safe. You can find old work of his at USgamer, Gfinity, Eurogamer and more besides.

Read more
Elden Ring Nightreign
The random events in Elden Ring Nightreign are the funniest thing FromSoftware's ever cooked up, from a rain of ants to Morgott jump scares
Fortnite Live Event Chapter 6 Season 1
When is the next Fortnite live event?
Monster Hunter Wilds
Full Monster Hunter Wilds Event Quest calendar (March 2025)
Fortnite Shogun's Arena
Fortnite Shogun's Arena: Where to find it and deal damage
Fortnite Quests in Chapter 6 Season 2
How to complete Fortnite Quests in Chapter 6 Season 2
Sea of Thieves Twitch Drops Frozen Horizon gear set worn across four different pirates
How to get Sea of Thieves Twitch Drops and link your accounts
Latest in Action
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Indy hanging onto a vine as in Raiders of the Lost Ark
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle PS5 release date reportedly set for April after ESRB leak
Death Stranding 2
Hideo Kojima says he'll "apologize beforehand" for Death Stranding 2 moments with Troy Baker's Higgs which are "so ridiculous" that "you'll probably throw the controller"
a titanium watch with grey and orange features on the arms and face
You can look like Solid Snake with this Death Stranding 2 watch, but it'll cost you over $1,500
Players in GTA Online running businesses and playing missions
GTA publisher is suing a GTA Online website that lets you buy hacked accounts, which "risks upending the GTA 5 player experience"
Death Stranding 2 trailer showing Sam shooting at an enemy
Hideo Kojima aims to beat the ‘walking simulator’ allegations as Death Stranding 2 releases combat-heavy trailer
Death Stranding 2
Hideo Kojima is still hung up on his ex, as Death Stranding 2 features a Metal Gear Solid doppelganger the director says is the spitting image of Solid Snake
Latest in Guides
Assassin's Creed Shadows Claws of Awaji expansion Naoe and Yasuke in Awaji forest
Assassin's Creed Shadows roadmap, DLC and future content
A scary emoji shown in horror game REPO.
Is REPO coming to consoles?
Monster Hunter Wilds Nu Udra Palico
How to get the Monster Hunter Wilds Aqua Sac and Flame Sac
WWE 2K25
WWE 2K25 DLC guide to all Season Pass wrestlers
Monster Hunter Wilds screenshot showing a fiery octopus monster grabbing player
Monster Hunter Wilds Black Flame location and boss fight guide
Monster Hunter Wilds Aqua Sac and Flame Sac
The best Monster Hunter Wilds mods and how to install them