Fantasy & Lore

Loot That Could Kill You: Ranking Fantasy's Most Legendary Pirate Artifacts by Pure Badassery

From cursed gold doubloons that turn you into a walking skeleton to reality-warping relics that make Davy Jones nervous, pirate fantasy is absolutely drowning in iconic magical loot. We've dug through films, games, books, and shows to rank the most unforgettable pirate artifacts by the only metric that matters: sheer, magnificent badassery. Grab your compass—the non-magical kind, please—and let's dive in.

Aug 27, 2026

Blood, Bones, and Binding Spells: How Pirate Fantasy Worlds Built Magic Systems Worth Sailing For

Pirates and magic go together like rum and regret — and modern fantasy creators have leaned into that combination harder than ever. From cursed doubloons that rot your soul to blood oaths that literally won't let you die until the debt is paid, the magic systems woven into pirate fantasy worlds are some of the most inventive — and terrifying — in all of genre fiction. Grab your compass (supernatural or otherwise) and let's chart these dark waters.

Aug 15, 2026

Crew Up or Go Down: Ranking the Greatest Pirate Companions in Fantasy History

Every legendary captain needs a crew worth sailing with — people (or beings, we're inclusive here) who'll catch you when you fall overboard, back you up in a bar fight, and maybe occasionally question whether your plan was actually a good idea. From the nakama of the Grand Line to the rogues of Stardew Valley's harbor, fantasy has given us some truly unforgettable shipmates. We ranked them so you don't have to argue about it alone.

Aug 10, 2026