Foraging

Foraging is the process by which pirates can gather forageable commodities (fruit, and the very rare gem or piece of gold ore) from uncolonized islands. This is done from the menu on the hold of a ship in port on the island. The gathered commodities go directly into the hold.

Foraging takes up labor hours from the pirates who do so. It also cannot be done by pirates who have recently logged in, or whisked.

Historical Notes
Before it was changed (in release 'Happy Holiday Fruitcake', on 2004-12-14), foraging allowed pirates to gather and, which then could be sailed to a colonized island and sold to/used by shoppes. However, some players quickly figured out the schedule on which these commodoties spawned, and aquired what was felt to be a disproportionate share of the 'found' wealth, which also had a large impact on the economy.

These flaws inspired the Ringers to make changes to the foraging system, creating the process that now exists.