Jason Davy.
Point taken, mate. But don't take it so personal, I included myself in the equation (that sounded familiar

) as a new lv 50 and could have cheated myself too... but I didn't.
As being an "unfounded claim", well, that's up to you, mate. Your own post reflects my point of view and contradicts yours
"This is a delicate subject for me because I too suspect speeding may have been used by some of the early masters, but I know for a fact it was not used by others" Precisely me point!!! YOU said it!, only that you added 'early masters to it" Now, was it that bad !? Nope! It's easy math!!!! A simple observation. Now I know how much work it takes to master just one pirate,,, when I hear that you have 3 fully mastered pirates and working on your 4th, perhaps you do play 24/7, it is possible! you may share pirate with siblings or friends and it is constantly leveling, I do not know.... BUT I do know now that there is a way to level up,,, if I wasn't afraid to get caught I may even try it meself!!! It's got to be fun!!!!
Now, for PvP, that's a complete foul !!! For tedious monotonous post quest leveling, it must be a blast,,, I hope to know how one day and try it,,, and please, no one get offended,,, it's easy math and a simple witnessed observation...