Brethren of the Bricks Seas has been a popular role playing game in the LEGO Pirates Forum for centuries now. It’s like an ever-expanding universe in which participants continue to contribute fascinating creations to build their world further. In the past, we’ve blogged about other participants like that Duplo loving rascal known as EvanCelt, but BoBS attracts hundreds of contributors!

BrickOn has constructed some “Fortifications” at King’s Harbour on the island of Cocovia, which is a colony of the island of the Empire of Corrington.

Despite being stationed by traditional red coat Imperial Guards, the fortification are built from timber, rather than the typical white clay over red bricks which are commonly seen. Oh, and they have a nice clock… but it only chimes every second hour due to a mosquito getting stuck in the gears.

This is the Main Fort – as you can see there is a very important looking minifigure there and it ain’t Admiral Woodhouse

The Story

“Well?”

“Well, what? It’s a tree house.”

Sir James and Lieutenant Watton were surveying the newly erected belltower.

“Well with limited materials…” Lieutenant Watton tailed off; the bell tower had been constructed quickly, it was important to get an early warning of approaching ships. The waters had become increasingly hostile and these new lands must be defended against the upstart pretentions of the other colonies, even the sea rats were pushing their luck these days.

“My younger brothers have better treehouses, back in Corrington.” Sir James continued, “We had the best of the Corrington fort builders in the new world working for four and twenty days and this is what they came up with?”

Yes, thought the Lieutenant, he had wondered about the choice of Corrington builders, but on this occasion chose to remain quiet on the subject, instead he said. “I think the men would prefer to be at sea Sir James”.

“Well so would I, you know it, but Queen Annette has hundreds of miles of coastline to defend from the Oleonders and we have been tasked with this section. What am I going to tell the other Captains when they see this ram-shackled collection of outposts?”

“You could tell them the location is good. But truly, I’d be surprised if they have built much more substantial fortification at this time, it is very early days. Merryweather Lumberjacks, in Port Raleigh has been working overtime to meet the demand for timber in the area. Ship building is at an all time high you know, and maintaining the fleet is top priority. We had to trade the last of the rum to just to secure the wood we got for the treehou- I mean belltower.”

“Last of the rum? That is serious.” Sir James frowned, making a mental note to fix the rum supply as well as everything else. “Okay I suppose we could show them the new lens for the lighthouse. It is top of the range, latest scientific advances in lighthouse technology. Amplifies the light more than 10 times you know.”

“Yes Sir, its very good Sir” the Lieutenant was ever so slightly sick about hearing this marvelous technology, it was hard enough to get the damned thing up the tower.

Just then a messenger came with hurriedly up to Sir James, coughing to announce his presence and before either the Lieutenant or Sir James could react he began to speak. “Sir James I have a urgent message, you have been asked to attend immediately at in Arlinsport”

As the Lieutenant watched Sir James stride off into the distance, thinking that could have gone worse when one of the guards came rushing up to him.

“Lieutenant, the cat’s got stuck in the bell tower again.”

This is the lookout tower – too bad there aren’t any close-up images

BrickOn writes:

When Asked what was under the fort BrickOn replied:

There’s nothing under the fort yet, I mean there is definitely room for a prisoner or two, but that was not the purpose of placing gates and its not intended as a prison. I guess the fort is built on limestone (probably an old carbonate reef, situated on a volcanic sea mount or something, that is now above the present sea level), and there is a natural cave system in the rock, it was there when we arrived. The Corries have not explored it yet and the locked gate was just to prevent unwanted invadors using it as a weak point, hopefully there is enough firepower to stop someone entering the caves, but who knows.

The cannon tower – but what’s that upstairs? Again no close-up images to investigate further

Map of Cocvia

At all those named locations are the inspiration more great MOCs

If you’re interested in world building and how these fortifications coexist with other BoBS MOCs another contributor named Bregir writes:

King’s Harbour is first and foremost a naval base, and most activity is geared towards the repair, provisioning, maintenance, and outfitting of naval and merchant vessels. Obviously, the many sailors passing through, as well as the craftsmen and workers living there, is likely to give rise to a number of secondary and tertiary services over time, as the naval base expands.

Located in an excellent, defensible natural harbour, it is the perfect place for ships to refit, provision, and repair, or to take refuge from storms or enemies. The surrounding forests offers a reasonable source of cordage and timber for these purposes, as well as plenty of fruits, vegetables, and animals for provisions. Fresh water can be procured from multiple springs, or from the river flowing into the bay.

You can learn more in the Settlement, King’s Harbour, Cocovia, Corrington topic in the Brethren of the Brick Seas Forum.

About the Builder…

BrickOn participated in Brethren of the Brick Seas throughout 2014 to 2016 but is now, unfortunately, missing in action. He does have a Flickr account but due to his disappearance, this  hasn’t been updated in a good while. Nonetheless, give it an inspection because he has several pirate-themed MOCs worth checking out.

If you’re keen to participate in some LEGO Pirate world building, steer towards the Brethren of the Bricks Seas sub-forum or hit the red discussion button below to share your thoughts on these thoughtifcations fortifications.

The Indigo Islanders made their LEGO Pirates debut in 1994 and unlike the name suggests, there is nothing indigo about them!  Well, perhaps that shade of purple splashed throughout their shields and sails could pass as indigo, but it’s certainly not a colour extensively present within the sub theme.

Fast-forward to the 2020’s…  The Indigo Islanders seem to have mutated evolved, or at least improved their war painting skills, because now the Islanders themselves are indigo! Like they’ve been bathing in blueberry juice or something…

In their honour, Mrs Foutch has constructed this nice little isle in which the Pirates have moved in next door… and are rudely helping themselves to the goodies the Islanders are offering to their gods.

Mrs Foutch writes:

Here is my new MOC. It’s a pirate life for me!

The pirates found a desolate rock and made it their outpost then found out the island is full of treasures.

The Islanders are bringing offerings to their god.

It opens up to see the inside of the pirate queen’s lair. You can also see the opening in the cliff that the pirates use to steal the Islanders offerings.

To the left we have pirates… to the right we have the Indigo Islanders… in the middle we have…

And here’s where the Islanders give da goods to da gods!

Deep inside the island is a network of caves connecting one side to the other.  This is how those pesky pirates pilfer the Islanders offerings to the gods.

About the Builder…

Mrs Foutch (and don’t you be forgetting the “Mrs”), is a French Canadian teacher in her 40s who’s rediscovered LEGO and is having a “blast”, apparently!

Her motto is: “You can’t buy happiness but you can buy LEGO and that’s pretty close!”

So remember those words of wisdom while your browse her builds on Flickr and then move on to her Blockheads profile. She even submits contest entries to LEGO Ideas so give her a follow there as well.

And when you’re done being educated by Mrs Foutch, join us in the LEGO Pirates Forum for more great MOC discussions!

The Imperial Guard’s fleet is forever growing with new vessels being launched every time some AFOL feels inspired to bolster their forces.

This time it’s Knight 40k who has made Admiral Woodhouse proud by building a ship in their signature colours, which consists mainly of red and white. Rather like a candy cane or barbershop pole, actually. Probably not great for camouflaging into the horizon but the scheme is definitely on brand!

Also, this ship seams to attract a very diverse ray of hungry sharks, so if a poor sailor was to plunge overboard, his chances of getting back on deck are severely limited. Or completely severed .  Ha ha! Get it? (No? T’was a terrible pun anyway.

If it weren’t for all those cannons this ship would be as menacing as Santa’s sleigh

Knight 40K writes:

This is my newly rebuilt Imperial Redcoat Flagship, I will let the images speak for themselves. If you would like to see how it used to look, click here. I am quite happy with the changes and how it turned out, I would never have thought hull color made such a difference in a ships appearance.
Thanks for looking, I hope you enjoy it!

The hatches are battened on this side and the ship does perhaps look most robust than Santa’s sleigh

The crew mills about the capstan

Man the torpedoes! Uhhh… the cannons

Is that the Admiral and his daughter? Or maybe it’s his wife. You never know these days.

Looking down you can see this ship is well crewed

Inside the Captain’s Cabin: Charts, navigation equipment and the originality sherry vessel

Everything a good captain needs to plot a course to intercept pirates

The stern is like a mighty Pegasus

The jolly boat is ready for shore missions

The stern from the port side

Count all the Imperial Guards – how many are there on deck?

The figurehead be a mermaid baring cross cutlasses!

Look closely at the details

Nice view from the crowsnest!

Looking through the Jacob Ladder

This ship is kind of modular

Here we get a closer look at the cannons

About the Builder…

Knight 40k has posted a couple of ships in the Pirate MOC Subforum in the past but little is known about this builder. We don’t have any social media or website links to share but we assume the name originates from the game Warhammer 40k. In fact, that game has a faction called “Imperial Knights” so perhaps they’re descendants of the Imperial Guards. Or maybe this is merely coincidental.

And now we come to the part where you should discuss this MOC in the LEGO Pirates Forum and share it on social media.

Indigo Islanders and Soldiers working together, side-by-side, could you imagine it? You’d be forgiven if you suddenly pictured a joint venture involving a Tiki bar because CapOnBOBS‘ latest creation RNTC Way Station may just shatter that image!

For those unfamiliar with Brethren of the Brick Seas, “RNTC” stands for the Royal New Terra Company.

The Story

There is a point, well an area really, a fuzzy boundary where the sovereign lands of the Kingdom of Light dwindle into the shadows of the Atwi’s interior. Along the main road leading inland from the crown’s primary settlement in Terraversa, the City of Nola Mar, the RNTC has established a way station at the very frontier of the King’s domain.

Remember those maps at McDonalds A map of Terraversa

To the North and East, civilization and his Majesty’s grace. To the South and West, the ancient ways and ancient gods of the Atwi rule in their native lands.

Are the Islanders about to have a war with the Soldiers? Or are they just practicing?

It is on this very edge of civilization, that the RNTC has established a large commercial structure from which they have projected their mercantile presence. The Way Station provides a bed-down location for trade caravans heading into and out from the Interior. A final stop to rest horses, make repairs, and collect provisions before heading into the Atwi interior.

It sure looks busy here!

Not that relations aren’t pleasant. Recognizing the mutual benefit of trade in both directions, good neighbors, and safety in numbers, the Atwi have built somewhat of a semi-permanent village, a way station of their own immediately outside the gates of the RNTC post. Station Master Jacoby, known across Oleon as “Flying J’ for his speed on horseback, visits the Atwi daily to inventory mutual stockpiles, share a meal, and maintain relations with whichever chieftain happens to be in residence at the time. Though, he finds some of their ways barbaric, particularly as a man who grew up with a pet rabbit in his parent’s chateau in Breshaun, he has come to appreciate their pure and simple lifestyle, even taking long lunches to learn a skill or practice some new words.

Can the poor rabbit be saved? No, it’s time to eat!

But, as always, duty calls him back across the wall too soon. Wine to inventory, horses to saddle, books to keep, on and on. Today a call has gone out from the tower that an RNTC wagon train approaches.

“More wine, we already have so much, and I wasn’t expecting anything today” he mutters to himself as he turns back to the way station… his little keep… it reminds him of an old Knight’s redoubt, before the cannon of course. The flags of his employer and the “boss’s boss of course” flying outstretched in the steady breeze. His own little fiefdom of wine barrels and hay… and horse manure. Well some minor lord anyway.

“Daydreaming aside, why the unannounced wagons… and why the escorts…” Then he spotted them, two chained up chests, subtle to see a pistol wielding guard straddling one of the chests, ‘nothing to see hear folks…” Flying J had heard whispers of plans to start plying the powerful chiefs with silver. So here it was, the first shipment of silver into the interior. No wonder the wagons were unannounced, no wonder they were so heavily armed, no wonder they were stopping for the night. Can you imagine being out on the road after dark with that cargo…. too many Red Coats still on the island for that… and Green Coated mercenaries for that matter… and the pirates… and the rouge Atwi chieftains… and no shortage of highwaymen who found themselves on the wrong side of the peace treaty. “Well, get them in and get them bedded down!”

The Soldiers are having a wagon ride…

CapOnBOBS writes:

Just another example of how Flying J’s RNTC Way Station was the platform by which the RNTC beat the competitors to the Atwi markets.

About the Builder…

CapOnBOBS was last seen at the Beauchamp Shipyard where he was witnessed making a questionable modification to the drydock… Nay, he actually built the place as one of his regular contributions to the Brethren of the Brick Seas forum.  Very talented chap indeed!

Follow him on Flickr to see more of his digital creation – you’ll be amazed by his pixel pushing!

Or if you’re interested in seeing more builds like this, check out Brethren of the Brick Seas, the exhilarating live action rolepaying game hosted by the LEGO Pirates.

Usually Pirates prefer to cruise around the Caribbean in ships. Not large ships like frigates, mind you (unless they’re insane like Edward Teach), but much smaller vessels like sloops and cutters.

Historical accuracy out the window, Koalayummies, decided to break that stereotype and build a catamaran for his pirates. It’s a robust craft adored with traditional LEGO-inspired red and white striped sales, and if you take a closer look you’ll observe its armaments. Yes, sneaky cannons protruding for all directions to give potential threats an untimely blast.

The pirates appear to be sailing to a small island upon which an unfortunate sod has bitten the dust! He appears to have some loot (or is that birdseed in those sacks) and a mysterious key.  What does that key unlock? Koalayummies has not revealed the answer so it’s let up to your imagination…

Look out Indigo Islanders! The Pirates now have a superior catamaran!

The privateer catamaran is sailing straight towards us!
Oh look, a beehive!

Koalayummies writes:

…and also piracy!

Well, that’s a bit brief, but going by that description we assume these pirates are commissioned by a naval empires… and also have rogue tendencies. Well, what you consider a “privateer” is a matter of perspective, isn’t it?

As the old saying goes: “One nation’s privateer is another nation’s pirate”

Ok, so we just made that up on the spot.

Image King Kahuka’s face when he see’s this sailing towards the Islander Catamaran

Is that spear and chain on the side giving out “Waterworld” vibes?

Koalayummies has packed a lot of detail into this build

The minifigures are quite unique, certainly not the traditional combinations

Well armed with swords, a spear and guns. Watch out!

The disadvantage of catamarans is there isn’t a cabin to shelter from the elements

A Closer Look at the Catamaran

Let’s strip back the minifigures and accessories for a closer look at the build

It looks quite sturdy, doesn’t it?

Perfect symmetry – everything lines up nicely!

BONUS!

Before Ray the Castaway built his shanty, he did the typical marooned SOS thing and wrote “HELP” on the beach in big stone letters. His heart pounding with fleeting hopes of plane flying overhead would somehow find his rocky scribble legible enough to land (somewhere?) and pluck him from uncertain fate… and lack of WIFI.

Note to author: Pirates of the Caribbean didn’t have planes or WIFI. Yer dork!

That’s not very easy to read, is it?

But seriously, this is a fine little vignette Koalayummies whipped up in early 2021, a good 18 months after he first posted his catamaran.

The two MOCs are probably unrelated but let’s pretend the privateers pirates will set sail to the castaway’s island next.  Not that it has much offer except for a delicious crab, a half drunken coconut and a shopping list someone accidentally left in a bottle.

About the Builder…

Koalayummies is a delicious marsupial from Australia who one day shared his creation in the LEGO Pirates MOC Subforum… and then never returned to tell us more about this catamaran or what that key unlocks.

What we can deduce from the photos he provided, he has a Flickr account in which he shares a variety of creations. There’s a couple more pirate themed MOCs among them but he’s got a rather eclectic selection of builds, ranging from Ghostbusters to mutant dolphins walking on two legs. Yes, really.

And now the time has come for you to head over to the LEGO Pirates Forum and share your thoughts on this catamaran with the Classic Pirates. Or share to your hearts content on social media using the  buttons below.