Question: What do you get when you cross a Classic Castle set like 3739 Blacksmith Shop and the recent 3 in 1 Creator Set Pirate Ship?

You get this this fine Pirate Inn by Pantelis! Definitely not somewhere an honest law-abiding citizen would lodge for the night, but if you’re a LEGO Pirate, oh boy – what a great place to plot your next treasure voyage!

A complete view of the inn

Pantelis writes:

Hello to all mates, some old LEGO sets like 3739 gave me some inspiration to imagine how to build a Pirate Inn… it’s something that I wanted for my pirates friends!

The kitchen is well equipped and serves everything from steak to humble pie

Everyone gets their own room… after sharing bunks on a ship this luxury accommodation!

And now you may wonder… how did that chap in the bicorne get a hold of Captain Ironhook’s vest?

No Pirate Inn would be complete without a monkey and parrot.
Chickens are there because they’re tasty.

But what if it were a Castle MOC?

Pantelis also explores the Castle inspiration which influenced his build by simply swapping out the pirate-related elements. As you can see, this creation suits either theme well, and on that note, the same could possibly be said for some of the official Pirate and Castle sets.

An homepage to the original set or has the pub really been standing since medieval times?

Now it’s a Guarded Inn! Unfortunately, Pantelis hasn’t provided us with a render of the Imperial Guards or Soldiers paying the pub an inspection a visit.

If we remove the pirate-themed accoutrements, how does it look?
Absolutely fantastic, just with less pirate vibes…

Not familiar with 3739 Blacksmith Shop?

Maybe you’re youngin’ and lack knowledge of the dark times before LEGO Ideas… Well, they weren’t dark, but you know…   Back in the early 2000’s when the Blacksmith Shop was released, there weren’t any official platforms allowing AFOLs to submit their creations in the hope, that someday, these submissions would be produced as official LEGO sets.

A photo of the exterior of 3739 Blacksmith Shop

Nay, none of that convenience! LEGO Ideas was first launched under the name “CUUSOO” in 2008 but AFOL communities had began appearing as early as the late 90s.  Back in those frontier times, hopeful fans would send their set proposals to the LEGO Group and hope one of the LEGO representatives would take heed… and maybe if you pestered them enough, they’d pass details on to their commanding officers who says “Jolly good! We can make a buck off this!” (wishful thinking).

Now you can see where Pantelis got his inspiration from…

Blacksmith Shop was first released on 30th March, 2000 by Daniel Siskind, and during 2001, he negotiated a licensing agreement with the LEGO Group to produce it as an official set. It was the very first set in LEGO’s “My Own Creations” range which saw release in 2002. As typical with fan inspired sets, the product designers modified the interior furnishings, but kept the exterior true to Dan’s original concept.

If you’d like to learn more about the Blacksmith Shop, peruse this discussion in the LEGO History Themes Forum.

Also, the Classic Pirates would like to acknowledge we stole the above images from The Plastic Brick, who has performed admirably at providing the interwebs with fantastic LEGO set photography.

About the Builder…

Pantelis just loves to scare pirates… and AFOLs too! Seriously, he mainly focuses upon builds for the Pirates and Castle themes using REAL bricks. However, that may have changed lately because he’s dabbling more and more in the digital realm, check out his Eldorado Fortress modification for a fine example of this.

To indulge in even more Pantelis perfection, follow him on Flickr and Instagram, or you sail by the LEGO Pirates Forum to discuss this MOC with the Classic Pirates and Pantelis, himself.

Pantelis, the LEGO Pirates Forum‘s in-house master of Pirate and Castle creations, has constructed a build using the highly popular 21322 Pirates of Barracuda Bay as the basis.  He loved the ship aspect so much, he felt the need to upgrade the island component – the two must exist together, for there cannot only be two!

The Indigo Islanders are just playing around… Stealing the Pirates’ valuable treasure…

Two beauties together!

This picture provides a more detailed view of the stunning build.

Pantelis writes:

Hi to all folks again. After the Barracuda Bay set arrived to me I enjoyed every minute of the build. The set is excellent and for me like a man of the ’80s was so nostalgic. The truth is that the ship is fantastic and is a very good reason to buy this set.

So the ship must be built for me and I tried to make something with this island. So this is my mod version of the Pirate Island.

I hope you have fun with the build!

Maybe the Islanders and the Pirates are having a rafting competition?

Can the shark be saved before it’s too late? Nah, that’s the Pirates dinner!

Have a look inside the guesthouse prison…

Not familiar with Pirates of Barracuda Bay?

21322 Pirates of Barracuda Bay is the third biggest LEGO Ideas set to date and the only one that is related to LEGO Pirates (although Ray the Castaway may change this in the future). Released in 2020, it contains a whopping 2,545 pieces and 8 minifigures, including a more senior Captain Redbeard, along with his cohorts, Lady Anchor, Robin Loot and the highly decorated Tatooga.

Based on an original design by Bricky Brick and developed further by the LEGO Ideas team, Barracuda Bay is not just a shipwreck island, but a revision of 6285 Black Seas Barracuda for the modern age.  The ship was refined in every way possible while all the major details of the original set were kept. Highly regarded as the only decent one of the finest Pirates sets since 1993, it is a favorite of both LEGO Pirates and LEGO Ideas fans.

And the keen eyed LEGO Pirate fanatics will observe the blue and black striped sail originated from the dreaded 4+ Pirates set, 7072 Captain Kragg’s Pirate Boat, thus providing further evidence those wretched sets do have a modicum of potential to talented MOCers.

About the Builder…

Pantelis specializes in building MOCs within the Pirates and Castle themes, and a vast majority of them are built with real bricks (opposed to the fictional bricks). He is often found in the Pirate MOCs sub forum, sharing his creations which never cease to impress all who lay their eyes upon these wonders. You can view more of his builds on his Eurobricks profile or follow him on Instagram for regular updates.

In this imaginary world Hungary becomes a sea lordship. That is why it was also his job to curb the activities of pirates. The Fortress of Hunyadi is built up by this occasion, so the peace can be maintained in the areas that have already been recaptured.

• Barracks
• Stable
• Warehouse / treasure chamber
• Jail
• Dining room
• Kitchen
• Secret door (opens from the kitchen)
• Officers accommodation
• 8 minifigures (commander, sergeant, 4 soldiers, cook, prisoner)

• Consisting of 2987 pcs (with minifigs)
• Studs: width 48; length 113; height 35
• Width: 38,4 cm / 15,1 inches
• Length: 90,6 cm / 35,7 inches
• Height: 28,2 cm / 11,1 inches

Did you know the Imperial Guards have a sweet tooth? That’s right, gimme some sugar baby because this is where it comes from!  The redcoats process all their raw sugar cane at The Crimson Mill in Westface and where it goes after that, you’ll have to read the story below to find out. It doesn’t mention anything of Admiral Woodhouse’s sugar addiction mind you.

Ayrlego brings us another fine MOC for Brethren of the Brick Seas which is not just a mill, but also provides office space on the upper floors. No mention of how much rent costs, but it’s no doubt a few golden doubloons each week.

The Story

As tensions slowly have calmed down after the abortive attack on Tarlor and signing of the treaty of Pamu, Colonel Dirk Allcock has found himself busy in Westface liaising with L’Olius on the creation of the Commonwealth of Terraversa. Popular opinion in Westface is somewhat united in a desire to break free of the shadow of King’s Port and surmount that city as the premier trading port on Terraversa. Opinions on how to do this are far less united with many advocating for an increase in production of the staples produced in Eastern Terraversa, while others call for a massive increase in commercial facilities. Allcock believes both sides have merits and that ultimately Westface will need to develop both if it is to compete with King’s Port. For now however, he believes that production must come before commerce. Here he sees an opportunity to both help Corrington’s new Ally and expand the East Terran Trade Company’s activities on Terraversa. Using his discretionary funds, he has purchased a water mill located astride a dam on the outskirts of Westface.

After some refurbishment, the mill is operational, processing mostly sugar cane on the ground and first level, while the upper floors are being used to temporarily direct the companies activities in Westface while a suitable office location is found. A manager has been found to run the mills operations and she watches the road for a delivery of raw cane from the nearby great plantations.

Sir Dirk and fellow ETTC shareholder (and current chairman!) Sir Isaac Montoya discuss business opportunities for the ETTC on Terraversa on one of the upper balconies.

…and an ubiquitous ETTC Sepoy patrols the dam wall

Ayrlego writes:

My entry for Cat C supporting the agrarians in Westface. I wanted to continue what I’m dubbing my ‘vertical’ builds (small footprint but five stories high with overhang). Will be handed over to the ETTC for licensing as a factory.

Close-up of guard

About the Builder…

Did you know they sing songs about Ayrlego in the village square? Ha! Just kidding, the bard was shot because he was sounding terribly hoarse. Seriously, if you have been a reader of previous blog posts you’ll know he is a regular contributor to the LEGO Pirates Forum on Eurobricks and continues to support the Brethren of the Brick Seas game with builds that do wonderful things to your eyes. Also, you can view more of his creations on Flickr and Instagram, which you’ll notice have been getting progressively taller around the time this blog post was written.

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.

NOD, the digital design master has built many fantastic pirate ships, and yet another has just slide from his dry dock! Like all his vessels, he casts prefab hulls and clothe aside, in favour of their brick built counterparts.  He doesn’t skimp on detail either and even bothers to fully rig the sails, which is not something all digital builders can boast.

NOD writes:

Brethren of the Brick Seas: Class 7

Brethren of the Brick Seas

Rating system of the Royal Navy: 6th rate

Rating system of the Royal Navy

The hull leans slightly outwards on the side, then inwards. I don’t like Tetris on the ship’s deck and railing. That’s why I built it mostly flat and with few height differences. I want to see curves and as few corners as possible.

The captain’s cabin is a little wider. Here the hull is built towards the outside at the bottom and towards the inside at the top.

Light cannons have been added on the upper deck. Because the ship is wider, the cannons can also be operated. There is enough space in width. These must of course be smaller than the cannons on the cannon deck.

Isn’t this a gorgeous vessel?

Swivel guns are always useful. I moved the main mast further back. A longer row boat was built.

All hands on deck… ready the guns!

I improved the shape of the ship. I like the view from above. I can even see that the hull is getting narrower towards the top.

You know those car number plates with people’s names on them?

My ships are similar but not the same “learning by doing”. Correcting and changing is too time-consuming, changes to the ship’s hull have consequences for the entire ship, building a new one is easier. Every ship is a new build with improvements.

Look at that Broadside – enough strike fear into the bravest of Imperial Guards!

I’m not entirely happy with the bow of this ship. Maybe I can build the bow differently and better. I don’t know, at the moment I have no idea. I like the rest, maybe just small improvements.

The deck. Take note at the number of cannon.

Specifications

I like that I can build the ship wider and more realistic with the Custom Hull.

The widest point on the main deck 24 studs (included railing).

The main deck is from the aft to the forward railing 87 studs (included railing), at the feet of figurehead 96 studs.

The waterline is 87 stud. | Total length 117 studs | LEGO Scale Converter

Captain Ironhook hasn’t seen the ship yet, but he will most likely want to commandeer it

It’s good that I building digitally. So, I don’t have to spend any money for bricks to build a ship that I don’t like when it’s finished. Sails are just decoration, with real bricks I use cotton sails. Masts and rigging are adapted to the existing sails. A digital build should also look good and realistic. That also includes minifigures.

Even in a digital design, NOD does not overlook the rigging

Port side view of the ship

About the Builder…

NOD is a regular contributor on Eurobricks. He specializes in building pirate ships and all his creations are digital built so he never has to endure the pain of stepping on LEGO barefooted. If you are interested in viewing more of his creations, follow him on Flickr. You’ll even find a nice doll action figure collection there.

We have plenty more LEGO Pirate creations by Eurobricks members so go to them. Cherish them. Lose yourself in the Pirate MOCs forum, a sub-forum of the mighty LEGO Pirates forum.

Or hit the red button below to discuss the “Tobago” with the Classic Pirates.

Aren’t LEGO layouts wonderful? They’re like having multiple MOCs working together in harmony (well, you’d hope). Builder SpinX125 demonstrates this in “Bay of Lost Treasures” by seamlessly weaving together a hefty fortress, a bustling imperial harbour, a desert island and all the trimmings in one magnificent diorama.

No detail has been spared, so read on for a closer look…

SpinX125 writes:

I want to share some pictures, of the layout I have been working on for the past year.

Since 21322 “Pirates of Barracuda Bay” came out last year, I was aware that I would try a pirate layout, this super cool set really set the memories back to the first pirate sets that came back in ’89 / ’90.

My brother and I had many good times with the pirates from that time, we unfortunately did not have many of the big sets. My brother had one of the ships (I mean it was 6274 Caribbean Clipper) and I had some of the small sets including 6251 Pirate Mini Figures and 6257 Castaway’s Raft. (still have these 2 sets and they are well used)

The Story

Bay of Lost Tresures is an island in the pirate land, many miles from Barracuda Bay. The crew from Black Seas Barracuda has come ashore on the island and has found themselves comfortable here, they live side by side with the Imperial soldiers who guard the island, maybe it is very good that the soldiers do not know Captain Redbeard and his crew’s past.

Most of the crew stays around the inn, as long as they have something in the bottles, they do not cause trouble. Tattooga spends most of his time in the company of his fishing rod.

Please ignore the shoddy background removal on the photo…

Panoramic view – observe the magnificence of the fort

Wait a second! The race hasn’t started yet…

Don’t worry, he won’t be going anywhere… yet

The naughty Redcoats are trying so hard.

The Imperial Guards are training hard, as always…

Are unwanted guests about to enter here? If so, the Redcoat is doing his job very well!

He’s even feeding the horse… very thoughtful!

The Redcoats finally out of bed ready to guard the fort

The beautiful garden is a nice place to relax and feed the plants…

Even the streets are busy! But who collects the horse dung?

Bird’s eye view

Is it too late to join?

Another smooth day on the harbour

The fish is about to be killed! Too bad nobody wants to save him because it’s time for dinner…

This is the most affluent port in the region

The poor pig has nothing to eat. Looks like he just found something!

HARR HARR!!! He’s scared of a chicken!

Looks like someone forgot to unmoor their boat…

About the Builder…

SpinX125 occasionally contributes to the magnificent LEGO Pirates Forum on Eurobricks (okay, so it’s more like once in a blue moon) and he has more MOCs on Flickr.

For another impressive layout check out “El Puerto de Cartagena” by Stoertebricker which also features an entire street of buildings, but with a LEGO Harry Potter influence. Or, for even more fantastic LEGO Pirates creations, visit the Pirate MOC forum, a creative hub of the ridiculously popular LEGO Pirates Forum.

Evancelt, an expert builder specializing in Duplo building for the Brethren of the Brick Seas game, is back with a brand new creation! He wanted to create an island without the usual tan elements (and Duplo), so he built Smuggling Tower, Tarani… a fort manned by wenches (we may have entered oxymoron territory)… or is that captured? You’ll notice both the Soldier and Imperial Guard flags have been put aside in favour of a Jolly Roger.

You may note it does bare some similarities to the classic set, 6265 Sabre Island, but it features a hefty crane, capable of lifting a tonne of marmalade.

The Story

Franz Koran saw an opportunity and took it. With the war in Terraversa over, the city of Tanari on the western coast was located away from Oldis’ tax collectors in King’s Port, the Eslandolan trade barons in Pamu, the strict rule of law in the Oleon territories and Corrington’s orderly influence in Westface.

He and his crew claimed a small rocky island in Tanari cove and built a tower. From the tower, they could quickly unload goods from ships and then row them ashore – tax free of course.

He specialized in the finer goods: books, sherries, scented candles, rum. The luxuries went for a pretty penny once they reached the island.

When he saw a ship approaching, he would fire his flintlock pistol into the air and wait to hear the correct countersignal.

Koran kept a stash of Terraversa, Oleonese, and Corlander flags at the ready in case some sort of authority showed up and they needed to appear legitimate.

Shooting at the sky… will she succeed?

That is one angry looking woman.

This picture provides a nice view of the gorgeous interior.

Evancelt writes:

OOC: My submission for CH IV – CAT F: Smugglers Den.

Wanted to try making an island that didn’t have any tan or dark tan! Didn’t have any wedge plates in nougat, so used quarter round tiles. Also experimented with a stepped SNOT base for the tower.

About the Builder…

Evancelt continues to kick ass support the Brethren of the Brick Seas, by not only by sharing his amazing builds but also by providing feedback to other players in the game. You can view more of his builds on his Eurobricks profile, Instagram and Flickr, or better yet, check out his very own website where you can get a complete view of all of his creations.