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====Imperial Soldiers 1989-1993==== |
====Imperial Soldiers 1989-1993==== |
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| ⚫ | The Imperial Soldiers were released in 1989 along with the Pirates. They were the good faction to the Pirates, and were the protectors of the Carribean. They were led by Governor Broadside and Lieutenant de Martinet, and their only goal was to capture or kill Captain Redbeard and his crew. Their flag was a blue flag with a large white cross that divided it into four small blue fields at each of the corners, with a crown and crossed cannons in the center. |
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| + | ''See Main Article [[Imperial Soldiers]]'' |
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| − | All of the soldiers uniforms were blue jackets with crossed white belts on their chest. They also wore white pants. Most were armed with rifles, but higher ranking officers and troopers often carried swords and pistols. |
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| ⚫ | The Imperial Soldiers were released in 1989 along with the Pirates. They were the good faction to the Pirates, and were the protectors of the Carribean. They were led by Governor Broadside and Lieutenant de Martinet, and their only goal was to capture or kill Captain Redbeard and his crew. Their flag was a blue flag with a large white cross that divided it into four small blue fields at each of the corners, with a crown and crossed cannons in the center. |
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| − | The Imperial Soldiers often found themselves outgunned and outsized on the open waters, their largest ship, the Carribean Clipper, was only half the size of the Black Seas Barracuda. But their fortress, El Dorado Fortress, was an impregnable fort that could withstand any bombardment. |
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| − | =====Characters===== |
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| − | *Governor Broadside: Governor of all of the Imperial Soldiers. He was most seen in El Dorado, and had a daughter, Camille. He wore a black hat called a bicorne with white trim, gold epauletes, and a regal jacket. |
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| − | *Lieutenant de Martinet: The second in command of the Imperial Soldiers. He was distinguished from the other soldiers by his brown beard. He also wore the gold epauletes of high rank, and carried a sword and pistol. |
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| − | *Camille: Duaghter of Broadside, has a crush on Will.(Comic) |
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| − | *Troops: The main fighting force of the Imperial Soldiers. They wore a high hat called a shako, had red epauletes, and carried a backpack. They were the gaurds of El Dorado and other land forts. |
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| − | *Troopers: This version of the Imperial Soldiers were found on board naval vessels and wore the traditional uniform, red epauletes, and wore a tricorne hat. They did not carry a backpack. |
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| − | |||
| − | =====Sets===== |
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| − | *[[6245 Harbor Sentry]] |
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| − | *[[6259 Broadside's Brig]] |
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| − | *[[6265 Sabre Island]] |
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| − | *[[6267 Lagoon Lock-Up]] |
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| − | *[[6274 Caribbean Clipper]] |
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| − | *[[6276 Eldorado Fortress]] |
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====Imperial Guard 1992-1996==== |
====Imperial Guard 1992-1996==== |
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| ⚫ | Introduced in 1992, the Imperial Guards were essentially the same as the Imperial Soldiers, the only main difference being the color of the uniforms. Instead of the traditional blue jacket with red or gold epauletes, the Imperial Guard wore a red jacket with blue or gold epauletes. Their flag also saw a change to a red and white horizontal striped flag with a crown and crossed cannons in the center. |
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| + | ''See Main Article [[Imperial Guards]]'' |
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| − | Along with these new good guys came a much larger fortress, the Imperial Trading Post. But once again, they were outmatched on the open sea, because their new ship, the Imperial Flagship, was still only half the size of the Skulls Eye Schooner, the Pirates new ship. |
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| ⚫ | Introduced in 1992, the Imperial Guards were essentially the same as the Imperial Soldiers, the only main difference being the color of the uniforms. Instead of the traditional blue jacket with red or gold epauletes, the Imperial Guard wore a red jacket with blue or gold epauletes. Their flag also saw a change to a red and white horizontal striped flag with a crown and crossed cannons in the center. |
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| − | =====Characters===== |
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| − | *Imperial Governor: Redcoated version of Governor Broadside. |
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| − | *Imperial Lieutenant: Redcoated version of Lt. de Martinet, but instead of a brown beard, the Imperial Guard version sported a black beard. |
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| − | *Troops: Redcoated version of the Imperial Soldiers Troops. They had blue epauletes. |
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| − | *Steve: Trader that bears a striking resemblence of Lt. de Martinet. He wore a brown tricorne before he defected to the Pirates, where he wore a black tricorne. |
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| − | =====Sets===== |
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| − | *[[1795 Imperial Cannon]] |
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| − | *[[1872 Soldiers Forge]] |
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| − | *[[6247 Bounty Boat]] |
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| − | *[[6263 Imperial Outpost]] |
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| − | *[[6266 Cannon Cove]] |
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| − | *[[6271 Imperial Flagship]] |
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| − | *[[6277 Imperial Trading Post]] |
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====Imperial Armada 1996-1997==== |
====Imperial Armada 1996-1997==== |
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| + | ''See Main Article [[Imperial Armada]]'' |
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| + | |||
1996 saw a different turn in the Pirate theme. Almost the entire theme was reworked and revamped. The result was two completely different factions. There were still the Pirates and the Islanders, but the Imperials changed to a more Spanish Armada based theme. |
1996 saw a different turn in the Pirate theme. Almost the entire theme was reworked and revamped. The result was two completely different factions. There were still the Pirates and the Islanders, but the Imperials changed to a more Spanish Armada based theme. |
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The Armada wore two colors, red or green, and wore the metal conquistador's helmet and metal breast plate armor of the era. The symbol of the Imperials also changed to a crown above a large shield divided into 4 sections. |
The Armada wore two colors, red or green, and wore the metal conquistador's helmet and metal breast plate armor of the era. The symbol of the Imperials also changed to a crown above a large shield divided into 4 sections. |
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| − | =====Characters===== |
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| − | |||
| − | =====Sets===== |
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| − | *[[6244 Armada Sentry]] |
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| − | *[[6280 Armada Flagship]] |
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| − | *[[6291 Armada Flagship]] |
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====Islanders==== |
====Islanders==== |
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| + | ''See Main Article [[Islanders]]'' |
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The Islanders were introduced in 1994, during the Imperial Guard era of the theme. They were losely based on natives of the Pacifc islands, and introduced a third faction into the theme. The Islanders were considered to be nuetral, but were known to have pirate and Imperial prisoners. |
The Islanders were introduced in 1994, during the Imperial Guard era of the theme. They were losely based on natives of the Pacifc islands, and introduced a third faction into the theme. The Islanders were considered to be nuetral, but were known to have pirate and Imperial prisoners. |
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The Islanders were based out of their Enchanted Island, and had a smaller outpost at the Forbidden Cove. They used no firearms like the other two faction, but instead used bows, arrows, and spears, as well as traps. |
The Islanders were based out of their Enchanted Island, and had a smaller outpost at the Forbidden Cove. They used no firearms like the other two faction, but instead used bows, arrows, and spears, as well as traps. |
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| − | =====Characters===== |
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| − | *King Kahuka: King of the Islanders. He wore a red tribal mask and carried a horned club into battle. He also had an elaborate stone throne. |
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| − | |||
| − | =====Sets===== |
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| − | *[[6236 King Kahuka]] |
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| − | *[[6246 Crocodile Cage]] |
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| − | *[[6256 Islander Catamaran]] |
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| − | *[[6262 King Kahuka's Throne]] |
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| − | *[[6264 Forbidden Cove]] |
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| − | *[[6278 Enchanted Island]] |
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| − | *[[6292 Enchanted Island]] |
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==Weapons Used== |
==Weapons Used== |
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Revision as of 12:50, 31 January 2008
Pirates
Overview
Pirates was a highly popular theme of Lego introduced in 1989 and ran until 1997. A comic book titled "The Golden Medallion" was released in 1989 to boost the popularity of the theme and give some backstory on the main characters. As the series progressed through the years, more factions were introduced and the older ones were phased out of production.
In 1992, the first major change was seen when the Imperial Soldiers were replaced by the Imperial Guards, who wore red coats instead of the traditional blue. In 1994, another change came, and a third faction, the Islanders, were introduced to be a nuetral faction. Then in 1996, the Imperial Guards were replaced with the Imperial Armada. The theme came to a close in 1997, much to the dismay of consumers.
Factions
Pirates
The Pirates were the first of the two factions in the theme to be introuced. They were the only faction not to change over time, but they expanded with more and more sets added with each change of the good faction. Their symbol was the Jolly Roger, a black flag with a skull and crossbones.
The Pirates boasted three of the largest ship sets, Black Seas Barracuda, Red Beard's Runner, and Skull's Eye Schooner. They operated out of the Forbidden Island, Rock Island Refuge, Skull Island, and Pirates Perilous Pitfall sets.
1989-1992
The intial release of the Pirates was hugely popular. The sets released in this era were some of the largest in the theme, including Black Seas Barracuda, Forbidden Island, and the Rock Island Refuge. Some still consider this the "Golden Age" of the Pirate theme, with a comic book and several other books released to boost the theme.
1992-1996
This era saw a huge change for the Imperial side, but a very small one on the Pirates side. The Black Seas Barracuda was replaced by the Skull's Eye Schooner, and the Rock Island Refuge was replaced by the Skull Island. Not too much else changed along the lines of characters, but most of the Pirate sets were replaced by newer versions.
1996-1997
The final year of the theme saw radical changes to Hispanic themed Pirates, and much of the Pirate sets were redone to match the Imperial Armada. The theme only ran for 1 year before it was ended.
Characters
- Captain Redbeard: Famous pirate leader, distinguished from all the others by his bright red beard and a patch over his left eye. His right leg was a wooden peg-leg and he had a hook on his left hand. He often carried a pistol and a sword, and was harldy seen without his pet parrot, Popsy.
- Bo'Sun Will: The youngest pirate and crush of Camille, the Governor's daughter. He is friend to Capt. Redbeard, and has some skill with a sword and pistol. He wears a red bandana around his head, a red and white striped shirt, and red pants. He has no distinguishing features.
- First Mate Rummey: First mate of the pirates, Rummey was a cut-throat pirate through and through. He wore a blue jacket over a red and white striped undershirt, gray pants, and a brown tri-corner hat. He also had a patch over his left eye.
- Jimbo:
- Anne: Also known as the Wench.
- Flashfork:
- Spinoza: the monkey.
- Popsy: the pet parrot of Capt. Redbeard.
Sets
- 1464 Pirate Lookout
- 1481 Pirates Desert Island
- 1492 Battle Cove
- 1696 Pirate Lookout
- 1713 Shipwrecked Pirate
- 1733 Shipwrecked Pirate
- 1747 Treasure Surprise
- 1788 Treasure Chest
- 1802 Tidy Treasure
- 1871 Pirates Cannon
- 1873 Pirates Treasure
- 1889 Pirates Treasure Hold
- 1970 Pirates Gun Cart
- 6232 Skeleton Crew
- 6234 Renegade's Raft
- 6235 Buried Treasure
- 6237 Pirates Plunder
- 6248 Volcano Island
- 6249 Pirates Ambush
- 6250 Cross Bone Clipper
- 6254 Rocky Reef
- 6255 Pirate Comic
- 6257 Castaway's Raft
- 6258 Smuggler's Shanty
- 6260 Shipwreck Island
- 6261 Raft Raiders
- 6268 Renegade Runner
- 6270 Forbidden Island
- 6273 Rock Island Refuge
- 6279 Skull Island
- 6281 Pirates Perilous Pitfall
- 6285 Black Seas Barracuda
- 6286 Skull's Eye Schooner
- 6289 Red Beard Runner
- 6290 Red Beard Runner
- 6296 Shipwreck Island
- 10040 Black Seas Barracuda
Imperials
The Imperials were the good side of the Pirate theme. They were the one side that saw the most radical changes over the years, and actually worked backwards through time, starting with the Imperial Soldiers/Guards, based on the British and French Empires, and ended with the Imperial Armada, based on the Spanish Aramda and the Conquistadors.
Imperial Soldiers 1989-1993
See Main Article Imperial Soldiers
The Imperial Soldiers were released in 1989 along with the Pirates. They were the good faction to the Pirates, and were the protectors of the Carribean. They were led by Governor Broadside and Lieutenant de Martinet, and their only goal was to capture or kill Captain Redbeard and his crew. Their flag was a blue flag with a large white cross that divided it into four small blue fields at each of the corners, with a crown and crossed cannons in the center.
Imperial Guard 1992-1996
See Main Article Imperial Guards
Introduced in 1992, the Imperial Guards were essentially the same as the Imperial Soldiers, the only main difference being the color of the uniforms. Instead of the traditional blue jacket with red or gold epauletes, the Imperial Guard wore a red jacket with blue or gold epauletes. Their flag also saw a change to a red and white horizontal striped flag with a crown and crossed cannons in the center.
Imperial Armada 1996-1997
See Main Article Imperial Armada
1996 saw a different turn in the Pirate theme. Almost the entire theme was reworked and revamped. The result was two completely different factions. There were still the Pirates and the Islanders, but the Imperials changed to a more Spanish Armada based theme.
Even in this new theme, which only introduced a few sets, the Imperials were still outmatched by the pirates. Their main ship, the Armada Flagship, was still small in comparison to the Skull's Eye Schooner.
The Armada wore two colors, red or green, and wore the metal conquistador's helmet and metal breast plate armor of the era. The symbol of the Imperials also changed to a crown above a large shield divided into 4 sections.
Islanders
See Main Article Islanders
The Islanders were introduced in 1994, during the Imperial Guard era of the theme. They were losely based on natives of the Pacifc islands, and introduced a third faction into the theme. The Islanders were considered to be nuetral, but were known to have pirate and Imperial prisoners.
The Islanders were based out of their Enchanted Island, and had a smaller outpost at the Forbidden Cove. They used no firearms like the other two faction, but instead used bows, arrows, and spears, as well as traps.
Weapons Used
- Saber: Short sword used by high ranking Imperials and most Pirates. It featured a handgaurd to protect the wielder and a slightly curved blade.
- Flintlock Pistol: Pistol used by high ranking Imperials and most Pirates.
- Flintlock Rifle: Weapon used mainly by the Troops of the Imperials.
- Bow: Weapon used mainly by the Islanders as a longrange weapon.
- Spear: Weapon of the Islanders used for shortranged, hand to hand combat.
- Axe: Used by merchants and dockworkers in the Imperial Guard era.
External Links and Sources
A Guide to Pirates Mini-Figures Part I: Yo Ho, Ho Ho, A Pirate Fig for Me! by Talon Card
A Guide to Pirates Mini-Figures Part II: It's a Pirate World-We Just Live in it by TalonCard