The European Nations[]
The four European nations are the key factions of both the original and new version of the game. The Player will initially choose one of them as their nationality, and will receive the Letter of Marque from that nation in the beginning of the game.
Each nation has several ships sailing on the Caribbean and Ports and settlements scattered across the islands. During the course of the game, the player can perform services for any of the nations, or attack their ships and ports. The Player can receive promotions and land grants for his services from all these powers, or alternatively a ransom on his head.
The relations between the European nations will fluctuate during the course of the game. Wars will break out and peaces will be made. When an European nation is at war with another, attacks toward the other nation are considered favourable acts by the first, and will result in a positive reputation for the Player among the first nation. Regardless of the State of War or lack of it, attacks toward a nation will always result in negative reputation.
Each nation has a theme colour associated with them, although certain colours change from game to game. In the original 1987 game, the colour was mostly present in the flag of the Country on a ship's mast or fort's flagpole. In the 2004 version of the game is mostly seen as the colour a Port's or settlement's name is presented. In the intermediate versions, the correlation between the flag and theme colour has varied greatly.
Kingdom of England (Red)[]
England is a mid-sized power on the Caribbean.
France (Blue)[]
France is a mid-sized power on the Caribbean.
Dutch (1987: Green / 2004: Orange)[]
As the smallest faction on the Caribbean, the Dutch have only a handful of Ports. Despite this the Dutch have the exclusive Fluyt Class of ships.
While the ships, ports and people of this faction are always referred to as as "the Dutch" the nation itself is actually called the Netherlands.
Spanish (1987: Cyan / 2004: Yellow)[]
Spain is the strongest nation on the Caribbean, having more Ports than any other Nation, with the continental mainland being called the Spanish Main. Spain uses several types of ships, but prefers Galleons and Barques.
Although the ships and towns are "Spanish", Spanish people are referred to as Spaniards.
Independent factions[]
Independent factions are smaller powers on the Caribbean with their own types of settlement and theme colours. Despite original plans to have the player gain a negative or positive reputation from these factions this feature never made it into the game.
Independent factions are only present in Sid Meier's Pirates! (2004). Pirates may be considered as an exception to this since they were present in the original game as well, although they controlled only ships, not any settlements.
Indians (Green)[]
Indians are the Native Peoples of the Caribbean. Their settlements are called Indian Villages and they use War Canoe. Since the Indians are always friendly to you, they will always present a Raid Mission. Indian War Parties will also spawn naturally.
The associated Shrunken Head and Carved Shaman Stick special items are functionless as the player's reputation with them cannot be affected.
Jesuits (White)[]
Jesuits are missionaries originating from Europe, but are not directly aligned with any European faction. Their settlements are called Jesuit Missions and the only ship type they use is the Pinnace. When visiting a Mission, the Abbot will either provide information about an Evil Spaniard (notably, Baron Raymondo), present you with an Immigration Mission, or if the conditions are right, present an Amnesty Mission.
The associated Golden Cross and Sacred Relic special items are functionless as the player's reputation with them cannot be affected.
Pirates (Black)[]
Pirates are sailors not affiliated with any European Nation, instead attacking ships and ports of any nation to seize their valuables. Their settlements are called Pirate Havens and use a varied roster of ships.
Upon visiting a Haven not occupied by a Famous Pirate, the Captain will present a Plunder Mission. Pirate plunderers will also spawn naturally.