Pirates of the Caribbean/Fanfic Recs

Proof that the remaining 10% is worth dying for here:

These are recommendations made by Tropers for Fan Fics, all of which have been signed. After a few samples, you will be able to judge whether you might be interested in the 'fic, based on who recommended it. No-name recommendations will be Zapped (wiki). Nobody would back up the rec. Discussion of the recommendation is welcome on the discussion page. As such discussion is important, do remember to add the discussion page to the watchlist, if need be.

Do warn when a fanfic may head into homosexual or non-canon territory. Some people just don't like it, and as we all know, Shipping is Serious Business.

---

General fics

Crossing The Bar A multi-chapter epic by Honorat.

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Post-Cot BP AU. Norrington's Dauntless has the Black Pearl trapped; Captain Sparrow's only hope of escape involves taking a desperate chance. POV shifts from ship to ship, drama ensues on both sides. Plenty of believable interactions amongst both pirates and navymen. Nautically-literate tall tale by one of the acknowledged Best Writers of PotC fanfic. PG-13 for some of the grittier realities of maritime battles.
• Tag: Jack, Norrington, and a Cast Of Dozens- Adventure

Ah, The Memories! A funny adventure story by Cunien.

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Pre-Cot BP. Jack relates an amusing tale of vengeful rum smugglers, priest impersonation, trouble-making donkeys, and the loss & recovery of a certain important hat. Irreverent, but no clerics were harmed in the spinning of this delightful yarn. PG for some impolite language & attitudes.
• Tag: Jack Sparrow, A Pack Of OCs- Humor, Adventure

A Beautiful Morning A short oneshot by Geekmama

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Post-Cot BP. Jack's first morning after regaining his Black Pearl. Geekmama excels at sweet-but-not-maudlin vignettes. General Audience
• Tag: Jack, a bit of Gibbs- WAFF

xXoCeaNRoMaNCeLoVeXx A multi-chapter parody by illogical squeeks

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Brilliant skewering of every bad fanfic convention in the book (or the internet.) Painfully recognizable, and outrageously funny! Mild PG.
• Tag: The Entire Cast- Satire, Humor

Captains Outrageous A oneshot adventure by Jennifer Lynn Weston

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Pre-Cot BP. How Jack came to be accused of kidnapping... it wasn't really his fault. When a young stowaway is found aboard his ship, Captain Sparrow must balance his Piratical responsibilities against his natural fondness for whelps. Any resemblance to a similarly-named Kipling novel is deliberate. PG for mild adult refs.
• Tag: Jack, Gibbs, OMC- Adventure

What In The World A multi-chapter tale by Orpsgod

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Post-Cot BP AU. Jack plays matchmaker for the jilted James. The Commodore is understandably suspicious. Lots of snarky Jack & James dialogue- nobody writes that better than Orpsgod! PG for mild adult refs.
• Tag: James, Jack, OFC- Friendship, Humor, Romance

The Tapestries of Lore A sad oneshot by Berne

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Speculations on the manner in which Jack Sparrow shuffled off this mortal coil. Melancholy, poetically written, and not without hope. PG for character death.
• Tag: Captain Sparrow- Bittersweet Tragedy

Look To Your Priming A humorous oneshot by Madam Pudifoot and Soleilpirate

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Pre-Cot BP. Jack is in his early teens, so it's time for Da to acquaint him with a few Facts Of Life. Teague is not looking forward to it. Kids- even pirate kids- can put you on the spot like nobody else. Hilarious, and as close to WAFF as a Teague fic ever gets. PG-13 for adult themes, tastefully handled.
• Tag: Teague and Young Jack- Family, Humor

Marooned A multi-chapter account by Honorat.

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Takes place during Cot BP. Honorat describes every minute Jack and Liz spent on the rumrunner's island. It's amazing how many things two people can find to do on a godforsaken spit of sand. PG for minor adult refs.
• Tag: Jack, Elizabeth- Friendship, Adventure

Jack To The Future: A Random Chronicle A multi-flavored series by Jennifer Lynn Weston

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Post-AWE AU. Suppose Jack found the Fountain of Youth and it worked- what historical events might he have witnessed, or participated in, over the centuries? Each chapter describes a different scenario; sad, funny, tragic, exhilarating or introspective. (Chapter 22 includes a course-change which should gladden the hearts of all James Norrington fans.) Stories are rated G to PG-13 for violence, minor adult themes, and a bit of impolite language.
• Tag: Jack Sparrow- Adventure

Give Me A Hand A short oneshot by Geekmama

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Pre-Cot BP. When Gibbs met Sparrow. And why it was the beginning of a Beautiful Friendship. It's Geekmama, so it's sure to ring true. General Audience
• Tag: Josh Gibbs and Jack- Friendship

Jack's Christmas Lunacy A farcical oneshot by Otherhawk

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Post-Cot BP AU. Exactly What It Says on the Tin. A ticked-off Captain Sparrow goes to preposterous lengths to give Commodore Norrington a truly memorable holiday. Nobody dies... though James might not consider that the worst option. General audience.
• Tag: Jack, James, Will and Liz- Humor

A Clear Conscience A darkish oneshot by Shyaway

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Takes place during Cot BP. The Dauntless has returned to port, Will Turner is pondering Jack's upcoming execution. Possibly the most believable explanation ever written for why Will risked everything to rescue Sparrow. PG for semi-graphic description of what death by hanging involves.
• Tag: Will Turner- Angst, Friendship

The Donkey's Name Is Jack A humorous oneshot by Honorat

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Post-Cot BP. Jack pays Will a visit in his blacksmith shop. Will reveals something he probably shouldn't of. Jack overreacts. Liz finds a solution. A funny vignette with true-to-character dialogue. PG for a bit of cartoony violence.
• Tag: Jack, Will and Liz- Friendship, Humor

The Sign Above The Door A heartwarming oneshot by mypiratecat1

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Post-AWE AU. Elizabeth, now Will's wife and a member of Jack's crew, has an onshore experience that changes her perspective. Mypiratecat1 writes some of the best WAFF fics in the PotC fandom, and the Chocolat refs in this one can only help! General Audience.
• Tag: Jack and Liz- Mild Angst, Friendship

The Battle of Brimstone Hill A multi-chapter comedy by Arquenniel

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Pre-Cot BP. Encounters between Captain Sparrow and Cutler Beckett are usually no laughing matter, but there are exceptions- this fic was voted 'Best Humor' at the Potc Votes Livejournal Awards. Sparrow has just been cruelly branded and is determined to escape. Unfortunately, Fate loves playing tricks on our swashbuckler and she's about to do her very worst. PG-13 for some harsh references & language.
• Tag: Jack and Beckett- Humor

Last Flight of the Sparrow A dark oneshot by Mercurie

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Post-Cot BP AU. A surreal and all-too-feasible account of Captain Sparrow's end. Sad yet beautiful. PG for Character Death.
• Tag: Jack Sparrow- Bittersweet Tragedy

Stargazing A warm-and-fluffy oneshot by Jennifer Lynn Weston

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Pre-DMC. During the voyage to the Turkish prison, Gibbs and Jack share a peaceful interval under a nighttime sky. Even a pirate needs a friend to talk to now and then. Just-barely PG for brief mention of past unpleasantness.
• Tag: Josh Gibbs and Jack Sparrow- Friendship

Pirates Of The Caribbean- A Two-Minute Primer A short parody by JaxLass

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Can you really do justice to The Curse of the Black Pearl with a few dozen sentences...? Apparently you can. Don't fret over how Jaxlass did it, just enjoy! General Audience.
• Tag: The Entire Cast- Humor

The Voyages of the Dawn Chaser A multi-chapter epic by Peladon.

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Post-AWE AU. On his way to the Fountain of Youth, Jack (literally) runs into someone he never expected. What follows proves that Jack attracts weirdness, and the immortals aren't done with him yet. Continued in the 'Water of Life' and 'Lucifers Sword' series. This is a very long tale that's still a WIP, but the writing quality makes it worth the trip.
• Tag: Jack Sparrow, OFC- Adventure

Prettiness A humorous oneshot by Redclia

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Post-Cot BP AU. Will Turner's reflections on Jack Sparrow build up to a terrific punchline. Short and sweet. General Audience.
• Tag: William Turner- Humor

Something Wicked A dark oneshot by mypiratecat1

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Pre-Cot BP. The aftermath of Jack's branding. Bootstrap Bill rescues him from Beckett's custody and tends his wounds, but the mental lacerations will take longer to heal. A compelling explanation for why Sparrow traded the life of a law-abiding seaman for that of a pirate (with just a little help from Shakespeare.) PG-13 for refs to violent events.
• Tag: Jack and Bootstrap- Angst, Hurt/Comfort

Norrington A multi-chapter tale by Orpsgod

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Post-Cot BP AU. On the rebound after losing Liz, Commodore Norrington goes to a party and meets Miss Right. But once she's got him in her clutch, she proves to be Miss Wrong-As-She-Could-Possibly-Be! James needs help, but who possesses enough cunning and guile to beat this treacherous wench at her own game...? You have to ask?? This being Orpsgod, look for more laugh-inducing situations and snarky dialogue than you can shake a cutlass at. PG for mild adult refs.
• Tag: James, OFC, Jack, Will & Liz- Friendship, Humor, Romance Gone Wrong

Worthy Of His Steel A multi-chapter story by Honorat

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Very possibly the best Will Turner background story in Fan Fiction. William's years of apprenticeship to Mr. Brown include familial love, heartrending tragedy, learning mastery of forge & blade, and friendship with Elizabeth that gradually becomes something more. All framed by an account of that fateful day when Will first encountered a certain wily Pirate. No professional writer could have done better. PG-13 for some harsh events.
• Tag: William Turner, some Jack Sparrow- Biography, Adventure

End Of The Line A oneshot by Peladon.

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Post-AWE AU. There's a long-standing theory in the PotC Fandom, that Jack Sparrow's ancestral roots may extend beyond human boundaries (see Pirates of the Caribbean's WMG list.) This entertaining yarn confirms it- and not a moment too soon for Jack! A short tale which explains a lot. General Audience.
• Tag: Jack Sparrow, some unexpected friends- Fandom Crossover

Courage and Fortitude A short oneshot by mypiratecat1

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Takes place during Cot BP. Jack, Liz and Will row towards the Dauntless after confirming the Pearl is gone. They all know what this means for Sparrow, and it's hard to say who regrets it most. PG for angst-ridden theme.
• Tag: Jack, Will and Liz- Angst, Friendship

Condemned A four-chapter character study by Starzangel

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Takes place during Cot BP. Barbossa is dead, but the Black Pearl has left Jack behind, and he's now a prisoner in the brig of the Dauntless. Sparrow's reflections during the voyage back to Port Royal... and the gallows. PG for impending character death.
• Tag: Jack Sparrow- Angst

What Jack Did A humorous short by Jennifer Lynn Weston

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Post-Cot BP. Retelling of an amusing East European folktale, whose protagonist bears a strong resemblance to Jack Sparrow. Hopefully, fellow-traveler Will can appreciate it. General Audience.
• Tag: Jack, Will- Humor

Therein Lies A Tale A multi-chapter adventure by Jazzmaster

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Post-AWE AU. Jack and Pirate King Liz vs. a Wicked Witch with lots of avian allies. At stake: Immortality. Swords and wits will clash! PG-13 for fighting, some evil magic.
• Tag: Jack, Elizabeth & Son, OFC- Adventure, Friendship

A Thanksgiving A short oneshot by ConcertiGrossi

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Pre-Cot BP. That latest Spanish/ English war has just concluded, provoking differing expectations amongst Navymen, civilians and pirates. Insightful glimpse into the human realities of that era. PG for a bit of suggestive dialogue.
• Tag: Groves & Gillette, Norrington, Jack- Everyday Drama

Aftermath A multi-chapter epic by L'Morgan

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Post-Cot BP AU. In the aftermath of the Port Royal earthquake, Captain Sparrow finds a most unexpected calling. But before he can answer, he has some squalls and reefs to navigate, with a little help from friends old and new. PG-13 for natural disaster & violence.
• Tag: Jack, Annamaria, Will, Liz, James, several OCs- Adventure, some Angst and Romance

Camera Obscura A dramatic one-shot by djarum99

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Post-AWE AU. During a 1935 hurricane, a young woman vagabond seeks refuge in an unusual place... and encounters an even more unusual man. At least one of them will never be the same. Wonderfully poetic writing recommends this portrait of Depression-era artistry, featuring an in-character 'future Jack.' (Sparrabeth mentioned in passing.) PG for minor adult refs.
• Tag: Jack, OFC- Drama

Sea Shanty A Humorous Songfic by Berne

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Post-Cot BP. Three men walk into a tavern, one of them starts to sing. If anyone wondered how all those improbable yarns about Captain Sparrow got started, here's the answer. (But who knew the pirate was a poet?) General Audience.
• Tag: Jack, Will, Gibbs- Humor, Poetry

Chance Encounter A 5 part (each novel length) series which starts as a crossover and moves into Mega Crossover territory by the second instalment. Comedy, violence, badassery and occasional Aesops abound.

• Recommended by Theenmityofages1994.

Heads And Hearts A dramatic oneshot by Jennifer Lynn Weston

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Takes place during AWE. Teague explains the origin of the shrunken head. It isn't quite what Jack expected. Could be canon! PG for referred-to character death and... well, headshrinking.
• Tag: Jack, Teague- Family, Background

Hush A short oneshot by Virgo79

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Pre-Cot BP. Bootstrap Bill's personality, and his original relationship with Jack, as exemplified by a particular incident. A Friend in Need, indeed! PG for reference to violent events.
• Tag: Bootstrap Bill, Jack Sparrow- Character Study, Hurt/Comfort

Deeds A two-plot epic by IdleWit.

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Post-AWE AU. Various obstacles and past acquaintances keep popping up, as Elizabeth journeys to find Will with Jack in tow. The chapters jump back and forth between two storylines, both of which involve danger and escapes (plus lots of funny scenes & dialogue.) PG for a bit of impolite language, occasional violence.
• Tag: Jack, Liz, Barbossa, Beckett, and a cast of dozens- Adventure, Humor

Betrayal A multi-chapter character study by Honorat.

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Takes place during Cot BP. WIP. As Jack's crew sails the Black Pearl away from Isla de Muerta, each member ponders the justifiability of 'keeping to the code'... and abandoning Jack to the gallows. The writing meets Honorat's usual high standards. PG for impending character death.
• Tag: Gibbs, Anamaria & the Pearl crew- Angst, Character Study

Pirates First Gleamings A four-chapter character sketch by Jennifer Lynn Weston

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Pre-Cot BP. Several scenes from Jack Sparrow's boyhood, featuring the first hat he ever loved. A feasible glimpse at the forces which shaped him. PG for mild adult refs.
• Tag: Young Jack, His Mum, Several OCs- Adventure, Background Info

Drabbles Of The Caribbean An anthology by Geekmama

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Variant Times And Locales. A 'drabble' is a hundred-word (or close to it) story, and nobody writes better PotC drabbles than Geekmama. Here's more than 120 of 'em, encompassing every movie, focused on a wide range of subjects, characters and moods. What they have in common is quality. General Audience to PG-13.
• Tag: Every Character- Every Genre (just about)

Spare Me These Unending Trials by Petit Parapluie

• Recommended by Much Ado About Nonny
• Synopsis: Based primarily on my fascination with The Flying Dutchman the opera and what the suave Erik would make of a certain tragic Scottish organ playing doppelganger...Expect chaos to ensue, of course. POTC and Phantom of the Opera COMPLETE AT LAST!
• Pairings: Eh...well, Madame Giry/Davy Jones is the main one, but a lot of other Crossover Pairings hook up over the course of the story.

Shipping fics

The Pirates of May series, starting with Memories of May by Nytd.

• Recommended by Belphegor
• Synopsis: Can a ruthless pirate truly fall in love, at least once? Perhaps. A young doctor kidnapped by Barbossa comes to realize that she finds the captain more intriguing than she'd care to admit, and that there's a lot more to him than first meets the eye.
• Pairing(s): The first story is set before CotBP, and the author takes her time to make the interactions between canon characters and OC heartfelt and believable; the fact that she has real medical experience helps, too. The style (first-person narration) goes very well with the 17/18th century setting.

Pirate Vindaloo A Sparrington Novel by Hippediva and Elessil

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Post-Cot BP AU. A pressgang abducts Sparrow and Norrington, forcing them to join the crew of a privateer vessel bound for India. In this dangerous environment, the former enemies learn to rely on each other to survive, and eventually escape. And they fall in love. Professional-quality writing and nautical literacy greatly enhances this 26-chapter adventure tale. Includes illustrations, some NSFW. NC-17 for explicit slashy sex, Attempted Rape, some salty language.
• Pairing: Jack Sparrow and James Norrington
• Tag: Jack/James- Sparrington Romance, Adventure

Merely Players A Sparrington Novella by Hippediva and Elessil

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Post-Cot BP AU. Captain Sparrow has what it takes to pass for a woman, which just might save his life when he and James are obliged to hide out amongst a traveling troop of Shakespeare performers. This mutually-irritating masquerade lands them in one farcical situation after another... closely followed by lusty ones. Plenty of by-necessity cross-dressing, and some truly hilarious scenes! With illustrations, one NSFW. NC-17 for explicit slashy sex and impolite language.
• Pairing: Jack Sparrow and James Norrington
• Tag: Jack/James- Sparrington Romance, Humor

Taming The Beast A multi-chapter one-sided Speckett story by Jennifer Lynn Weston

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Pre-Cot BP thru AWE. Not exactly Shipping, but in the neighborhood. Cutler Beckett finds Jack desirable, Jack spurns his advances, the repercussions- and pursuit- last for years. This could explain Jack's special satisfaction when he growled the order to "Fire!" Soft R for adult themes, disturbing implications, brief nudity, and character death.
• Tag: Jack/Beckett- Unrequited Slash

By The Light Of A Single Lantern A short oneshot by Geekmama

• Recommended by Sharklady 35
• Synopsis: Post-Cot BP. A late-night moment between Jack and Anamaria. If gentle love scenes are your thing, Geekmama is your go-to gal. PG for suggestive dialogue.
• Tag: Jack/Anamaria- Romance (Note: you'll have to scroll a short ways down to find the story.)

Crossover fics

A Study in Rum by Nytd

• Recommended by USA Bobcat
• Synopsis: (Taken from the Pit) One wicked and clever pirate. One singular and brilliant detective. One hundred and fifty years apart. An impossible meeting? Perhaps just improbable...
• Comments: A very well written Sherlock Holmes crossover, that stays more true to that fandom than Pirates of the Caribbean, but is not any worse for it. It captures the characters perfectly, and I thought it was good enough for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to have written it.