When Ren, a young son of a lighthouse keeper, rescues a stranger foundering in the rocks near his home, he learns the man was an aide to his true father, a great King. Ren is given a magic compass crystal that guides him to a dragon who shows him that the only way to claim his heritage is to find the Thirteen Treasures of Rule. Unfortunately, a pirate ship captained by the evil Bloth is also aware of this treasure and is relentlessly pursuing Ren for it. On his side, Ren soon acquires companions like Ioz the Pirate, Tula the Eco-Mage, and Niddler the Monkey-Bird, who help him in his quest. That quest becomes all the more urgent when Ren learns that the Dark Water, a carnivorous form of water that consumes anything it snares, threatens to envelope and destroy his world and only the treasures he seeks can stop it.
The Pirates of Dark Water (Season 1)
The Quest (Episode 1)
Writer: Kelly Ward
Air date: 1991-02-25
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: How it all started for Ren on his journey to find the Thirteen Treasures of Rule.
Dishonor (Episode 2)
Writer: Kelly Ward
Air date: 1991-02-26
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Strange warriors called the Atani capture Ren and the crew as they try to avoid Bloth.
Break Up (Episode 3)
Writer: Bill Matheny
Air date: 1991-02-27
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Ren and the crew discover the secrets of Niddler's past when they follow Konk to the island of Pandwa.
Betrayal (Episode 4)
Writer: Bill Matheny
Air date: 1991-02-28
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Ren meets one of his father's best captains but he and Niddler are captured by Bloth.
Victory (Episode 5)
Writer: Laren Bright
Air date: 1991-03-01
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: An escape attempt for Ren and his friends to regain the First Treasure from Bloth.
Andorus (Episode 6)
Air date: 1991-10-12
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Tula changes when she discovers that she too is a Ecomancer. She and Teron battle Blight to restore the island of Andorus to its former beauty.
A Drop of Darkness (Episode 7)
Air date: 1991-10-26
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Ren saves a mysterious woman from the Dark Water, but her selfishness puts the whole crew in danger.
The Beast and the Bell (Episode 8)
Air date: 1991-11-02
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Ren heeds a message from his dead father and takes the crew to Banjamaar to find the Bell of the First Sound.
Panacea (Episode 9)
Air date: 1991-11-09
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: The crew finds a dangerous mud creature stands between them and one of the Treasures of Rule.
King Niddler (Episode 10)
Air date: 1991-11-16
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Niddler is mistaken for the savior of the Mobo, a race of monkey birds, but his delight turns to fear when he learns he must rescue his new subjects from the immense Feryx.
The Collection (Episode 11)
Writer: David Ehrman
Air date: 1991-11-23
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: The crew sails through the sinister Straits of Hedren, where ships have vanished for years.
The Little Leviathan (Episode 12)
Air date: 1991-11-30
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: The crew rescues a baby Leviathan, but their grateful young friend causes trouble until its massive mother comes looking for her baby and interrupts Bloth's triumph over Ren.
The Darkdweller (Episode 13)
Air date: 1991-12-07
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: As Ren and the others celebrate having accomplished the first half of their task, Bloth corners the Wraith and forces them into fatal flight.
Seasons
Episodes 13
Episodes 8
Episodes 5