princess
ScreenAcne
Force and Fury
ctrlsaltdel
Snowdrops
Suicharte
Xaltwind
Remram
IzurichBattle of Red Coral Bay
With the Shadow Army's clever and valiant last stand at Reed Hill, the United Army has been delayed and forced to remuster its strength and supply lines back in Sabu. While a multitude of smaller actions take place on the seas surrounding the archipelago and a handful of skirmishes dot the countryside, Palapar is almost eerily... silent as harvest season approaches.
Those fields not burned or plundered sit ripe and heavy with crops. Fishermen, afraid to venture out into deeper waters and get caught up in a blockade as supposed 'smugglers', haul in their lessened catches and try to both feed their families and bring in an income. Birds chitter in the trees. Goma cats stalk the forests, and tamarins gather in their troupes. If not for the scars evident on the countryside or its people, one might not even realize that Palapar is at war: a war for its survival.
And yet... in one place, the echo of hammers on wood, the scrape of saws, and the melody of men's voices in work song fills the air. Upon the southern island of Mailang, not so very far from San Sameno, where some might argue that this war began, a fleet is being built.
In the wake of their strange rescue by an unknown mage of prodigious ability, it turned out that the people of Betalo kept their secrets. Only some of the artillery lost at Orange Point was to Virang and its armies. The rest was shipped south, to the island fortress, where six new frigates, three blockade runners, and the manowar Kamao ng Kalayaan (Freedom's Fist) are taking shape.
The secretive operation, so far, has been known only to clandestine Revidian and Tarlonese operators, who have worked with their Palaparese allies to keep it safely hidden. Now, as three of the frigates and two of the runners have reached completion and the rest of the fleet nears it, word has leaked. Even as their land forces are engaged in a ferocious siege of the rebel capital, the Virangish naval detachment at Sabu, still rebuilding following the calamity at Betalo, muster every ship they can spare. They sally forth with four frigates and two great but aging galleons to kill their nascent rival in the figurative cradle, loosely supported by a pair of Perrench 'observers', the Tonnerre Céleste and the Marteau de Roi.
What will follow is a race against time as the Palaparese workers scramble to finish their warships and, crucially, the Kamao, while the leading elements of their newly christened navy harry, harass, and hold off their stronger enemy, trying desperately not to antagonize the Perrench. This series of skirmishes is fought all around the waters of Mailang and southern Palapar and comes to be known, collectively, as The Battles of Red Coral Bay.
Those fields not burned or plundered sit ripe and heavy with crops. Fishermen, afraid to venture out into deeper waters and get caught up in a blockade as supposed 'smugglers', haul in their lessened catches and try to both feed their families and bring in an income. Birds chitter in the trees. Goma cats stalk the forests, and tamarins gather in their troupes. If not for the scars evident on the countryside or its people, one might not even realize that Palapar is at war: a war for its survival.
And yet... in one place, the echo of hammers on wood, the scrape of saws, and the melody of men's voices in work song fills the air. Upon the southern island of Mailang, not so very far from San Sameno, where some might argue that this war began, a fleet is being built.
In the wake of their strange rescue by an unknown mage of prodigious ability, it turned out that the people of Betalo kept their secrets. Only some of the artillery lost at Orange Point was to Virang and its armies. The rest was shipped south, to the island fortress, where six new frigates, three blockade runners, and the manowar Kamao ng Kalayaan (Freedom's Fist) are taking shape.
The secretive operation, so far, has been known only to clandestine Revidian and Tarlonese operators, who have worked with their Palaparese allies to keep it safely hidden. Now, as three of the frigates and two of the runners have reached completion and the rest of the fleet nears it, word has leaked. Even as their land forces are engaged in a ferocious siege of the rebel capital, the Virangish naval detachment at Sabu, still rebuilding following the calamity at Betalo, muster every ship they can spare. They sally forth with four frigates and two great but aging galleons to kill their nascent rival in the figurative cradle, loosely supported by a pair of Perrench 'observers', the Tonnerre Céleste and the Marteau de Roi.
What will follow is a race against time as the Palaparese workers scramble to finish their warships and, crucially, the Kamao, while the leading elements of their newly christened navy harry, harass, and hold off their stronger enemy, trying desperately not to antagonize the Perrench. This series of skirmishes is fought all around the waters of Mailang and southern Palapar and comes to be known, collectively, as The Battles of Red Coral Bay.
A deep hum and chorus began to resound from within the cove. Lights danced upon the walls of a dimly lit cavern as men worked through the night. The scraping of saws filled in for background noise, hammers nailing on a beat to follow, and metal clanging created a melody in the tucked away in a lonely cove off of Kalubay. Men singing songs, some of them spoke of freedom, others spoke of a home filled with sun, and others of lovers and woman. Anything to allow themselves to pass the time as they built behemoths of the sea.
These men sang as energy filled the air, they all began to watch as their ships slowly formed, yet a storm slowly brewed on the horizon. The Virangish had taken a hostage and forced them to speak of secret plans. The Palaparese had secretly shipped many of their artillery south towards the Island fortress of Mailang. Here, they were secretly building a naval force, yet this element of surprise was lost. Now, the Virangish came to put an end to it.
A day's travel out was a small fleet of 8 ships that travelled slowly with the wind. Leading the travel was 2 large ships, aged beyond their time, they were true goliaths in the sea, galleons that had a deep dark oaken look. Black streaks with white breaking right above the water ridge. These beasts were being followed by 4 frigates that seemed almost to wade through the water, trying to ensure they didn’t race ahead of their larger brothers. Shadowing this Virangish fleet of mostly aged yet capable enough ships were 2 smaller ships. They were sleek, clean and bore the green flag of Perrence. These 2 ships were some of Perrence's lighter ships, yet as they prepared for war, even these ships brought with them enough guns to make a country like Palapar be unable to afford such ships. As they flew their flags behind the Virangish ships, the captains of the leading ships knew this would be a simple affair. After all, much of what would become of this nascent navy is rubble and splinters, as their simple hopes would be dashed.
Dawn began to break, men began to slowly shift between their temporary homes to their work for the day. It was when the men began to enter the cove once more, they saw a man clad in black. Covered in head to toe with garbs few knew, but the moment his head turned and they saw his eyes, they knew who he was. A larger man walked forward. he approached with caution as he spoke, ”Cousin, what has the capital need of us?”
The man looked around for a moment as he gestured off to the ships, ”The ships arn’t finished. We need more time”.
The man looked to the masked man, his eyes burned with such brilliant yet intense fires, the thought he was looking into the sun. Black King then spoke, ”The capital needs you to finish. Not to break the blockade, but for you to survive”.
Everyone’s body froze as it felt as if he was to deliver news that they were already dead men, ”The Virangish will be here soon. They are sending a small fleet of ships to destroy your work before it is finished”.
The men began to look at their ships, they knew that they had only a few ships finished, yet they only had 3 frigates completed. They haven’t even be christened with a name, and they had just finished 2 smaller ships meant to slip in through a blockade. They didn’t have a force ready to strike out and defend itself. The men began to look among themselves before they turned to Black King. He must have been here with some plan, there would have been no reason for them to sent the benefactor who had sparked this rebellion within them.
The larger man spoke once more, ”What are we to do?”
Black King looked to the men behind the larger man, they all seemed to wait on him, waiting to hear what they needed to do. Black King took a breath in and then spoke, ”We must fight with what we have. The other ships will continue to be built. Being christened and then sent into combat the very moment they are done”.
Then men began to listen as watch as some began to shift themselves forward. Many of them already prepared to head out onto the sea and face the Virangish. Many of their eyes were already filled with hunger. Black King took in a breath and sighed out quietly. He had seen many men like this, more than prepared to die, yet, there was some sense of honor in it. They needed more time, so these men would buy it.
Whatever the price.
These men sang as energy filled the air, they all began to watch as their ships slowly formed, yet a storm slowly brewed on the horizon. The Virangish had taken a hostage and forced them to speak of secret plans. The Palaparese had secretly shipped many of their artillery south towards the Island fortress of Mailang. Here, they were secretly building a naval force, yet this element of surprise was lost. Now, the Virangish came to put an end to it.
A day's travel out was a small fleet of 8 ships that travelled slowly with the wind. Leading the travel was 2 large ships, aged beyond their time, they were true goliaths in the sea, galleons that had a deep dark oaken look. Black streaks with white breaking right above the water ridge. These beasts were being followed by 4 frigates that seemed almost to wade through the water, trying to ensure they didn’t race ahead of their larger brothers. Shadowing this Virangish fleet of mostly aged yet capable enough ships were 2 smaller ships. They were sleek, clean and bore the green flag of Perrence. These 2 ships were some of Perrence's lighter ships, yet as they prepared for war, even these ships brought with them enough guns to make a country like Palapar be unable to afford such ships. As they flew their flags behind the Virangish ships, the captains of the leading ships knew this would be a simple affair. After all, much of what would become of this nascent navy is rubble and splinters, as their simple hopes would be dashed.
Dawn began to break, men began to slowly shift between their temporary homes to their work for the day. It was when the men began to enter the cove once more, they saw a man clad in black. Covered in head to toe with garbs few knew, but the moment his head turned and they saw his eyes, they knew who he was. A larger man walked forward. he approached with caution as he spoke, ”Cousin, what has the capital need of us?”
The man looked around for a moment as he gestured off to the ships, ”The ships arn’t finished. We need more time”.
The man looked to the masked man, his eyes burned with such brilliant yet intense fires, the thought he was looking into the sun. Black King then spoke, ”The capital needs you to finish. Not to break the blockade, but for you to survive”.
Everyone’s body froze as it felt as if he was to deliver news that they were already dead men, ”The Virangish will be here soon. They are sending a small fleet of ships to destroy your work before it is finished”.
The men began to look at their ships, they knew that they had only a few ships finished, yet they only had 3 frigates completed. They haven’t even be christened with a name, and they had just finished 2 smaller ships meant to slip in through a blockade. They didn’t have a force ready to strike out and defend itself. The men began to look among themselves before they turned to Black King. He must have been here with some plan, there would have been no reason for them to sent the benefactor who had sparked this rebellion within them.
The larger man spoke once more, ”What are we to do?”
Black King looked to the men behind the larger man, they all seemed to wait on him, waiting to hear what they needed to do. Black King took a breath in and then spoke, ”We must fight with what we have. The other ships will continue to be built. Being christened and then sent into combat the very moment they are done”.
Then men began to listen as watch as some began to shift themselves forward. Many of them already prepared to head out onto the sea and face the Virangish. Many of their eyes were already filled with hunger. Black King took in a breath and sighed out quietly. He had seen many men like this, more than prepared to die, yet, there was some sense of honor in it. They needed more time, so these men would buy it.
Whatever the price.
Men and women ran across all of Kalubay, a port town that was near the cove where the ships would begin to deploy. The port town buzzed with life as the inhabitants scrambled because of the warnings they were given. They knew the Virangish would come and raze the place to the ground if they had a chance to ensure that no ships could escape. Or be rebuilt.
Mothers began to scoop up their children to bring them away from their homes, while fathers carried whatever they could. Families began to scramble as all they could do was worry for the worst. The Virangish had figured out the plans of the secretive work that was happening, and now everyone here would pay. Many scrambled and sought shelter more inland. Yet others were brought to Mailang. It was a place well guarded and defended by artillery. It may well be the place where the fighting will happen, yet it may also be the safest place to be.
As families and innocents began to run and find shelter from the fighting, the men and women who wished to fight began to prepare. They began to scramble to build the ships as quickly as they could. Men and women began to throw themselves at the ships as they could. Lifting large pieces of joined timber together. Heaving and placing them as they nailed the hull together. The masts raised high still needed their sails, men and women with deft fingers began to sew and stitch large canvases together to create sails fit for the sea.
As these men and women try their hardest to get the ships prepared, others board the already made ships. They prepared to sail out towards Mailang, they needed to head there and prepare. The 3 frigates already prepared began to head out. Led by old hands upon the seas and men hungry for battle, the 3 frigates headed towards the fortress upon Mailang, looking to ready themselves for battle. Once they reached the island, they began to talk with the fortress about what should be done, as their plan was simple. The Fortress would arm the ships with cannons and let them loose as they prepared defenses. The ships would attack and harass the Virangish ships while returning to resupply. This would buy them time as the Virangish would need to return to a port further away to resupply.
The ships took some time to have their weapons, yet because of their smaller size, they were able to quickly take their arms and prepare for battle. They were loaded lightly to allow for them to stay light and agile upon the sea, while having enough weapons to dissuade the Virangish. They knew they didn’t have as many supplies as the Virangish did for a navy. However, they had enough, and more importantly, they had the advantage; the Virangish needed to fight them upon their terms. They needed the fleet destroyed, the Palaparese needed to survive, so they prepared for a fight for their survival. Just like the rest of Palapar is.
Mothers began to scoop up their children to bring them away from their homes, while fathers carried whatever they could. Families began to scramble as all they could do was worry for the worst. The Virangish had figured out the plans of the secretive work that was happening, and now everyone here would pay. Many scrambled and sought shelter more inland. Yet others were brought to Mailang. It was a place well guarded and defended by artillery. It may well be the place where the fighting will happen, yet it may also be the safest place to be.
As families and innocents began to run and find shelter from the fighting, the men and women who wished to fight began to prepare. They began to scramble to build the ships as quickly as they could. Men and women began to throw themselves at the ships as they could. Lifting large pieces of joined timber together. Heaving and placing them as they nailed the hull together. The masts raised high still needed their sails, men and women with deft fingers began to sew and stitch large canvases together to create sails fit for the sea.
As these men and women try their hardest to get the ships prepared, others board the already made ships. They prepared to sail out towards Mailang, they needed to head there and prepare. The 3 frigates already prepared began to head out. Led by old hands upon the seas and men hungry for battle, the 3 frigates headed towards the fortress upon Mailang, looking to ready themselves for battle. Once they reached the island, they began to talk with the fortress about what should be done, as their plan was simple. The Fortress would arm the ships with cannons and let them loose as they prepared defenses. The ships would attack and harass the Virangish ships while returning to resupply. This would buy them time as the Virangish would need to return to a port further away to resupply.
The ships took some time to have their weapons, yet because of their smaller size, they were able to quickly take their arms and prepare for battle. They were loaded lightly to allow for them to stay light and agile upon the sea, while having enough weapons to dissuade the Virangish. They knew they didn’t have as many supplies as the Virangish did for a navy. However, they had enough, and more importantly, they had the advantage; the Virangish needed to fight them upon their terms. They needed the fleet destroyed, the Palaparese needed to survive, so they prepared for a fight for their survival. Just like the rest of Palapar is.
It was still the dead of night, the moons were waning during this night, making it near impossible to see much of anything upon the sea. Ships off in the distance had snuffed the last of their lanterns as they had noticed they were nearing a land mass. They rode through the dark as they prepared to surprise the nascent Palaparese fleet. Yet as they rode, an unnerving calm came over the Beneghem, as the first mate came to the captain, unnerved as the sun still hasn’t shown, ”My Captain, something is wrong. The seas, they are too calm”.
The captain raised his hand, they couldn’t have much more than a few ships, none of which would be a match for either the galleons they brought. Even if the Beneghem had seen better days, there was no possibility these savages would be able to make a ship able to face off against it, let alone another ship of similar power, and a supporting force of 4 more ships. The captain nodded to himself, he felt confident, yet there was a strange feeling still lingering, as if a twisting feeling began to form in his stomach. Only when the scout upon the crows nest yelled out did the captain begin to understand what was going on.
”Lights! They noticed us!”
The captain barked out to his crew as they began to rush towards their stations. Many of the ships began to light with lanterns to allow the crew to operate as they saw upon a raised cliff multiple lights seeming to be poking out in small slivers appeared. The night was dark and slightly foggy, yet it allowed Many of the guns upon each of the ships began to be shifted to allow fire upon it, yet they were given a rude surprise. Multiple cannons sounded off before the ships could fire. Many of the crew began to take cover as many of the balls came crashing down onto the deck of the ships. Yet they were fired at a shallow enough angle that wood snapped and broke, yet didn’t have the balls come crashing through the deck.
The ships began to return fire, but they found many of their shots were struggling to hit as the darkness had given the fortress more protection than to themselves. The captain of the Beneghem furrowed his brow in anger. He had hoped they had faced half-finished ships at best; the night would give them an advantage with entering in and snuffing the ships out with their greater firepower and numbers, yet now they fired upon a fortress haplessly. They weren’t even prepared for a long-standing engagement. Much of the shot they brought was in small quantities and the powder barrels were light. So the longer this lasts, the worst it will become for them.
However, every now and again, the captain felt the cannons were firing off. Somehow, it felt that the cannon balls were flying over what should be walls. It was not until the sun finally lit the back of the ‘fortress’ that the captains realized they had been firing upon a cliffside with only a few cannons placed upon it. They had set up a few cannons and light lanterns that were set up in such a way to fool the Virangish in a dark night. Especially as clouds made it nearly impossible to see. The captain clenched his teeth as they had been made a fool. He had ordered the ship to fire upon the fortress, as the others were following his lead. This led to them firing for nearly a full hour, and they had essentially been sending their shots into the sea. They then realized this was not going to be easy, as they began to see 5 ships appear from around a bend of the island. They had not fired a single shot and have been prepared the entire time, waiting for the ships to waste their time and munitions.
While the ships did not seem large, their displacement and size were quite difficult to ascertain because of the darkness they were still being obscured by. The captain of the Beneghem began to raise his hand, as if he was preparing his men to charge. Yet before his hand could drop, his head exploded. Covering his first mate and many others in the gore of what happened. A quiet crack resounded out as another flash appeared. The sailors upon the ships began to duck and seek cover, yet the bullets never found them. It was the captains of ships that were the targets. As a bullet ripped through the air and smashed into another man’s head. Kicking the hat high into the sky as men began to scramble.
The first mate upon the Beneghem, looked to the blood across him as he shivered for a moment. He took in a breath as the crew began to panic and call out to him. Roaring out what they should do, what to do, as one of them yelled ‘captain’. His neck tensed up as he roared out, ”Retreat!” The Virangish began to turn, being accompanied by their Perrench ‘observers’ as they headed back to safer waters.
The Palaparese vessel, Sibat ng Kalayaan, was filled with laughter and cheering as they had pushed back the Virangish this day. They all looked up to the crows nest where their benefactor, Black King, was aiming out. His rifle poking out like a sword ready to cut down any who came towards them.
They looked on, knowing full well, a trick like this could not have worked, not without some intervention from above. Some even believe that he was that intervention.
The captain raised his hand, they couldn’t have much more than a few ships, none of which would be a match for either the galleons they brought. Even if the Beneghem had seen better days, there was no possibility these savages would be able to make a ship able to face off against it, let alone another ship of similar power, and a supporting force of 4 more ships. The captain nodded to himself, he felt confident, yet there was a strange feeling still lingering, as if a twisting feeling began to form in his stomach. Only when the scout upon the crows nest yelled out did the captain begin to understand what was going on.
”Lights! They noticed us!”
The captain barked out to his crew as they began to rush towards their stations. Many of the ships began to light with lanterns to allow the crew to operate as they saw upon a raised cliff multiple lights seeming to be poking out in small slivers appeared. The night was dark and slightly foggy, yet it allowed Many of the guns upon each of the ships began to be shifted to allow fire upon it, yet they were given a rude surprise. Multiple cannons sounded off before the ships could fire. Many of the crew began to take cover as many of the balls came crashing down onto the deck of the ships. Yet they were fired at a shallow enough angle that wood snapped and broke, yet didn’t have the balls come crashing through the deck.
The ships began to return fire, but they found many of their shots were struggling to hit as the darkness had given the fortress more protection than to themselves. The captain of the Beneghem furrowed his brow in anger. He had hoped they had faced half-finished ships at best; the night would give them an advantage with entering in and snuffing the ships out with their greater firepower and numbers, yet now they fired upon a fortress haplessly. They weren’t even prepared for a long-standing engagement. Much of the shot they brought was in small quantities and the powder barrels were light. So the longer this lasts, the worst it will become for them.
However, every now and again, the captain felt the cannons were firing off. Somehow, it felt that the cannon balls were flying over what should be walls. It was not until the sun finally lit the back of the ‘fortress’ that the captains realized they had been firing upon a cliffside with only a few cannons placed upon it. They had set up a few cannons and light lanterns that were set up in such a way to fool the Virangish in a dark night. Especially as clouds made it nearly impossible to see. The captain clenched his teeth as they had been made a fool. He had ordered the ship to fire upon the fortress, as the others were following his lead. This led to them firing for nearly a full hour, and they had essentially been sending their shots into the sea. They then realized this was not going to be easy, as they began to see 5 ships appear from around a bend of the island. They had not fired a single shot and have been prepared the entire time, waiting for the ships to waste their time and munitions.
While the ships did not seem large, their displacement and size were quite difficult to ascertain because of the darkness they were still being obscured by. The captain of the Beneghem began to raise his hand, as if he was preparing his men to charge. Yet before his hand could drop, his head exploded. Covering his first mate and many others in the gore of what happened. A quiet crack resounded out as another flash appeared. The sailors upon the ships began to duck and seek cover, yet the bullets never found them. It was the captains of ships that were the targets. As a bullet ripped through the air and smashed into another man’s head. Kicking the hat high into the sky as men began to scramble.
The first mate upon the Beneghem, looked to the blood across him as he shivered for a moment. He took in a breath as the crew began to panic and call out to him. Roaring out what they should do, what to do, as one of them yelled ‘captain’. His neck tensed up as he roared out, ”Retreat!” The Virangish began to turn, being accompanied by their Perrench ‘observers’ as they headed back to safer waters.
The Palaparese vessel, Sibat ng Kalayaan, was filled with laughter and cheering as they had pushed back the Virangish this day. They all looked up to the crows nest where their benefactor, Black King, was aiming out. His rifle poking out like a sword ready to cut down any who came towards them.
They looked on, knowing full well, a trick like this could not have worked, not without some intervention from above. Some even believe that he was that intervention.
As the Virangish ships began to head back towards calmer waters, they had been humiliated upon the sea. They were pushed back by a nascent fleet and petty tricks. Yet their ships weren’t harmed, just their pride. And it ignited a fury within them all that would be impossible to quench. The moment they reached Sabu, the men leaped off of the ships, raring to reload and rearm. Binders upon the doc were almost baffled as they were being yelled at to repair the ships. They did, stammering, trying to figure out what happened, as they noticed 2 captains were slain and multiple men injured. As word spread fast about what had happened, many of them felt as if this was a smudge and a dishonor to their country. Many began to take up arms, ready to fill the ships with more men and crew.
In less than a few hours, more men boarded the ships, shot and powder were loaded in larger quantities. This time, they would not be pushed back, not because of simply running out of munitions. The ships needed repairs; while minor, they needed to be ready to fight in tip-top shape. So binders worked through the night trying to repair the boards that had been broken and destroyed. The entire port of Sabu had roared to life as many Virangish men and supporters were readying themselves to fight.
Upon the Tonnerre Céleste and the Marteau de Roi, the captains watched on as their Virangish allies rallied upon being routed. They only looked on bored, they had watched their allies be tricked and fooled by simple tactics. As upon each ship the captain sat within their quarters with a beautiful woman who spoke to them. Relaying messages from the other as they began to formulate a plan. This time they will attempt to take a more proactive approach. They are not allowed to act in an official capacity, yet if they were struck, they would be just in defending themselves and eliminating the threat. The captains agreed with each other as they prepared to move forward with their plan.
Within the cove the Palaparese have been using to act as their ship building doc, they had pushed out another ship. Another firgate to join the fighting as more ships were almost ready to be pushed out as well. Yet they were not ready, it would take more time, which they could only find so much of. The men worked themselves to the bone, day in and day out, with little rest as they prepared themselves for another day. Yet, they weren’t alone; the inhabitants of Kalubay did what they could. They provided food and meals that they delivered. It gave the men and women working on the boats more rest. Often, they worked into the wee hours of the night, getting rest as they could before they prepared to work again. Often working in rotations like a clock, having people replace them to continue work and allow rest. Yet some didn’t take it as they knew, if they worked just a bit more, they could get another ship out before the virangish came back.
Black King and the other captains began to talk about how they will need to face the Virangish this time. They began plotting a course, they will try and meet the Virangish in more of the open sea and drag them towards shallower waters. With coral and rocks that spurred up, it would make many ships hesitant to travel through, especially with the larger galleons, they sat low enough in the water where it would be a true threat. It was a plan, it would buy them time as the galleons would sit alone. If they left to perform other attacks, they would still need to worry about the fortress as they would need to head through the straight it sat upon.
The plan was formed, the battle was to begin.
In less than a few hours, more men boarded the ships, shot and powder were loaded in larger quantities. This time, they would not be pushed back, not because of simply running out of munitions. The ships needed repairs; while minor, they needed to be ready to fight in tip-top shape. So binders worked through the night trying to repair the boards that had been broken and destroyed. The entire port of Sabu had roared to life as many Virangish men and supporters were readying themselves to fight.
Upon the Tonnerre Céleste and the Marteau de Roi, the captains watched on as their Virangish allies rallied upon being routed. They only looked on bored, they had watched their allies be tricked and fooled by simple tactics. As upon each ship the captain sat within their quarters with a beautiful woman who spoke to them. Relaying messages from the other as they began to formulate a plan. This time they will attempt to take a more proactive approach. They are not allowed to act in an official capacity, yet if they were struck, they would be just in defending themselves and eliminating the threat. The captains agreed with each other as they prepared to move forward with their plan.
Within the cove the Palaparese have been using to act as their ship building doc, they had pushed out another ship. Another firgate to join the fighting as more ships were almost ready to be pushed out as well. Yet they were not ready, it would take more time, which they could only find so much of. The men worked themselves to the bone, day in and day out, with little rest as they prepared themselves for another day. Yet, they weren’t alone; the inhabitants of Kalubay did what they could. They provided food and meals that they delivered. It gave the men and women working on the boats more rest. Often, they worked into the wee hours of the night, getting rest as they could before they prepared to work again. Often working in rotations like a clock, having people replace them to continue work and allow rest. Yet some didn’t take it as they knew, if they worked just a bit more, they could get another ship out before the virangish came back.
Black King and the other captains began to talk about how they will need to face the Virangish this time. They began plotting a course, they will try and meet the Virangish in more of the open sea and drag them towards shallower waters. With coral and rocks that spurred up, it would make many ships hesitant to travel through, especially with the larger galleons, they sat low enough in the water where it would be a true threat. It was a plan, it would buy them time as the galleons would sit alone. If they left to perform other attacks, they would still need to worry about the fortress as they would need to head through the straight it sat upon.
The plan was formed, the battle was to begin.
It was the wee hours of the morning when the fleet of ships within Sabu set sail the very moment the ship was loaded and repaired. The sun had not rose, yet they pushed on, the ships lighting themselves with lanterns to ensure they did not collide with each other. They travelled with ill intent as the ships that led them were their Perrench ‘observers’. The seas began to grow, yet their course was clear, they were to squash the Palaparese.
It was towards the later afternoon when the Virangish had neared the island of Mailang that they began to see multiple there were now more ships. Before, there were only 3; now there were 6. 4 frigates and 2 smaller ships. The new captain of the Beneghem clenched his teeth, then a smile came. This must have meant that they had decided to fight them fairly. As the Palaparese ships began to turn to prepare to fire upon the Virangish. The Virangish began to do the same as the Perrench ships that was leading them began to do the same. Setting themselves up to be in front of the Virangish ships. Forcing the Palaparese into a dangerous situation, if they were to strike the Virangish, they would risk striking the Perrench and bringing them into the fighting, turning what would be a somewhat lopsided fight into an outright loss.
The ships faced each other broadside, yet the Palaparese seemed not willing to fire. As they seemed to follow along the coast and head further south. The Virangish followed with multiple actions, the Perrench taking the lead to keep the Palaparese ships from finding a moment to fire. The ships began an almost methodic dance around the islands, they were trying to find a chance to strike. The Virangish ships fired upon them multiple times, yet as the balls slammed and hit the ships, they were finding it difficult to get a proper strike with the constant ship movement and trying to stay ahead.
As the ships danced around the island for hours. Striking and hitting each other, musket shots zipped out from the Palaparese ships that punched into the Virangish ships rather than onto the decks. Now, the Virangish had prepared defenses and mages to watch for such a sneaky attack. The Palaparese could not find a chance to fire, so they waded through the attacks when they had to and danced outside of sight when they could It had been so long the sun began to lower, the skys began to be covered in crimson, the water changed colors. The sea was now red, as the Palaparese began to shift their way towards another set of islands. The Virangish began to follow close behind as their Perrench allies fell back to allow them to strike the Palaparese. Yet the moment they followed, the front running galleons felt a terrible scraping that seemed to rock the boat. The Captain was almost thrown off of his command deck as he roared out to know what happened.
It took no more than a few moments for the ship to realize that the Galleons had run into some rocks and coral. They took on major damage that will require them to stop. They watched as the ships began to sail away. They turned and shifted as it seemed as if they were going to come back to strike, yet they left. Leaving the Virangish alone as once the ships finished their repairs with binders they continued the chase, yet they were then left alone. Searching around the islands trying to find anything. Yet as night fell, they settled in, knowing full well the darkness would make it hard to fight. Now that the Palaparese are ready to fight.
Then what came was days of combat that spread across the Palaparese southern isles. During the day, the Palaparese had often forced the Virangish into chases that either wore them down or wasted time enough to escape into the night. At night, the Palaparese made more ships and sent them out into the fight. Yet after nearly 2 weeks of fighting, it became apparent that the Palaparese were beginning to run out of munitions. Their cannons stopped firing as regularly, the fortress had stopped attacking when they could. Yet, because of this heavy caution with the user of munitions, it had allowed them to fire at times without hitting the Perrench. Yet neither side had gained any ground on the other. That was until the Virangish had turned to head back to Sabu. They were preparing for one final push, as now the Palaparese were out of munitions, the only way they could attack was with charges.
It was towards the later afternoon when the Virangish had neared the island of Mailang that they began to see multiple there were now more ships. Before, there were only 3; now there were 6. 4 frigates and 2 smaller ships. The new captain of the Beneghem clenched his teeth, then a smile came. This must have meant that they had decided to fight them fairly. As the Palaparese ships began to turn to prepare to fire upon the Virangish. The Virangish began to do the same as the Perrench ships that was leading them began to do the same. Setting themselves up to be in front of the Virangish ships. Forcing the Palaparese into a dangerous situation, if they were to strike the Virangish, they would risk striking the Perrench and bringing them into the fighting, turning what would be a somewhat lopsided fight into an outright loss.
The ships faced each other broadside, yet the Palaparese seemed not willing to fire. As they seemed to follow along the coast and head further south. The Virangish followed with multiple actions, the Perrench taking the lead to keep the Palaparese ships from finding a moment to fire. The ships began an almost methodic dance around the islands, they were trying to find a chance to strike. The Virangish ships fired upon them multiple times, yet as the balls slammed and hit the ships, they were finding it difficult to get a proper strike with the constant ship movement and trying to stay ahead.
As the ships danced around the island for hours. Striking and hitting each other, musket shots zipped out from the Palaparese ships that punched into the Virangish ships rather than onto the decks. Now, the Virangish had prepared defenses and mages to watch for such a sneaky attack. The Palaparese could not find a chance to fire, so they waded through the attacks when they had to and danced outside of sight when they could It had been so long the sun began to lower, the skys began to be covered in crimson, the water changed colors. The sea was now red, as the Palaparese began to shift their way towards another set of islands. The Virangish began to follow close behind as their Perrench allies fell back to allow them to strike the Palaparese. Yet the moment they followed, the front running galleons felt a terrible scraping that seemed to rock the boat. The Captain was almost thrown off of his command deck as he roared out to know what happened.
It took no more than a few moments for the ship to realize that the Galleons had run into some rocks and coral. They took on major damage that will require them to stop. They watched as the ships began to sail away. They turned and shifted as it seemed as if they were going to come back to strike, yet they left. Leaving the Virangish alone as once the ships finished their repairs with binders they continued the chase, yet they were then left alone. Searching around the islands trying to find anything. Yet as night fell, they settled in, knowing full well the darkness would make it hard to fight. Now that the Palaparese are ready to fight.
Then what came was days of combat that spread across the Palaparese southern isles. During the day, the Palaparese had often forced the Virangish into chases that either wore them down or wasted time enough to escape into the night. At night, the Palaparese made more ships and sent them out into the fight. Yet after nearly 2 weeks of fighting, it became apparent that the Palaparese were beginning to run out of munitions. Their cannons stopped firing as regularly, the fortress had stopped attacking when they could. Yet, because of this heavy caution with the user of munitions, it had allowed them to fire at times without hitting the Perrench. Yet neither side had gained any ground on the other. That was until the Virangish had turned to head back to Sabu. They were preparing for one final push, as now the Palaparese were out of munitions, the only way they could attack was with charges.
Upon the early morning on a clear day at the end of a fortnight of conflict, the Virangish stood staring at the almost assuredly defenseless island fortress of Mailang. The ships began to make their way closer as they saw the fortress had a single man atop of it. Garbed in dark clothing like his mask, they all could hear a roar over the sea. It was like a cannon that roared,
The sky began to shift, clouds began to form slowly as it seemed they rolled in from out of nowhere. And with a single crack of lightning from the sides of the island now a full navy had showed itself. The Virangish watched as the Palaparese slowly grew in naval power, yet they had not been able to find where they had hidden the creation of it. Yet now, they watched as they now brought to bear a ship that was brimming with cannons. It moved through the water well, yet the layers of cannons it had was worrisome. Some considered if they truly ran out of munitions, or were they saving it for this fight.
It did not matter as the ships began to charge each other, preparing to broadside each other. The man-o-war. Kamao ng Kalayaan lead the charge, ready to barrel through one of the frigates as they began to turn and tried to deflect. The two ships nearly smashed into each other, but a gust of wind seemed to almost keep them apart as the ships slid past each other and fired cannons into their sides. The frigates began to turn and fire as well, some of them abstaining from using their full power for fear of hitting the Perrench ships. Yet the Virangish attacked without any worries.
The exchanges between the ships were violent. Each one sending shot and shrapnel up in such a vicious way that it felt as if either side would collapse from the sheer power they were throwing around. Cannon balls carving and slamming into the ships all around, the Perrench began to shift and move from the fighting lines. Not for the fact they did not wish to join the combat, they felt that if a they stayed close to the galleons, they would be sunk by the almost suicidal ship the Palaparese have employed.
As the battle raged, both sides began to be slammed and hit, many ships were damaged, yet they fought on. The fighting grew more and more intense as the weather did so with them. The fight was going neither way, until a cannon ball slammed onto the deck of the perrench ship, Tonnerre Céleste. A feeling of fear drew from the Palaparese as the Virangish felt a twinge of relief. The fight was now theirs.
The Perrensh ships almost forcibly turned with abilities that was hard to understand. Many people could feel countless surges of magic as the cannon balls fired off. They flew through the air with such viciousness that it was impossible to know where they were aiming. Yet before they hit their target, they twisted and slammed into the upper decks of the ships. It was then that everyone realized the Perrench had not just sent normal vessels, but skilled mages with them. The cannon balls slammed with such pwoer that they smashed through multiple decks before an explosion was heard. In a single well placed strike, the Perrench ships took out a ship. Something neither side could muster with what they had.
The battle had turned as the Palaparese shpis began to scramble. Many tried to change formations as they watched as the Perrench prepared to fire once more. The moment they did, all the cannon balls exploded as another roar resounded from atop the fortress. Black King was now holding his gun as he aimed it down onto the Perrench.
The cannons turned up and began to fire upon the fortress as the Virangish and Palaparese continued to fight. Now the Virangish had an edge as one of the Palaparese frigates was turned into splinters. The combat slowly turned as the fortress, even with Black King, began to take damage. Exploding cannon balls smashed with such fury that it shook everyone within the fortress. The many women and children within were almost crying as they had never felt something like this. Below in the waters, ships were being pummeled and ready to be brought low. Then as right when a Perrench ship was to fire, the winds kicked up in the opposite direction. Drawing the wind out of all the sails and slowing them down tremendously. The storm had picked up, as a roar of lightning came crashing into one of the Perrench ships.
As there a large ship almost appeared from the nothing. A large galleon with a dark black hull, copper lining the bottom of the hull and water line, metal ram and black sails that depicted a golden sun. The ship was shattered in that moment as no one within the battle knew what happened.
”YOU STAND UNDER THE LIGHT OF THE GODS AND THEY FIND YOU LACKING”.
The sky began to shift, clouds began to form slowly as it seemed they rolled in from out of nowhere. And with a single crack of lightning from the sides of the island now a full navy had showed itself. The Virangish watched as the Palaparese slowly grew in naval power, yet they had not been able to find where they had hidden the creation of it. Yet now, they watched as they now brought to bear a ship that was brimming with cannons. It moved through the water well, yet the layers of cannons it had was worrisome. Some considered if they truly ran out of munitions, or were they saving it for this fight.
It did not matter as the ships began to charge each other, preparing to broadside each other. The man-o-war. Kamao ng Kalayaan lead the charge, ready to barrel through one of the frigates as they began to turn and tried to deflect. The two ships nearly smashed into each other, but a gust of wind seemed to almost keep them apart as the ships slid past each other and fired cannons into their sides. The frigates began to turn and fire as well, some of them abstaining from using their full power for fear of hitting the Perrench ships. Yet the Virangish attacked without any worries.
The exchanges between the ships were violent. Each one sending shot and shrapnel up in such a vicious way that it felt as if either side would collapse from the sheer power they were throwing around. Cannon balls carving and slamming into the ships all around, the Perrench began to shift and move from the fighting lines. Not for the fact they did not wish to join the combat, they felt that if a they stayed close to the galleons, they would be sunk by the almost suicidal ship the Palaparese have employed.
As the battle raged, both sides began to be slammed and hit, many ships were damaged, yet they fought on. The fighting grew more and more intense as the weather did so with them. The fight was going neither way, until a cannon ball slammed onto the deck of the perrench ship, Tonnerre Céleste. A feeling of fear drew from the Palaparese as the Virangish felt a twinge of relief. The fight was now theirs.
The Perrensh ships almost forcibly turned with abilities that was hard to understand. Many people could feel countless surges of magic as the cannon balls fired off. They flew through the air with such viciousness that it was impossible to know where they were aiming. Yet before they hit their target, they twisted and slammed into the upper decks of the ships. It was then that everyone realized the Perrench had not just sent normal vessels, but skilled mages with them. The cannon balls slammed with such pwoer that they smashed through multiple decks before an explosion was heard. In a single well placed strike, the Perrench ships took out a ship. Something neither side could muster with what they had.
The battle had turned as the Palaparese shpis began to scramble. Many tried to change formations as they watched as the Perrench prepared to fire once more. The moment they did, all the cannon balls exploded as another roar resounded from atop the fortress. Black King was now holding his gun as he aimed it down onto the Perrench.
”YOU HAVE CHOSEN DEATH! MEET THINE MAKER!”
The cannons turned up and began to fire upon the fortress as the Virangish and Palaparese continued to fight. Now the Virangish had an edge as one of the Palaparese frigates was turned into splinters. The combat slowly turned as the fortress, even with Black King, began to take damage. Exploding cannon balls smashed with such fury that it shook everyone within the fortress. The many women and children within were almost crying as they had never felt something like this. Below in the waters, ships were being pummeled and ready to be brought low. Then as right when a Perrench ship was to fire, the winds kicked up in the opposite direction. Drawing the wind out of all the sails and slowing them down tremendously. The storm had picked up, as a roar of lightning came crashing into one of the Perrench ships.
As there a large ship almost appeared from the nothing. A large galleon with a dark black hull, copper lining the bottom of the hull and water line, metal ram and black sails that depicted a golden sun. The ship was shattered in that moment as no one within the battle knew what happened.
A roar of laughter could be heard upon the ship that had just made itself known. Crashing through the Perrench ship as magic made the ship cut and ride through the waves and the ship like a knife. It was a ship few heard of, yet when the flag flew, many knew of the captain.
There were many within the Virangish who believed him to be a madman. A young pirate who had made a name for himself by striking out against other pirates, privateers, and some even believing he was some kind of great mage who always appeared at the most inopportune times. Some even heard of tales that he had been the one to have cut through an entire cove of trained pirates and even Revidian mages to free the Queen of Segonia.
The great ship waded through the water as upon it was many pirates who roared and cried out. As their cannons began to fire, their shot had such malicious energy that the moment that they hit the Virangish ships, they exploded and destroyed parts of the ships with ease. The Golden Sun ripped through the sea as her captain roared out to the Palaparese,
The Palaparese began to roar out, as they began to fight. Each side now being crippled as they each had helpers from the outside. The Marteau de Roi had witnessed her sister ship be brought low, as in a fit of rage, they fired upon the Golden Sun solely. Both of the ships dog fighting as they fired magically enhanced cannons upon each other as they defended themselves with magic. It was intense combat that allowed the Palaparese and Virangish to continue their fight, yet now without the support of the Perrench and the fight becoming a full brawl, the fortress opened up. Firing its few remaining cannons upon the ships below. The cannons were guided by Black King as they all found their mark upon Virangish ships. Smashing into them.
Each side were slugging it out to such a level that it would have been anyone’s guess who would come out victorious. That was until black King saw off in the distance thousands of boats filling the sea. All coming to crash into the battle like a wave.
A sigh left Black King’s lips as from beside him a voice spoke, ”Looks like you did a good job. I knew you would have done it”.
Black King turned his head to see the captain of the Golden Sun. He shook his head as he bowed his heads slightly, ”I hope I did well in your stead”.
Captain Desmond Cutter-Gretz von Sausex-Eisenac nodded his head, ”You did good, now lead the ship while I continue the duty here”.
Black king began to raise his head. As his clothing shifted, his mask faded away as he transformed into the man he looked across from. He lightly flared his hand as he said, ”I hope that I will be paid handsomly for this”.
He looked up towards the dark-robed man with a black mask and burning eyes. Black King nodded, ”Of course, unlike the Virangish, we are fair”.
And in the next moment. Captain Desmond Cutter-Gretz von Sausex-Eisenac, disappeared, returning to his boat as if nothing happened. Black King looked off to the boats coming to the rescue of the Palaparese and could feel, the storm has come, and the Virangish could not stop it now.
”HAHA! YOU WILL RUE THIS DAY! FOR YOU HAVE MET!”
There were many within the Virangish who believed him to be a madman. A young pirate who had made a name for himself by striking out against other pirates, privateers, and some even believing he was some kind of great mage who always appeared at the most inopportune times. Some even heard of tales that he had been the one to have cut through an entire cove of trained pirates and even Revidian mages to free the Queen of Segonia.
The great ship waded through the water as upon it was many pirates who roared and cried out. As their cannons began to fire, their shot had such malicious energy that the moment that they hit the Virangish ships, they exploded and destroyed parts of the ships with ease. The Golden Sun ripped through the sea as her captain roared out to the Palaparese,
”YOU BEST FIGHT! YOUR BROTHERS WILL COME!”
The Palaparese began to roar out, as they began to fight. Each side now being crippled as they each had helpers from the outside. The Marteau de Roi had witnessed her sister ship be brought low, as in a fit of rage, they fired upon the Golden Sun solely. Both of the ships dog fighting as they fired magically enhanced cannons upon each other as they defended themselves with magic. It was intense combat that allowed the Palaparese and Virangish to continue their fight, yet now without the support of the Perrench and the fight becoming a full brawl, the fortress opened up. Firing its few remaining cannons upon the ships below. The cannons were guided by Black King as they all found their mark upon Virangish ships. Smashing into them.
Each side were slugging it out to such a level that it would have been anyone’s guess who would come out victorious. That was until black King saw off in the distance thousands of boats filling the sea. All coming to crash into the battle like a wave.
A sigh left Black King’s lips as from beside him a voice spoke, ”Looks like you did a good job. I knew you would have done it”.
Black King turned his head to see the captain of the Golden Sun. He shook his head as he bowed his heads slightly, ”I hope I did well in your stead”.
Captain Desmond Cutter-Gretz von Sausex-Eisenac nodded his head, ”You did good, now lead the ship while I continue the duty here”.
Black king began to raise his head. As his clothing shifted, his mask faded away as he transformed into the man he looked across from. He lightly flared his hand as he said, ”I hope that I will be paid handsomly for this”.
He looked up towards the dark-robed man with a black mask and burning eyes. Black King nodded, ”Of course, unlike the Virangish, we are fair”.
And in the next moment. Captain Desmond Cutter-Gretz von Sausex-Eisenac, disappeared, returning to his boat as if nothing happened. Black King looked off to the boats coming to the rescue of the Palaparese and could feel, the storm has come, and the Virangish could not stop it now.
