The First Battle of the Bay of Andula

Military: Battle

It was the year 1800 of the Age of Men that the first major conflict would occur between King Hal Haab and King Tankuuthwar. Both Kings would gather their fleets; King Hal’s preparing to defend their home islands, while King Tankuuthwar prepared to launch a naval assault, followed by a ground invasion. The numbers could not be more different; King Hal had mobilised 25 ships that each carried over 500 men. Estimations placed his forces at over 12,000 men in total. Each of these men (males and females), were adorned with light leathers and cloths that would not weigh them down if thrown into the sea. Additionally, they wore light metal helms to protect their heads and necks from any incoming projectiles. At the head of this group sailed the King’s flagship, the grand vessel piloted by his son Prince Hea, Anndhar Kaath Alith. Over half of the isle’s population sailed that day. King Tankuuthwar’s armada would be the greatest Men would ever assemble. Fifty-five ships the King would gather, with each ship carrying almost 800 Men (male and female). With a total flotilla of some 44,000 Men, the odds on the outset lay with Tankuuthwar. These ships were bigger than those of King Hal, armed with largest machines of war. Additionally, the Men aboard these vessels were fully armoured in plate and chainmail; a fighting force readied to make a land invasion. With both King’s standing upon the perch of their respective capital ships, at the break of dawn, the forces would advance towards one another. The smaller ships of King Hal would prove to be more manoeuvrable, and his sailors more agile. The ships would dance around the larger force of the opponents, dealing great damaged to the enemy’s hulls. As the morning turned into day, the yelling of men, and the flapping sails and the creaking of, and colliding of ships dominated the surface of the ocean. Some ships would become entangled, resulting in bloody melees occurring; others would see the larger ships sinking, with the men in their armour drowning under the weight it. Many more hours this would continue, with great loss of life; but the skill of King Hal’s forces would prove the difference. The smaller ships would surround the enemy and close in until they had mortally wounded or taken the vessels captive. When the battle at large was finally ended, the sea was filled with the wreckage of destroyed ships and corpses. The victory was King Hal’s, but this had come at heavy cost. The King had lost ten ships, along with the lives of 5,000 men. King Tankuuthwar's losses were insurmountable; from his initial fifty-five vessels, only his capital ship remained. Over 43,000 Men had either perished or had been taken captive. The news of the battle spread quickly across the land, and Hal Haab was hailed as a hero. His victory had saved the Capital Island from invasion, and his bravery and leadership had inspired his men to fight to the death. The Battle of the Bay of Andula would go down in history as the costliest battle of all time for Men.