1874-05-15:The Matinga. A lesson.
The Matinga. A lesson.
Summary: Augustin writes to the Admiralty of the Aequorian Royal Navy.
Date: 1874-05-15
Related: Sending them back from whence they came
NPCs: None.
Players:
Augustin  

Sat within his quarters aboard the Redoubt, Augustin felt the chill wind of the North sea about him, for during the course of the battle those shrieking rockets had shaken his ship to such a degree that a few panes had shattered within the window overlooking the churning waters behind him. Across the ship burn marks had scorched the frame and the side of his vessel, while chunks of wood had been gouged by the explosions that soon followed the arrival of those rockets. Blood often stained those very areas regardless of sanding and washing, the freshly exposed wood was stained anything from red to pink.

Alongside, the HMS Ocean Seeker, and the HMS Somerset sailed, their crews having suffered at the hands of the Matinga. for the young so relished boarding actions. A chance for glory. Only this time the Matinga had proven to stand way taller than any Aequorian and though the battle had been won at sea, it had been lost in the boarding actions.

And so Augustin shrugged his lined oilskin coat about his shoulders, adjusted his tricorn hat to further protect his neck from the ravages of the wind, and set ink to parchment. Even as he started to write, one could hear the screams down below, the screams of sailors pierced by splintered and burnt by the explosions.

My Lords of the Admiralty,

On the fourteenth day of Mai, of the year eighteen hundred and seventy four, we encountered a new threat to our lands upon the Northern seas. As eight bells were rung, we saw a plume a smoke to the southeast of our positions and it was not long before these odd heathen vessels hoved into view.

Eight smaller canoes supporting two exceptionally large vessels that dwarfed our own, the two 'warships' for want of another word were comprised of two large canoes supported and joined in the middle. Their masts towered over the horizon, and eight smaller vessels, smaller than a sloop, each comprising of two hulls side by side. These vessels do not so much cut through the water as glide atop it.

These larger vessels seem particularly hardy, while the smaller vessels though quick, are packed with explosive ordnance and on more than one occasion, barrages from the Redoubt and Somerset saw these smaller vessels explode instantly. And despite the explosive ordnance aboard, the Redoubt was able to ram one such vessel with no damage to the Redoubt. My first thought was that these smaller vessels might well seek to ram and explode against their enemy, however it seems they are merely smaller support vessels.

The Redoubt was able to sink one of the behemoths, it was merely a fortunate barrage that saw most shots soaked by the massive vessel, however given the resulting explosion that shook every last ship and sailor to the core, a singular fortunate shot that appears to have hit one of their explosive batteries, triggering a catastrophic chain reaction amongst the others alongside it.

The weapons these ships use are decidedly odd. They shriek through the air as they arc towards your vessel, almost like lances and yet adorned with an outer shell of sorts. Once lodged, these weapons then explode upwards, causing fire and splintering wood in a most deadly manner. They did however on occasion not explode, leaving their bulk wedged within the vessel. Given the risk to life, these were soon pried free and sunk without a trace. They do not appear to have any other weapons aboard their vessels, and the size of the rockets is dependent upon the size of the ship.

The Ocean Seeker and the Somerset clashed with and made the decision to board the other behemoth, it is plain to see given the state of the Captain of the Ocean Seeker, that boarding these primitive vessels is not recommended. The primitives towered over even the tallest Aequorian present by a good two feet or so, they are broad of body, and seem to shrug off non-lethal wounds with ease. Having greeted their 'Captain', a man who appeared to be guiding the battle aboard his vessel with heathen chanting and stomping of his feet, with a carefully timed barrage, even the loss of an eye did not discomfort him nor cease his tongue-waggling chant of heathen nonsense. Though upon ordering their retreat and ramming their vessel, the other crews made good their retreat, and that behemoth of a vessel limped away, while we dealt with our wounded and the dying.

It is recommended that should these interlopers be encountered again, they should under no circumstances be boarded. Any boarding action will be liable to end with the destruction of the Aequorian crew. And while I know some young idiots will likely see this as a challenge, the lesson they learn should they survive, will be a chastening one.

I would also recommend the use of hot shot against these larger vessels, likewise any explosive ordnance, and should the chance present itself again, and given the size of those sails aboard the behemoth, see if one can't set fire to them.

But under no circumstances board those damned vessels, and I am pleased to say that these vessels did not make landfall despite the efforts of that singular behemoth that the Redoubt sunk, and the efforts of both the Ocean Seeker, and the Somerset in curtailing this enemy fleet. We shall be heading to Lyonesse for repairs, any further correspondence can be directed there.

His Lordship, Captain Augustin al'Mordran,
HMS Redoubt.

And sealed with wax and so rolled and sealed within oilskin, the report was handed across to the ever loyal Mister Connings, and in turn entrusted to ship's moongazer. And off that report flew…

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