Battle of Candella

By August 14th, the Horde's base was being reinforced. Ships arrived to gather more forces to the region, with about 16,000 troops mobilized. The Candellan army prepared for an attack, drafting all eligible fighters to be ready to defend. They were able to pull together about 6,000 people to defend the city.   On August 20th, aid from Brightmoon arrived with King Ambrose, supplying about 7,000 troops to help Candella defend.

In the early hours of August 24th, scouts warned that more Horde ships were on their way. Rather than wait to be further outnumbered, the Candellian army launched the first attack at 3AM on August 24th.   They made a successful attack on the Horde camps, inflicting significant damage, and boosting their own morale. Encouraged by this early success, they prepared for a full battle. Still outnumbered, the Candellian army held formation against the Horde soldiers.   In mid-afternoon, a group of about one thousand Horde soldiers charged the Candellian flank and broke their line. At the same time, the Horde launched a direct attack on the city of Candella itself, targeting civilian homes, shops, and districts. Horde soldiers sailed to the other side of the island, entering the city and storming the streets. The Candellian forces were forced to retreat into the city to defend.   The Horde retreated for the evening, pulling their troops back and taking many hostages, including children, with them back to a new camp on the east side of the island.   The following morning, the Candellian forces were divided within the city as the Horde launched attacks, entering the city from numerous points. Candellian units were easily being picked off by the much larger Horde forces. On the order of Queen Serenia, the focus of the battle shifted to evacuation. Soldiers worked to hold off Horde forces while a second team began to evacuate the island onto the Brightmoon ships.   By noon, the Horde had arrived at the Flame Palace, fighting through the courtyard. Queen Serenia gave her newborn child to a team for evacuation while she stayed to fight. The battle quickly turned south, and Queen Serenia retreated into the castle. She gave the signal for the evacuation ships to leave, and she used her power as an elementalist to force the volcano to erupt. Serenia's magic aimed the eruption toward the Horde ships, preventing them from following.   The volcanic eruption left a dark cloud in the sky, visible from the mainland as far west as Plumeria. The city of Candella was destroyed by the eruption as well.

Candella fell to the Horde on August 25th, 2002.    Queen Serenia of Candella and King Ambrose of Brightmoon both fell in the battle. Queen Serenia's child, Samar, was sent to an evacuation ship, but never arrived. Their whereabouts are unknown.

This battle marked a turning point in the war. Unlike the take over of Skaleria, the city of Candella was left in ruins, and has never recovered.