The Battle of the roaring Barrage

Prelude

Tensions between Aldarr and Bocamar had been brewing for many decades. Both cities eager to assert their hegemony over Garfarr, both citites hindering each others efforts at every turn. While the now "Bocaldarrian struggle" dubbed conflict had not begun in earnest under Tiago I of Aldarr's reign, nor under the brief interlude that was Palo I's 6 year reign, when the crown of Aldarr fell to Vitor I in 111 AG tensions between Aldarr and Bocamar ramped up. Doma II, king of Bocamar, had at this point already ruled for 49 years, building the fortress of Garfadon and modernising Bocamar's armed forces. Equipped with such assets Bocamar was now able to fully assert their control over the Bocaarr estiary, not only hurting Aldarr's trade and economy, but also it's prestige among the states of the Arrarmot area. While Tiago I of Aldarr knew he had to tackle this problem, he had left it to his son Palo I to take action. But Palo I's 6 year reign proved to short and impotent to muster an adequate response to the rise of Aldarr's main rival. By the time Vitor I of Aldarr had finally consolidated power and mustered his forces it was already to late, Bocamar was now undoubtable in control of the Bocaarr. While Vitor I didn't know how to fix the problem, he knew that an opportunity would eventually present itself. Doma II of Bocamar had drowned in a storm of Garfarr's coast 4 years prior and Bocamar now had two kings, the conjoined twins Osar I and Nando I that had been seperated at birth. Eventually Nando and Osar would fall out bitterly over questions of seniority. When it became clear that both were unable and unwilling to set their differences aside sides were taken. While Osar I enjoyed the support of Bocamar's high nobility, Nando could count on opportunists among those left behind in officer corps, state officials and lower nobility. Nando knew he was no longer safe inside of Bocamar and so he took what ships, men and funds he could and set up a rival court in the city or Arrdoma his father Doma II had conquered.

"I know an opportunity when I see one, but this, this is the mother of all." - Vitor I upon receiving news of Bocamar's civil war.

When Vitor I heard about the events that had transpired in Bocamar, he rushed to pledge his support to Nando I in return for free passage of all Aldarrian trade vessels and a hefty yearly tribute payment. Nando I, fully aware of his desperate position agreed and just weeks later Aldarr's navy linked up with his in Arrdoma. Aware of the threat these developments posed to his kingship, Osar I of Bocamar mobilized his armed forces and set out to give battle, before any factions inside Bocamar could switch to his brothers now strenghtened side.

 A rising Storm

Once Vitor I of Aldarr and Nando I of Bocamar had linked up into an allied force, they set course for Bocamar under favourable winds, hoping to catch Osar I off guard and win the war without a pitched battle. Their hopes were squashed when they were met by Bocamar's navy, drawn up for battle just outside Garfadon. Having failed to land their surprise attack Vitor and Nando agreed to fall back to Arrdoma, not wanting to give battle in hostile waters this late in the day. But the same winds and current of the Arr that had carried them so fast towards Garfadon, now hindered their retreat and tired out allied rowers.

"Now we have them where we want, row until you can no more and then some and victory will be yours by nightfall!" - Osar I of Bocamar giving the command to advance.

  The sky slowly turned grey and the wind intensified, soon nature thunder was joined with a sounds unfamiliar to Aldarr's sailors, the roar of cannons. While at first not effective, once Osar I gave the command and Bocamarian ships started closing the distance, their guns started scoreing their first hits and within minutes the first allied ships started sinking.

Tempest

"If this wind doesn't subside my Kingdom is ruined!" - Vitor I of Aldarr during the heat of battle.

  While the allied navy had access to Bocamarian ships under Nando I's command, most of the fleet was made up of Aldarrian vessels armed with Balistas and archers and strong winds now turned to storm, carrying the allied fleet right toward Bocamar's with all battle formations breaking down on both sides, leading to absolute chaos and intermixing of both navies. The roar of guns was now joined with the thud's and thump of balistas and bows. While Aldarr's ships were able to sink some Bocamarian vessels it was an uneven fight, with many Aldarrian ships being hit below the waterline owing to the intensity of the storm. While Nando's squadron was incredibly able to maintain formation and inflict great damage to Bocamar's fleet, it was not enough to turn the tide of battle and Bocamar's navy started gaining an upper hand. The air was now filled with fire and smoke, screams of drowning men and the thunder of lightning and guns. Aldarrian captains recognizing their inability to win engagements against Bocamarian ships outfitted with guns now tried to board enemy vessels, while some succeeded, more failed and made themselves sitting ducks owing to the rough sea and strong winds that day. Ships that tried to throw anchor to withstand the storm capsized, those that didn't were at the mercy of natures forces.  

The Eye of the storm

Soon allied forces could no longer withstand the might of Bocamar's navy and all order of battle broke down. Most allied straglers were finished off fast and what little remained of the allied fleet centered around Vitor I flagship fought a desperate defence against Bocamar's onslaught. Realising that the only way for their king to have a chance of escape was their own sacrifice, Aldarr's admirals left the flagship and took control of the remaining ships, covering Vitor I and Nando I's getaway. When the decision had been made what remained of allied forces was at last able to retreat, when the eye of the storm and nightfall enabled them. Aldarr's losses were catastrophic and Nando I's forces were almost anihilated. Humiliated and stunned      When all hope seemed lost and Vitor I had made his peace there it was, the eye of the storm, although his fleet had been anihilated and Aldarr's flagship nearly sunk, the eye of the storm allowed Vitor I to narrowly escape into the night that now feel over the battlefield.

Aftermath

  Put epic last stand of Aldarrian ships and captains to save their king go into detail what happens to Nando describe more of the actual fighting clear up numbers etc. in sidebar go into detail about tactics etc.