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When Admiral Saljias ti'Kalvonin got word that an Infrastructural Fleet was to sail Westward in a week's time, she was relieved. A fair number of people were chomping on the bit about the fleet, including the crews under her command and her higher ups. Most of them understood that it was a better bet to attack the enemy when she was far out at sea away from friendly support, but there were still a few hot-heads who wanted to jump the gun with raid on the Black Ports. She ordered her fleet to be readied to sail as soon as possible.

On the night before their departure, she brought in six guests to discuss battle plans. Among them were four subordinate admirals and two captains of note. Each of the admirals came from the ranks of one of the other Drow States. One of the latter which was Dravos ti'Halithnon, Galthirith had stripped him of the mantle of Admiral for his defeat but he still retained command of the Nalithan Brenolth. That raised some comment, but he had firsthand experience against the Warships of the Infrastructural Navy. He did command one of the better forces of Marines and he was good at managing his ship in a fight all things considered. Never the less, her respect was tempered by disapproval. He did get most of his fleet destroyed by attacking a foe without understanding its abilities. The older warrior houses produced individuals like him all too often, the sort which were too eager for the divinity of their next lives that they fancied themselves to have a bit of divinity in this world. Amongst those who commanded, this fault could often be disastrous. But it could still be of use, if tempered by a good senior officer.

They entered her quarter's meeting hall. Some of them took seats while others stood.

"You are well met, brothers and sisters of sword and sail. We have been tasked with the destruction or capture of an Infrastructural convoy making a trans-oceanic voyage to better establish a foothold across the sea. Our respective lords demand its destruction. As it stands, our fleet has forty five ships. Despite our superior numbers, the artillery that this fleet carries is deadly and can be devastating. To intercept this fleet, caution must be our watchword. Even if one of our sailors has more experience in her left toe than a dozen of those peasants, we can not let them dictate the terms of engagement. It is proper to despise those who resist our divine right, but never to underestimate them." As she said that, Dravos twiched, just a bit.

"We shall make for the gap of Nalmros to intercept them. They might go north of Nalmros, but I doubt it. It would add several days at least to their voyage through rough seas and make them burn up more coal. Once there, the fleet shall be split into four groups, I have provided lists to you and your captains, but each fleet shall have at least one. On my order Admiral Valros's fleet shall sail ahead to the Northwest and Sidthan's shall sail southwest at full speed for a day. The fleets of Admiral Noljas and Taelthon shall remain behind with me. We shall scry out the enemy fleet At that point, we are to converge on them from multiple angles under cover of mist. Then we shall converge to board. Are their any objections to this plan?"

There was ten seconds of silence.

"Very well. Are their any questions?"

Admiral Noljas responded quickly "What if they evade our fleet?"

"We put in at Galthirith until they make their return and make a second attempt. Anything else."

"Should we engage if only one of the fleets can catch them?" Admiral Valros asked.

"If possible, you should try to delay them, but unless support is nearby, avoid all direct confrontation."

"What casualties are to be expected?" Admiral Taelthon inquired.

"If we can bring all four fleets upon them and everything goes as smoothly as possible, I would be surprised if we lost less than eight ships outright. A single shell from their larger cannons can out and out destroy one of our ships with a lucky shot. Our cannons might do damage against their hulls. Our marines might take more casualties than we are used to or they might not. They do have some fairly effective firearms, but their skill in hand to hand fighting is at best marginal. Still, I would council for caution even when taking a cargo ship, they are transporting soldiers as well as settlers."

The next half hour mostly involved going over fine details, mostly relating to the composition of each Admiral's fleet. By the end of the night, a couple of frigates had been shifted, but the plan was agreed to be sensible. But Saljias knew that sensible plans could never the less end up working out as well unsensible ones if something unexpected happened.

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Description
When Admiral Saljias ti'Kalvonin got word that an Infrastructural Fleet was to sail Westward in a week's time, she was relieved. A fair number of people were chomping on the bit about the fleet, including the crews under her command and her higher ups. Most of them understood that it was a better bet to attack the enemy when she was far out at sea away from friendly support, but there were still a few hot-heads who wanted to jump the gun with raid on the Black Ports. She ordered her fleet to be readied to sail as soon as possible.

On the night before their departure, she brought in six guests to discuss battle plans. Among them were four subordinate admirals and two captains of note. Each of the admirals came from the ranks of one of the other Drow States. One of the latter which was Dravos ti'Halithnon, Galthirith had stripped him of the mantle of Admiral for his defeat but he still retained command of the Nalithan Brenolth. That raised some comment, but he had firsthand experience against the Warships of the Infrastructural Navy. He did command one of the better forces of Marines and he was good at managing his ship in a fight all things considered. Never the less, her respect was tempered by disapproval. He did get most of his fleet destroyed by attacking a foe without understanding its abilities. The older warrior houses produced individuals like him all too often, the sort which were too eager for the divinity of their next lives that they fancied themselves to have a bit of divinity in this world. Amongst those who commanded, this fault could often be disastrous. But it could still be of use, if tempered by a good senior officer.

They entered her quarter's meeting hall. Some of them took seats while others stood.

"You are well met, brothers and sisters of sword and sail. We have been tasked with the destruction or capture of an Infrastructural convoy making a trans-oceanic voyage to better establish a foothold across the sea. Our respective lords demand its destruction. As it stands, our fleet has forty five ships. Despite our superior numbers, the artillery that this fleet carries is deadly and can be devastating. To intercept this fleet, caution must be our watchword. Even if one of our sailors has more experience in her left toe than a dozen of those peasants, we can not let them dictate the terms of engagement. It is proper to despise those who resist our divine right, but never to underestimate them." As she said that, Dravos twiched, just a bit.

"We shall make for the gap of Nalmros to intercept them. They might go north of Nalmros, but I doubt it. It would add several days at least to their voyage through rough seas and make them burn up more coal. Once there, the fleet shall be split into four groups, I have provided lists to you and your captains, but each fleet shall have at least one. On my order Admiral Valros's fleet shall sail ahead to the Northwest and Sidthan's shall sail southwest at full speed for a day. The fleets of Admiral Noljas and Taelthon shall remain behind with me. We shall scry out the enemy fleet At that point, we are to converge on them from multiple angles under cover of mist. Then we shall converge to board. Are their any objections to this plan?"

There was ten seconds of silence.

"Very well. Are their any questions?"

Admiral Noljas responded quickly "What if they evade our fleet?"

"We put in at Galthirith until they make their return and make a second attempt. Anything else."

"Should we engage if only one of the fleets can catch them?" Admiral Valros asked.

"If possible, you should try to delay them, but unless support is nearby, avoid all direct confrontation."

"What casualties are to be expected?" Admiral Taelthon inquired.

"If we can bring all four fleets upon them and everything goes as smoothly as possible, I would be surprised if we lost less than eight ships outright. A single shell from their larger cannons can out and out destroy one of our ships with a lucky shot. Our cannons might do damage against their hulls. Our marines might take more casualties than we are used to or they might not. They do have some fairly effective firearms, but their skill in hand to hand fighting is at best marginal. Still, I would council for caution even when taking a cargo ship, they are transporting soldiers as well as settlers."

The next half hour mostly involved going over fine details, mostly relating to the composition of each Admiral's fleet. By the end of the night, a couple of frigates had been shifted, but the plan was agreed to be sensible. But Saljias knew that sensible plans could never the less end up working out as well unsensible ones if something unexpected happened.

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