Eagle Ghân successfully drops a pair of firebombs on the aftcastle of the 2nd galley. He is rewarded with flames firing up and two men running and diving off the boat in the sea. He pulls off fast and returns to The Elendil where they have another pair ready.
As The Elendil flies past the Galley 3 on a hard angle for Galley 4, the crew lets loose with 6 ballista and dozens of fire arrows and several crossbow bolts. Deor has his Golden Brazier going and is able to thus cast his fireball to a range of 40” (1200’), he catches the catapult and its crew and supply of pitch in the 2” radius globe and the Galley has flames leaping from it. Screams are heard. It looks bad. Gil-Gandel knows he put his third arrows thorough someone giving commands near the bow.
The Elendil races on to Galley #4, “Bucket crew, give the helms orders and get #5.”
The Bucket Leader barks out several orders, Binton appears to be assisting by guiding the winds, soon port trebuchet launches its odd looking giant wooden bullet, it impacts directly onto the deck of galley #5 and a huge burst of wooden splinters and metal shot fly into the air. Men are injured everywhere on the deck. The Bucket leader orders the helm to port and lets fly starboard trebuchet. He is rewarded with a direct hit on the catapult and splinters and metal shot flying.
Captain Langdon orders, “Hard to starboard, prepare to board to the port side, all hands prepare to board. Commander, keep you top Lt and best horseman in reserve. Ghân can you give a gift to Galley #5 please. Deor, hold fire unless you see a stray galley come into your range, go for the catapults again if so.”
Thoroncir races to lead the boarding party with Hraedsig close behind, 4 sailors escort the Dwarves to a special part of the port railing, they see a 25’ ramp is rigged and ready to lower. It has hooks and rails for easy crossing. We send you two over it first, pretend it is tunnel fighting and just force open an area for men to follow and support you. You will be leading the heavy infantry over.
As the boats close in an exchange of arrows fly, the galley has pulled in their sweeps at least.
Arrows and bolts fly from both ships, The Elendil has the far large numbers and wins the exchange. Gilraen is now in action, dodging to men that went down. Deor sees a good opportunity to cast a sleep where 20 men are preparing to swing from the yard arms to the deck of the galley. He sleeps 8 of the awaiting defenders.
Grappling hooks fly, men swing over, the boats briefly collide port side to port side and the three boarding ramps are lowered. Men pour across to the smaller galley. All is chaos. There appear to be 60 men topsides and must be a few dozen more below. On the forward most ramp leading to the aft of the galley, Thoroncir and Hraedsig lead the way across, amidships Bitur and Gwaelur make their introductions with ax and shield. To the rear of the lower deck, a grizzled infantry Sgt leads. Gil-Gandel sees he is find moving to the portside aft mast stay. Rorimac follows behind the Dwarves. Mulligan heads over invisibly to cause some havoc.
As all of this is happening the fast escorts race past #3 firing flame arrows and bolts, they are followed on each side by transports #2 & #3.
But I can continue inspiring the Elendil’s crew.