Intelligence report: Monomonto Atakebunes

[Bregir]

Spudkirk, May 622 AE

Naval intelligence report 6Ab3

Unconventional adversary: The Monomonto Atakebune

From our sources in the old world, it is clear that the Monomonto empire has never been strong in ocean-going vessels, mainly focusing on heavy coastal vessels for inshore patrols and support for land combat. This is underlined by the almost complete absence of Monomonto merchant vessels throughout the known world.

Hence, the campaign on El Oleonda has posed a significant challenge as Halosian nations take the battle to the seas. Having travelled to the new world on allied Lotus junks, the Monomonto forces have had no independent naval support for their campaigning, their indigenous vessels not suitable for the crossing to Terra Nova.

As this challenge has become evident, Monomonto forces have brought shipwrights to Terra Nova, to set up local shipbuilding efforts. This has resulted in locally produced versions of the Monomonto Atakebune as first encountered by Lord Damaximus' expedition a few years back.

These are heavily built, cumbersome vessels propelled by oarsmen and armoured with hardwood scantlings, and will pose a challenge to our traditional tactics. They will resist both small arms fire and lower calibre guns in anything but point-blank range, and are next to impossible to immobiliser, having no rigging to cut down.

The oar propulsion will add an advantage in the fickle winds of inshore combat or other low wind conditions, akin to the challenges the Royal Navy faced in skirmishes with southern nations and their galleys in the past.

Armaments are generally inferior to Halosian artillery, although the main weapon, a large ballista, can hurl massive spear-like missiles hundreds of yards at accuracy matching or surpassing some cannon. Sources claim that these missiles can carry explosives or firebombs, detonating on impact, posing a considerable challenge to Halosion vessels.

With no rigging to operate, all deck crew can focus on fighting, and armed with muskets, the barrage can be relentless, fired from behind the armoured shields. They are believed to carry large crews of soldiers, who may prove very troublesome in the event of a boarding.

 

Overall, the Atakebune is not generally considered a threat to the Royal Navy ships operating in the theatre, but in some situations, particularly inshore or in a calm, they may be able to leverage their specific characteristics to great advantage against our fleets. Monomonto commanders and troops are generally known for great bravery and skill, and we have no reason to believe their navy would act differently. We advise all commanders and captains to engage the Atakebune only in favourable weather conditions, opening fire at medium range and targeting first the massive ballista on deck, followed by shots between wind and water, aiming to sink the enemy. The ships are deemed impractical for the Royal Navy and of little value for civilian shipping, and the risks of boarding action should be avoided, at least until more is known about the enemy.

In her Majesty's Service

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Naval intelligence

[Justsomebrix]

Great work! I absolutely love how the Atakebune looks and the report was interesting to read. I hope to see her in combat once the invasion starts 

[Khorne]

Lovely ship, like I've said on Flickr. You've really nailed the massive fortress feeling of an Atakebune. It's would've been even more imposing if it were another story taller, but of course that easy for me to say . Great shaping overall, too. I love the smoothness of the curvature.

Too bad you weren't able to finish it in time.

[Professor Thaum]

I love that figurehead, very crafty.

There is a nice balista too.

The curve is made of hinges or is it a bending of parts ?

[NOD]

Good idea for a Monomonto ship. Ceramic grenades with Greek fire can also be fired with a ballista. A boarding action to this ship would be stupid. The ship is like an ant colony. As soon as you boarding, the Monomontos come like ants from all sides.

[Jeff of Clubs]

Fantastic! Well researched and built! You even have a torsion catapult! The sterm brick build is pretty cool and the whole thing is has sleek contours for such a bulk.

[Kai NRG]

I love the way the blue and red colors attract the eye, makes for a very cool ship!  Great catapult arrow thing on top too!