Galley

The galley is the most common ship used by the Valanese navy. Able to sail directly into the wind due to it's compliment of oars the galley can catch larger sailing ships off guard with its surprising bursts of speed over short distances.

Often galleys are deployed en-mass with several attacking the same vessel like bees mobbing a bear. Usually armed with only a bow chaser but sometimes with a stern chaser too the Galley's main strength lies not in its guns but in its speed, manoeuverability and crew.

Often galleys will surround a ship firing their bow chasers on approach, sometimes galleys will be fitted with a ram on the prow below the waterline and they will literally row straight into enemy vessels, spearing and holing them before swarming aboard to kill or capture everyone on deck. This seemingly suicidal approach is surprisingly effective as often there is room in the remaining galleys for the sacrificing crew to spread themselves out among them for the journey home.

Unlike the Galleas, the small size of galleys and their specific design makes them unsuitable for ocean voyages. Out at sea they are vulnerable and at serious risk and so they are instead used for coastal engagements where they are most useful.