Konstaht

Konstaht is a city of tradition, culture, and heritage. It is the largest city in Emnaria, and has been involved somehow in every part of Emnarian history; it is the center of government, command post for the military, and the foundation of Emnaria. Konstaht has a large harbor, placed in Konstaht Bay, which is constantly busy. The coastline of the city is dominated by industrial docks and factories, many of which are over 100 years old. The inner city for the most part, consists of the old-town, which is very old. The city measures 203 square miles, 20 miles (east-west), by 11 miles (north-south). Konstaht is also one of the oldest cities in Emnaria, being first mentioned in manuscripts 1300 years ago. Without Konstaht, Emnaria would be much different. In this document, you will be shown a glimpse of the city, and maybe you too can see just why they call this city, "the home of kings".

The primary residence of the king is in 5012 Palace Road, Central Konstaht, Emnaria, which is a 6 square mile complex which over 1200 years has been built upon the Von Saksen family castle.

Better known as Konstaht Castle, this fortification-turned-palace has been restyled and retrofitted throughout the years.

Castle Freidan was built in the year 378(?). Construction began in in 314, and was an endeavor overseen by 3 members of the Von Saksen family. Upon the castle's completion, it became the residence of the King of Freidan. The castle endured many sieges before and after Emnaria was established. In 1207, the wall facing inland was destroyed by an 800 pound cannonball (and 93 days of other bombardment). The wall was rebuilt, and Castle Freidan endured many more sieges. In 1590, the castle received a refit, with new cannon batteries, and a roof. As the castle lasted longer, and Konstaht eventually stopped being sieged every decade, it received more domestic upgrades, and became more of an aesthetic building instead of functional.

In 1751, Lord Johansen Von Saksen II, overthrew Emperor Alfred Karlos Mihler. During the 8 Years' Campaign, in which Johansen II fought all over Emnaria, he raised an army of 420,000 soldiers, and attacked Konstaht (see "Konstaht" document). Castle Freidan, positioned at the time in the center of Konstaht, was Von Saksen's main target. If he could capture this castle, and the local armory, the city would eventually fall. It took Johansen II, 43 days to fight through the city to the castle and encircle it. The defenders of the castle held their ground for 429 days before succumbing to starvation and exhaustion. The castle was captured on August 17th, 1752. The city fell 28 days later. Johansen II renamed the castle to Castle Von Saksen, and made it his residence when he took the emperor's throne. In 1758, Peter Von Obehr, King of Melagne, invaded Emnaria. On January 21st, 1758, he sailed an armada of 721 ships into Konstaht Bay. Loaded full with troops, Peter landed a massive army on the shoreline Northeast of Konstaht. The army of 432,600 soldiers fought tirelessly to breach the city walls, and work their way towards the castle. The Army of Peter Von Obehr finally breached the city's walls in November of 1758. Peter could only continue the siege if he captured Port Harper. He made his gambit in March of 1759. The 1st army was divided into the 3rd and 2nd armies, and the 2nd army, a force of 210,000 infantry, marched to Port Harper. They besieged the town for 8 months, launching multiple assaults, all of which were repelled by the brave defenders of the small city. The siege of Port Harper ultimately failed. With that, Peter was left with no options. He sailed a supply flotilla into Konstaht Bay and offloaded hundreds of thousands of tons of supplies. He then sailed 40 warships into the Kolhen River in Konstaht itself. These warships bombarded every inch of the city they could. In combination with the attack from all sides on land, conducted by the reformed 1st army, the new offensive crushed Konstaht. However, even among the rubble, starving defenders, and literal warships in the middle of the city, the Emnarian defenders held strong. The 1st army began to run low on ammunition and food. As the Emnarian winter set in, the Melagnean soldiers found themselves freezing to death. Fighting became difficult in this new and harsh weather. The 1st army eventually, after incredible casualties, up to 70,000 in a day, they reached the walls of Castle Von Saksen. For 6 weeks they tried desperately to breach the narrow entrance gate of the castle. The Emnarian defenders would send out parties of roughly 300 to push back the Melagneans from the gateway. Brutal hand-to-hand fighting ensued, leaving bodies littering the entrance ramp to the castle gate. The 1st army landed with 432,600; the 1st army ended that 6th week of directly fighting the castle, with just 35,000 soldiers. The constant bombardment from warships killed many Emnarian defenders, but the bulky foundation of the castle was designed to take such a beating. On January 25th, 1760, the 1st army was informed by scouts of the newly formed Emnarian 5th Army, headed to finally relieve Konstaht. Peter, knowing he couldn't fight a fresh and motivated army, withdrew his forces. After a perilous 1-week retreat, Peter loaded his remaining troops onto boats, and sailed back to Melagne. That was the largest battle in Emnarian history, and ended with no gain for either side. Emnaria went on to win the war, seizing the Melagnean county of Neux Lemohn, a slim, but strategically important valley on the very border between modern day regions of Melagne and the Heartland. That was the last time Konstaht was invaded, and it has done much rebuilding since then. Surprisingly, a few landmarks are still standing from the battle.

In the modern day, Castle Von Saksen is the Emperor's primary residence, and a military headquarters. It is right next to the "ambassador's block" of Konstaht, and surrounded by the old town. It still has the magnificent view of river Kolhen. The same cannons from 1590 still sit in the river battery facing towards the water, ready to defend Konstaht.

Luvendorz Bridge is the oldest bridge in Konstaht, and 2nd oldest in Emnaria. This bridge is directly in the center of the city, crossing the Kolhen River, the longest river in Emnaria. The bridge was originally constructed in 1403. In 1759, during the 16th Battle of Konstaht (above), Emnarian Duke Erick Seinger, had sappers blow up the bridge to defend against invading Melagneans. The bridge was reconstructed in 1779, and stands to this day. It is one of the most popular sights in old-town Emnaria. It is completely functional too, being used everyday by civilians. The Luvendorz Bridge is also one lf the few suspension bridges in Emnaria that were built before 1927.