Red Citadel
The Red Citadel is a major fortification established at the Capcoran Bay, to protect the city from assault from the ocean. Both the training ground for the city's regiments and marines and a major defensive position, the castle and surrounding forts are only outmatched by those that defend the Imperial City to the north. The walls of the Red Citadel were maintained even during the Warp of Seven, when the main city collapsed into a magical anarchy. The Red Citadel kept its duties and prevented privateers and pirates from taking advantage of the instability that followed the Warp.
Purpose / Function
The Red Citadel began construction several years after the Treaty of Aljana was signed in the Bahami Federation. The treaty was a clear threat to Jakonian interests in the Endless Ocean and in the Circle Sea. Facing the possibility of a united Bahami fleet preying upon the essential shipping and ports of the Empire, it was clear that efforts had to be made to protect the most essential of the empire's trading hubs. The Red Citadel was designed as a key fortress in the defensive network along the coasts of the Jakonian Peninsula.
The Red Citadel was built tall, with multiple towers along the island upon which it was constructed to provide early warning of enemy advances. Massive siege weapons were installed along the walls and in fortified bunkers along the island. These siege weapons were designed to be ship killers, to knock out enemy transports and warship before they could even begin to pose a threat. All of these were connected by fortified causeways which spanned along the island and acted as protective transit routes for supplies and weapons to otherwise isolated outposts on the island. The central hub itself was designed as a keep and barracks to staff the island and respond rapidly to any threats that could be landed, in addition to acting as a port and flanking fleet to any force that attempted to simply land in Capcora itself. The docks were lavished with drydocks and repair slips, allowing the citadel to be nearly self-sufficient in maintaining any naval vessels stationed within.
Alterations
As the Jakonian Empire became less stable, the importance of the fortifications at Capcora became more and more significant. Although they were allowed to fall into a state of disrepair during the relatively peaceful eighth century, the outbreak of the Great War changed everything. Although most of the nation's enemies were mostly a threat for the army, the war allowed the Bahamis to grow even bolder in their raids. Multiple attacks were made towards Capcora, and immediately the Lord Mayor spent extensive local funds on refurbishing the existing fortifications. This included hiring dwarven engineers and contractors to abandon the surface fortified causeways in favor of watertight tunnels that could be easily collapsed if one of the outer bastions began to falter. Other tricks were included, helping to revitalize the fortification.
The advent of gunpowder in 873 changed the needs of the Free City extensively, and observers in the Imperial Army realized that a change in fortification styles and construction was required. The older siege weapons that had manned the outer walls were gradually replaced throughout the early tenth century, with custom cannons replacing the ballistae and catapults used by the walls previously. These weapons have been since modernized and continue to play a vital role in the city's defense even after gaining independence. The shipyards were ultimately allowed to fall into disrepair, as the Free City's leadership has privatized the repair and construction of warships to the city's myriad contractors.
Founding Date
693 AF
Type
Castle
Owner
Related Ethnicities
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
Comments