[ Added 01/11/23 ]
The Lordless Land—cursed earth where monsters roam and bandits run rampant. It once flourished as the homeland of the Hahn Empire, but that was nearly 800 years ago and all traces of that former glory have since disappeared.
Then in the year 1249, the extraordinary man of the era, “Gustave the Steel”, ordered a city be built near the last remnants of the Hahn Empire. This ended all fears for the future of the Merchmin hegemony and was considered to be a declaration to rule the Central Plains and the rest of the Eastern Continent (but the official declaration actually happened in 1256).
Arming themselves with Steel, Gustave’s troops scouted ahead to clear out the bandits and monsters in preparation for construction. They also secured the area near Westia, which had originally provided agricultural support to the Hahn Empire. Since it would be a city larger than Thermes, they needed to etablish a local food source.
This town not only served as a stronghold for Gustave XIII’s southern expeditions, but was also a gathering hub for the scattered people of the Lordless Land and a source of new recruits.
Many of the volunteers were bandits, naturally, but they were strong fighters and taking them in helped to improve public order. Mouton, who singlehandedly handled all administrative duties for the growing Empire, suggested that they serve directly under Gustave.
Hahn Nova was built in the tropical central area of the Lordless Land on relatively high ground, so the climate and terrain contribute to fine weather. However, harsh winters inconvenience the people with sudden drops in temperature.
This Emblem was first used when Gustave XIII conquered Wide in 1240. A dragon courageously rises towards the sky amid a background of five stars, as if accurately depicting the accomplishments of Gustave. The dragon represents battles, with the three stars in the sky symbolizing aiming for the heavens and the two stars in the middle being the two worlds of the people on earth. In other words, this depicts a person gaining an advantageous position and climbing to the top as a new ruler.
The origin of the design is unknown, though supposedly it was either created by Gustave himself or was bestowed upon him along with a title by the King of Na in Gruegel. Regardless, the theme of a world in the chaos of war is very fitting for his Emblem.
As mentioned above, Gustave XIII constructed Hahn Nova in a strategic position to conquer the Eastern Continent. He planned to rule the continent from the Central Plains. Then in 1256, two significant events in his life occurred.
The first was the massacre of the Anima Faith when Gustave assaulted their hideout at the Ruins of Hahn. Naturally, their creed of “Anima is everything” ran counter to everything he stood for. Perhaps Gustave could not tolerate their presence being so close to Hahn Nova. As a result, the Anima Faith feared and hated him as a terrifying demon lord.
The second event was Gustave’s announcement to conquer the southern part of the Eastern Continent, which happened immediately after the Anima Faith were wiped out. The following year, he acquired the City of Night and established a base southeast of Merzig. He carried out five expeditions from the fort until one fateful night in 1269.
Hahn Nova does not exist when the game begins in 1220, but construction of the city is completed in 1249. During the Fifth Southern Expedition, however, Gustave and his personal retinue returned to the earth of Sandail in 1269 at the fort near Merzig.
Hahn Nova was then entrusted to Kelvin, who ruled for a mere two years until it was lost to a plot carried out by Marquis Cantal of Otto. As soon as Cantal gained control of the city, it went up in flames before his eyes. This was rumored to be the work of monsters and bandits who were waiting for their chance to strike, but it could also be considered a ceremonial bonfire for seeing off the lost ruler of the city.
Recall if you will the scene that happens just before the city is built. It begins the night before the chief city planner would meet with Gustave XIII. The unnamed planner was prepared to face death if his plans for the city were rejected. He and his wife wept as they arranged a sending off party. However, Gustave approved everything and gave permission for the capital to be built as such. The planner said that the town of his dreams finally became a reality… but it was a fleeting capital which only existed for 22 years.
The player is involved with the construction of this city, but cannot walk around and explore freely. It seems to exist solely as a testament to the final glorious days of Gustave XIII. Perhaps it is fitting to enjoy the short time we have with this fleeting city.