Western Seagate

The Western Seagate is an intricate mechanism on the Tudhanian Walls of Kartam. It was built during the reign of Tudhan IV, between 567-570 AGV. Its location was feared for centuries among the boatsmen of the capital, because of the tracherous shallows. Amoratte Hasdrubilis, chief architect of Tudhan used this feature for himself, when he was planning the majectic, nearly hundred feet tall defenses.

First, the shallows have been located. After that treetrunks have been rammed into the riverbed until they did reach the firm soil underneath into an interlocking watertight compartment. During the advance downwards the filmsy materiel was cleared while the outlying rings were fortified to withstand the pressure. After the rockbed was reached, the workers started building the pillars that formed three interlocking arches. In the final phase a large gatehouse was erected, with murder holes, several levels of shooting posts, artillery encampments and three heavy portcullis which were separately strong enough to break ships or barges passing underneath.

There are several city legends surrounding the seemingly impossible feat of civil engineering. One popular story speaks about the bricked virgin who was sacrificed to enable the succesful construction. Some passing travellers hear screams from the upper side of the building,ususally the play of birds, bats, rodents or of the wind as it blows through the intricate ventillation system.

Another one speaks of a deal between the builder and the evil incarnation of the Supreme Being. According to this story, Hasdrubilis sold his life and soul for eternal fame and glory in the history books. After the two Seagates (on the Eastend and the Westend of the city) were completed, the aged engineer went up the stairs of the highest tower and waited there for the eternal to claim his soul. He arrived in the form of a windblow. The old master lost balance and fell into the river never to be found again.

Whatever the truth behind, the Western Seagate still provides for most goods and people wishing to enter Kartam. Its remarkable arches the large stones the intimidating gigantic iron spears pointing towards them still speak of a great empire, nigh invincible and of an old once-in-a-lifetime genious, who dreamt, drawed and built them.