In 300 HE, the Siege of Haven City was fought between the Krimzon Guard under Baron Praxis against the Metal Heads under Metal Kor during the Metal Head Wars.
Why did it happen?
When Haven City was founded in 1 HE, Mar created the Shield Wall to protect the human population and the Precursor Stone from the Metal Heads. When Mar fell in battle, he was buried in a tomb with the Precursor Stone until the day came when a new leader would emerge who could protect the city from the Metal Heads. When the House of Mar was overthrown by Baron Praxis in 297 HE, martial law was declared with the Krimzon Guard commissioned by Praxis to enforce his rule. After military defeats at the Metal Head Nest and Dead Town, Praxis attempted to bribe the Metal Heads with eco while he created the Dark Warrior Program to use against the creatures. When this failed to achieve any results, Praxis moved on to finding the Precursor Stone in Mar’s Tomb and, in cooperation with Krew, planned to crack open the Precursor Stone with a Piercer Bomb and use its energy to destroy the Metal Heads once and for all. When this plan was foiled by Jak at the Weapons Factory, Krew revealed to him that he had betrayed both the Baron and Haven City by getting Sig to open the Underport using Mar’s Ruby Key and allowing the Metal Heads to invade the city.
Who was involved?
The Krimzon Guard forces in Haven City are estimated to have numbered 25,000 Guards and 225,000 Haven Civilians. The Krimzon Guard strategy was to engage the Metal Heads in close-quarter combat, protect Haven’s Civilians and hold out for as long as possible. The Metal Head army at Haven City is estimated to have numbered 525,000 Grunts, Stingers, Cloakers and Hoppers. Like previous cities worldwide, the Metal Heads planned to overwhelm and destroy Haven City using their superior numbers and exterminate its inhabitants in pursuit of the Precursor Stone. As Kor stated to Jak at the Power Station, “I've seen what Metal Heads do when they take a city; the destruction, the killing, the devouring” (Naughty Dog, 2003). The Metal Head assault would focus on three fronts. The left wing would advance towards the Southern Gardens and West Bazaar. The centre would advance towards Haven Palace, Main Town, and Mar Memorial Stadium. The right wing would advance towards the Industrial Zone and Slums. Once the Precursor Stone had been found, Metal Kor would then feed upon the Precursor spirit that dwelt inside.
What happened?
After the Shield Wall was sabotaged by Kor, the Metal Head army poured into Haven City via the Underport and began attacking Civilians and engaging the Krimzon Guards in battle. After escorting Sig through the Underport, Jak travelled to the Mar Memorial Stadium to protect Samos, Keira and Brutter as they transferred the Rift Rider to a Lurker Balloon Lift while under attack by Metal Head Grunts, Stingers, and Hoppers. After Samos, Keira and Brutter flew off towards the Metal Head Nest, Jak received a message from Vin that Kor was about to meet Baron Praxis at the Construction Site. Upon arriving at the Construction Site, Jak encountered Kor, who revealed to him and Baron Praxis that he was really the Metal Head Leader. As Praxis and his squad of Krimzon Guards attacked, Kor killed them with a Dark Eco Blast and exclaimed, “I will find that Stone if I have to crush this city one brick at a time” (Naughty Dog, 2003). After the death of Baron Praxis and with the Metal Head army beginning to overwhelm the Krimzon Guards, Ashelin and Torn instructed Jak to travel to the Metal Head Nest with the Precursor Stone and kill Metal Kor to cause the Metal Head army to collapse. After Jak breached the Metal Head Nest and killed Kor in a climactic battle, the Metal Head army was thrown into confusion and retreated.
What changed as a result?
The Siege of Haven City was a decisive Krimzon Guard victory and marked the end of the Metal Head Wars. With the death of Baron Praxis, Ashelin became the new Governor of Haven City and reformed the Krimzon Guard into the New Krimzon Guard, with Torn as its Commander and Brutter as its Captain. The Water Slums were subsequently renovated into New Haven City, and martial law was lifted, although the citizens of Haven City became distrustful of Jak’s Dark Eco powers. Indeed, although Metal Kor had been killed and the Metal Head army repulsed, a large group of surviving Metal Heads subsequently concentrated in the Southern Gardens and declared war on the New Krimzon Guard, which was reformed into the Freedom League. This marked the beginning of a new war known as the War for Haven City, and Jak was blamed for inciting the conflict due to his friendship with Kor and Krew and was banished to the Wasteland by Count Veger.
Bibliography
Inumaru Bara. “Haven City map from Jak II.” Jak and Daxter Wiki. Accessed September 4, 2022. www.jakanddaxter.fandom.com/wiki/Haven_City?file=Haven_City_map_from_Jak_II.jpg
Naughty Dog. Jak II. Sony Computer Entertainment. PlayStation 2. 2003.
Off, Greg. Jak II: Official Strategy Guide. Indianapolis, Brady Games, 2003.
Schrader, Nathali. Jak II: The Complete Official Guide. London, Piggyback, 2003.
Tealgamemaster. “Haven City's Biggest Mystery SOLVED! (Jak & Daxter Lore).” YouTube video, 4:20. April 2, 2021. www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIn7BKxjQDE
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