Moors (Medieval II: Total War)

Moors (Medieval II: Total War)
Leader	Tahar
Religion	Islam
Appears in	Grand Campaign
Culture	Middle Eastern
Starting regions	Cordoba Region; Marrakesh Region; Granada Region; Algiers Region

Moors is a faction in Medieval II: Total War, unlockable after completing the campaign as one of the starting factions.

Description

The Moors were originally a nomadic people, the original inhabitants of Mauretania on the north coast of Africa. They rose from obscurity in the 8th century when they converted to Islam, and proceeded to spread rapidly in several directions - including north-west into the Iberian peninsula. They soon had almost total dominion over all of Iberia with the exception of the lands to the north where some resilient Christians held fast, but Islamic Spain was a collection of cities more than a true caliphate - until now.

The Almoravid Berbers have risen from their homelands near the west coast of Africa to establish their capital in Marrakesh, and assume control of the Moorish empire. Their dominance over this corner of Africa is absolute, and the sense of unity they have brought to the Moorish empire has once again restored order in southern Iberia. This move for stable Islamic rule is however also the cause of the greatest threat to the Moors...Christian unity.

Once weak, uncultured and disorganized, the kingdoms of Leon and Castile are now unified in their challenge against Islamic rule of the peninsula, and look set to actually launch a genuine offensive to revive their Reconquista. Their heroes such as El Cid are extremely admirable adversaries, as men who are driven with what they believe to be a noble purpose always are.

Perhaps the best course of action for the Moors is to play the rulers of Portugal and Castile against one another. So long as they are united in a religious crusade against Islam they are the Moors' greatest threat. Of course, the greed of Christian leaders is something that can be counted upon, and siding with one of these two powers could be possible even if it is undesirable. It is an option they must keep in mind, for expanding too far eastward towards Arabia involves taking on other followers of Islam such as the Egyptians... something most unlikely to be the will of Allah.

Strengths

Can field a good mix of light cavalry and infantry, and effective spears.

Weaknesses

Lacks strong late period units.

Overview

• Religion - Islam
• Long Campaign win conditions - Hold 45 regions, including: Toledo Region, Jerusalem Region
• Short Campaign win conditions - Hold 15 regions. Eliminate Factions: Spain, Portugal
• Financial Start - Starting Purse 7,000 Florins
• Kings Purse - 1,500 Florins

Settlements

• Cordoba (Minor City, Capital) - Town Guard, Masjid, Town Hall, Grain Exchange, Dirt Roads, Land Clearance
• Marrakesh (Large Town) - Town Guard
• Granada (Wooden Castle) - Stables
• Algiers (Wooden Castle) - Bowyer

Initial units

• 3 General Bodyguard's
• 3 Spear Militia
• 7 Desert Archers
• 1 Town Militia
• 3 Desert Cavalry

Ruling Family

• Sultan Tahar (Age 60; Faction Leader) - Command 3, Dread/Chivalry 0, Authority 2, Piety 3
• Crown Prince Miswar (Age 35; Faction Heir) - Command 4, Dread/Chivalry 0, Loyalty 5, Piety 3
• Qasim (Age 30; Family Member) - Command 2, Dread/Chivalry 0, Loyalty 5, Piety 6
• Ayyub (Age 14; Junior Family Member; Male)
• Faraj (Age 10; Junior Family Member; Male)
• Zahra (Age 8; Junior Family Member; Female)
• Zizi (Age 4; Junior Family Member; Female)

Initial Agents

• Hassan Saidi-Sief (Age 20; Spy) - 5 Subterfuge
• Shakir Al-Fayyoumi (Age 20; Diplomat) - 2 influence
• Fakhir (Age 40; Imam) - 4 piety

Trivia

• The symbol of the Moors is a crescent moon with the horns pointing up. This interpretation of the crescent was common in antiquity among Greeks, Romans and Byzantines and continued to be used by Muslims in the middle ages.

Gallery

The symbol of the Moors

The starting location of the Moors on the map