--------------------------------------------------------------------- God Wills It Fatimid Briefing --------------------------------------------------------------------- CONTENTS Page No. Introduction 2 1. The Current Situation - The Fatimid Empire 2 - The political situation in the East 3 - The recovery of Byzantium 3 2. The Fatimid Game - Objectives 4 - The Fatimid Army 4 - Income and Expenditure 5 - The Characters 5 3. The Other Players - In Syria and Asia Minor 6 - The Assassins 7 - The Byzantines 7 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Introduction --------------------------------------------------------------------- This briefing is designed to be read in conjunction with the general Game Handbook, and with any personal briefing that you may receive on the day of the game itself. As I said in the Game Handbook, God Wills It is really three games in one. Whether each game ever interacts with the others is dependent upon the way that play develops and not upon the game design. Each 'side' starts with its own self contained game, and must continue playing that to gain their objectives. How much that interacts with any other team will depend upon you and upon the other players. This brief outlines the game for the Fatimids; this may or may not change as the game progresses. Yours is a game about reviving the strength of the Fatimids, a struggle against the evils of the upstart dynasty in Syria, the Seldjuk Turks, deadliest of your enemies and upholders of the Sunni branch of Islam. It is also to a lesser extent about your relationships with the Rhum , the Greeks of the Byzantine empire. There are very few rules for how the Fatimids should play their game; it's up to you within the context of this brief and the General Game Handbook, and in consultation with your umpires. This brief outlines the current situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and the world of Islam. It gives you some objectives and also some information about the Rhum and the Seldjuks. --------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. The Current Situation --------------------------------------------------------------------- The Fatimid Empire Originally from North Africa the Shi'ite Fatimids have governed Egypt since 966. It was they who founded the city of Cairo (al-Qahira, meaning 'the victorious'). Their Caliphs claim to be descended from Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet, and the wife of Ali, the inspirer of Shi'ism. From 1029 to 1076 the Fatimids held Jerusalem and Southern Syria, in an informal alliance with the Byzantines that was aimed at keeping the Turkish expansion in check. But in the 1070's the Fatimids themselves underwent an internal power struggle in Egypt which has weakened your power. The aged Fatimid Caliph, al-Mustansir, had become even more of a puppet than the Abbasid Caliph in Baghdad. He no longer even dared to leave his palace without the permission of his Armenian Vizier, Badr al-Jamali. The Caliph's son, Nizar, led a movement of Shi'ite fundamentalists against the power of the Vizier, aiming to restore the power of the Caliphate and inaugurate a new golden age for the Shiites. (As a matter of passing interest, Nizar's main ally was Hasan ibn-al Sabbah, Shi'ite fanatic, conqueror of Alamut, the first Old Man of the Mountains and founder of the sect of the Assassins). In 1094 however, Badr al-Jumali died and was succeeded as Vizier by his son, Shah an Shah al-Afdal. He crushed the associates of Nizar, who was himself buried alive. When the old Caliph died in 1095, Nizar's younger brother , al-Mustali, became Caliph at the age of eight. The power of al-Afdal is now unchallenged and the Fatimids are once again looking to regain all their Syrian possessions. The political situation in the East The unity of the Seldjuk Turks has been declining ever since the death of the Great Sultan Alp Arslan in 1072. His son, Malik Shah, allowed disagreement between his brother Tutush and his nephew Suleiman to break out into open warfare. In 1086 Tutush defeated and killed Suleiman in battle over who would control Aleppo. Other Turkish princes and emirs have been trying to establish their independence for some time, notably the Danishmend Emir in Caesarea and Sebastea, Menaguchek in Colonea, and the adventurer Chaka in Smyrna (who managed to get his daughter married to Suleiman's son, Kilij Arslan). The very confused situation has been exacerbated by political interference and manipulation by the Byzantines. 1092 was a key year in the disintegration of the old Seldjuk empire; Malik Shah managed to get Nicaea away from Tutush's nominee and install Kilij Arslan. In the same year Kilij Arslan had his father in law, Chaka, murdered (on the advice of Alexius who persuaded the young Sultan that no other Turk should be more powerful than he). Later in the same year Malik Shah died himself and civil war has diverted the whole race, as his two young sons fight over the inheritance of the Great Sultanate. Last year the Emir Tutush died and his possessions have been split between his two sons (who dislike each other intensely); Ridwan has taken Aleppo and Duqaq has got Damascus. Meanwhile a new Turkish warlord has arisen; Kerbogha the Atabeg of Mosul who says that his only allegiance is to the Caliph in Baghdad. He has been encroaching upon Aleppo. In Southern Syria the situation is just as confusing and ripe for stirring up. Ortoq was Tutush's Governor in Jerusalem after he conquered it from the Fatimids in the late 1070's. . After his death in 1094 his territory has passed to his sons, Soqman and Ilghazi, the Ortoqids, who loosely acknowledge the suzerainty of Duqaq of Damascus. Their rule has been fairly incompetent, and although the Ortoqids still hold Jerusalem, the Fatimids have reconquered much of the rest of Southern Palestine. In addition, beneath the Turkish overlords, many of the local Arab Emirs are manoeuvring for more independence. It looks as if the right moment has come to make a move to regain the rest of your rightful territories in Palestine, especially Jerusalem. You feel that you will be able to work quite closely with the Byzantine Emperor Alexius to fulfil your ambitions. It is in both your interests to reduce the power of the Seldjuks and restore the old status quo, whereby the two great powers of the Eastern Mediterranean - yourselves and the Greeks - live in peace and tolerance, each with your own sphere of influence. The recovery of Byzantium Although the overwhelming military power of the Rhum was broken by the Turks at Manzikert, and further weakened by their civil wars, you are under no illusions that they remain the major power in the region. Especially so, since they appear to have found a strong new ruler, Alexius. He has gradually repaired the economic and military power of Constantinople, and although he has not yet dared major military operations against the Seldjuks, he has used Greek wealth to ferment their disunity and troubles. It is also well known that the Greek imperial armies, short of experienced soldiers, have no choice but to recruit mercenaries; many Arab and Turkish warriors have fought under the banners of the Christian Empire. This gives the Vizier a reasonably ready source of information and intelligence. Recently there have been rumours that the Emperor is looking for new mercenaries from the West, the Franj. Your agents confirm that he is expecting further Western mercenaries, and also that he might be willing to make an informal alliance with you to threaten Turkish possessions in Asia Minor and Syria. What is good about that is that he is willing to treat with you in a pragmatic and realistic way. Although a threat, if handled correctly, he could be a very useful source of support. However, you must never forget that he is an infidel, and should never be trusted too far. --------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. The Fatimid Game --------------------------------------------------------------------- Objectives 1. To regain the Fatimid lands in Syria, especially the Holy City of Jerusalem, and to establish a secure Northern border for your Empire. 2. To weaken the Seldjuks further, so that they can no longer threaten the Fatimid possessions. 3. To establish the Shi'ite faith as the primary religion of Southern Syria 4. To rebuild the naval power of the Fatimids, sadly neglected over the last two decades. 5. To come to an agreement with the Emperor of the Rhum that clearly establishes the relative spheres of influence of the two powers. The Fatimid Army Unlike the Seldjuk Turks, the Fatimids have a largely mercenary army, recruited from Arabs, Berbers, Sudanese, and with a high proportion of infantry. The elite of the army is the Caliph's Guard, composed of mounted Mameluk regiments and Sudanese archers and foot soldiers. Beyond this elite they can field very large numbers of allied foot soldiers and light cavalry, mostly Arab and Berber. Unlike the Seldjuks the Fatimid armies do not have any horse archers, the cavalry fighting with light lance and scimitar. The Caliph's Guard currently consists of 3,000 Mameluk cavalry, and 8,000 infantry. The total army could be expanded to 10,000 horse and 20,000 infantry if you decide to recruit everybody you can, and if you can afford it. The Fatimid navy currently consists of 40 warships. The cost of maintaining the current fleet is factored in and need not concern you. To build a new ship costs 500 marks and takes six months. Income and Expenditure Your income is calculated as the disposable money left to you after the expenses of your family, court and administration. Your income is 160,000 marks per annum. You can spend it in two ways: 1. You can spend it on the maintenance and recruitment of regular troops for the Caliph's Guard and the army. Each horseman costs 1 mark a month to maintain. You will also have a force of infantry, each of which costs 0.25 marks a month to maintain. If forces are not maintained properly, their combat value will be affected, and eventually men will start to desert! The current strength of the Guard costs you 5,000 marks a month (3,000 horse at one mark each and 8,000 infantry at 0.25 marks each) 2. You can spend it on good works and cultural pursuits. Universities, colleges and schools can be founded, mosques can be built, and hospitals for the poor. All works like this are counted to your credit in the next world, as the Prophet promised. They also contribute positively to your standing with your subjects and help their loyalty! In this game you can only increase income in two ways; you can impose a one off extra tax on Egypt, but this will have inevitable repercussions on your popularity and control of the home territories, or you can borrow from other players (probably the Greeks, but be cautious of what they might want in return!). Both routes are possible and both have risks attached. The Characters al-Afdal - Vizier of the Fatimids. Has effectively gathered all the reins of the Fatimid Empire into his own arms in the last three years. Fears and hates the Seldjuks. Iftikhar al-Dawla - General and trusted lieutenant of al-Afdal Baha al-Din - Diplomat and trusted lieutenant of al-Afdal al-Mustali - Caliph of Egypt. A young boy and totally in the power of al-Afdal. Could be a figurehead for opposition to the Vizier's rule should domestic opposition arise. (N.B. in this game al-Mustali is a non-played character, and will be represented by an umpire if necessary) --------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. The Other Players --------------------------------------------------------------------- In Syria and Asia Minor Sultan Kilij Arslan I Sultan of the Seldjuks of Rum. Capital at Nicaea. Has been struggling since 1092 to establish his authority over the Turkish possessions of Asia Minor and Syria. Although only 20 years old, he has already recovered a part of his paternal heritage through war, murder and subterfuge. He boasts that he has spent more time in his saddle than at his palace. Very conscious that he still has very powerful rivals amongst his own kinsmen. al-Husaq, Emir of the Danishmends Unlike most Turks, well read and literate, known as Danishmend the Wise. Rules a large part of North East Anatolia, centred on fortresses of Caesarea, Sebastea and Amasea. Nominal vassal of Kilij Arslan, but currently at war with him over city of Ancyra. Chaka, Emir of Smyrna. Brother in law of Kilij, who had his father murdered. Only Turk with a reasonable navy (about 35 warships). His emirate includes the islands of Rhodes, Chios, and Samos. His father lost Lesbos to Alexius' rebuilt naval power just before his murder in 1092. Duqaq, Emir of Damascus Son of Tutush, who killed Kilij Arslan's father. Younger brother and bitter rival of Ridwan of Aleppo. Survived murder attempt by his brother when their father died in 1095. Impulsive, easily influenced, inclined to sudden rages. Obsessed by the idea that his brother is still trying to assassinate him. Ridwan, Emir of Aleppo "By means of murder, impiety and witchcraft Ridwan aroused the distrust of nearly everyone, but it was within his own family that he provoked the most bitter odium".(Maalouf) Older son of Tutush, thought he should have had the whole Syrian inheritance. Bitter enemy of his younger brother, Duqaq of Damascus. Son in law of Yaghi-Siyan, Atabeg of Antioch. Yaghi-Siyan, Atabeg of Antioch. Governor of Antioch since Suleiman took it in 1085. Nominally a vassal of Kilij Arslan, but has been playing off all the other Turks against each other for the last ten years in order to maintain his independence in reality. Father in law of Ridwan of Aleppo. Shams al-Daula, son of Yaghi-Siyan Famous warrior and diplomat. Known by all to be unquestioningly loyal to his father. Kerbogha, Atabeg of Mosul Leading Turkish prince of Upper Mesopotamia, owing allegiance only to the Caliph and Sultan in Baghdad. Has foe some time been interested in expanding his influence into Syria. Ex slave and commander of one of the biggest forces of the Turks. Soqman of Diarbakir and Ilghazi of Jerusalem The twin sons of Ortoq, the lieutenant of Tutush. Known as the Ortoqids. Rulers of Jerusalem and Southern Syria, and want to keep them for the Ortoqid family. Very wary of the Princes from the North. Banu'Ammar, Emir of Tripoli Native Arab Prince who has established an independent power base in Tripoli. Fervent Shi'ite believer. Rival of the Ortoqids. Thoros, Prince of Edessa Armenian Christian ruler of Edessa. Old vassal of Rhum and of Malik Shah. Now trying to establish his independence from the Greeks and the Turks. The Assassins The Hashashin have been in existence in Alamut since about 1090. Their first assassination was in 1092, of Malik Shah's Vizier. Now a secret sect feared by most Sunni rulers. Rumours abound throughout the East of their close connections with the Greeks and yourselves, but you are well aware that the Old Man of the Mountains considers you a heretic and a betrayer of Shi'ism, and is in fact your mortal enemy. There are also rumours that Ridwan of Aleppo has come under their influence. The Byzantines Alexius Comnenus, Emperor since 1081, head of the House of the Comneni Caesar John Ducas, General and brother in law of Alexius, kinsman of the previous two Emperors, head of the most powerful house in Constantinople after the Comneni John Comnenus, nephew of Alexius, Governor of Dyrrachium. Experienced fighter against the Franj Constantine Ducas, soldier and son of ex-Emperor Michael and Maria Ducas. George Paleologus, Diplomat and Courtier. Head of the House of the Paleologi; related to the Comneni and the Ducas by marriage. Manuel Butumites, General and Siege Engineer. Long term companion in arms of Alexius. Nicholas Mavrocatacalon, Megas Dux (Grand Admiral). Experienced sailor and soldier. Taticius Silvernose, General. Turkish Christian from Macedonia. Lost his nose in early fighting against the Seldjuks. Sworn enemy of all Seldjuks. --------------------------------------------------------------------- This game briefing/handbook is available for information to users of the internet, on the understanding it is (c) Terry Martin, and if used is credited appropriately. Thanks. ---------------------------------------------------------------------