Khwarazmian Empire

Strengths & weaknesses

• Renowned Unit
• Superior Capability

Description

Daylamis were the most famous infantrymen in the Iranian region, if not the whole Eastern Muslim world. They originally formed the backbone of the army of the Shia Buyyid dynasty, but eventually found use by rulers from Egypt all the way to India, typically as royal bodyguards. They were most famous for their large shields and large javelins, the Zupin.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Camels were often used as beasts of burden for Iranian, Arabic, Turkish and Mongol armies, but they also found use as a battle mount. While not as reliable as horses as they would often run away when feeling pain, their resistance to the elements and their ability to frighten other animal mounts made them quite useful at times.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

The crossbow (charkh) was an important weapon in the Middle East and the Greater Iranian region, just like in Europe. The composite design allowed for greater draw weight and penetrative power than even the powerful Turkish bow, while requiring much less training. Larger versions, similar to ancient scorpions, would be mounted on walls, and even on camelback, acting like field artillery.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Slave-soldiers, Ghulams or Mamluks were the property of rulers and Amirs, acting as their elite retinue. Fiercely loyal and trained for years, they could fight with a large number of weapons with extreme proficiency and rose to very high ranks in military command and administrative duties. They were notably famous for their skill on horseback, firing arrows at high rates while on the move.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Capable of both Melee and Ranged fighting

Description

Askari (from askar, 'army') were the retinue soldiers of rulers and Amirs alike. The vast majority of such groups was generally formed of Ghulams, owing personal service to their owner, and who were best known for their absolute loyalty.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Ghazi could be best described as Holy Warriors acting to advance and protect the borders of Islam, manning the border forts (ribats) and joining offensive campaigns for loot and glory. The coming of the Turks into the Islamic world had a large impact on the Ghazi brotherhoods however, as they settled the borders and brought the fight to the Infidels with raids and skirmishes. The title of Ghazi even became an honorific title for the Seljuks and their successors.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Strong Tradition
• Easier to recruit due to Tradition

Description

Askari (from askar, 'army') were the retinue soldiers of rulers and Amirs alike. The vast majority of such groups was generally formed of Ghulams, owing personal service to their owner, and who were best known for their absolute loyalty.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Muttatawwi'a were volunteers who, much like the Ghazi, served the interests of Islam. Unlike Ghazi, Muttatawwi'a only joined for a campaign season.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

The proximity to India allowed Iranian dynasties to purchase elephants and use their terrifying force in battle. The Ghaznavids are best known for their great use of war elephants. Elephants were noted to have been part of the Khwarazmian groups that fought the Mongols.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Medieval Javan societies, like the Arabic Futuwwa and Turkish Ahi, were a cross between craftsmen guilds and military orders. They were organized as chivalrous brothers with strict moral codes, and their members would train as soldiers while also being important members of their communities, pledging their services to help build urban settlements and advancing the cause of Islam. Such soldiers sometimes made a great impression on the battlefield, like the Shia militia of the Sarbadars, who Timur thought so highly of that he recruited them after they surrendered.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Slave-soldiers, Ghulams or Mamluks were the property of rulers and Amirs, acting as their elite retinue. Fiercely loyal and trained for years, they could fight with a large number of weapons with extreme proficiency and rose to very high ranks in military command and administrative duties. Junior Ghulams, as opposed to Senior Ghulams, had not finished their training, but would fight either on horseback or on foot to support the cavalry elite.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

The Khwarazmian army centered, during the reign of Muhammad II, around a core of elite pagan Turkish cavalrymen from tribal groups such as the Qangli and the Qipchaqs. Due to the marriage of Khwarazmshah Tekesh, father of Muhammad II, to Terken Khatun, a Qangli princess and mother of Muhammad II, the Khwarazmshah could rely on these 'mercenaries' to fight for him in great numbers. They were quite likely the heaviest cavalry of the Muslim world in the early 13th century, with riders wearing heavy armour, usually metal lamellar, and horses covered in complete metal barding. They would become famous for their brutality, savagely plundering Iranian cities as the borders of the Khwarazmids grew.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Strong Tradition
• Easier to recruit due to Tradition

Description

Muqti were iqta holders, and as such, soldiers who were assigned some administrative duties while owing military service in exchange for a tax-farming grant. As such, they formed part of the professional elite of the armies and also would often have to maintain and equip their own contingent of soldiers as part of their responsabilities.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Incendiary weapons became a mainstay of the battles during the Crusades, most importantly in siege warfare. Nafta grenades were the favoured weapons of the Muslims, even being imported all the way into India. Dedicated soldiers would be tasked with using such dangerous weapons and wear special coats less vulnerable to the flames.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Piyadegan was the general term for foot soldiers. Iranian infantry is mostly illustrated using spears or an assortment of one-handed weapons such as axes, maces and straight swords, along with round shields.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Strong Tradition
• Easier to recruit due to Tradition

Description

Originally a name used for the noble cavalry of the Sassanid noble cavalry, Savaran ('horsemen') became a term to describe cavalrymen, typically well-trained and armoured.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

The Sipahsalar was a high ranking officer and lead large number of soldiers into battle. Battlefield commanders were traditionaly flanked by bodyguards ('jandars'). Such a figure's askar would probably be ghulaman, heavily armed and armoured, and most importantly, loyal.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Strong Tradition
• Easier to recruit due to Tradition

Description

The most famous soldiers of the Khwarazmian armies were the Turks that came from the Qangli and Qipchaq tribes of Khwarazm. With Tekesh's marriage to a princess of the Qangli nobility, Tekesh ensured himself a steady stream of well-disciplined and ferocious warriors. Pagan or nominally Muslim, these horsemen were the reason for the terrible reputation of the Khwarazmians amongst the conquered, looting and pillaging as they pleased.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Strong Tradition
• Easier to recruit due to Tradition

Description

The most famous soldiers of the Khwarazmian armies were the Turks that came from the Qangli and Qipchaq tribes of Khwarazm. With Tekesh's marriage to a princess of the Qangli nobility, Tekesh ensured himself a steady stream of well-disciplined and ferocious warriors. Pagan or nominally Muslim, these horsemen were the reason for the terrible reputation of the Khwarazmians amongst the conquered, looting and pillaging as they pleased.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Turkomans were a large part of the late era Iranian military, as tribes first formed a significant part of Timur's armies, but, most importantly, the later dynasties, that of the Qara Qoyunlu and the Aq Qoyunlu, were Turkoman confederations which greatly depended on tribes to provide soldiers for warfare. While most soldiers of these armies were mounted, a fair number of infantry were amongst these groups and miniatures of the Aq Qoyunlu period show foot soldiers of Turkoman origin, including some wielding large axes.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

It is slow to reload and lacks the distance of drawn bows but makes up for it in power.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

These knights dominate both society and the battlefield in medieval Europe. Under the feudal system each man owes military service to his lord in return for protection, a grant of land, and the peasants to work it. Trained as warriors from birth, their favourite tactic is the headlong charge. Despite the simple tactics, their strong armour, heavy lances, and martial prowess mean that only the most resolute can resist them

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Knights would often dismount and fight on foot when the situation demanded it. Dismounted they make excellent heavy infantry.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

"Squires are used to do what a knight would consider too low, and mounted sergeants are used to do what a squire would consider too low even for him" -- "Since common peasant couldn't afford a horse, but there was still the need for a rapid scout unit (and noble knights considered scouting a dishonourable task), trusted sergeants who showed cunning behaviour were given second-choice horses and used as a light and fast cavalry force, usually sent ahead of the main army to scout the area and harass enemy light troops or carriages. Being fast, they can easily outmanoeuver infantry and heavy cavalry, allowing them to hit fast and hard unprotected targets such as archers or supply convoys, but they should never be used against actual cavalry and trained infantry."

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

"To be ranked a servant may seem ridiculous to a noble, but for most, it is the best they can hope to achieve" -- Coming from the Latin term "servientem", meaning "servant", sergeant is a rank used in almost every European army of the time (and still today). While each nation had its own technical meaning for the rank, generally the sergeant was the highest rank a low-born commoner could aspire to, since all higher offices were reserved for the nobles. Being promoted sergeant required that a soldier had survived many battles, and had performed many acts of valour (usually visible from the scars most sergeants sported), and meant better equipment and a higher salary (usually a larger part of the loot), which for most soldiers could mean the difference between returning to their homes as a serf and becoming an actual free land-owner. Usually sergeants oversaw training and equipment of small units, and led them in battle. Sometimes, sergeants were grouped together and used as a powerful fist to break the enemy lines, or to defend a focal point: well armed and experienced, these veterans are not to be underestimated.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

It is slow to reload and lacks the distance of drawn bows but makes up for it in power.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

These knights dominate both society and the battlefield in medieval Europe. Under the feudal system each man owes military service to his lord in return for protection, a grant of land, and the peasants to work it. Trained as warriors from birth, their favourite tactic is the headlong charge. Despite the simple tactics, their strong armour, heavy lances, and martial prowess mean that only the most resolute can resist them

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Knights would often dismount and fight on foot when the situation demanded it. Dismounted they make excellent heavy infantry.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

"Squires are used to do what a knight would consider too low, and mounted sergeants are used to do what a squire would consider too low even for him" -- "Since common peasant couldn't afford a horse, but there was still the need for a rapid scout unit (and noble knights considered scouting a dishonourable task), trusted sergeants who showed cunning behaviour were given second-choice horses and used as a light and fast cavalry force, usually sent ahead of the main army to scout the area and harass enemy light troops or carriages. Being fast, they can easily outmanoeuver infantry and heavy cavalry, allowing them to hit fast and hard unprotected targets such as archers or supply convoys, but they should never be used against actual cavalry and trained infantry."

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

"To be ranked a servant may seem ridiculous to a noble, but for most, it is the best they can hope to achieve" -- Coming from the Latin term "servientem", meaning "servant", sergeant is a rank used in almost every European army of the time (and still today). While each nation had its own technical meaning for the rank, generally the sergeant was the highest rank a low-born commoner could aspire to, since all higher offices were reserved for the nobles. Being promoted sergeant required that a soldier had survived many battles, and had performed many acts of valour (usually visible from the scars most sergeants sported), and meant better equipment and a higher salary (usually a larger part of the loot), which for most soldiers could mean the difference between returning to their homes as a serf and becoming an actual free land-owner. Usually sergeants oversaw training and equipment of small units, and led them in battle. Sometimes, sergeants were grouped together and used as a powerful fist to break the enemy lines, or to defend a focal point: well armed and experienced, these veterans are not to be underestimated.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

"Squires are used to do what a knight would consider too low, and mounted sergeants are used to do what a squire would consider too low even for him" -- "Since common peasant couldn't afford a horse, but there was still the need for a rapid scout unit (and noble knights considered scouting a dishonourable task), trusted sergeants who showed cunning behaviour were given second-choice horses and used as a light and fast cavalry force, usually sent ahead of the main army to scout the area and harass enemy light troops or carriages. Being fast, they can easily outmanoeuver infantry and heavy cavalry, allowing them to hit fast and hard unprotected targets such as archers or supply convoys, but they should never be used against actual cavalry and trained infantry."

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

"I... do profess and promise chastity, giving up all property, and obedience to God and the Blessed Virgin Mary and to you...Master of the Teutonic Order, and to your successors, according to the Rules and Regulations of the Order. And I will be obedient to you, and to your successors, even unto death." -- The Ritterbrüder are the highest ranking members of the Teutonic Order, taking an additional vow of chastity: usually members of great German noble houses, these men fear no enemy, both in politics and on the battlefield. Armed and equipped with the finest products of the Empire's most renowned blacksmiths, the Ritterbrüder ride into battle atop powerful steeds, pride and joy of generations of breeding.Their charge can shatter all but the most stubborn pike formations, and usually their enemies don't even try to resist, breaking formation in a desperate attempt to flee their doom, only to be trampled upon by their stallions. The Ritterbrüder however aren't invincible, as all this armour makes their charge quite slow: as such, light skirmishers can safely shower them in arrows and javelins, only to retreat when the Ritterbrüder try to chase them. Thus, they must be supported by light troops, otherwise they might find themselves cornered and taken out one by one by a cunning foe.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

"Half-brother, Double the fury" -- The Haldbrüder were full-fledged members of the Order, but ranked lower since they took only half the oath (they didn't take the chastity vow). Still, their zeal, fanatism and martial prowess match their higher ranking brothers. Being usually members of minor noble houses, they can afford horses and finely crafted armours, and as such serve as medium shock cavalry, trampling over lesser enemies while the Ritterbrüder engage the enemy elite troops. Since their armours aren't as heavy as the ones used by the Ritterbrüder, they are better at flanking the enemy and fighting against the fast Lithuanian cavalry.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

These artillery pieces resemble giant crossbows, on a simple wheeled carriage. They can hurl javelins with great accuracy, and the power of these machines means that their bolts can pierce any armour.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

These artillery pieces resemble giant crossbows, on a simple wheeled carriage. They can hurl javelins with great accuracy, and the power of these machines means that their bolts can pierce any armour.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Constructed of wood and capable of flinging stones large enough to crush a man's head, the catapult was a common site on the ancient Roman battlefield. Now in the medieval era, the catapult is being replaced by newer and more powerful weapons.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Constructed of wood and capable of flinging stones large enough to crush a man's head, the catapult was a common site on the ancient Roman battlefield. Now in the medieval era, the catapult is being replaced by newer and more powerful weapons.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

The counter-weight Trebuchet is an evolution of the man-powered mangonel and catapults dating back before the 11th century. It has quickly spread throughout the world as an effective siege engine capable of lobbing large wall- crushing boulders.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Strong Tradition
• Easier to recruit due to Tradition

Description

PLACEHOLDER

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Camels were often used as beasts of burden for Iranian, Arabic, Turkish and Mongol armies, but they also found use as a battle mount. While not as reliable as horses as they would often run away when feeling pain, their resistance to the elements and their ability to frighten other animal mounts made them quite useful at times.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

The crossbow (charkh) was an important weapon in the Middle East and the Greater Iranian region, just like in Europe. The composite design allowed for greater draw weight and penetrative power than even the powerful Turkish bow, while requiring much less training. Larger versions, similar to ancient scorpions, would be mounted on walls, and even on camelback, acting like field artillery.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

The "Quiver-bearers" of the Khishigten. There was 1000 of them in Chinggis Khan's Khisigten of 1206. This tradition of Quiver-bearer guards continued on, as Later Turcopersian Shahs elite guards are called "Gorchu" or " Qorchi"

Strengths & weaknesses

• Capable of both Melee and Ranged fighting

Description

PLACEHOLDER

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Ghazi could be best described as Holy Warriors acting to advance and protect the borders of Islam, manning the border forts (ribats) and joining offensive campaigns for loot and glory. The coming of the Turks into the Islamic world had a large impact on the Ghazi brotherhoods however, as they settled the borders and brought the fight to the Infidels with raids and skirmishes. The title of Ghazi even became an honorific title for the Seljuks and their successors.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Muttatawwi'a were volunteers who, much like the Ghazi, served the interests of Islam. Unlike Ghazi, Muttatawwi'a only joined for a campaign season.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

The proximity to India allowed Iranian dynasties to purchase elephants and use their terrifying force in battle. The Ghaznavids are best known for their great use of war elephants. Elephants were noted to have been part of the Khwarazmian groups that fought the Mongols.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Medieval Javan societies, like the Arabic Futuwwa and Turkish Ahi, were a cross between craftsmen guilds and military orders. They were organized as chivalrous brothers with strict moral codes, and their members would train as soldiers while also being important members of their communities, pledging their services to help build urban settlements and advancing the cause of Islam. Such soldiers sometimes made a great impression on the battlefield, like the Shia militia of the Sarbadars, who Timur thought so highly of that he recruited them after they surrendered.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Strong Tradition
• Easier to recruit due to Tradition

Description

Turkoman armies in the later medieval period still kept, for the most part, numerous aspects of tribal organization. Cavalry remained the largest contingent of Qara Qoyunlu and Aq Qoyunlu armed forces and the main 'regular' corps of such forces were Tirkash-band, 'quiver-bearers', horse archers mostly drawn from the settled turkish tribal societies.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Incendiary weapons became a mainstay of the battles during the Crusades, most importantly in siege warfare. Nafta grenades were the favoured weapons of the Muslims, even being imported all the way into India. Dedicated soldiers would be tasked with using such dangerous weapons and wear special coats less vulnerable to the flames.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Piyadegan was the general term for foot soldiers. Iranian infantry is mostly illustrated using spears or an assortment of one-handed weapons such as axes, maces and straight swords, along with round shields.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Strong Tradition
• Easier to recruit due to Tradition

Description

Muqti were iqta holders, and as such, soldiers who were assigned some administrative duties while owing military service in exchange for a tax-farming grant. As such, they formed part of the professional elite of the armies and also would often have to maintain and equip their own contingent of soldiers as part of their responsabilities.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Qullughchi were the armed servants of Pushandar (Man-at-Arms) in a Turcopersian Visak. Roughly comparable to a Coustillier serving to a Knight in an European Lance. According to Caterino Zeno, the Venetian diplomat to the court of Uzun Hasan of the Aq-Qoyunlu; stated that these servants were excellently mounted, equipped with cuirasses of polished iron, round shields, and sabres in battle. (Sabuhi Ahmadov, Knights in Azerbaijan, Article 4, 15th-17th centuries, IRS History, 2 (7) Summer 2014. pg. 47) (V. Minorsky, A Civil and Military Review in Fārs in 881/1476, Bulletin of the School of Oriental Studies, University of London, Vol. 10, No. 1 (1939),pp. 155, 164, 167)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

The Sipahsalar was a high ranking officer and lead large number of soldiers into battle. Battlefield commanders were traditionaly flanked by bodyguards ('jandars'). Such a figure's askar would probably be ghulaman, heavily armed and armoured, and most importantly, loyal.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Strong Tradition
• Easier to recruit due to Tradition

Description

Turkoman armies in the later medieval period still kept, for the most part, numerous aspects of tribal organization. Cavalry remained the largest contingent of Qara Qoyunlu and Aq Qoyunlu armed forces and the main 'regular' corps of such forces were Tirkash-band, 'quiver-bearers', horse archers mostly drawn from the settled turkish tribal societies.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Strong Tradition
• Easier to recruit due to Tradition

Description

The most famous soldiers of the Khwarazmian armies were the Turks that came from the Qangli and Qipchaq tribes of Khwarazm. With Tekesh's marriage to a princess of the Qangli nobility, Tekesh ensured himself a steady stream of well-disciplined and ferocious warriors. Pagan or nominally Muslim, these horsemen were the reason for the terrible reputation of the Khwarazmians amongst the conquered, looting and pillaging as they pleased.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Strong Tradition
• Easier to recruit due to Tradition

Description

The most famous soldiers of the Khwarazmian armies were the Turks that came from the Qangli and Qipchaq tribes of Khwarazm. With Tekesh's marriage to a princess of the Qangli nobility, Tekesh ensured himself a steady stream of well-disciplined and ferocious warriors. Pagan or nominally Muslim, these horsemen were the reason for the terrible reputation of the Khwarazmians amongst the conquered, looting and pillaging as they pleased.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Turkomans were a large part of the late era Iranian military, as tribes first formed a significant part of Timur's armies, but, most importantly, the later dynasties, that of the Qara Qoyunlu and the Aq Qoyunlu, were Turkoman confederations which greatly depended on tribes to provide soldiers for warfare. While most soldiers of these armies were mounted, a fair number of infantry were amongst these groups and miniatures of the Aq Qoyunlu period show foot soldiers of Turkoman origin, including some wielding large axes.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

These knights dominate both society and the battlefield in medieval Europe. Under the feudal system each man owes military service to his lord in return for protection, a grant of land, and the peasants to work it. Trained as warriors from birth, their favourite tactic is the headlong charge. Despite the simple tactics, their strong armour, heavy lances, and martial prowess mean that only the most resolute can resist them

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Knights would often dismount and fight on foot when the situation demanded it. Dismounted they make excellent heavy infantry.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

These knights dominate both society and the battlefield in medieval Europe. Under the feudal system each man owes military service to his lord in return for protection, a grant of land, and the peasants to work it. Trained as warriors from birth, their favourite tactic is the headlong charge. Despite the simple tactics, their strong armour, heavy lances, and martial prowess mean that only the most resolute can resist them

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Knights would often dismount and fight on foot when the situation demanded it. Dismounted they make excellent heavy infantry.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

"Half-brother, Double the fury" -- The Haldbrüder were full-fledged members of the Order, but ranked lower since they took only half the oath (they didn't take the chastity vow). Still, their zeal, fanatism and martial prowess match their higher ranking brothers. Being usually members of minor noble houses, they can afford horses and finely crafted armours, and as such serve as medium shock cavalry, trampling over lesser enemies while the Ritterbrüder engage the enemy elite troops. Since their armours aren't as heavy as the ones used by the Ritterbrüder, they are better at flanking the enemy and fighting against the fast Lithuanian cavalry.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

"I... do profess and promise chastity, giving up all property, and obedience to God and the Blessed Virgin Mary and to you...Master of the Teutonic Order, and to your successors, according to the Rules and Regulations of the Order. And I will be obedient to you, and to your successors, even unto death." -- The Ritterbrüder are the highest ranking members of the Teutonic Order, taking an additional vow of chastity: usually members of great German noble houses, these men fear no enemy, both in politics and on the battlefield. Armed and equipped with the finest products of the Empire's most renowned blacksmiths, the Ritterbrüder ride into battle atop powerful steeds, pride and joy of generations of breeding.Their charge can shatter all but the most stubborn pike formations, and usually their enemies don't even try to resist, breaking formation in a desperate attempt to flee their doom, only to be trampled upon by their stallions. The Ritterbrüder however aren't invincible, as all this armour makes their charge quite slow: as such, light skirmishers can safely shower them in arrows and javelins, only to retreat when the Ritterbrüder try to chase them. Thus, they must be supported by light troops, otherwise they might find themselves cornered and taken out one by one by a cunning foe.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

The first primitive gunpowder siege artillery, bombards were created in China and Western Europe in the early 14th century and spread to the rest of the world by the late 14th century. They are forged from bronze or iron, and designed to fire stone balls that crumble enemy defences.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Strong Tradition
• Easier to recruit due to Tradition

Description

PLACEHOLDER

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Camels were often used as beasts of burden for Iranian, Arabic, Turkish and Mongol armies, but they also found use as a battle mount. While not as reliable as horses as they would often run away when feeling pain, their resistance to the elements and their ability to frighten other animal mounts made them quite useful at times.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

The crossbow (charkh) was an important weapon in the Middle East and the Greater Iranian region, just like in Europe. The composite design allowed for greater draw weight and penetrative power than even the powerful Turkish bow, while requiring much less training. Larger versions, similar to ancient scorpions, would be mounted on walls, and even on camelback, acting like field artillery.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

The "Quiver-bearers" of the Khishigten. There was 1000 of them in Chinggis Khan's Khisigten of 1206. This tradition of Quiver-bearer guards continued on, as Later Turcopersian Shahs elite guards are called "Gorchu" or " Qorchi"

Strengths & weaknesses

• Capable of both Melee and Ranged fighting

Description

PLACEHOLDER

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Ghazi could be best described as Holy Warriors acting to advance and protect the borders of Islam, manning the border forts (ribats) and joining offensive campaigns for loot and glory. The coming of the Turks into the Islamic world had a large impact on the Ghazi brotherhoods however, as they settled the borders and brought the fight to the Infidels with raids and skirmishes. The title of Ghazi even became an honorific title for the Seljuks and their successors.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Muttatawwi'a were volunteers who, much like the Ghazi, served the interests of Islam. Unlike Ghazi, Muttatawwi'a only joined for a campaign season.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

The proximity to India allowed Iranian dynasties to purchase elephants and use their terrifying force in battle. The Ghaznavids are best known for their great use of war elephants. Elephants were noted to have been part of the Khwarazmian groups that fought the Mongols.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Medieval Javan societies, like the Arabic Futuwwa and Turkish Ahi, were a cross between craftsmen guilds and military orders. They were organized as chivalrous brothers with strict moral codes, and their members would train as soldiers while also being important members of their communities, pledging their services to help build urban settlements and advancing the cause of Islam. Such soldiers sometimes made a great impression on the battlefield, like the Shia militia of the Sarbadars, who Timur thought so highly of that he recruited them after they surrendered.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Strong Tradition
• Easier to recruit due to Tradition

Description

Turkoman armies in the later medieval period still kept, for the most part, numerous aspects of tribal organization. Cavalry remained the largest contingent of Qara Qoyunlu and Aq Qoyunlu armed forces and the main 'regular' corps of such forces were Tirkash-band, 'quiver-bearers', horse archers mostly drawn from the settled turkish tribal societies.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Incendiary weapons became a mainstay of the battles during the Crusades, most importantly in siege warfare. Nafta grenades were the favoured weapons of the Muslims, even being imported all the way into India. Dedicated soldiers would be tasked with using such dangerous weapons and wear special coats less vulnerable to the flames.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Piyadegan was the general term for foot soldiers. Iranian infantry is mostly illustrated using spears or an assortment of one-handed weapons such as axes, maces and straight swords, along with round shields.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Strong Tradition
• Easier to recruit due to Tradition

Description

Muqti were iqta holders, and as such, soldiers who were assigned some administrative duties while owing military service in exchange for a tax-farming grant. As such, they formed part of the professional elite of the armies and also would often have to maintain and equip their own contingent of soldiers as part of their responsabilities.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Renowned Unit
• Superior Capability

Description

A small Sufi Shia sect in Azerbaijan in the mid-15th century, the Safaviyya gained a foothold in Iranian politics when it received favour from Shah Uzun Hasan and the intermarriage between the royal family and their leader's gave them significant political clout. As the Aq Qoyunlu realm was collapsing to civil war, the young leader of the Safaviyya, Ismail, would forcefully take the capital of Tabriz and declare himself Shah. Throughout its existence, the Safaviyya would find support in a few Turkoman tribes, of which would come the armed wing of the sect, the Qizilbash, or 'red-headed', for the iconic headgear of the group.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Qullughchi were the armed servants of Pushandar (Man-at-Arms) in a Turcopersian Visak. Roughly comparable to a Coustillier serving to a Knight in an European Lance. According to Caterino Zeno, the Venetian diplomat to the court of Uzun Hasan of the Aq-Qoyunlu; stated that these servants were excellently mounted, equipped with cuirasses of polished iron, round shields, and sabres in battle. (Sabuhi Ahmadov, Knights in Azerbaijan, Article 4, 15th-17th centuries, IRS History, 2 (7) Summer 2014. pg. 47) (V. Minorsky, A Civil and Military Review in Fārs in 881/1476, Bulletin of the School of Oriental Studies, University of London, Vol. 10, No. 1 (1939),pp. 155, 164, 167)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

The Sipahsalar was a high ranking officer and lead large number of soldiers into battle. Battlefield commanders were traditionaly flanked by bodyguards ('jandars'). Such a figure's askar would probably be ghulaman, heavily armed and armoured, and most importantly, loyal.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Strong Tradition
• Easier to recruit due to Tradition

Description

Turkoman armies in the later medieval period still kept, for the most part, numerous aspects of tribal organization. Cavalry remained the largest contingent of Qara Qoyunlu and Aq Qoyunlu armed forces and the main 'regular' corps of such forces were Tirkash-band, 'quiver-bearers', horse archers mostly drawn from the settled turkish tribal societies.