FACTION PREVIEW: The Abbasid Caliphate
THE ABBASID CALIPHATE
Centred upon the fabled and prosperous city of Baghdad the Abbasid Caliphate is well past its zenith. Once presiding over a vast empire stretching from North Africa to Central Asia these self-proclaimed descendents of the Prophet Muhammad have been gradually overtaken by new and powerful tribes and kingdoms. Having first lost their eastern holdings to the Ghaznavids and Egypt to the Fatimids the Abbasids have since been under the domination of the mightiest of Turkish empires, the Great Seljuks. The Seljuks having overtaken former Abbasid lands have reduced the Caliphate to mere symbolic status. But a new dawn is rising. The new Caliph An Nasir is an ambitious man and has declared his sovereignty and independence from the waning power of the Seljuks. With the rich and prosperous city of Baghdad and Mesopotamia under his control he has set a new course for his dynasty and may yet bring back the glorious days of Harun al Rashid and when the title Caliph truly meant dominion over all the believers...
CAMPAIGN MAP
As the Abbasid Caliphate you will start with 3 settlements. The fabled and rich city and capital of Baghdad centred in the middle of Iraq filled with fertile lands and excellent trading and governance structures. The Caliph's fortress of Wasit is situated in the south where all military matters are governed from. And on the Persian Gulf coast lies the bustling port town of Basra.
The Abbasids occupy a position that boasts promise, prominence and danger in equal measure. Far west lies the embattled Muslim kingdoms of Egypt and Damascus that have been engaged in warfare with each other and the infidel Latins. It would be wise to make alliances with Egypt to offset any resurgent power from Syria. To the north and east lie the powerful but weakened empire of the Seljuks. However there are many rebel Seljuk states to the north west and in Arabia, the new Caliphate would be wise to secure Mosul and the Arabian gulf swiftly. Beyond the crumbling domains of the Seljuks lies the rising power of the Khwarezm - perhaps common cause can be made against the Seljuks. And beyond the Khwarezm lie the wild barbarous steppes of the pagan infidels - unblessed and uncivilized savages who mean little to the destiny of the Caliphate of course...
Strengths
- Good mix of missile, infantry and cavalry -
- Strong and Professional Abna and Faris forces -
- Starts with the rich and prosperous city of Baghdad with its rich mercanary pool -
Weaknesses
- Lacks any overriding strengths -
- Lacks any strong early heavy infantry-
- Lacks native light horse archers -
UNITS
Bedouin Spearmen: Despite the dominance of the Turks in the military affairs of the Middle East, the very Desert Arabs who brought forth Islam into this region still find service in the armies of the region. Lightly armed and armored, they none the less form an aggressive and hearty group of warriors.
Bedouin Archers: Even as the Lance has remained the quintessentially Arabic weapon, the bow has always been revered amongst the Arabs even before the Turks Arrival. Muhammad was to have said "The angels attend no human sport except archery.", and these Bedouin Archers do not let down such Angels that come to watch.
Bedouin Camels: Although the Horse has been the steed upon which the Islamic world grew, camels had played no small part in the Caliphate's expansion. These Bedouin ride beasts as hearty as themselves, but are best used as a light harasser cavalry.
Nubian Spearmen: Brought originally as slave labourers for the massive plantations and farms of mesopotamia these Nubians have found employment in the service of the Caliph as medium spearmen. Discplined and hardened by the harsh conditions and training these soldiers can be counted on for their loyalty and discpline - especially being so far from home.
Nubian Archers: Brought originally as slave labourers for the massive plantations and farms of mesopotamia these Nubians have found employment in the service of the Caliph as skilled archers. Their skill and discpline only bolsters their native traditions of hunting and archery.
Kurdish Javelinmen: Though Kurds are most known for their swordsmanship, the lesser members of the tribe may seek the glory and success found in war by fighting as nimble skirmishers. Though preferring to fight at a distance, upon the flank or in uneven terrain they have no qualms with closing in with wicked sword and scowl.
Arab Tribal Warriors: The Arab considers himself and his ilk swordsmen and horsemen without peer. Hubris or honesty, it would be prudent for those not well armored to challenge them to battle, for if not the very best, these Tribal Arabs are certainly skilled swordsmen to take heed of.
Arab Tribal Cavalry: Though most Arabs prefer to wield the spear on horseback, these Tribal Arabs, perhaps from inspiration by the Kurds, choose to fight not as light lancers but as light harassers, their skill with the sword hardly, if not at all, diminished as they ride their fast steeds.
Faris Horse Archers: While the arrival and dominance of the Turcoman Horse Archer has given Horse-Archery a Turkish face, it was only the tribal Turks who followed such traditions. Professional cavalry including Ghulams practiced a style of horse-archery with deeply rooted origins in the Middle East, known as 'Shower shooting', in which units of horsemen in close order shot volleys at a quick rate, seeking to shower arrows upon an advancing enemy. The fact that Muslim cavalry were expected to be competent with both the lance and the bow, as in earlier periods, is a testament to the fact that the lance, sword, and bow were very much equals in the Arab view.
Dismounted Faris Archers: Dismounting to fight has always been part of the Arab tradition, and these Faris Archers live up to this lack of a bias against fighting on foot. Capable of putting more power behind their shots, and engaging in melee if the battle demands it, these dismounted archers are far from being as fragile as many a turcoman would be, would they not have a horse beneath them.
Faris Axemen: Though fighting on horseback has always been a mark of status amongst the Arabs, as in most parts of the world, there has been a long-spanning tradition of Arab Cavalry willing to dismount and fight in ranks on foot as effectively as they would on horseback. These Faris Axemen continue such a tradition, wielding a wicked horsemen's axe and shield, fighting on foot as they do on horseback - as a unit, not as individuals.
Faris Lancers: Faris Lancers are a cavalrymen steeped in history as much as the Turkish horse archer. Though theirs is an ancestry only a few hundred years old, it was these armored Arabian cavalrymen which led the charge of the Crescent across the Middle East and Africa. The keen edge of the lances which thrust at Sassanian and Byzantine forces centuries ago has not lost its edge, and the hearts of these free men, not slave-warriors, will not skip a beat of the fire in their ancestor's hearts.
Abna Infantry: The most prestigious of the Abbasid Infantry Corps, the Abna were based in Baghdad, and though typically armored could and would fight without cuirass or even shield if their service to the Caliph demanded it. Armed for defensive as well as offensive purposes, these Abna Infantry affiliate with the latter, arming themselves with javelin and mace to defend against infantry, or to lead the assault.
Abna Heavy Spearmen: Trained to maintain ranks behind their pikes however hard the enemy pressed until the moment came for the Abna Infantry to attack, these heavy Spearmen may well conjure up images of Hellenistic phalanxes, in their role as the rock upon which the enemy sea shall crash.
Caliph's Guard: These armoured cavalry are a reflection of both the power of the Caliph - commander of all believers - and the prosperity of Iraq. Donned with the finest armour the coffers of Baghdad can afford these elite heavy cavalry hold the inspirational banners of the prophet and an equally powerful charge.
Dismounted Caliph's Guard: Though these protectors of the Caliphate normally fight mounted they can also make for powerful heavy infantry when dismounted and ready to do the Caliph's bidding. Armed with mace and shield these champions and guardians can take on the heaviest opponents.
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Re: Faction Preview: The Abbasid Caliphate
) previews coming to a TWC front page near you. 
Originally Posted by The Mongol
