This may be my new favorite faction.
Forst off, the colors are great, make for a beautiful battle scene and even their pretty clothes make good lawn ornaments once they have passed away.
Next, the start position offers lucrative trade, a few options for expansion and a while to get your bearings before you have to worry about competition for anything.
Third, I was skeptical and thought this was going to be another rank and file, 'filler' desert infantry faction, but they have great, cheap sword infantry, light, mobile archers and good all around infantry options and then they save that right hook heavy cavalry for the KO. This combined with pretty swift access to good units gives them at least a foohold to defend against the mongol hordes, but with my armored/ Persian spearmen I am looking forward to some good battles.
Well done King Kong and everyone who helped put these guys on the map. France was my long-time favorite and these are a perfect Eastern counterpart to change up my style of play. I could not cheapen this sentiment by relegating this as a response to an existing post.
Wonderful, wonderful job.