Medieval Kingdoms Total War: The Ilkhanate Mongols

[Dontfearme22]

[A Note: This roster is still WIP and will be progressively updated over time with new units]

The Il-Khanate, House of Hulegu Khan


The Mongol onslaught of the Near East must have seemed to have been a sudden typhoon of destruction to its inhabitants. When Genghis Khan, then yet another steppe warlord, declared war on Khwarazmian in 1218, little could the Shah have known that this warlord and his descendants would eventually bury all of Asia in a wave of conquest. By the end of the 13th century, Mongol armies would sweep from Korea to Hungary, and the mighty Ayyubid Empire would crumble as its capital Baghdad would be razed in 1258. A alien horde of Mongolian horsemen, backed with strange eastern siege weapons and mercenaries at first; the army of the Ilkhanates would soon reflect the heritage of those nations it had so thoroughly crushed in the first conquests. In the empire of Hulegu Khan, every nation is welcome if they pay homage to the Mongols, every soldier is given a place in the Khans army. Persian infantry fight alongside Armenian Christian mercenaries, sheltered by the arrows of Turkic and Mongol archers as Chinese engineers haul great war machines behind them.

The Ilkhanate itself lasted from 1256 to the mid 14th century, disintegrating into a mess of Persian and Turkic confederations before the next great empire would conquer them. Despite this, given the 3 tier system in place for this mod I have given the Ilkhanate a second chance, a Tier 3 roster representing the 15th century Ilkhanate armies as if it had never fallen, and hopefully in the campaign, you the player will be able to ensure the Khanates survival.

For this roster, I have broken the tiers into three general categories based on the overall army composition of that period:

Tier 1 [1200s]: This represents the initial Mongolian horde that swept through Persia under Hulegu Khan in 1255. It is at its core not too far removed from the armies that first roared out of the deep steppe under Genghis Khan himself, decades earlier, with some additions reflecting the cosmopolitan nature of the Mongols new empire. Great masses of Mongolian horse archers and lancers are backed with conscripted levies of captured soldiers, Persian infantry, and Caucasian soldiers from Armenia and Georgia.

Tier 2 [1300s]: The Ilkhanate is the sole owner of Persian, and under the rule of cultured leaders such as Ghazan Khan the army becomes more complex, more sedentary, and more assimilated with native military traditions. The core forces of Mongol horsemen remain, but even more Persian soldiers accompany, as true soldiers rather than whipped up mass levies. Feudal Islamic cavalry add a thunderous punch to the army, as well as regiments of handgunners and grenadiers.

Tier 3 [1400s]: In this reconstruction, the Ilkhanate army resembles much that of the ruthless Tamerlame. Turco-Mongol cavalry swarm the field around a shimmering mass of heavily armored Central Asian infantry. Half-Plate knights, clad in exotic blends of western and eastern armor charge at full tilt ahead of new mercenary forces of Turkoman nomads, drawn from the rising tribal confederations to the north and east.

Work Progress (subject to updates):
Tier 1 [visually finished, semi-balanced]
Tier 2 [visually finished, unbalanced]
Tier 3 [visually finished, unbalanced]


Tier 1:
Hulagu Khan:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Generals Bodyguard:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Keshiq:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Armenian Footmen:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Georgian Infantry:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Tazik Levy:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Persian Foot Soldiers (Early):

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Tammas:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Kharash:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Persian Foot Archers (Early):

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Turkic Archers:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Qaraghul:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Mongol Lancers:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Mongol Heavy Lancers (Early):

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Turkish Heavy Horse Archers:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Horse Archers:

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Heavy Horse Archers (Early):

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Nafta Throwers:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Catapults:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Tier 2:

Ilkhanate Tier 2:

Ghazan Khan:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Generals Bodyguard (High):

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Shahzagadan Guard:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Persian Foot Soldiers (High):

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Persian Foot Archers (High):

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Handgunners:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Tabhgur:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Iqta Knights:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Turkic Horsemen:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Persian Cavalry (High):

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Turkic Cavalry:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Heavy Horse Archers (High):

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Mongol Heavy Lancers (High):

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Tier 3:
Baghatut Guard:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Persian Foot Soldiers (Late):

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Turco-Mongol Footmen:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Persian Foot Archers (Late):

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Persian Heavy Archers:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Handgunners (Late):

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Siege Crossbowmen:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Mongol Heavy Lancers (Late):

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Tarkhan:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Persian Cavalry (Late):

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Chagatai Cavalry:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Turcoman Cavalry:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Heavy Horse Archers (Late):

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

War Elephants:

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Cannons:

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It should be said, some units will be avaliable between tiers, mostly the Turkish units specifically. I have placed units in the tier in which I intend for them to first appear, which is why Tier 1 might seem dis proportionally large, several units in it will carry over.






A final note on Research:
I pride myself, and have always prided myself on sticking to historical accuracy, regardless of project. Now, when I took this on I knew very little about the Ilkhanate itself, and had to build that required level of knowledge quite quickly.
I am fully aware I might have made mistakes, errors, ignored vital data pertaining to parts of the period. It is quite possible, and you as a viewer are welcome to take me up on that.
I simply put forth the requirement if you criticize my units presented here from a historical perspective,
you back it up with strong period evidence as proof.
I am very willing to make changes based on accuracy, and I can provide some of my own sources I used for research at request through a PM.

Changelog
- basically improved everything
Credits:
Ltd - models and answering many, many questions
Slytacular - models and endless help and assistance
Warman - Being a very helpful lead developer and constructing the framework this whole project rests on

[Filips Augustus]

Dude I hereby declare my love to you! This is so awesome, can't wait for tier 2 and 3!

[finix]

Only one thing seems out of place - emblems on shields Georgian Auxiliaries and Armenian Footmen seems to have reversed. The lion with cross is emblem of Armenians from Cilicia, and Cross with four smaller crosses is emblem of Georgians.
I think you should swap emblemes on shields or change their names. Or I wrong?

[Dom1no]

Good work! Can't wait for tier 2 and 3

[Heisenburrg]

Perfect so far, keep going

[You_Guess_Who]

Question:

Is the Keshiq can be used as an alternate General Bodyguard unit? The Keshiq themselves ARE bodyguards first. So, Ilkhanate generals can pick whether they'll keep their generals at range using the Horse Archer Bodyguard, or leading from the front using the Keshiq.

Also, shouldn't Persian and Turkic archers use Composite Bows instead of short selfbows?

Perhaps there are some more suitable sword models for the Persian inf - those models are originally from R2 for Celtic units.

[Dontfearme22]

Question:

Is the Keshiq can be used as an alternate General Bodyguard unit? The Keshiq themselves ARE bodyguards first. So, Ilkhanate generals can pick whether they'll keep their generals at range using the Horse Archer Bodyguard, or leading from the front using the Keshiq.

Also, shouldn't Persian and Turkic archers use Composite Bows instead of short selfbows?

Perhaps there are some more suitable sword models for the Persian inf - those models are originally from R2 for Celtic units.

The Keshiq are there as a alternate choice, so you can either have that heavy cavalry or the ranged unit.

You had pointed that bug about the bows out before but I had forgotten to fix it before i went on my short hiatus, i'll resolve that immediately. As for the swords, period images show straight swords for a lot of infantry, but i'll change it to something more appropriate.

@finix you are correct, I double checked the definitions and it seems I actually switched the screenshots for the two units. No inaccuracy there, just a minor formatting error.

--Edit--

Made requested changes, have yet to update screenshots for Turkic Archers / Persian Archers / Persian Foot Soldiers

[Kjertesvein]

This looks very solid. I looove that we're able to send in civilians into battle. It gives a bit of variety to the rosters and creates a different dynamic. Thumbs up!

Do you have any hopes and dreams for how these guys will be portrayed from turn 1? The standard 'Attila' -faction model already there or something different? For example, where they're going to spawn, how many stacks, what kind of 'buildings' or what ever you decide to put there? What about their technology tree?

~Wille

[Dontfearme22]

This looks very solid. I looove that we're able to send in civilians into battle. It gives a bit of variety to the rosters and creates a different dynamic. Thumbs up!

Do you have any hopes and dreams for how these guys will be portrayed from turn 1? The standard 'Attila' -faction model already there or something different? For example, where they're going to spawn, how many stacks, what kind of 'buildings' or what ever you decide to put there? What about their technology tree?

~Wille

I honestly couldn't even guess, campaign is not something I am concerning myself with at the immediate time, and I don't want to say anything now that might be contradicted later on. Sorry about that

[Kjertesvein]

I honestly couldn't even guess, campaign is not something I am concerning myself with at the immediate time, and I don't want to say anything now that might be contradicted later on. Sorry about that

Ok. That's understandable.

Will there be any attempt to include possibly a greek or latin presence within the Mongol army? They included soldiers from the regions who submitted, and I would assume this tradition would continue, had they made progress into the west. I've heard some vague mentions that the Greeks and Principality of Antioch were allied in some way. Is this something you've come across?

​~Wille

[Dontfearme22]

Ok. That's understandable.

Will there be any attempt to include possibly a greek or latin presence within the Mongol army? They included soldiers from the regions who submitted, and I would assume this tradition would continue, had they made progress into the west. I've heard some vague mentions that the Greeks and Principality of Antioch were allied in some way. Is this something you've come across?

​~Wille

I haven't found much interaction between the Ilkhanate and the Latin / Greek areas beyond some passing correspondences between the Khans and western leaders, although undoubtedly trade and small-scale contact occurred. Also, the Ilkhanate itself didn't seem to have had control over Anatolia long enough to really absorb lots of local culture, but I am unsure about that; it seems to have been lost after the initial Mongol blitzkrieg under outside pressure. (as I said, unsure).

What is very clear is the deep Mongol presence in the Caucasus. I would go so far as to say for much of the Ilkhanates early conquests a plurality to majority of its armies were drawn from Christian nations like Armenia and Georgia, in addition to whatever local levies were gathered up. Since there was, from what I can tell artistically, still lingering byzantine influence in Georgia and Armenia and other European styles, which is what probably led to any Latin / Greek visual elements in the Ilkhanate armies.

[zsimmortal]

I haven't found much interaction between the Ilkhanate and the Latin / Greek areas beyond some passing correspondences between the Khans and western leaders, although undoubtedly trade and small-scale contact occurred. Also, the Ilkhanate itself didn't seem to have had control over Anatolia long enough to really absorb lots of local culture, but I am unsure about that; it seems to have been lost after the initial Mongol blitzkrieg under outside pressure. (as I said, unsure).

What is very clear is the deep Mongol presence in the Caucasus. I would go so far as to say for much of the Ilkhanates early conquests a plurality to majority of its armies were drawn from Christian nations like Armenia and Georgia, in addition to whatever local levies were gathered up. Since there was, from what I can tell artistically, still lingering byzantine influence in Georgia and Armenia and other European styles, which is what probably led to any Latin / Greek visual elements in the Ilkhanate armies.

Well, Antioch was a vassal-state to the Il-Khans and participated, alongside military order members from Armenia, in the Mongol campaigns in Syria. I'm not sure how many latin soldiers actually participated Third Homs as vassals, but there were contingents from Crusader states there.

[Filips Augustus]

I noticed that the units don't have banner carriers, like the other factions have. Will they have them in the future?

[Dontfearme22]

I noticed that the units don't have banner carriers, like the other factions have. Will they have them in the future?

Hopefully. The Ilkhanate had some very distinctive flags in addition to the infamous Mongolian Tug Banners (the horsehair umbrella on a spear), and I wanted to wait till I had those all laid out and finished before adding them in. They are honestly lower priority compared to everything else, but they are on my mind.

[Filips Augustus]

That would be very unique! Never seen that before in another mod, eagerly awaiting the results .

[Visarion]

CIlician Armenians had good relations with Jerusalem and Cyprus especially but you must take in account that Antioch was inhabited mostly by Armenians and Greeks. The Saracens executed about 40-50,000 Armenians after capturing Antioch. This happened since the time of Tigranes and his conquests south. Because the Kwarezmians joined the Ayyubids and created havoc in Sinai, Palaestina and Jerusalem I am quite confident that the Antiocheans like their kinsmen north, the Cilicians asked the Mongols for help, especially because they were enemies to the Seljuk subjugators as well as to the Kwarezmians.

[Dontfearme22]

CIlician Armenians had good relations with Jerusalem and Cyprus especially but you must take in account that Antioch was inhabited mostly by Armenians and Greeks. The Saracens executed about 40-50,000 Armenians after capturing Antioch. This happened since the time of Tigranes and his conquests south. Because the Kwarezmians joined the Ayyubids and created havoc in Sinai, Palaestina and Jerusalem I am quite confident that the Antiocheans like their kinsmen north, the Cilicians asked the Mongols for help, especially because they were enemies to the Seljuk subjugators as well as to the Kwarezmians.

I haven't looked into that area specifically, but I would believe it. As I said, its all entirely plausible and quite likely, I just haven't yet found say, some art that shows latin-style soldiers among Mongol forces, or a document listing Frankish units in a Ilkhanate army. Probably out there, I just haven't seen it.

[Nelduin]

Awesome work, well done Dontfearme.

[MartinJ51]

A thing to remember is that during the absolute height of the Mongol Empire, a very special man was its leader: Kublai Khan (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kublai_Khan)! He modernized their empire, integrated many cultures and religions far beyond of what any previous khan had ever done.
During his reign (1260-1294) they invaded Korea, Song China (biggest challenge for the mongols probably), Tibet and Burma plus a failed invasion attempt of Japan. Several internal disputes led to battles between mongols as well, HUGE battles with hundred of thousands of combatants.
Point being, this was probably the most important era of the Mongol Empire since Djingis Khan so this period should also be highlighted in some way. In my opinion it would be nice with a bit more Chinese influences of the army. Some footsoldiers would be nice and siege equipment since the mongols did engage in many siege battles.

http://www.forensicfashion.com/files...orIrving01.jpg
http://projectfandom.com/wp-content/...Marco-Polo.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CS_d2XSVAAAuz2i.jpg

Also the mongols used gunpowder which made them unmatched when it came to sieges, something the horse riding nomads NEVER had been good at before. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_gunpowder
They used them especially in old China but it was also used somewhat in eastern Europe as in the battle of Mohi: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle...r_and_firearms

So it is proper to add some form of cannons to both the Golden Horde and the Mongol Empire.

[StephenCZ]

You did a perfect job. They look really great.

PS: Yeah, I am writing these like some kind of crazy person so I will be finally able to edit my posts and send private messages. Also these guys always need some more appreciation for their work.