The world of Crusade is made of factions. These are the three focus points for the game and are broken down in terms of faith for ease of reference.
It should be noted that though there are different factions within the three major faith factions, they are generally considered to have a cordial relationship. That is not to say that there are not certain tensions between them, and even serious disagreements. It would still take a good deal of effort however, to provoke those in a major faction into war against each other. Between the major factions of course, conflict may well arise easier.
(For more detail see The Crusader Kingdoms)
The Crusader Kingdoms have been recently founded (about 80 years ago) by Western Crusaders and encompass together most of the Holy Land. The Western rulers are in charge of a multicultural state, incorporating both Muslims and Orthodox Christians. The principal cities are Jerusalem and Antioch, and there are a large number of others, as well as fertile lands.
As recent conquerors, the nearby Muslim states are potentially the greatest and most dangers enemies and relations with all three are usually strained.
The Crusaders themselves are usually hardy, adventurous and keen to ensure the success of such a profitable venture!
(For more detail see The Western Kingdoms)
The Western Kingdoms, primarily England, France, Germany and Sicily, are the major political players in the West. Although they may have their own disputes back home, they are usually co-operative with regard to the Holy Land and driving back of the Islamic states. As it takes a very long while, and plenty of complicated administration, to get an army intact all the way over to the Eastern Mediterranean, major expeditions, in the form of Crusades, are attractive to Western Kings and Lords.
Since the Crusader Kingdoms were created by such a venture, the prospect of earning a Kingdom is very attractive. Potential enemies will of course include the Islamic states, but Byzantium could also be considered a hindrance if they chose to hamper a Crusade's passage through their lands.
(For more detail see The Military and Monastic Orders)
The Military and Monastic Orders are a faction covering most of the Catholic world in some form, their bases are in cities across Western Europe and the Crusader Kingdoms. The Military Orders are in some way dedicated to furthering Christian goals in the Holy Land - the preservation of pilgrimage rights for Christians and their safety, and defence against any Muslim invasions primary amongst them. They are soldiers first and foremost.
The Monastic Orders see themselves as direct servants of God and may travel the world spreading his Word, doing good works, or expanding their order. They are also agents of the Catholic Church and may be skilled diplomats and spies.
(For more detail see The Roman Empire of Byzantium)
The Eastern Roman 'Byzantine' Empire, is the remainder of the Roman Empire that once spanned the entire Mediterranean. Though only a quarter of its former size, it is a bastion of civilisation, learning and… bureaucracy and politics. Part of the decline and revival it has been witnessing has made the Empire a more complicated place. It is known for its spies, diplomats and schemers, and one has to have a good grasp of all those to get anywhere in the Empire.
Its capital, Constantinople is located between the Black Sea and Mediterranean and the majority of its territory lies in what is modern-day Turkey. Its neighbours are all potential enemies, though often a quiet word and a chest of gold has kept them at bay - the Latin states are as much of a threat as the Muslim states and the Byzantines must be wary at all times.
(For more detail see The Kingdom of Georgia)
The Kingdom of Georgia, located in the Caucasus between the Black and Caspian seas, is a fast growing Kingdom. Having expanded through victory in wars and careful selection of allies and clients, it is now looking to enter the arena of the larger nations.
Its people are excellent crafters and builders, for they have built this Kingdom from almost nothing, and they have their fair share of pious priests. As a new entrant to the great trade routes, the Kingdom's merchants are hoping to enter the stagnant markets with a bang.
There are no significant enemies that Georgia faces, though the Rus and Seljuk Turks are not likely to allow further expansion into their spheres of influence without a fight.
(For more detail see The Principalities of Rus)
The Rus have only recently become an important factor in the known world, mostly through their skills as excellent fighters, hardened by the northern climes. Coming from the lands of modern Ukraine, Belarus and Western Russia, they are barbarians, merchants and monks by turn, and nobody can quite agree whether they are truly civilised.
There can be little doubt that they can fight, and win, as numerous Rus mercenaries have shown and their relations with both Byzantium and Georgia, and the Holy Land itself through trade, has thrust them into the complicated politics of the area.
Their main enemies tend to be other Rus principalities and surrounding tribes and they can present themselves as more impartial to the conflicts of the Middle East.
(For more detail see The Ayyubid Dynasty of Egypt and Syria)
The Ayyubid Caliphate of Egypt and Syria is the singular achievement of one Salah al-Din, who has revitalised and reformed the remnants of earlier Muslim states of the area. Now he has under his command the civilised and academic world of Muslim Egypt and the great Mamluk warriors, making him a force to contend with.
Salah al-Din and his generals have shown themselves to be excellent strategists and in combination with an effective fighting force, they are capable of matching their main enemies of the Crusader Kingdoms.
Yet much effort is devoted in the Caliphate to study, research and the advancement of knowledge. As the protectors of the remnants of the Library of Alexandria and successors to the civilisations of Egypt, Greece and Rome, the Ayyubids are very much the patrons of scholars.
(For more detail see The Seljuk Empire)
The Seljuk Empire of the Turks, once extending from the Hindu Kush to the Mediterranean and Agean Sea, is now a rump, located north of Syria and mourning its past glories. The hopes of once more ascending to glory are ever present among the Turks, the descendants of the great horse-peoples of the Far East. They are determined warriors and have contended against the might of both Byzantium and the Crusader Kingdoms - though ultimately defeated, they have not forgotten their skills.
As a broken nation, the Seljuks are keener than ever to reforge themselves and reacquire the Empire at the expense of their neighbours.
(For more detail see Arabia)
The Great Arabia, the Long Desert, the Mystery. The birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the Muslim faith and mother to the armies that conquered half the world.
Arabia, Land of a Thousand Tales. The theatre of war, vengeance and conquest, as all try to recreate the past glories.
Arabia, the Thirsty Land, where the simple matter of survival is a heroic task for many.
Encompassed within the Arabian Peninsula are a great many Bedouin tribes of hardy warriors, cities of magnificence, a great number of cruel rulers and everyday heroes and a will to tell the stories of each man and woman.