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Kilij Arslan I, Sultan of Rum |  | ||
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older son of Seldjuk (Alp Arslan and the Great Seldjuks descended from Mikail, the younger son); Israil's son Kutulmus fought Alp Arslan for the throne but died accidentally (fell off his horse) during battle. His son, Suleyman (Kilij Arslan's father) was loyal to Alp Arslan and took over his Anatolian conquests as his lieutenant, eventually declaring himself Sultan, and marching against his cousin and former suzerain (now Malik Shah); his army was routed near Aleppo, and Suleyman, surrounded and unhorsed, took his own life. Kilij Arslan was at the time (1086) a hostage of Sultan Malik Shah, and was only freed upon the Sultan's death in 1092, when he lost no time in returning to his beleaguered and chaotic Sultanate. The young and energetic warlord soon put things in order only by restless activity, warfare, and even murder; he slew his own father-in-law Chaka, Emir of Smyrna, by his own hand while having dinner with him. Kilij was determined to rule alone in Asia Minor, and soon was at war with the Danishmend Melik Ghazi, who was to be his longtime rival. The First Crusade changed that relationship temporarily, as they joined forces to fight and lose to the Latins at Dorylaeum. Kilij Arslan saw his sultanate dismembered in the wake of the Crusade and spent the next few years reconquering the towns on the route from Nicaea to Tarsus and, with Melik Ghazi's help, crushing later Crusades. By 1104 his realm was secure and he could turn on his former allies, taking Melitine from the Danishmends a few months after Melik Ghazi's death; this and other successes fed his already voracious ambition, and soon he was at war with Mosul, which he entered bloodlessly in 1107. He commanded that his name be read in the Kutba in the place of the Great Seldjuk Mohammed's, and few had doubts that his intentions lay anywhere but where his ancestors' did. Soon a coalition was formed against him by Ridwan and the Ortoqids of the Jezireh, who were vassals of the Great Seldjuk. Their armies met Kilij Arslan's forces near Mosul, and the Sultan of Rum met the same fate of his father and grandfather; he was routed, and during flight fell into the river Habura and drowned. Like his own succession to the throne, his son Mesud was a minor and a captive, only gaining the Sultanate in 1116. Strategy-The Seldjuks of Rum have many opportunities for expansion and raiding, but also the corresponding number of close enemies. Military brute force is the best policy for the Rumi, picking on either the Hethoumians or Roupenians, one at a time. Only then can a serious war be waged against Byzantium, with the prospect of a port coming under your control. Timing is essential; taking on too many enemies at once will leave you isolated, and there are no easy alliances nearby. Consider partitioning the Roupenian lands in alliance with the Danishmenids, or threaten them into staying away. A war with them could lead to a war of extermination. Make sure you have grown and prepared sufficiently. | |||
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Iconium (Capitol) Cybistra Heraclea Tyana |
Livestock: 5/2 - Cybistra Horses: 6/3 - Tyana |
Special Rules Populace Level=6 Treasury at Start=14 besants "Poor Spies:" subtract 1 from all skullduggery rolls against Christians "Turcomen:" Roll 1d6 stands of free Lh each winter. Pay maintenance only if on friendly territory. Remove at the beginning of winter and roll for new stands. Place in capitol. "Variable income:" Roll 1d6 worth of bezant and add to treasury Forces at start- (from Force Pool) Cv (2), Lh (6), Ax (2), Ps (2) | |
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Generals at Start Kilij Arslan- Ruler; Initiative: 4, Loyalty: N/A (3) other Generals chosen randomly |
Advisors at Start Select all (4) Advisors randomly | ||
| Victory Conditions: Control a total of 35 Town Tax Value Points in the winter turn of any year. All towns conquered originally controlled by Danishmends worth double. | |||