Andalusia

Andalusia is a sultanate spanning most of Iberia. It is the regional power and also, the most powerful country in Europe. Umayyad rulers of Andalusia also claim the title of Caliphs, making them the political and religious successors to the prophet Muhammad and leaders of the Muslim world.

## Andalusian Ideas

### Traditions

Morale of Armies: +15.0% Ship Trade Power: +25.0%

### Farfanes

Cavalry Combat Ability: +15.0%Cavalary Shock: +1.00

### Jund Settlements

National Manpower Modifier: 15.0% Core-Creation Cost: -15.0%

### Caliph's Authority

Diplomatic Reputation: +1.00 Improve Relations: +15.0%

### Ambition

Goods Produced Modifier: +10.0%

As of 1444, the country is facing internal turmoil caused by the Andalusian Crusade.

## **Lore**

The Iberian Peninsula was conquered by the Umayyads
in year 711. The Berber and Arabic armies quickly defeated the weakened Visigothic
Kingdom and brought most of Iberia under their control. Their triumph against
the Visigoths encouraged them to march north, into the land of the Franks. What
seemed like a promising military campaign turned into a complete disaster
during the Battle of Tours. The decisive Frankish victory forced the Umayyad
armies to withdraw from Francia. Their victory halted the Muslim expansion in
Europe and led to an everlasting rivalry between Francia and the Muslim rulers
of Iberia.

While
the Umayyads in Iberia were consolidating their rule, the Umayyad Caliphate
based around Damascus and Harran was overthrown during the so called Abassid
revolution of 750. Most of the princes who were the descendants of the last
Caliph were massacred in the aftermath of the revolution. Only the young prince
Abd al-Rahman managed to escape the Abassids and fled to Iberia. There, with
the help of those still loyal to the Umayyads, he managed to seize power and
became the Sultan of Andalusia.

In 912,
his descendat, Abd al-Rahman III became the ruler. His reign marked the
beginning of a golden age for Al-Andalus. The country became the center of
science, law and education. During this period, Abd al-Rahman III declared
himself the rightful Caliph in the face of the falling Abassids. He also built
the palace complex of Medina Azhara, was exceptionally tolerant towards the
Christian and Jewish population of Iberia and was trying to keep good relations
with other European powers.

The
centuries following his reign were the centuries of prosperity and growth.
Andalusia only faced minor conflicts against the Franks and the Christian
Iberian Kingdoms in the north. This amounted to minor territorial exchanges and
monetary payments. Al-Andalus did not experience any major conflicts, until
very recently.

In 1443, the treacherous Franks and their
subjects formed a coalition against Andalusia. With the blessing of the Pope
himself, they crossed the Pyrenees and launched a crusade for Iberia. The scale
of the conflict was something that the region did not experience in centuries.
The northern regions of Andalusia were devastated by the wrath of the
crusaders. The crusade culminated in the Battle of Balansiyah, where our armies
clashed with the Frankish army led by the Emperor himself. The battle turned
out to be a disaster for the Franks. Both their Emperor and his son, the only
successor, were killed. Losses on both sides were so heavy that this pyrrhic
victory for Andalusia marked the end of the crusade, as both sides were unable
to continue fighting.

Now that the fighting is over, we must recover
from this disaster and hope for the better days ahead.

### **Missions**

Andalusia has 32 unique missions dealing with expansion into Africa, fighting back the Franks and colonization.