My civ concept series 12: The Somalis

Hi all! After the Georgians (https://www.reddit.com/r/aoe2/comments/nk7uph/my\_civ\_concept\_series\_11\_the\_georgians/), next civ will be the Somalis, the third African civ in my concepts. Today we reach half of the civ concepts I wanted to present to you!

The oldest mosque in Africa (7th century) is located in Somaliland (Zeila). Thus we can have an idea on how early Muslim migrations took place in the Horn of Africa. In the 9th century, the Somali people were divided in 4 major powers: The Adal Kingdom (Somaliland), the Sultanate of Showa (Eastern Ethiopia), the Sultanate of Mogadishu (Northeastern Somalia) and the Tunni Sultanate (Southern Somalia).

Yusuf bin Ahmad al-Kawneyn (a Muslim saint) was born in Zeila (Adal Kingdom) in the 12th century. He is believed to be the founder and ancestor of the royal family known as the Walashma Dynasty, which later governed both the Ifat Sultanate and the Adal Sultanate during the Middle Ages. Ifat first emerged when Umar ibn Dunya-huz, later to be known as Sultan Umar Walashma, conquered the Sultanate of Showa against Christian Emperor Yekuno Amlak. After Ifat was founded a war against Christian Abyssinia (1320) started, which ended with a Christian victory 95 years later! The limits of Abyssinia Ethiopian Empire can today be seen in how Ethiopia seems to have invaded part of Somalia, but not the coastal areas, nor its capital, Zeila. The rest of the Ifat Sultanate (mostly Somaliland) was again renamed Adal Sultanate, and successfully resisted further expansion of the Abyssinian. Then 15th and 16th centuries would see how the Adal Sultanate, supported by the Ottoman Empire, could not expand to Abyssinian (Ethiopian) lands, who were supported by the Portuguese. It was a time when matchlocks, muskets and cannons effectively replaced traditional weapons.

Regarding the other two Sultanates, it seems that the origin of Mogadishu as a Sultanate is when Arab and Persian migrants mixed with “dark-skinned” natives. According to chronicles, the Sultan was of Barbara origin, a word that evolved to “Berber”, but was used by Arabs to speak of Somali people. Mogadishu was a very rich and powerful city, experts in trading, since archaeological excavations have found coins from Vietnam, Song dynasty and Sri Lanka. The Tunni also mixed with Muslims, but didn’t form a big city. They were first nomadic people, and then farmers, who were in permanent alliance, only fighting against foreigners. In the early 13th century, the Garen family, who had emigrated from Somali Ethiopia, gained power, established the Ajuran Sultanate and added all the eastern part of Somalia (including the Tunni) into their lands.

Ajuran Sultanate is regarded as a hydraulic Empire, and dominated the trade in the Western zone of the Indian Ocean. They also left an Architectural legacy, with especial ability in fortress building, which were called Qalcads. The longest war of the Sultanate was against the Portuguese colonialism, which started in 1507, when the Portuguese armada attacked and sacked the city of Barawa. They could not however establish a permanent government there, as they had done in Southeastern Africa (Alfonso de Albuquerque 3), due to rebellions. They also attacked Mogadishu, but were unsuccessful to conquer the city, in part thanks to the Ottoman Empire’s aid. The combined forces of the Somali and the Ottoman would also defy the Portuguese supremacy in the Indian Ocean during next decades.

Regarding the civ balance, the Somali get bonuses for Stone mining, because there’s a great recording of Somali Architecture made of stone, which of course was mined in the land. The defensive nature of the Kingdoms/Sultanates, who had to face invasions from land and water, is shown in bonuses for Castles and Houses. Since the navy was very strong, even defying the Portuguese, their main warship (Galleys) have been granted with another bonus, with a defensive one for water maps.

The unique unit is an anti-infantry camel unit. There’s a bit of interpretation and a bit of reality on this unit. Camels were of course used by Eastern African civilizations, and of course, the spear was a common weapon for riders. For me, since camels are first “counter units” and, in this case, Somali are regarded as defensive, I turned them into anti-infantry camels. The Castle Age unique tech is an interpretation of the siege of Barawa by the Portuguese in 1506, in which the city resisted all Portuguese attempts to seize it. The Imperial Age Unique Tech refers to the fights of Somaliland cavalry against neighbor Ethiopian Kingdoms, which were in open land, thus appropriate for cavalry warfare.

Somalis: Naval and Defensive civilization

- Stone mining upgrades are free

- Stone mines last 30% longer

- Castles get +1 range

- Galley-line get +1 attack in Castle Age and +1 attack in Imperial Age (+2 total)

- Ships can garrison in Docks

Team bonus: Houses get +4 LOS

Unique techs:

- Barawan defense (400 food 250 gold): Skirmishers and Spearman-line are created 100% faster

- Somaliland cavalry (500 food 500 gold): Mounted units get +15% HP

Unique unit:

Camel Lancer: Camel unit with bonus attack against infantry

Cost: 60 food 60 gold

Upgrade cost: 600 food 650 gold

Creation time 19s. Speed 1.45 Reload time 2.1

HP: 90 (110)

Attack: 6 (8) melee

Armor: 0/0

Range: 1

Armor class: Camel

Upgrades: Blacksmith, Stable

Attack bonus: Infantry 7 (11)

Barracks: Two-Handed Swordsman – Halberdier – All techs

Archery range: Crossbowman – Elite Skirmisher – Cavalry Archer – Hand Cannoneer – lack Parthian Tactics

Stable: Light Cavalry – Knight – Heavy Camel – All techs

Siege workshop: Capped Ram –Onager – Heavy Scorpion – Bombard Cannon – Siege Tower

Blacksmith: Lack Blast Furnace

Dock: Galleon – Fast Fire Ship –Demolition Ship – Elite Cannon Galleon – Lack Shipwright

University: Lack Siege Engineers

Castle: All techs

Monastery: Lack Herbal Medicine – Illumination – Block Printing

Economy: All techs

The Somalis are focused as a defensive civ, but of course they won’t lack options for an offensive stance. Regarding the defense, stone mining will immediately be upgraded upon reaching Feudal and Castle Ages, and these Stone Mines will last longer, providing each 455 Stone. This bonus fits perfectly with the longest ranging Castles in Castle Age and second in Imperial Age behind the Crenellations Teuton Castle. In early-game, Houses will also benefit from a longer LOS, a bonus for all the Team.

The army is full of counter units. Though lacking Blast Furnace, Somali can get Halberdiers and stable units with higher HP thanks to the Imperial Age Unique Tech (Light Cavalry 89, Knight 135, Heavy Camel 158). Skirmishers’ and Halberdiers’ creation time will benefit from the Castle Age Unique Tech. The Unique Unit is an anti-infantry Camel, with similar stats to Camel Riders, that will also get higher HP. Scorpions and Hand Cannoneers are also present, and the siege power will include the Bombard Cannon. In water maps, they will feature the highest attack for Galleons, very important for mid- and late-game, and the unique ability of being able to garrison ships at Docks, thus protecting Fishing Ships from early raids and damaged ships in late game.

I hope you enjoyed, and of course, suggestions are welcome. Next civ will be the Iroquois.

Thank you!