And All of Us Against the Stranger...

Excrept from: The Sons of Abraham United - A History of the Mongol Invasion of the Holy Lands
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The medieval years were not a time of peace in the holy land. Indeed, one could probably argue that between the constant crusades, jihads and various uprisings that the Holy Land was in an almost constant state of war, sprinkled with precious few moments of peace.

Christians and Muslims battled for supremacy over the lands they both claimed as their own, and Jews were attacked throughout. States rose and fell, like the Fatamids, or the Kingdom of Jerusalem. It was not a place for the weak of heart or soul. Blood flowed through the sand and it seemed nothing could stop it, as that was simply the way things were in this place.

So, understandably, it is something of a shock that we have progressed from this to the peace and understanding which now permeates our shared holy sites. Had but one decision been made differently, this might not have happened.

That decision was one made by the Mongols shortly after the death of Ghengis Khan and his direct heirs. China was closed off from them, and thus they had two directions they could move towards, towards the lands of the Slavs to the west or to the south across the great deserts of central asia to the middle east. It is likely, extremely so, that the majority of the hoards could go west as that was a much easier land to cross with so many steppes.

However, plans changed when word of the large wealth in the middle east reached the khans through several captured christians. Soon the hoards of Mongolia were headed to the southwest.

The tales of what happened next are well documented from the bloodless surrender of eastern seljuk forts to the most well known event of the medieval age, The Rape of Jerusalem.
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My first attempt at a TL, probably not the smartest thing to do right now as I have little knowledge of where I'm going with this and the fact that I'm half asleep while posting this. Consider this a teaser until I actually get more background on this idea. (suggestions of good sites for that research would be very appreciated.)

If you've noticed that I didn't specify a date for anything it's a very simple reason. I have no idea when the best time for this is:eek:. I'm pretty sure it would be after at least the first two crusades but my knowledge of the Mongols is...well...spotty would be exaggerating it to a great degree. Again suggestions very much desired.

Anyway, this was inspired by a game of Medieval 2: Total War where in the middle of my crusade the mongols invaded and I had to make a quick peace and semi-alliance with Egypt and the Turks to fight them off. (Ironically, because of that I ended up with better relations with them than fellow Catholic countries:D)

Any thoughts or comments?
 
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