The Mongols: Rise and Fall
From outcast to Great Khan, witness the birth of history's greatest empire.
The Mongols: Rise and Fall is a pivotal campaign in Age of Empires II: The Conquerors expansion, chronicling the meteoric ascent of Genghis Khan from a tribal exile to the founder of the largest contiguous empire in history. This narrative arc explores the unification of the fractured steppe tribes under the banner of the Great Khan and his relentless military campaigns that reshaped Eurasia.
- Civilization
- Mongols
- Leader
- Genghis Khan (Temujin)
- Expansion
- The Conquerors
- Historical Period
- 12th–13th Century
- Key Ally
- Kuchlug
- Primary Enemy
- Jurchen Jin Dynasty, Khwarazmian Empire
Lore & Background
Once crowned Genghis Khan, his vision expanded beyond the steppe. He turned his gaze toward the wealthy civilizations of China and Persia, viewing them as obstacles to be swept away or resources to be harvested. The campaign illustrates how his innovative military tactics, combined with the mobility of horse archers and psychological warfare, allowed a relatively small force to topple massive empires that had stood for centuries.
In Their Own Story
The wind howled across the frozen plains, carrying the scent of snow and blood. Temujin sat atop a white horse, his eyes scanning the horizon where the smoke of burning villages rose like dark pillars against the grey sky. Beside him, his generals waited for an order that would seal their fate or secure their glory. 'The world is vast,' he whispered, gripping his reins tighter as the first arrow whistled through the air. 'And it will kneel before us.'
Reader's Guide
This campaign follows Genghis Khan's journey from a humble exile to the ruler of the steppe. Players begin by surviving against hostile tribes and gathering resources to build a small but loyal force. Key objectives include unifying the Mongol clans, defeating rival warlords like Jamukha, and conquering the Jurchen Jin Dynasty. Later scenarios involve invading the Khwarazmian Empire, requiring players to manage supply lines while besieging fortified cities. Victory is achieved by completing specific scenario goals, such as destroying enemy capitals or surviving until a certain time limit. Defeat occurs if Genghis Khan dies or if all your villagers and military units are eliminated.
Did You Know?
- The campaign introduces the unique Mongol ability to build 'Siege Workshop' upgrades faster than other civilizations.
- Historically, Genghis Khan's unification of the tribes ended centuries of constant warfare on the steppe.
- The scenario 'The Battle of the Khwarezmian Empire' highlights the devastating impact of Mongol siege tactics.
- This campaign was one of the first to feature a non-European civilization as the primary protagonist in the series.