We want new content and new civs. A perfect civ has a specialization that no other civ has. There are naval civs, siege civs, gunpowder civs and many more. However, it is a long time ago when a completely new category has been introduced. The time would bei ripe for a new such category: The airspace.
The airspace has been, to a small scale, used in combat since already around 200 AD by the chinese. The use was mostly exploration, which would also be a good bonus in AoE2. Be it hot air baloons or linen fabric (for jumping), there have been occasions.
Here a summarized research. Note that legends play a deeper role than only folklore, especially in cultures, where no written language existed, legends are basically the only way to transfer stories, mostly based on true stories, throughout many centuries.
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According to historical tradition, hot air balloons or a precursor to them were first used in China by Zhuge Liang, who lived from 181 to 234. During his military campaigns, he invented these balloons, among other weapons, for reconnaissance purposes.
Throughout history, especially in legends and ancient reports from Asia, there are examples of the use of kites or similar constructions made of fabric, bamboo, or mats that helped warriors or military personnel glide from heights, jump, or prepare attacks. These devices were often intended for espionage, measurement, or even punishment, and sometimes were meant to descend onto enemies or explore positions. I found no direct evidence for South America, such as the Inca or Aztecs, despite searching for legends there. In those cultures, cloths and capes were used primarily as armor or ceremonial clothing, not for gliding. The following overview is based on historical sources and legends.
China: Military kites and gliding experiments
In ancient Chinese warfare, kites made of fabric, paper, or bamboo mats played an important role, not only for signals or propaganda but also for lifting people. This matches the idea of linen sheets or tent cloths, as kites often consisted of large fabric surfaces.
General Han Xin of the Han Dynasty around 200 BC is associated with a famous legend in which he flew a kite over the walls of a besieged city to measure the distance his troops needed to tunnel in order to enter unnoticed. This helped prepare a surprise attack. Such kites were also used for reconnaissance, lifting warriors or scouts to observe enemy positions.
Yuan Huangtou in the sixth century during the Northern Qi Dynasty was forced by Emperor Gao Yang, along with other prisoners and even a prince, to jump from towers using glider-like kites, often as punishment or experiment. Yuan Huangtou reportedly survived a flight of more than 2.5 kilometers from a tower about 33 meters high using an owl-shaped paper kite. This was militarily motivated, as such devices were considered for espionage or attacks from above. Similar reports describe bamboo mats used as wings, with which condemned individuals were sent down onto enemies or into battles.
Other military uses are mentioned in Chinese sources, including lifting warriors for signaling, testing wind conditions, or dropping propaganda on enemies, for example in the year 1232. Marco Polo reported in 1282 that in China, men were lifted by kites to interpret omens or scout positions. This was dangerous but useful for military preparation.
These were not true jumps onto enemies, but they allowed gliding or observation from heights, which facilitated attacks. Many accounts are legendary and served psychological warfare purposes.
Japan: Ninja legends and thieves using kites
Japan adopted kites from China around the seventh century and used them in similar ways, often appearing in legends about ninja or warriors.
Ishikawa Goemon, a legendary figure from the sixteenth century, is said to have used a man-carrying kite with a trapeze to glide from a height onto the roof of Nagoya Castle, steal golden roof ornaments, and escape. This was effectively an attack on a fortress, and there were supposedly laws against such kites because they could be used for espionage or sabotage. This legend is popular in Japanese folklore and films.