1521-1574
This campaign focuses on two central figures, Rajah Matanda and his nephew Rajah Sulayman, with a scenario covering Lapulapu and the Battle of Mactan. The first and second scenarios deal with Matanda, or Ache, as an Islamic enforcer for Brunei. These scenarios are still played as the Filipinos, but they are given the Saracen architecture and renamed the Bruneians. The third scenario features Lapulapu and the Battle of Mactan, introducing Sebastian Elcano as a character, with the fourth scenario covering Ache’s defeat of Tondo.
With the fifth scenario, Rajah Sulayman is introduced, and it covers the sacking of Manila, with a cutscene at the end showing Tarik Sulayman’s Revolt, or the Battle of Bangkusay. The sixth scenario covers Rajah Sulayman’s revolt, or the First Battle of Manila Bay.
The campaign is narrated by Juan de Salcedo, grandson of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.
The campaign color is yellow.
Here is an overview of my Filipinos concept, which the campaign was designed around.
Scenario 1: Ache’s Jihad
May 24th, 1570.
It is a cold, dark, rainy night here in Manila. Normally, I can hear the birds chirping and the leopards growling, but tonight, all I can hear is laughter from my men. They’re dividing the spoils of the city amongst themselves: gold, carpets, food, jewelry, and pottery.
Oh, how I wish the Tagalogs had just listened and submitted to the rule of the Spanish Empire! Their beautiful city might still be intact. Instead, it was burned to the ground after a long battle with our forces. A rather dismal end for their rajahnate.
Years ago, Rajah Matanda, then a young prince known as Ache, was the heir to his mother’s throne. His father died when he was young, and he was raised alongside his cousin, Bunao Lakandula, who became the ruler of Tondo.
Lakandula began encroaching on the territory that was rightfully Maynila’s, but his adoptive mother was none the wiser. Ache recognized Lakandula’s manipulation and attempted to convince his mother to intervene, but, not wanting to disrupt the peace between the rajahnates, she refused to put an end to the incursion.
Ache could not stand for this, so he had to take matters into his own hands. Fortunately for him, his grandfather, the Sultan of Brunei, greatly favored him, so Ache decided to pay him a visit in order to get his help.
- This scenario covers Ache meeting with his grandfather, the Sultan of Brunei, and receiving a fleet to enforce Islamic rule on Brunei and the Philippines.
Starting Conditions
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Starting Age: Feudal Age
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Starting resources: 0 food, 0 wood, 0 gold, 0 stone
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Population limit: 125
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Starting units:
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Prince Ache
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2 Knights
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3 Timawa
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3 Long Swordsmen
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Main Objectives
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Bring Prince Ache to the Sultan of Brunei.
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Prince Ache must survive.
(after bringing Prince Ache to the Sultan of Brunei)
- Build a Mosque (Monastery) in 7 of 10 Bruneian and Filipino towns.
Secondary Objectives
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Bring Relic Carts to the Sultan of Brunei to receive extra gold.
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Destroy gunpowder stores (Trade Workshops) to reveal a gunpowder wagon.
- Bring gunpowder wagons to the Sultan of Brunei to receive Artillery Bombard Cannons.
Hints
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Prince Ache is restricted to a population of 125. He can advance to the Imperial Age and train most gunpowder units, but cannot build Bombard Towers, upgrade Cannon Galleons to Elite Cannon Galleons, or research Lantaka.
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Filipino gunpowder units regenerate. This can be helpful if Monks or Villagers are not around to heal and repair.
Scouts
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Prince Ache (1, Yellow) begins his journey in the eastern part of the Philippines. He must travel to the island of Borneo in the west to see his grandfather, the Sultan of Brunei (2, Gray).
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In the Philippines, Western Luzon (3, Green) is located north of Borneo, and Western Mindanao (4, Cyan) is located east of Borneo.
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Brunei (5, Blue) is spread throughout the northern coast of Borneo.
Players
Ache took to his new role as the Islamic enforcer for Brunei with great enthusiasm. Hundreds of cities and villages were forced to convert, and if they did not, they were burned to the ground. Ache’s name became feared among the so-called infidels of Borneo and the Philippines.
Despite this, his contentious cousin, the backstabbing Lakandula, was nowhere to be found in any of these cities. He would have to further do the bidding of his grandfather before he could have the opportunity to find justice.
I, Juan de Salcado, grandson of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, write these words to document the recent history of the various natives I and my comrades have encountered in these lands. I will keep an up-to-date record of the events as I participate in them, with appropriate historical background where needed.
Scenario 2: Adhan
June 20th, 1570.
It has been about a month since the burning of Manila. Despite our suppression of the city’s Islamic customs, the imams, with their turbans and cloaks, walk around blessing the inhabitants while clutching their prayer beads close to their chests.
From my room in the Spanish fort, I can hear the adhan, or Islamic call to prayer, faintly ringing out in the distant wind. It once again reminds me of Prince Ache and the fear he spread into the hearts of all non-Muslims during his days with the Bruneian Empire.
Ache’s excursions into the infidel lands were largely successful. Entire regions of Borneo and the Philippines renounced their old religions and joined the Bruneian Empire, or the inhabitants were put to death for their resistance. Almost the entire outer rim of Borneo had been conquered at this point.
However, there still remained a vestige of the old ways, the Buddhist city of Loue, located in southwestern Borneo. Ache knew that in order to fulfill his duty and track down his cousin, he would need to complete his task of uniting all of Borneo in the worship of Allah.
So, the journey to Loue with his men began.
- This scenario covers the sacking of Loue by Prince Ache.
Starting Conditions
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Starting Age: Castle Age
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Starting resources: 300 food, 300 wood, 300 gold, 0 stone
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Population limit: 100
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Starting units:
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1 Light Cavalry
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2 Monks
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2 Pikemen
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2 Crossbowmen
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3 Capped Rams
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4 Fire Lancers
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5 Hand Cannoneers
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5 Long Swordsmen
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Main Objectives
- Destroy the Wonder in Loue.
Secondary Objectives
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Destroy enemy Markets, drop-off buildings, Docks, and Town Centers to obtain extra resources.
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Destroy the University in Loue to advance to the Imperial Age.
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Repel raids from Tondo.
Hints
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Prince Ache is restricted to a population limit of 100. He cannot create any Villagers, Trade Carts, or Fishing Ships, and, like the previous mission, also cannot train any advanced gunpowder units.
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Without a Town Center, advancing to the Imperial Age normally will be impossible. However, destroying the University in Loue will cause the player to advance to the Imperial Age automatically and for free.
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Without any economy, the only means of obtaining resources outside of tribute is by destroying certain buildings. Brunei will send resources periodically, but these are not enough to sustain constant production.
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Protect your base – if Tondo raids are allowed to destroy your buildings, you cannot replace them!
Scouts
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Prince Ache (1, Yellow) is in the center of Borneo. His patrons, the Bruneian Empire (4, Yellow), are not present, but periodically send him resources.
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Loue (2, Red) is a large city in southwestern Borneo with many towers. It trains infantry and elephants in addition to a navy.
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Tondo (3, Purple) is located in the Philippines to the northeast. It is preparing a raiding party.
Players
The city of Loue stood no chance against the forces of Ache. Gunpowder produced flashes of light and heavy smoke as the cannons broke open its gates. The residents of the city tried in vain to flee, but they were grimly executed by the Tagalog infantry.
By the time Ache’s forces were finished, the entire city was left a smoldering ruin. It had foolishly chosen to retain its Buddhist traditions instead of embracing Islam and it paid the price.
Whenever I begin to feel guilty about the death my men have brought to Manila, I remember the utter barbarity of the opposition and I tell myself that we are simply saving the Filipinos from themselves. We reform their society and force change upon them, not just for gold, but for God.
On the other hand, I look forward to hearing how the King of Spain is proud of what we have accomplished, just like the Sultan of Brunei was proud of Ache for having wiped the pagan city of Loue off the face of the earth. Perhaps…we are not so different after all.
Scenario 3: Kampilans and Kalasags
April 27th, 1571.
Today marks the 50th anniversary of Ferdinand Magellan’s death. It is a somber time for all of us, especially the old blood, as we remember the dozen men who lost their lives on that fateful day.
While Prince Ache was conquering Borneo and the southern Philippines for Islam, in the Visayas, great waves of history were forming.
Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer who controlled a sizable Spanish force with the goal of circumnavigating the planet, happened upon the island of Mactan, controlled by the intrepid Lapulapu. Mactan had been at odds with Cebu and its leader Humabon for some time now, and the spark igniting the fires of war was about to light.
Magellan had ordered nearby datus to convert to Christianity and join his cause. The majority of chiefs did so, but Lapulapu completely refused. He would not give up his ancestral religion for the white man.
Magellan did not understand the decentralized nature of Visayan lands. He assumed that the rajah was in control over every datu, like the sultanates of Mindanao, but in reality, Lapulapu was the sole ruler of Mactan. Magellan had formed an alliance with Humabon, and the two attempted to subdue Lapulapu through various means.
This imposition was seen as an insult by Lapulapu and his men, and they immediately prepared for war.
- This scenario represents the Battle of Mactan, and features Lapulapu as the protagonist.
Starting Conditions
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Starting Age: Feudal Age
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Starting resources: 100 food, 100 wood, 150 gold, 100 stone
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Population limit: 75
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Starting units:
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Lapulapu
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2 Horses
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2 Archers
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2 Skirmishers
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3 Men-at-Arms
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5 Villagers
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5 Fishing Ships
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Main Objectives
- Destroy 3 of 5 Cebu Docks.
(after doing so)
- Kill Ferdinand Magellan.
Secondary Objectives
- Destroy Trade Cogs to plunder their gold.
Hints
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Lapulapu is restricted to the Castle Age and a population of 75. Because Mactan is an isolated island, he cannot train any cavalry and has no access to horses other than the two given as a gift.
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Karakoas, one of the two gunpowder units available, are powerful against buildings.
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Research Kalasag at the Castle to make certain units stronger against gunpowder.
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You do not need to defeat your enemies to win the battle, only kill Magellan. Their technological superiority will make them dangerous to attack on a large scale.
Scouts
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Lapulapu (1, Yellow) is on the island of Mactan in the center of the map. Rajah Humabon of Cebu (2, Green) is north of the island. Cebu is trading with Distant Traders (5, Orange) over the ocean.
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Magellan’s Forces (3, Blue) and Magellan himself (4, Red) wait off the coast of Cebu and are prepared to land on Mactan if trouble presents itself.
Players
Despite Magellan’s dramatically superior technology, the battle was a devastating loss. The Visayans of Mactan’s far greater numbers, distance from the artillery, and general resolve meant that the Spanish guns were highly ineffective, and without them, they could not withstand the Visayan charge.
Magellan was slashed and stabbed by the natives’ swords and spears, and he quickly fell to Lapulapu and his men. With their leader dead, the expeditionary forces had no morale, and they retreated back to their ships, with Juan Sebastian Elcano as their new leader.
That was a dark day for Spain, but only a few months later, it was balanced with a bit of good news: Tenochtitlan had fallen and Mexico was now controlled by the Spanish Crown. The former subjects of the Aztec Empire, the Tlaxcalans, had assisted in the conquest, and this would not be the last time the two powers fought side by side.
Lapulapu may have struck a serious blow to the Spanish colonial intentions in the Philippines, but not a fatal one. It would simply take them nearly half a century to recover from it.
Scenario 4: The Great Hunt
May 10th, 1571.
I have traveled with a group of my men and some native converts to the island of Mindanao to hunt the elusive warty pig. These strong and resilient creatures are dangerous to the novice boar hunter, but our Visayan guides have taught us an effective way to hunt them using native methods.
Their preferred method is to first trap the animals, keeping them from moving while the hunters repeatedly stab their sides with spears. This naturally enrages the pigs, but they are helpless to retaliate while the onslaught occurs. Eventually, they succumb to the shock and blood loss, and fall lifelessly to the forest floor, where their bodies are carried back to the village and drained.
It reminds me of the final days of Prince Ache’s conflict with Tondo. Over many months, he had dealt continual small blows to his treacherous cousin by disrupting the peace in Luzon. Like a wild boar, he had him trapped and surrounded by the powerful forces of the Bruneian Empire, but Lakandula still resisted.
It was time for Ache to deal the killing blow.
- This scenario covers the final confrontation of Prince Ache with Lakandula of Tondo, as well as Ache’s brief battle with and capture by Juan Sebastian Elcano.
Starting Conditions
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Starting Age: Castle Age
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Starting resources: 200 food, 200 wood, 150 gold, 200 stone
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Population limit: 125
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Starting units:
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5 Villagers
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3 Crossbowmen
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3 Knights
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5 Long Swordsmen
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5 Timawa
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Differences between difficulty levels
- On Standard difficulty, after the start of the Borneo section, you have 7 minutes to build up a navy. On Moderate, you will have 5, and on Hard, you will have 3.
Main Objectives
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Destroy 5 of 10 Tondo Town Centers.
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Destroy 8 of 10 Tondo Docks.
(after the beginning of the scenario’s second half)
- Destroy at least 30 Spanish ships.
Hints
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Prince Ache is restricted to a population limit of 125. He still cannot use advanced gunpowder.
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Aside from upgrades and any remaining resources, nothing you do in the first half of the mission will transfer to the second half. Don’t become too invested in a large navy that is ultimately pointless.
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Once the mission switches to southern Borneo, you will have very limited time to build up a navy before Elcano appears. Try to research Shipwright beforehand to save time and resources.
Scouts
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Prince Ache (1, Yellow) has a base in southern Luzon. There is a small town in southern Borneo that is prepared for his arrival.
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The Tondo Villages (2, Purple) and Tondo Navy (3, Purple) are both centralized in Luzon.
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Elcano’s Expedition (4, Blue) is hiding to the southeast of Borneo, waiting for someone to approach by the sea from the north.
Players
Prince Ache laid waste to Tondo and thereafter searched for ways to gain an advantage over Lakandula. While he traveled down the coast of Borneo on his way to marry a cousin, he encountered Juan Sebastian Elcano and his expedition. Ache knew that Elcano’s ship, if captured, would turn the tide in his favor against Lakandula, so he promptly attacked.
Ache’s battle with Elcano did not go as planned. Despite the latter’s grief over his recent loss of Magellan, his superior naval technology made short work of the Bruneian fleet. To make matters worse, Ache was captured and kept prisoner aboard Elcano’s ship.
Panicked, the Sultan of Brunei immediately arranged for his release, and Ache returned to the Philippines. He no longer desired to serve the Bruneian Empire, and instead wished to make peace with his cousin, Lakandula.
The two cousins, weary of the endless bloodshed and shipwrecks, decided to coexist as family once again. And so, they lived in harmony for the next fifty years.
I write these words over a bonfire. The hunt was a tremendous success, and now every man, woman, and child, Spaniard and Visayan alike, is enjoying the savory, delicious taste of boar meat. It makes me smile to see our children and those of the natives playing alongside each other so carefree.
If Ache and Bunao could set aside their differences and get along at last, perhaps we can too. Perhaps I was wrong to brand these people as savages. Perhaps they are as human as you and I, and maybe we can live as equals someday.
I can only dream.
Scenario 5: The Panday
June 7th 1572.
I am in love! While traveling along the Pasig River, I happened to catch a glimpse of the exceedingly beautiful Princess Kandarapa and her gorgeous figure. She and her handmaidens were bathing and singing, and the princess had the most melodic voice I’d ever heard.
Not wishing to tarnish my image, my gaze did not linger, but I had seen enough to know I needed to meet her. We exchanged introductions, and she revealed herself as the niece of Rajah Lakandula, making her the Princess of Tondo.
I was intrigued by her beauty and she my bravery, and we soon found ourselves madly in love. But her uncle was not pleased by our romance. He wanted her to marry the Rajah of Macabebe, who already had multiple wives; my grandfather, in turn, wanted me to marry a Spanish woman.
Said Rajah of Macabebe, Tarik Sulayman, vowed that he would never be a friend to the Spanish. The man who told him of our romance, Rajah Sulayman, is a rather interesting figure himself.
By this time, Ache had reigned on the throne of Maynila for years, becoming Rajah Matanda. His nephew, the Rajah Sulayman of whom I write, was his co-ruler, though he did not possess any real authority.
Both Rajahs Matanda and Sulayman, as well as my own future uncle-in-law, were prepared to defend the city of Manila against our forces. Matanda and Lakandula sought a peaceful solution, but the hotheaded Sulayman would not be so easy to pacify.
Sulayman had heard of the famous blacksmith Panday Pira, who ran a foundry along the Pasig River. If he was to successfully hold the city against the combined forces of the Spanish, Mexicans, and native Visayans, he would need high-quality cannons and quickly.
- This scenario represents the Battle of Manila in 1570 and the Battle of Bangkusay in 1572.
Starting Conditions
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Starting Age: Imperial Age
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Starting resources: 0 food, 0 wood, 0 gold, 0 stone
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Population limit: 150
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Starting units:
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Rajah Sulayman
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1 Light Cavalry
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2 Knights
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2 Cavalry Archers
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Differences between difficulty levels
- On Standard difficulty, both Bombard Tower and Elite Cannon Galleon will be automatically researched after visiting Panday Pira. On Moderate, just Bombard Tower will be, and on Hard, neither of them will be.
Main Objectives
(initially)
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Bring Sulayman to Manila before the negotiations end (10 minutes).
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Rajah Sulayman must survive.
(after doing so)
- Survive the initial assault of Manila.
(after the Spanish retreat)
- The Wonder in Manila must remain standing for 45 minutes.
Secondary Objectives
(initially)
- Visit Panday Pira.
(after the Spanish return)
- Defeat the Tlaxcalans and Visayans to severely hamper the Spanish forces.
Hints
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Rajah Sulayman is restricted to a population limit of 150. He can access all gunpowder units and technologies, but only after choosing to visit Panday Pira.
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If you’re short on time when trying to reach Manila, you can always choose to visit Panday Pira later.
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Spanish gunpowder units fire faster inherently, but researching Lantaka at the Castle can make some of your own gunpowder units fire even faster than theirs.
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Defeating the auxiliary forces of the Spanish is optional, but without them, their besieging army will be much smaller.
Scouts
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Rajah Sulayman (1, Yellow) begins on the west bank of the Pasig River. He must reach Manila in the east, and can choose to locate Panday Pira (4, Gray) during his initial trip or later.
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Rajah Matanda (2, Cyan) is initially holding the entirety of Manila, but will cede control of most buildings to Sulayman. Lakandula (3, Purple) is assisting with trade and military units from Tondo in the north.
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Legazpi’s Forces (6, Red) are joined by the Tlaxcalans (7, Blue) and the Visayans (8, Green) in the southeast.
Players
Despite their best efforts, the thousands of native warriors protecting Manila were unable to stop the wave of technologically advanced Spanish soldiers. Legazpi, my grandfather, planted his flag on the scorched remains of the city and swore to rebuild it in the image of Spain.
Tarik Sulayman, spurred on by my courtship of Kandarapa after the Spanish conquest of Luzon, waged the Battle of Bangkusay Channel off the coast of Tondo. It was a devastating defeat for the Tagalogs.
Tarik was killed at the hands of my grandfather and me, and among the prisoners taken were the son and nephew of my future uncle-in-law, Lakandula. My grandfather chose to free them, but Lakandula himself was later taken.
With a simple word, I was able to negotiate for his release, and he gratefully prepared to give away his niece to me.
Tomorrow, we wed.
Scenario 6: Sulayman’s Revolt
July 31st, 1574.
Kandarapa and I have been married for over two years now. Unfortunately, my uncle has forced us to be apart by sending me on expeditions to faraway lands.
One such expedition included naval engagements against the raiders of the fearsome Chinese pirate Limahong. He has been terrorizing Filipino coasts for years, and his incursions have made settlement rather difficult. Now, there are rumors that he has returned.
There is much unrest within the Spanish Philippines. The new governor, Guido de Lavezaris, has not honored the treaty my late grandfather and the late Rajah Matanda had made. I fear that there may soon be an uprising.
It’s a funny thing, this turn of events. At the start of my expedition, I hated all Filipinos, believing them to be savages, and I wanted to subjugate them. Now, this lotus flower my native bride has given me is a symbol of not only her love and devotion to me, but my devotion to peace and sincere connection to the Filipino people.
As her baptism into the name Dolores symbolized her change of heart, I, too, have experienced a change of heart. Now, I genuinely hope that the Filipino revolt, if one occurs, will succeed.
- This scenario represents the Sulayman Revolt or Lakandula Revolt in 1574.
Starting Conditions
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Starting Age: Imperial Age
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Starting resources: 300 food, 300 wood, 300 gold, 0 stone
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Population limit: 200
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Starting units:
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Rajah Sulayman
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3 Light Cavalry
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3 Cavalry Archers
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Differences between difficulty levels
- On Standard difficulty, the player begins with Blast Furnace, Bracer, and Ring Archer Armor researched.
Main Objectives
(initially)
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Rajah Sulayman must survive.
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Bring Rajah Sulayman to 5 Navotas villages.
(after doing so)
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Destroy all 10 Spanish Markets.
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Destroy all 10 Spanish Trade Workshops.
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Destroy all 5 Spanish Castles.
Secondary Objectives
- Pay Limahong 5000 gold to raid the Spanish instead of you.
Hints
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Rajah Sulayman is restricted to a population limit of 200.
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Rajah Matanda is long dead, leaving Sulayman with one remaining ally in Lakandula. However, the pirate Limahong may be a useful distraction if you can stop him from attacking you first.
Scouts
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Rajah Sulayman (1, Yellow) is located between Manila and Navotas. He must visit all the villages of Navotas (2, Gray) in order to stage his uprising.
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Lakandula (2, Purple) is located south of Navotas in Tondo. He is prepared to assist Sulayman if needed.
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The Spanish (4, Red) have completely surrounded Navotas and control Manila.
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Limahong (5, Orange) has a pirate base off the coast of Navotas in the west. It’s said he can be bought for a price.
Players
March 3rd, 1575.
Grim times have cast a murky shadow. Sulayman’s revolt last year failed spectacularly, with much bloodshed and injury. It would seem that the oppressive overlords of late have replaced the reasonable occupiers of old.
Limahong’s landed fleet besieged Manila on November 29th, and the Spanish army broke the siege after the arrival of their musketeers. Defeated, Limahong fled to an island in Pangasinan.
This great Spanish victory is marred by far darker tidings: my beloved Kandarapa is dead.
While I was away on one of my expeditions, she died of heartbreak, having assumed I was unfaithful due to my constant absences. My dear Kandarapa, if only we had had a long life together!
The lotus flower, previously the symbol of my commitment to her and the Filipino natives, has now become a symbol of pain, sadness, and death. Everyone in my life who ever cared about me is gone. I am a man with nothing and no one.
Limahong’s excursions forced me away from my beloved, so he will pay! I will hunt him down and end his reign of terror if it’s the last thing I do.
Then, I will return to the Philippines and mourn my lost love, my last connection to a unique people whose independence was cut short far too soon.