Kingdoms and Military Orders are the core societies within the Holy Land. These are factions that players can serve in or eventually rule. These factions fight and compete for resources, land and power in the Holy Land and beyond. Factions’ militaries are composed of player run and created retinues. Retinues are meritocracies where players earn their way to the top through skill, competence and dedication. All positions within a faction are operated by real players. Wars, conflicts and diplomacy are not scripted but manifest naturally in free form among the kingdoms as they compete.
Alongside Kingdoms will be Military Orders, which operate independently as a faction-like Kingdoms but with a progression twist in the favor tree. In these orders, Religion and Military progression are linked.
Through ascending these hierarchies, the player can acquire various rewards. These rewards allow you to progress and gain favor more efficiently.
Weapons and Tools
Weapons, tools, and other equip-able or consumable items are awarded to the player in the form of tokens to be exchanged at an armory or stockpile.
Steeds and Livestock
Steeds and livestock are awarded through ascension by the faction to a player at a local stable. These steeds and livestock can then be bred to propagate certain traits useful for military or economic use.
Storage, Property, and Lands
Each ascension will grant additional storage in a shared retinue, diocese, or guild building. Property and lands can be gained through ascension and individual grants from monarchs and dukes. With limited real estate these are increasingly valuable.
Titles, Outfits, and Cosmetics
Titles can be gained as you gain renown and rank up through the hierarchy, which can then be displayed on your character for cosmetic purposes and prestige. Similarly, additional garb and cosmetics can be earned as you ascend to display your position to the public.
Below are the currently planned Kingdoms and Military Orders for Lionhearts.
These are subject to change.
Angevin Kingdom of England
Religion: Catholicism
Capital: Jaffa
The Kingdom of England was well known for its variety of combat abilities, strong discipline and chivalry. The kingdom’s leader, the valiant Richard I the Lionheart, responded to Pope Gregory VIII’s call for the Third Crusade in 1190 AD, and departed with allied military orders to reclaim the Holy Land from Saladin's grasp.
Abbasid Caliphate of Baghdad
Religion: Sunni Islam
Capital: Baghdad
Known for its development of art, scholarship, science, and commerce during the Golden Age of Islam, the Abbasids enjoyed centuries of power concentrated in the eastern Mediterranean around their capital of Baghdad. As political rival, Saladin, rose to power, the Abbasid ruler, Al-Nāṣir, resisted Saladin’s attempts to unify the Muslims and focused his expansion into the east.
Ayyubid Sultanate of Egypt
Religion: Sunni Islam
Capital: Cairo
Led by their intrepid leader, Saladin, the Ayyubid Dynasty was the largest Islamic empire established in the 12th century. Encompassing Egypt, Damascus, and other regions throughout the Middle East and the Arabian Gulf, the Ayyubid Dynasty was powerful and vast. Saladin’s troops fought with religious zeal and an intention to recapture Jerusalem after nearly nine decades of Latin ownership.
Eastern Roman Empire
Religion: Orthodox Christianity
Capital: Constantinople
The Eastern Roman Empire was the remaining eastern half of the once powerful Roman Empire, ruled by the Emperor Isaakios II Angelos in Constantinople. By the time of the Third Crusade the Eastern Romans played a strategic game, switching alliances between the Islamic and Crusader sides as it benefited the empire. This proud empire stands at the precipice of greatness with centuries of tradition, culture and superior military tactics.
Holy Roman Empire
Religion: Catholicism
Capital: Aachen
The Holy Roman Empire was a German state in existence from 800 A.D. The Empire was ruled by Kaiser Heinrich VI von Hohenstaufen, succeeding his father Friedrich Barbarossa who died a year earlier while on route to the Holy Land. The Holy Roman Empire was not a centralized state, but rather a confederation of many territories.
Komnenian Empire of Cyprus
Religion: Orthodox Christianity
Capital: Nicosia
Due to its position in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, the Greek orthodox Empire of Cyprus became a strategic base and a launching point for conquest in the Holy Land. Centuries of honing its maritime culture distinguished Cyprus from other regions in the Holy Land. Its bustling port welcomed seafaring merchants from Venice and Genoa, who enriched the island with critical crusading supplies and wealth from trade.
Kingdom of France
Religion: Catholicism
Capital: Acre
After years of strife with its English neighbors and local rebellious lords, the Kingdom of France unified under King Philippe II Auguste. Armed with its military prowess and a strong Frankish tradition of crusading, the kingdom endeavored to see Jerusalem returned to Christian hands. French armies joined German armies led by Frederick I Barbarossa and headed for the Holy Land.
Kingdom of Jerusalem
Religion: Catholicism
Capital: Ascalon
The Kingdom of Jerusalem is the heart of the Crusader States. They use the vibrant city of Ascalon as their primary base of operations as they aspire to retake and hold what they deem to be their right: the holy jewel of Jerusalem herself. This Kingdom gains power not just through military prowess, but a vast treasury used to purchase whatever is needed towards their goals.
Kingdom of Sicily
Religion: Catholicism
Capital: Palermo
The Norman-ruled Kingdom of Sicily was a religiously diverse monarchy located south of the Italian peninsula. The adventurous Norman spirit and a history of conquest attracted the leaders of Sicily to the conflict in the Holy Land. Although the crusading effort clashed with the Sicilian history of religious tolerance, the allure of the Holy Land tempted ambitious Sicilians who desired wealth, land, and glory.
Principality of Antioch
Religion: Catholicism
Capital: Antioch
Home to the Principality of Antioch, a key Crusader stronghold, stands in northern levant. Boasting a rich blend of cultures, it endured religious conflicts, notably the famous Siege of Antioch during the First Crusade, making it one of the most bustling, pivotal and tumultuous city in the medieval world.
Zengid Atabegate of Mosul
Religion: Sunni Islam
Capital: Mosul
After a successful expansion into northern Iraq, Syria, and Egypt, this Muslim Turkic dynasty presented a courageous stronghold against Saladin’s expansion. Under the prince Nūr al-Dīn, the dynasty held the important cities of Damascus, Aleppo, Edessa, and Mosul. It was no wonder Saladin had his gaze focused on Mosul in particular; the city produced some of the finest Islamic craftsmanship in the world, boasting fine metal work and illuminated manuscripts that rivaled all others.
Knights Hospitaller
Religion: Catholicism
Capital: Krak des Chevaliers
Sometimes referred to as fighting monks, the members of the Order of The Hospitallers pledged to serve God through military service and defense of Christian values, including caring for the poor and the sick. Their headquarters was the illustrious Krak des Chevaliers, the strongest European stronghold in the Holy Land.
Knights Templar
Religion: Catholicism
Capital: Kerak
Originally founded during the First Crusade on the scared lands of the Temple Mount, the Knights Templar were a fearless faction of warrior monks emboldened by religious discipline and a commitment to protect pilgrims in the Holy Land. These knights followed the strict tenets of Benedictine Rule, namely swearing oaths of poverty, obedience, and chastity. Their personal vows, however, did not prevent the order from becoming one of the richest factions in the Holy Land through their role as bankers for pilgrims and kings.
Nizari Isma'ili Imamate of Alamut
Religion: Shi'ite Islam
Capital: Alamut
Shrouded in an aura of mystery as thick as the fog concealing their castles in the high Persian and Syrian mountains, there lived a highly trained group of assassins led by their mentor Hasan, or the “Old Man of the Mountains.” These assassins intimidated crusaders and anti-crusaders alike by slipping into inner circles using disguises and taking out leaders at the command of their mentor. They were known for their unyielding bravery, elite standards, and versatility.
Kingdoms and their monarchs must balance the diplomatic tensions outside their kingdom with political, military, trade and religious tensions within their kingdom. Every monarch has sovereignty over their kingdom but also must deal with the external realities of the economy, religious patriarchs and diplomatic relations.
The third way to gain favor is through tithe, worship, and prayer. By donating gold to the church or participating in events at local religious buildings, you gain favor. You can also pray and gain faith, which can then be converted to favor at a local religious building.
You can use your favor to ascend the various branches of Military, Trade, and Religion. Each hierarchy has its own unique roles with perks, advantages, and skills. These are all unlocked through the Favor Tree.
"Favor" is a type of reward and currency you receive for contributing to your kingdom. It also takes the place of a general experience (XP) system in Lionhearts. There are 3 main categories of actions that will grant you favor, the first of which is military service.
Gain favor by fighting for your kingdom in persistent world territory conquest and skirmishes that have real impact on your faction's wealth, territories, and influence.
The second way to gain favor is by economically contributing to your faction. This can be done by harvesting resources, collecting gold, or sourcing other items to donate to your faction's stockpile. By contributing to the growth of the wealth and supplies of your faction, you gain favor.
Seljuk Sultanate of Rûm
Religion: Sunni Islam
Capital: Konya
The Seljuk Sultanate of Rûm founded its advanced empire in Anatolia on the old battle grounds of the now faded Roman Empire, or “Rūm” as it was referred to in Arabic. Its complex, centralized government paired with a disciplined army of archers on horseback made the Seljuk Sultanate of Rûm a fearsome enemy to those hoping to expand into the Holy Land. They championed Islamic orthodoxy, as well as other beliefs, such as humanism and higher education.
Teutonic Order
Religion: Catholicism
Capital: Monfort
On the eve of the Third Crusade during a devastating attack on the city of Acre, German merchants banded together to run a hospital for the sick and wounded. The Pope granted this hospital independent military privileges, founding the Order of the Teutonic Knights. As the strictest military order in the Holy Land, these knights eschewed comforts and individuality in favor of hard-earned military strength and unwavering unity.
