867 A.D. - Emirate of Crete
Emir Shuayb ibn Umar Hafsid of Hafsid Emirate, also called "the Cretan" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Hafs_Umar_ibn_Shuayb_al-Iqritishi)
He was the leader of andalusian muslim pirate community, which story is trully fascinating, the finest example of "adventurer" mechanic that happened in real life. The story begins in 818, in andalusian Cordova, where happened an unsuccessfull revolt against Emir al-Hakam. As a punishment, emir exiled whole population of Cordovan suburb called al-Rabad. Some of exiles settled in Morocco, but the other group (10 000 - 15 000 people) started living as pirates and sailed to the east. Those muslim "adventurers" travelled all the way to Egypt, where they occupied and the huge city of Alexandria, becoming practically an independent enclave. City was under their control until 827, when abbasid army kicked them out by force. After that, the pirates invaded Byzantine island of Crete and after victory fight conquered it completely and settled down permanently. Island became their stronghold for many, many years, from which they were raiding and looting nearby byzantine provinces and islands. This Andalusian "Pirate" Emirate survived for almost 150 years, becoming a huge threat for all neighbours and repelling all byzantine expeditions that were organised against them. Pirates were finally defeated by Nikephoros Phocas in 961 who brought the island again under Byzantine control.
That's all for the history.
In CK2, you control the island that is in great strategic position, have many possibilites and potential targets (if only muslims could raid and loot that would be perfect ) but you have also a deadly opponent (ERE), who sooner or later will try to retake his old land. Fortunately you are not the only enemy of the byzantines, there are also strong muslim rulers nearby, who will help you if you will be able to sacrifice your independence. Try to beat cretan pirates' record and survive longer
Emir Shuayb ibn Umar Hafsid of Hafsid Emirate, also called "the Cretan" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Hafs_Umar_ibn_Shuayb_al-Iqritishi)
He was the leader of andalusian muslim pirate community, which story is trully fascinating, the finest example of "adventurer" mechanic that happened in real life. The story begins in 818, in andalusian Cordova, where happened an unsuccessfull revolt against Emir al-Hakam. As a punishment, emir exiled whole population of Cordovan suburb called al-Rabad. Some of exiles settled in Morocco, but the other group (10 000 - 15 000 people) started living as pirates and sailed to the east. Those muslim "adventurers" travelled all the way to Egypt, where they occupied and the huge city of Alexandria, becoming practically an independent enclave. City was under their control until 827, when abbasid army kicked them out by force. After that, the pirates invaded Byzantine island of Crete and after victory fight conquered it completely and settled down permanently. Island became their stronghold for many, many years, from which they were raiding and looting nearby byzantine provinces and islands. This Andalusian "Pirate" Emirate survived for almost 150 years, becoming a huge threat for all neighbours and repelling all byzantine expeditions that were organised against them. Pirates were finally defeated by Nikephoros Phocas in 961 who brought the island again under Byzantine control.
That's all for the history.
In CK2, you control the island that is in great strategic position, have many possibilites and potential targets (if only muslims could raid and loot that would be perfect ) but you have also a deadly opponent (ERE), who sooner or later will try to retake his old land. Fortunately you are not the only enemy of the byzantines, there are also strong muslim rulers nearby, who will help you if you will be able to sacrifice your independence. Try to beat cretan pirates' record and survive longer