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Ruins of Empires

CAMPAIGNS & SCENARIOS · AGE OF EMPIRES II ONLY

CAMPAIGN · THE AFRICAN KINGDOMS

Ruins of Empires

Francisco’s army lands on the Swahili coast amid rival city states and competing trade routes. Decide Muhammad’s fate to shape local support, build up a foothold, and bring down Kilwa’s fortress and Mombasa’s Wonder.

Ruins of Empires Age of Empires II campaign artwork
Ruins of Empires Age of Empires II campaign artwork

Overview

Francisco’s army lands on the Swahili coast amid rival city states and competing trade routes. Decide Muhammad’s fate to shape local support, build up a foothold, and bring down Kilwa’s fortress and Mombasa’s Wonder.

Player approach

Ruins of Empires branches around Muhammad ibn Rukn ad Din: bring him to Kilwa for execution, or escort him to the Swahili Villages to recruit a rebel force. The village route rewards careful transport and naval control.

Step-by-step plan

Load the starting troops into the two Transport Ships and use the damaged Caravels to scout the ocean and gather reachable allied vessels before committing to a landing. Keep the fleet between the transports and hostile island defenders. Use Lourenço de Almeida to draw isolated enemies toward the shore, then withdraw him by transport while the Caravels cover the approach. Once a landing area is cleared, bring the main force ashore and escort Muhammad to the village flags to gain the rebel support before turning toward the larger objectives.

Risks and adjustments

Do not land the whole army beside a superior garrison or sail transports ahead of the Caravels. The branching choice changes the campaign’s available force, so decide where Muhammad is going before splitting transports or exposing him to combat.

Focused strategy page

For a dedicated version of this plan, open Ruins of Empires rebel-route plan.

Mission overview

Francisco’s army lands on the Swahili coast amid rival city states and competing trade routes. Decide Muhammad’s fate to shape local support, build up a foothold, and bring down Kilwa’s fortress and Mombasa’s Wonder.

Objectives

  1. Keep Muhammad ibn Rukn ad Din alive.
  2. Choose whether to bring him to the Swahili villages or to Kilwa for execution.
  3. Destroy Kilwa’s Castle.
  4. Destroy Mombasa’s Wonder.
  5. Optional: disrupt Zanzibar’s navy and trade, clear Bantu forces from trading posts, and secure local gold.
Focus
Scenario · Francisco de Almeida
Signature / category
Story & scenarios
Release / context
The African Kingdoms
Classification
Scenarios
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