| “ | The Shah's flag flutters proudly today...the lovely green one. | ” |
| — The Shah, informing his allies about a siege. |
The Shah is an Arabian AI lord in Stronghold Crusader 2.
Background
This Shah may be based on a ruler of the medieval Persian kingdom under the Khwarazmian Dynasty that existed at the time of the Crusades. However this kingdom was too far east to have played a significant role in the Crusades, it is more likely that the Shah is simply a ruler of Persian ancestry, who prefers to use the Persian 'Shah' title rather than Sultan.
Character
The Shah is extremely similar to the Sultan from the first Stronghold Crusader in character, a benevolent lord who despite disliking war has been forced into fighting by more bellicose lords who have encroached into his territory. Like the Sultan, the Shah enjoys writing poetry. Also the Shah, similarly places great importance in making his castle look its best, which he achieves by hanging flags (particularly green ones) and by creating a roof garden with flowers atop his keep.
While the Shah is similar to the Sultan when it comes to military matters, in that he is somewhat lacking in skill, he is perhaps a little better than the Sultan in that when he can, he will station some archers on walls and towers and not just on the keep. The Shah also uses catapults in sieges, unlike the Sultan.
Castles and strategies
Economy
The Shah has an average economy with lots of farms supported by a few woodcutters and quarries. He does not produce weapons or candles for selling and has no inn or mosque to allow him to impose high taxes so he heavily relies upon industries outside his castle to create money.
Offense
The Shah uses small groups of Arabian bowmen and Arabian swordsmen to harass his enemies, destroying outlying buildings. For sieges, the Shah uses larger numbers of the same units backed up by one or two catapults.
Defence
The Shah has a small castle which is shaped like a rounded rectangle. A few archers are positioned on a single large round tower, perhaps not enough to put up an adequate defence. Also, the Shah has no siege equipment mounted on walls, making his castle vulnerable to catapults. However, the small size of the Shah's castle does somewhat increase its defensive capability. In addition, hoardings and barricades are present to provide some cover for his Arabian bowmen.
Gallery
