''The Mongoliad'' is a collaborative work of transmedia historical adventure fiction by a group known as the Subutai Corporation which was founded by

Neal Stephenson Neal Town Stephenson (born October 31, 1959) is an American writer known for his works of speculative fiction. His novels have been categorized as science fiction, historical fiction, cyberpunk, and baroque. Stephenson's work explores mathemati ...

and others. Set in the ''Foreworld Saga'', the story was originally released in a serialized format online, and via a series of

iOS Ios, Io or Nio (, ; ; locally Nios, Νιός) is a Greek island in the Cyclades group in the Aegean Sea. Ios is a hilly island with cliffs down to the sea on most sides. It is situated halfway between Naxos and Santorini. It is about long an ...

and Android apps from 2010 until 2012. It was restructured and re-edited for a definitive edition published by 47North in multiple volumes in 2012 as ''The Mongoliad''. Fan-submitted ''Foreworld'' stories were published via Amazon's Kindle Worlds imprint starting in 2013.

Collaborators and format

The serialized edition was intended to be distributed primarily as a series of applications ("apps") for

smartphones A smartphone is a mobile phone with advanced computing capabilities. It typically has a touchscreen interface, allowing users to access a wide range of applications and services, such as web browsing, email, and social media, as well as mult ...

, which the Subutai Corporation viewed as a new model for publishing storytelling. At the project's core is a narrative of adventure fiction following the exploits of a small group of fighters and mystics in medieval Europe around the time of the

Mongol conquests The Mongol invasions and conquests took place during the 13th and 14th centuries, creating history's largest contiguous empire, the Mongol Empire (1206–1368), which by 1260 covered large parts of Eurasia. Historians regard the Mongol devastati ...

. As well as speculative fiction authors

(chairman of Subutai),

Greg Bear Gregory Dale Bear (August 20, 1951 – November 19, 2022) was an American science fiction writer. His work covered themes of Interstellar_war, galactic conflict (''The Forge of God, Forge of God'' books), parallel universes (''The Way (Greg Bear ...

, Nicole Galland, Mark Teppo and others, collaborators include filmmakers, computer programmers, graphic artists, martial artists and combat choreographers, video game designers, and a professional editor. In a departure from conventional fiction, much of the content of ''The Mongoliad'' was in forms other than text, not bound to any single medium and not in the service of the central narrative. Once the project developed momentum, the Subutai Corporation envisioned fans of the work contributing, expanding and enriching the narrative, and the fictional universe in which it takes place. According to Jeremy Bornstein, president of the Subutai Corporation, the genesis of the project was in Stephenson's dissatisfaction with the authenticity of the early modern swordfighting scenes he had written into his series ''

The Baroque Cycle ''The Baroque Cycle'' is a series of novels by American writer Neal Stephenson. It was published in three volumes containing eight books in 2003 and 2004. The story follows the adventures of a sizable cast of characters living amidst some of th ...

''. Stephenson gathered a group of martial arts enthusiasts interested in studying historical European swordfighting, and this eventually resulted in some of the members of this group collaborating on a set of stories that would make use of accurate representations of these martial arts. The collaborators decided that the project need not limit itself to the traditional novel form and began developing ideas on how to produce it in different media while retaining the caliber that would be expected of a new work by authors such as Stephenson or Bear. An " alpha version" was demonstrated at the periodic application showcase SF App Show in

San Francisco, California San Francisco, officially the City and County of San Francisco, is a commercial, Financial District, San Francisco, financial, and Culture of San Francisco, cultural center of Northern California. With a population of 827,526 residents as of ...

on May 25, 2010. The serialized project ran from September 1, 2010 until January 25, 2012. New chapters, as well as supplemental materials, were released on a semi-regular schedule. The iOS apps were available in the Apple App Store, and the Android app was available in the Android Store. The print edition was published on April 24, 2012. The mongoliad.com website was subsequently closed.

Subject of the published ''Mongoliad'' books

The serial novels and their related, shorter "SideQuests" are set in the authors' "Foreworld" universe, which they describe as "almost like the world we live in," during the mid-thirteenth century

Mongol invasion of Europe From the 1220s to the 1240s, the Mongol Empire, Mongols conquered the Turkic peoples, Turkic states of Volga Bulgaria, Cumania and Iranian peoples, Iranian state of Alania, and various principalities in Eastern Europe. Following this, they began ...

, under leadership of

Genghis Khan Genghis Khan (born Temüjin; August 1227), also known as Chinggis Khan, was the founder and first khan (title), khan of the Mongol Empire. After spending most of his life uniting the Mongols, Mongol tribes, he launched Mongol invasions and ...

and his successor

Ögedei Khan Ögedei Khan (also Ögedei Khagan or Ogodei; 11 December 1241) was the second Khan (title), khan of the Mongol Empire. The third son of Genghis Khan, he continued the expansion of the empire that his father had begun. Born in 1186 AD, Öged ...

. The story includes descriptions of Ögedei Khan's court (notably, his rolling "ordo" tent); the geography, flora and fauna of the great

Eurasian Steppe The Eurasian Steppe, also called the Great Steppe or The Steppes, is the vast steppe ecoregion of Eurasia in the temperate grasslands, savannas and shrublands biome. It stretches through Manchuria, Mongolia, Xinjiang, Kazakhstan, Siberia, Europea ...

; and especially medieval European and Asian martial arts. A parallel plot line takes place in Rome, and includes highly detailed depictions of a

papal conclave A conclave is a gathering of the College of Cardinals convened to appoint the pope of the Catholic Church. Catholics consider the pope to be the apostolic successor of Saint Peter and the earthly head of the Catholic Church. Concerns around ...

Historical events and persons depicted in the ''Mongoliad'' series

The novels incorporate historical events in Poland, Rome, Russia and central Asia that ran concurrently with the last major events of the Mongol invasion. The authors construct a fictional narrative that connects all these events of the year 1241, describing some earlier historical events and adding other entirely fictional events and characters. Some medieval mythology is also included in the later books, especially the

Holy Grail The Holy Grail (, , , ) is a treasure that serves as an important motif in Arthurian literature. Various traditions describe the Holy Grail as a cup, dish, or stone with miraculous healing powers, sometimes providing eternal youth or sustenanc ...

and elements of

Norse mythology Norse, Nordic, or Scandinavian mythology, is the body of myths belonging to the North Germanic peoples, stemming from Old Norse religion and continuing after the Christianization of Scandinavia as the Nordic folklore of the modern period. The ...

. Mongol events and persons described in the books include Ögedei's recollection of the 1201 battle of Khalakhaljid Sands, which cemented Ghengis' leadership of the clans, and the 1229 death of his brother

Tolui Tolui (born ; died 1232) was the youngest son of Genghis Khan and Börte. A prominent general during the early Mongol conquests, Tolui was a leading candidate to succeed his father after his death in 1227 and ultimately served as regent of th ...

, described in

The Secret History of the Mongols The ''Secret History of the Mongols'' is the oldest surviving literary work in the Mongolic languages. Written for the Borjigin, Mongol royal family some time after the death of Genghis Khan in 1227, it recounts his life and conquests, and parti ...

as a heroic sacrifice to save Ögedei's life. Later, the 1241 death of Ögedei Khan (cause unknown) and the resulting recall of all the Khans to select a new "Khan of Khans" is woven into the fictional narrative. The Siege of Kiev (1240) and other events in the Mongol invasion of Rus and Europe are described in 1241 by a survivor, as a group of the novel's fictional characters pass through the ruined city. The

Battle of Mohi The Battle of Mohi (11 April 1241) was a pivotal conflict between the Mongol Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary during the Mongol invasion of Europe. The battle took place at Muhi (then Mohi), a town located in present-day Hungary, southwest of ...

(Hungary) and the

Battle of Legnica The Battle of Legnica (), also known as the Battle of Liegnitz () or Battle of Wahlstatt (), was fought between the Mongol Empire and combined European forces at the village of Legnickie Pole (''Wahlstatt''), approximately southeast of the ci ...

(Poland) are also described by fictional "survivors". Several religious orders of knights formed during the Crusades (and their leaders), including the

Teutonic Order The Teutonic Order is a religious order (Catholic), Catholic religious institution founded as a military order (religious society), military society in Acre, Israel, Acre, Kingdom of Jerusalem. The Order of Brothers of the German House of Sa ...

Knights Hospitaller The Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, commonly known as the Knights Hospitaller (), is a Catholic military order. It was founded in the crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem in the 12th century and had headquarters there ...

and

Livonian Brothers of the Sword The Livonian Brothers of the Sword (; ) was a Catholic Church, Catholic Military order (monastic society), military order established in 1202 during the Livonian Crusade by Albert of Riga, Albert, the third bishop of Riga (or possibly by Theode ...

are involved in the narrative. Historical events and persons in 1241 Rome include the papal conclave that selected Cardinal Castiglione to become Pope Celestine IV. Cardinal Fieschi (later

Pope Innocent IV Pope Innocent IV (; – 7 December 1254), born Sinibaldo Fieschi, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 25 June 1243 to his death in 1254. Fieschi was born in Genoa and studied at the universities of Parma and Bolo ...

), and other future Popes are also members of the conclave. Senator Matteo Rosso Orsini and Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II also appear as fictionalized characters.

Alexander Nevsky Alexander Yaroslavich Nevsky (; ; monastic name: ''Aleksiy''; 13 May 1221 – 14 November 1263) was Prince of Novgorod (1236–1240; 1241–1256; 1258–1259), Grand Prince of Kiev (1249–1263), and Grand Prince of Vladimir (1252–1263). ...

's 1242 campaign against German and Estonian invaders is a major subject of Book 4, including the climactic

Battle on the Ice The Battle on the Ice, also known as the Battle of Lake Peipus, took place on 5 April 1242. It was fought on the frozen Lake Peipus when the united forces of the Novgorod Republic, Republic of Novgorod and Vladimir-Suzdal, led by Prince Alexande ...

. The mythical Baba Yaga helps the protagonists defend

Kievan Rus' Kievan Rus', also known as Kyivan Rus,. * was the first East Slavs, East Slavic state and later an amalgam of principalities in Eastern Europe from the late 9th to the mid-13th century.John Channon & Robert Hudson, ''Penguin Historical At ...

. In Book 5, the action shifts to the

Albigensian Crusade The Albigensian Crusade (), also known as the Cathar Crusade (1209–1229), was a military and ideological campaign initiated by Pope Innocent III to eliminate Catharism in Languedoc, what is now southern France. The Crusade was prosecuted pri ...

against

Catharism Catharism ( ; from the , "the pure ones") was a Christian quasi- dualist and pseudo-Gnostic movement which thrived in Southern Europe, particularly in northern Italy and southern France, between the 12th and 14th centuries. Denounced as a he ...

, and the 1244 siege of Château de Montségur.

Commercially-published Foreworld Saga novels and short stories

''The Mongoliad Cycle''

The series is identified interchangeably by the publisher as ''The Foreworld Saga'' and ''Mongoliad Cycle''. * ''The Mongoliad, Book One,'' by Neal Stephenson, Erik Bear, Greg Bear, Joseph Brassey, Nicole Galland (aka E.D. deBirmingham), Cooper Moo and Mark Teppo; April, 2012. * ''The Mongoliad, Book Two,'' by Neal Stephenson, Erik Bear, Greg Bear, Joseph Brassey, Nicole Galland (aka E.D. deBirmingham), Cooper Moo and Mark Teppo; September, 2012. * ''The Mongoliad, Book Three,'' by Neal Stephenson, Erik Bear, Greg Bear, Joseph Brassey, Nicole Galland (aka E.D. deBirmingham), Cooper Moo and Mark Teppo; February, 2013. * ''Katabasis, The Foreworld Saga, Book Four'', by Joseph Brassey, Cooper Moo, Mark Teppo and Angus Trim, October, 2013. (The first ''Foreworld'' novel not co-authored by Neal Stephenson.) * ''Siege Perilous, The Mongoliad Cycle, Book Five,'' by Nicole Galland (writing as E.D. deBirmingham); January, 2014

Foreworld SideQuests

These are, with the exception of the "Foreworld SideQuest Comics", of novelette length. They were initially published in e-book and audio formats. * ''Sinner'', by Mark Teppo; August, 2012. * ''Dreamer'', by Mark Teppo; September, 2012. * ''The

Lion The lion (''Panthera leo'') is a large Felidae, cat of the genus ''Panthera'', native to Sub-Saharan Africa and India. It has a muscular, broad-chested body (biology), body; a short, rounded head; round ears; and a dark, hairy tuft at the ...

in Chains'', by Mark Teppo; October, 2012. * ''The Shield Maiden'', by Michael Tinker Pearce and Linda Pearce; November, 2012. * ''The Beast of Calatrava'', by Mark Teppo; January, 2013. * ''Seer'', by Mark Teppo; February, 2013. * ''The Book of Seven Hands'', by Barth Anderson; March, 2013. * ''The Assassination of Orange'', by Joseph Brassey; April, 2013. * ''Hearts of Iron'', by Scott James Magner; May, 2013. * ''Symposium #1'' (comic format), by Christian Cameron (author) and Dmitry Bondarenko (illustrator); July, 2013. * ''Tyr's Hammer'' by Michael Tinker Pearce and Linda Pearce; October, 2013. * ''Symposium #1'' (comic format), by Christian Cameron (author) and Dmitry Bondarenko (illustrator); October, 2013. * ''

Marshal Marshal is a term used in several official titles in various branches of society. As marshals became trusted members of the courts of Middle Ages, Medieval Europe, the title grew in reputation. During the last few centuries, it has been used fo ...

versus the Assassins'', by M. Harold Page; November, 2013. * ''Blood and Ashes'', by Scott James Magner; February, 2014 * '' Suffrajitsu: Mrs. Pankhurst's Amazons'' (comic format), by Tony Wolf (author) and João Vieira (illustrator); January, 2015.

Kindle World fan fiction stories

In keeping with Subutai's original intent to augment the Foreworld Saga with fan or community content,

fan fiction Fan fiction or fanfiction, also known as fan fic, fanfic, fic or FF, is fiction typically written in an amateur capacity by fans as a form of fan labor, unauthorized by, but based on, an existing work of fiction. The author uses copyrighted ...

publisher Kindle Worlds published ten new stories "inspired by" the ''Foreworld Saga'' in June, 2013. ''Foreworld Saga'' co-author and

showrunner A showrunner is the top-level executive producer of a television series. The position outranks other creative and management personnel, including episode directors, in contrast to feature films, in which the director has creative control over th ...

Mark Teppo explains, "As you can see from the Kindle Worlds storefront, there is a distinction between Canon and Kindle Worlds material. We’d like to see some of the Kindle Worlds material elevate itself up to Canon by its quality." * ''The Outcast'', by Robert Kroese; June, 2013. Taking place during the Viking invasions. * ''The Qian,'' by Aric Davis; June, 2013. Taking place during the Mongol war. * ''Kingdom of Glass,'' by Roberto Calas; June, 2013. Taking place toward the end of the Hundred Years War. * ''Sword of the Scholar'', by Mel Odom; June, 2013. Taking place during the

Ming Dynasty The Ming dynasty, officially the Great Ming, was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol Empire, Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming was the last imperial dynasty of ...

China. * ''Bloodaxe,'' by Charles Sasser; June, 2013. Taking place during the Viking invasions. * ''The Brutus Coin'', by Leigh Knight; June, 2013. Taking place after the assassination of Julius Caesar. * ''Envoy,'' by Anselm Audley; June, 2013. Taking place during the wars of Attila the Hun. * ''Belly Full of Hell'', by Aric Davis; June, 2013. Pit fighting during the Mongol war. * ''The Mountain of Mist and Shadow,'' by S.M. Ruttan; June, 2013. Taking place during Julius Caesar's wars. * ''The Adventures of Dysingli Soon,'' by Joanna D. Jakubcin; June, 2013. Taking place in Medieval Rome. * ''Lanes of the Victorious,'' by Jon Mickus; January, 2014. Taking place during the

First Mithridatic War The First Mithridatic War /ˌmɪθrəˈdædɪk/ (89–85 BC) was a war challenging the Roman Republic's expanding empire and rule over the Greek world. In this conflict, the Kingdom of Pontus and many Greek cities rebelling against Roman rule ...

of the Roman Republic. * ''Sword of Mongetai,'' by Richard Stiller; March, 2014. Taking place right after the Mongol invasions of

. * ''Out of the East,'' by Jerry Goodwyn; March, 2014. Taking place after the death of Pope Clement IV. * ''Infernal Castles,'' by Jon Mickus; July, 2014. The sequel to ''Lanes of the Victorious''. * ''Shield of Mongetai,'' by Richard Stiller; August, 2014. The sequel to ''Sword of Mongetai''. * ''The Veil of God,'' by R. Randolph Irwin; December, 2014. Kindle Worlds also published four works of prose fan-fiction inspired by the ''Suffrajitsu'' graphic novel trilogy: * ''The Pale Blue Ribbon,'' by John Longenbaugh; February, 2015. * ''The Isle of Dogs,'' by Michael Lussier; March, 2015. * ''Carried Away,'' by Ray Dean; March, 2015. * ''The Second-Story Girl,'' by Mark Lingane; March, 2015.

Sources

External links

Official site

Fan/author recruitment site at Kindle Worlds

Video:
Neal Stephenson and Greg Bear discuss the historical scope of ''The Mongoliad''

Boing Boing ''Boing Boing'' is a website, first established as a zine in 1988, later becoming a group blog. Common topics and themes include technology, futurism, science fiction, gadgets, intellectual property, Disney, and left-wing politics. It twice wo ...

, May 25, 2010 {{DEFAULTSORT:Mongoliad, The 2010 works Adventure fiction Europe in fiction Works by Greg Bear Works by Neal Stephenson Secret histories 2010s electronic literature works