The Mongoliad

The Mongoliad

Applicationsplash screenforThe Mongoliad
Author	Neal Stephenson Greg Bear
Language	English
Subject	Middle Ages,Mongol Empire
Publisher	Subutai Corporation
Publication date	2010
Publication place	United States
Media type	Smartphone,Web,Print
ISBN	978-1-61218-236-0(paperback)
OCLC	764354919

The Mongoliadis a collaborative work of transmedia historical adventure fiction by a group known as the Subutai Corporation which was founded byNeal Stephensonand others. Set in theForeworld Saga,the story was originally released in a serialized format online, and via a series ofiOSandAndroidapps from 2010 until 2012. It was restructured and re-edited for a definitive edition published by47Northin multiple volumes in 2012 asThe Mongoliad.Fan-submittedForeworldstories were published via Amazon'sKindle Worldsimprint starting in 2013.

Collaborators and format

The serialized edition was intended to be distributed primarily as a series of applications ( "apps" ) forsmartphones,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 theMongol conquests.As well as speculative fiction authorsNeal Stephenson(chairman of Subutai),Greg Bear,Nicole Galland,Mark Teppoand 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 ofThe Mongoliadwas 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 seriesThe Baroque Cycle.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 inSan Francisco, Californiaon 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 publishedMongoliadbooks

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 centuryMongol invasion of Europe,under leadership ofGenghis Khanand his successorÖgedei Khan.The story includes descriptions of Ögedei Khan's court (notably, his rolling"ordo" tent); the geography, flora and fauna of the greatEurasian Steppe;and especiallymedieval Europeanand Asian martial arts. A parallel plot line takes place in Rome, and includes highly detailed depictions of apapal conclave.

Historical events and persons depicted in theMongoliadseries

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 theHoly Grailand elements ofNorse mythology.

Mongol events and persons described in the books include Ögedei's recollection of the 1201 battle ofKhalakhaljid Sands,which cemented Ghengis' leadership of the clans, and the 1229 death of his brotherTolui,described inThe Secret History of the Mongolsas 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.

TheSiege of Kiev (1240)and other events in theMongol invasion of Rusand Europe are described in 1241 by a survivor, as a group of the novel's fictional characters pass through the ruined city. TheBattle of Mohi(Hungary) and theBattle of Legnica(Poland) are also described by fictional "survivors". Several religious orders of knights formed during the Crusades (and their leaders), including theTeutonic Order,Knights HospitallerandLivonian Brothers of the Swordare involved in the narrative.

Historical events and persons in 1241 Rome include thepapal conclave that selected Cardinal Castiglioneto becomePope Celestine IV.Cardinal Fieschi (laterPope Innocent IV), and other future Popes are also members of the conclave. SenatorMatteo Rosso Orsiniand Holy Roman EmperorFrederick IIalso appear as fictionalized characters.

Alexander Nevsky's 1242 campaign against German and Estonian invaders is a major subject of Book 4, including the climacticBattle on the Ice.The mythicalBaba Yagahelps the protagonists defendKievan Rus'.In Book 5, the action shifts to theAlbigensian CrusadeagainstCatharism,and the 1244 siege ofChâteau de Montségur.

Commercially-published Foreworld Saga novels and short stories

The Mongoliad Cycle

The series is identified interchangeably by the publisher asThe Foreworld SagaandMongoliad 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 firstForeworldnovel 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", ofnovelettelength. They were initially published in e-book and audio formats.

• Sinner,by Mark Teppo; August, 2012.
• Dreamer,by Mark Teppo; September, 2012.
• TheLionin 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 ofOrange,by Joseph Brassey; April, 2013.
• Hearts of Iron,by Scott James Magner; May, 2013.
• Symposium #1(comic format), byChristian Cameron(author) and Dmitry Bondarenko (illustrator); July, 2013.
• Tyr's Hammerby Michael Tinker Pearce and Linda Pearce; October, 2013.
• Symposium #1(comic format), by Christian Cameron (author) and Dmitry Bondarenko (illustrator); October, 2013.
• Marshalversus 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 fictionpublisherKindle Worldspublished ten new stories "inspired by" theForeworld Sagain June, 2013.Foreworld Sagaco-author andshowrunnerMark 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 theHundred Years War.
• Sword of the Scholar,by Mel Odom; June, 2013. Taking place during theMing DynastyChina.
• 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 theFirst Mithridatic Warof the Roman Republic.
• Sword of Mongetai,by Richard Stiller; March, 2014. Taking place right after the Mongol invasions ofKievan Rus'.
• Out of the East,by Jerry Goodwyn; March, 2014. Taking place after the death ofPope Clement IV.
• Infernal Castles,by Jon Mickus; July, 2014. The sequel toLanes of the Victorious.
• Shield of Mongetai,by Richard Stiller; August, 2014. The sequel toSword of Mongetai.
• The Veil of God,by R. Randolph Irwin; December, 2014.

Kindle Worlds also published four works of prose fan-fiction inspired by theSuffrajitsugraphic 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.

See also

• 253(novel)a novel byGeoff Rymaninitially released as a website
• Interactive novel
• Project Hieroglyph

External links

• Official site
• Fan/author recruitment site at Kindle Worlds
• Video:Neal Stephenson and Greg Bear discuss the historical scope ofThe Mongoliad
• "Neal Stephenson, Greg Bear and friends launchThe Mongoliad:a shared universe that could only live on the Web ",Boing Boing,May 25, 2010