Will the upcoming All Under Heaven DLC include Persian characters like the last Surenid (or Sassanid) in China?

[Akutta]

By 867, there were still some Iranian Zoroastrians in China, particularly in Sichuan. Some were descendants of merchants, while others traced their lineage to those who followed the Sassanid royalty after the empire's fall. One of the more intriguing figures from this period is Suliang (苏谅), a Tang cavalry commander whose bilingual epitaph (written in both Chinese and Pahlavi) was uncovered in Shaanxi in 1955.

Researchers theorize that Suliang's name translates to Suren. The Pahlavi inscription states that he was of royal descent and includes a prayer to Ahura Mazda. His wife, Maxishi (马昔师, Masis), passed away at 26 in 874 and was described in the epitaph as both his spouse and daughter.

Chinese Epitaph (translated into Modern Chinese):
左神策军散兵马使苏谅之妻马氏，于咸通十五年（公元874年）亡故，享年26岁。

The wife of Suliang, Commander of the Scattered Cavalry of the Left Divine Strategy Army, Lady Ma, passed away in the 15th year of Xiantong (874 AD) at the age of 26.

Pahlavi Epitaph (translated into Modern Chinese):
此王族逝者、左神策军骑兵之长苏谅之女——马昔师之墓，时年26岁，愿你能回归光明天使阿胡拉·马兹达的怀抱，在天堂享受平静与安宁。

This is the tomb of Maxishi, daughter of Suliang, Commander of the Cavalry of the Left Divine Strategy Army, a descendant of the royal family. At the age of 26, may you return to the embrace of the radiant Ahura Mazda and find peace and tranquility in paradise.

It would be fascinating if the upcoming DLC allows us to play as a landless Surenid (or Sassanid), navigating the complexities of Tang China or attempting a homecoming to Persia.

 

[Enku7071]

both his spouse and daughter

He'll fit perfectly in this game, I'll tell ya that much.

 

[CannaeCogitate]

I would love this, and not from an inbred meme-game standpoint, but I think it corresponds nicely with the slightly earlier and unsuccessful attempt of the Sassanids to rally Chinese support for an Imperial Restoration in Persia.

 

[raistlin_wizard]

I would love this, and not from an inbred meme-game standpoint, but I think it corresponds nicely with the slightly earlier and unsuccessful attempt of the Sassanids to rally Chinese support for an Imperial Restoration in Persia.

It's a historical character and would make for an awesome playthrough or two.

 

[CatilinamSum]

IIRC Jade Dragon added a few Persian Zoroastrian courtiers to the Western Protectorate in the earlier start dates. Would absolutely love to see them included in the upcoming expansion.

 

[klopkr]

Sounds like an excellent character for landless play or just play inside the empire.

 

[raistlin_wizard]

Sounds like an excellent character for landless play or just play inside the empire.

I'm seeing two playthroughs with him. One going west and restoring Persia, bonus points if he can finish the Intermezzo, and another one becoming a sinisiced Zoroastrian Emperor of China.

 

[geek123]

By 867, there were still some Iranian Zoroastrians in China, particularly in Sichuan. Some were descendants of merchants, while others traced their lineage to those who followed the Sassanid royalty after the empire's fall. One of the more intriguing figures from this period is Suliang (苏谅), a Tang cavalry commander whose bilingual epitaph (written in both Chinese and Pahlavi) was uncovered in Shaanxi in 1955.

Researchers theorize that Suliang's name translates to Suren. The Pahlavi inscription states that he was of royal descent and includes a prayer to Ahura Mazda. His wife, Maxishi (马昔师, Masis), passed away at 26 in 874 and was described in the epitaph as both his spouse and daughter.

Chinese Epitaph (translated into Modern Chinese):
左神策军散兵马使苏谅之妻马氏，于咸通十五年（公元874年）亡故，享年26岁。

The wife of Suliang, Commander of the Scattered Cavalry of the Left Divine Strategy Army, Lady Ma, passed away in the 15th year of Xiantong (874 AD) at the age of 26.

Pahlavi Epitaph (translated into Modern Chinese):
此王族逝者、左神策军骑兵之长苏谅之女——马昔师之墓，时年26岁，愿你能回归光明天使阿胡拉·马兹达的怀抱，在天堂享受平静与安宁。

This is the tomb of Maxishi, daughter of Suliang, Commander of the Cavalry of the Left Divine Strategy Army, a descendant of the royal family. At the age of 26, may you return to the embrace of the radiant Ahura Mazda and find peace and tranquility in paradise.

It would be fascinating if the upcoming DLC allows us to play as a landless Surenid (or Sassanid), navigating the complexities of Tang China or attempting a homecoming to Persia.

Then I also suggest adding Wen Yan Bo, the last famous Zoroastrian believer in China who served as prime minister of Song for many times from 1047 to 1086AD including 1066, though he kept his zoroastrian belief secretly he build XianShen Tower to serve as a zoroastrian mosque.

Xianshenlou - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

adding this means you can still revive the Zoroastrian faith even as late as 1066 by beginning the game as the Prime Minister of Song.
Though there is a problem: Wen got his secret Zoroastrian belief because he is a descedant of a Sogdian noble family moved to China but the specific pedigree is unknown.

 

[BoomKidneyShot]

Then I also suggest adding Wen Yan Bo, the last famous Zoroastrian believer in China who served as prime minister of Song for many times from 1047 to 1086AD including 1066, though he kept his zoroastrian belief secretly he build XianShen Tower to serve as a zoroastrian mosque.

Xianshenlou - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

adding this means you can still revive the Zoroastrian faith even as late as 1066 by beginning the game as the Prime Minister of Song.
Though there is a problem: Wen got his secret Zoroastrian belief because he is a descedant of a Sogdian noble family moved to China but the specific pedigree is unknown.

With a meme achievement:

Acura Mazda
Starting as one of these guys, form the Empire of Japan and convert it to Zoroastrianism.

 

[FondMemberofSociety]

XianShen Tower to serve as a zoroastrian mosque

Zoroastrians don't call their places of worship "mosque"s, for rather obvious reasons.

 

[FondMemberofSociety]

navigating the complexities of Tang China

Oh boy, just trying to handle the never-ending mutinies would be extremely painful ...

 

[Orinsul]

By 867, there were still some Iranian Zoroastrians in China, particularly in Sichuan. Some were descendants of merchants, while others traced their lineage to those who followed the Sassanid royalty after the empire's fall. One of the more intriguing figures from this period is Suliang (苏谅), a Tang cavalry commander whose bilingual epitaph (written in both Chinese and Pahlavi) was uncovered in Shaanxi in 1955.

Researchers theorize that Suliang's name translates to Suren. The Pahlavi inscription states that he was of royal descent and includes a prayer to Ahura Mazda. His wife, Maxishi (马昔师, Masis), passed away at 26 in 874 and was described in the epitaph as both his spouse and daughter.

Chinese Epitaph (translated into Modern Chinese):
左神策军散兵马使苏谅之妻马氏，于咸通十五年（公元874年）亡故，享年26岁。

The wife of Suliang, Commander of the Scattered Cavalry of the Left Divine Strategy Army, Lady Ma, passed away in the 15th year of Xiantong (874 AD) at the age of 26.

Pahlavi Epitaph (translated into Modern Chinese):
此王族逝者、左神策军骑兵之长苏谅之女——马昔师之墓，时年26岁，愿你能回归光明天使阿胡拉·马兹达的怀抱，在天堂享受平静与安宁。

This is the tomb of Maxishi, daughter of Suliang, Commander of the Cavalry of the Left Divine Strategy Army, a descendant of the royal family. At the age of 26, may you return to the embrace of the radiant Ahura Mazda and find peace and tranquility in paradise.

It would be fascinating if the upcoming DLC allows us to play as a landless Surenid (or Sassanid), navigating the complexities of Tang China or attempting a homecoming to Persia.

Fantastic information thank you! I have been looking for information about Sassanids in China after Peroz III and his son for years, and you present this brilliant knowledge!

 

[FondMemberofSociety]

Commander of the Scattered Cavalry

Though also not exactly correct, if the position 散兵马使 is in actual command of troops, it should be translated as "Commander of the Skirmish Cavalry".

He'll fit perfectly in this game, I'll tell ya that much.

Isn't it half the reason why people play Mazdans already back in Ck2?

 

[Slaughter]

Wow this guy is an incredible character, I need him in CKIII!
Immense character potential. I wonder if there are any more know Zoroastrians in China at the time?