Mongol Empire

The Mongol Empire was a nomadic civilization originating from the Mongolian steppes of Northern Asia who, during the 13th and 14th centuries, expanded to become the single largest contiguous empire in recorded history. Beginning in the steppes, it eventually stretched from the Sea of Japan to the gates of Vienna,, and from the Republic of Novgorod in the north, to the Indian subcontinent in the South.

War with the Assassins
During the latter part of the 13th century, the Mongols became the major enemy of the Assassins. In 1227, the Mentor of the Levantine Assassins, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, his son Darim, and the Mongolian Assassin Qulan Gal were responsible for the death of Genghis Khan, whom they suspected of wielding a Piece of Eden in explanation of his rise to power.

Thirty years later, in 1257, the Mongols finally reached and besieged the Assassins' fortress of Masyaf, partially destroying and seizing it and forcing the Assassins to scatter throughout Europe, Africa and Asia.

After the siege, a Mongol patrol intercepted the fleeing Assassins and famed explorers - Niccolò and Maffeo Polo - and obtained the Codex of Altaïr from them. Years later, Niccolò's son, Marco, traveled to the court of Kublai Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan, and retrieved the Codex from him.