Ruins of Empires

Ruins of Empires is the third scenario of the Francisco de Almeida campaign in Age of Empires II HD: The African Kingdoms. Francisco has been appointed to be a Viceroy of India by King Manuel and has gathered a crew to sail with him to India. They sail all the way to the southern tip of Africa, braving the stormy Atlantic Ocean. From there, sailing towards India, they reach the Swahili coast. Here, he asks the local ruler, an usurper, to give them shelter and allow them to trade with his people but the ruler refuses. Francisco finds an African prince, Muhammad ibn Rukn ad Din who has a rebel army wanting to dethrone the local ruler. In order to take revenge against the ruler's inhospitality, Francisco decides to take the riches of the Swahili coast by force.

Allies

 * Swahili Villages (Malians): They are small villages scattered all over the mainland. Their villages have been taken over by Bantu (orange) soldiers, led by mighty chieftains. If the player kills these soldiers and brings Muhammad, the rebel prince to their villages, they will grant the player some soldiers. But if the player hands over Muhammad to Kilwa to be executed, the Swahili Villages will not provide the player with units, but will still remain an ally.

Ally → Enemy

 * Kilwa (Ethiopians): They have a small, fortified city near the southwestern edge of the map. Depending on whether the player brings Muhammad to their city to be executed or not, they will change their diplomacy towards the player. If the player brings him to their city, they will remain an ally until the player brings an army to his city. He will also grant the player the island to the east of the player's starting position with Villagers and a Town Center. If the player goes to the northwest of their city, the buildings of Swahili Villages will come under the player's control and they can make their base there as well. But if the player decides not to bring Muhammad to their city, they will immediately turn their stance toward the player to enemy and the player will have to destroy their Castle. The player will also not get the Swahili Villages' buildings near their city until they are defeated. Once the Castle is destroyed, they will surrender and all their buildings will come under the player's control.
 * Mombasa (Malians): Their city is located at the north and northeastern part of the map. They have a strong navy and train Knights, Gbetos and Monks. They also have a Wonder. Like Kilwa, the decision of bringing Muhammad to Kilwa for his execution or not will decide Mombasa's stance towards the player. If the player brings him to Kilwa for his execution, Mombasa will immediately turn their stance toward the player to enemy. If the player does not bring him to Kilwa, they will remain an ally until Kilwa is defeated, after which they will become an enemy and the player must destroy their Wonder.

Ally or Enemy

 * Zanzibar (Saracens): Their city is located on two separate islands to the east of the map. They have a strong navy comprising of Fast Fire Ships and Demolition Ships, along with Trade Cogs which they use to trade with Swahili Villages' Docks. Their stance with the player, as others is dependent on whether the player decides to bring Mohammad to Kilwa for his execution. If the player brings him to Kilwa to be executed, they will immediately turn their stance toward the player to enemy and start attacking the player with their navy. If the player does not bring him to Kilwa, they will remain an ally for the remaining scenario. However, if the player turns their stance toward Zanzibar to enemy, they can get 100 gold for each Zanzibar Trade Cog that they sink, but then the player will have to face their strong navy as well.

Enemy

 * Bantu (Ethiopians): They are indigenous African people who have taken over the Swahili Villages and are spread over most of the mainland. They mainly train Shotel Warriors, Eastern Swordsmen, Archers and Camel Archers. Destroying the Huts of Bantu (purple) will stop them from spawning more units.
 * Bantu (Ethiopians): They do not have any units and only have Huts spread across the mainland. Destroying these huts will stop Bantu (orange) from making more soldiers.