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More and more information about the Franj invasion seems to be coming out. However, if you have the Crusades Historical Reference to AD&D 2nd Edition, its much easier to convert to Pathfinder than say, GURPS: Crusades; at least in theory.
To play a Pathfinder Game in the time of the Crusades you will need:
A. A reliable map of the Levant from 1066 AD to 1200 AD -- which includes Present day Lebanon, Syria, Israel, and Jordan; and the county of Edessa (which is in Kurdestan, I believe).
B. A good historical source on the Crusades -- one that you can trust to put both the Crusaders and the Muslims in their proper light and darkness (AD&D's reference paints the Muslims as heavenly, but Salah al Din was as much a butcher as King Richard the First).
C. One Pathfinder RPG Core.
D. One bestiary.
E. a bunch of players who won't mind going on a fantastic adventure in the Holy Land.
Stir, add liberal amounts of fun, and cool.
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Okay, it's not that easy. But this is what you get.
Appropriate Player character classes:
Class Outright Historical Legendary Fantastic
Fighter Allowed Allowed Allowed
Paladin DM's Approve Allowed Allowed
Ranger DM's Approve Allowed Allowed
Sorcerer* N/A DM's Approve DM's Approve
Wizard (U) DM's Approve DM's Approve Allowed
Wizard (Sp) N/A N/A N/A
Cleric Allowed Allowed Allowed
Druid N/A N/A DM's Approve
Rogue Allowed Allowed Allowed
Barbarian Allowed Allowed Allowed
Monk N/A N/A DM's Approve
Psion N/A N/A DM's Approve
Psychic Warrior " " "
Soulknife " " "
Wilder " " "
Religious Considerations
Okay, some of these are obvious. All of the classes can be played by muslims or christians. But what domains do the clerics of Islam and Christianity get?
Christianity domains: the religion is Neutral Good and gets the following as domains -- Good, Healing, Knowledge [Favored Weapon, Longsword].
Evil Christian Priests choose from: Good, Healing (reversed), Trickery, and War.
Islam: the religion is LAWFUL good and gets the following as domains: Law, Good, Healing, Knowledge, War [favored weapon is the Scimitar].
Evil Mullahs choose from: Law, Evil, Healing (reversed), Trickery, and War.
Races:
Depending on your Crusades set up, all of the races except human are unavailable. Except probably Half-Giants; if they can be counted as a "race." However, if you want a more fantasy version of Medieval Europe you could use this race set up:
Human
Elf
Half-Elf
Dwarf
Gnome
Half-Giant (see XPH or Psionics Unleashed)
Kalashtar (see Eberron)
Although there is nothing stopping you from using this race set up as you like:
Human
Elf
Dwarf
Halfling
Gnome
Half-Giant
Teifling
Aasimar
Elan (see the XPH or Psionics Unleashed)
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Equipment:
Most weapons in the 10th Century after Christ (Common Era for those who prefer it) were made of Steel; with the Muslims having the finest steel at the time. it's best to use the English System of money for the time period of the Crusades.
1 English Silver penny (d.) to one Roman Dinarius (d.)
12 pennies to the Shilling (12 d = 1 s.)
About 20 shillings to the pound (Roman Libram; 240 d = 1 Libra)
1 gp = 10d.
so 24 gp = 1 English Pound.
It's more realistic that each class starts out with their averages as sp, or d.
Equipment Charting: I suggest you get a copy of HarnWorld, and use the chart for goods and services in the Harn Blue Book; also, the Arms and Equipment Guide from 2nd Edition can be handy here.
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Special Metals =
Historical ->
Bronze
Steel
Damascus Steel
Fantasy:
Bronze
Steel
Damascus Steel
Alchemical Silver
Mithril
Adamantine
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Part II will deal with monsters and other stuff.