Order of Assassins
The Order of Assassins is a clandestine order dedicated to fighting a shadow war against the forces of Asmodeus and Zolena. Despite the name, no one in the Order is an Assassin as the current use of the word derives from the demonization of the Order by the Crusader States during the 11th through 13th centuries CE. Having already accepted the current use, the Order encouraged that use on Elysiar in order to cover their movements and pass off their actions as the actions of hired blades rather than an organized, clandestine group.
In actuality, the Order of Assassins was established as "The Order of Moon and Shadow" in 47 BCE in the Greek Colony of Cyrene in modern day Libya by Adelina of Athens (now Adelina Onisia), a Greek mercenary and sorceress; Ila Cahri, a Half-Atlantean Dusk Knight of Selena, and Roman Senators Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus, better know today as simply "Cassius and Brutus." There, bitter from betrayal by their once ally Gaius Julius Caesar, the Order started planning its first assassination, that of Caesar himself, who had taken over leadership of the Cult of Asmodeus from Ptolemy XIII, who was killed by Adelina during the Battle of the Nile a few days earlier.
The Order grew beyond its religious foundations after Hassan II discovered a lost Atlantean library in the Holy Land in the early 1160s and learned of the shadow war waged between an ancient atlantean order known as the "Order of Moon and Shadow" and the Church of Zolena in their attempts to bring about the end of existence and the Church of Asmodeus' desire to subjugate humanity and deprive them of their freedom to be. Hassan learned of the true gods of the universe and, when he became Imam in 1164, reoriented the Order toward the faiths of Elys and Selena to oppose Zolena and Asmodeus' churches. Shortly after his reorientation of the Order, Hassan was killed mysteriously in 1166. The reorientation split the Order into two sects, Hassan's converts and the originalists. Upon the death of Hassan II, the Order following his new vision left the Nizari state and dispersed throughout the known world to spread his teachings and recruit people into the Order. By the early 14th century, there were a number of Assassin cells spread from the Atlantic to the Indian subcontinent as well as expanding into Elysiar through means known only to the Order.
Outside of the Order, not much is known about the exact influence of the Assassins after the fall of the Nizari state. This is something they wish to keep intact.
History
History on the Order is muddy, at best, but contemporary sources say that the Order was founded in 1090 CE by Hassan-i Sabbah who established the Nizari Ismaili state out of Alamut Castle in present day Iran. While the religious state was the public face of the order, the Order as it is now known worked behind the scenes, carrying out religious assassinations of the enemies of the state. The Order was considered destroyed in the late 13th century when the Nizari state fell to the Mongols, though the reality is more complex.In actuality, the Order of Assassins was established as "The Order of Moon and Shadow" in 47 BCE in the Greek Colony of Cyrene in modern day Libya by Adelina of Athens (now Adelina Onisia), a Greek mercenary and sorceress; Ila Cahri, a Half-Atlantean Dusk Knight of Selena, and Roman Senators Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus, better know today as simply "Cassius and Brutus." There, bitter from betrayal by their once ally Gaius Julius Caesar, the Order started planning its first assassination, that of Caesar himself, who had taken over leadership of the Cult of Asmodeus from Ptolemy XIII, who was killed by Adelina during the Battle of the Nile a few days earlier.
The Order grew beyond its religious foundations after Hassan II discovered a lost Atlantean library in the Holy Land in the early 1160s and learned of the shadow war waged between an ancient atlantean order known as the "Order of Moon and Shadow" and the Church of Zolena in their attempts to bring about the end of existence and the Church of Asmodeus' desire to subjugate humanity and deprive them of their freedom to be. Hassan learned of the true gods of the universe and, when he became Imam in 1164, reoriented the Order toward the faiths of Elys and Selena to oppose Zolena and Asmodeus' churches. Shortly after his reorientation of the Order, Hassan was killed mysteriously in 1166. The reorientation split the Order into two sects, Hassan's converts and the originalists. Upon the death of Hassan II, the Order following his new vision left the Nizari state and dispersed throughout the known world to spread his teachings and recruit people into the Order. By the early 14th century, there were a number of Assassin cells spread from the Atlantic to the Indian subcontinent as well as expanding into Elysiar through means known only to the Order.
Outside of the Order, not much is known about the exact influence of the Assassins after the fall of the Nizari state. This is something they wish to keep intact.
Structure
On Elysiar, the Order operates out of cells, each one led fairly democratically; although a lot of deference is granted to the more veteran members of the cell. Despite the deference, everyone's input is valued. There are only two ranks within the order: "Assassins" who are full members of the order and "Initiates" who are assassins in training.
On Earth, the Order is a bit more structured. There they follow Adelina Onisia and operate nominally out of Bran Castle in Romania and Castle Charyot.
On Earth, the Order is a bit more structured. There they follow Adelina Onisia and operate nominally out of Bran Castle in Romania and Castle Charyot.
Culture
The Order values free will and individuality and they actively oppose all who would attempt to crush these traits, which often puts them in direct opposition of the churches of Asmodeus and Rhuxaros. Though the Order's main fight is for that of existence; pitting them firmly against the forces of Zolena.
Many members of the Order see themselves as benevolent protectors of the innocents and defenders of the downtrodden. Often hiding in plain sight as reporters and law enforcement officers. During times of war, many join the militaries of nations defending a viewpoint similar to their interpretation of the Order's tenets; only very rarely does this lead to two assassins fighting on opposing sides.
The order followed several core tenets stemming from their motto and almost serving as an explanation for it:
Many members of the Order see themselves as benevolent protectors of the innocents and defenders of the downtrodden. Often hiding in plain sight as reporters and law enforcement officers. During times of war, many join the militaries of nations defending a viewpoint similar to their interpretation of the Order's tenets; only very rarely does this lead to two assassins fighting on opposing sides.
The order followed several core tenets stemming from their motto and almost serving as an explanation for it:
- "Laws do not arise from divinity, but reason." - Order stems from rationality and knowledge rather than a proclamation of divine will.
- "We command our own actions, and must live with their consequences, whether glorious or tragic." - The Order believes in freedom to choose one's fate, thus any action they undertake is their own and cannot be blamed or passed off on another.
- "Stay your blade from the flesh of an innocent" - Corruption must be cut out, but not at the cost of innocent lives. The death of innocents causes strife and discord.
- "Hide in plain sight" - An assassin must be unseen and the death of their target unwitnessed, or else the great illusion of the Assassins would be lost.
- "Never compromise the brotherhood" - If an Assassin is captured or chased, they cannot do or say anything that could be tied back to the Order or bring harm to another Assassin.
Assets
As they operate out of individual cells, the assets held by the Order varies from cell to cell. In general, the Order tended to hoard Atlantean relics in order to keep them from those who would use them for ill-intent. They would also ensure these relics fell into the right hands, if a need arose.
Something common to every assassin is a thin, spring-assisted blade attached to the underside of their off-hand wrist that can be concealed easily beneath clothing or a bracer. While not useful in a fight, this blade does allow for precise and deep stabs, allowing an assassin to dispatch most people they get the jump on with a single quick jab, usually to the heart, the head, or the neck. When used in combat, unless used for a quick jab into flesh, the blade can easily be snapped if parried or snatched with a swordbreaker.
Something common to every assassin is a thin, spring-assisted blade attached to the underside of their off-hand wrist that can be concealed easily beneath clothing or a bracer. While not useful in a fight, this blade does allow for precise and deep stabs, allowing an assassin to dispatch most people they get the jump on with a single quick jab, usually to the heart, the head, or the neck. When used in combat, unless used for a quick jab into flesh, the blade can easily be snapped if parried or snatched with a swordbreaker.
"Nothing is True, Everything is Permitted"
Founding Date
47 BCE
Type
Secret, Occult
Alternative Names
Order of the Moon and Shadow; Hashashin
Predecessor Organization
Demonym
Assassin
Leader
Founders
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