Order of Assassins
.svg) | |
| Formation | 1030 CE |
|---|---|
| Dissolved | 1432 CE |
| Headquarters |
|
| Location | |
Official language | |
Imam | |
Parent organization | |
The Order of Assassins (Arabic: الحشَّاشين, Vaktrian: Ašašin), also known as the Hasiki Imrani State, was a Hasiki Imrani sect of Shiya who lived in the mountains of Vaktria between 1030 and 1432. They engaged in subterfuge throughout Vaktria, including covert murder of national leaders. They were not hired assassins but rather targeted those seen as enemies of Hasikism. The modern term assassination is based on the tactics used by the Order. The Order of Assassins was founded by Yusuf Abu Buma. The Order developed a network of strongholds throughout Vaktria that was essentially a state under hostile rule. The Order of Assassins also occasionally conducted assassinations outside of Vaktria in western Ecros.
Contents
Etymology
The term "assassin" likely has roots in the Arabic word hashshāshīn, meaning "hashish smokers". The name is a misnomer based on the myth that the Order of Assassins smoked the cannabis drug hashish. This name was likely first used by the enemies of the Order of Assassins, the Haltemid Caliphate. The word was then Romanyanized and adopted by many languages to describe activities similar to those of the Order.
History
In 1004, a dispute over succession to the title of Haltemid Caliph ensued following the death of Caliph Abdul Rahman ibn Badri. This was also a religious issue as the succession was also about the Imamate. Those who sided with Muhammad Abu Sayf, who became the Caliph, were known as Sayfis, and those who sided with Hasik ibn Abdul Rahman, who was executed, were known as Hasikis.
The Hasikis faced persecution and suppression. In 1030, Yusuf Abu Buma and a group his followers took over Pervan Castle in the mountains outside Minaltar. There they developed and wrote about their beliefs and principles, trained in combat and other skills, and planned assassinations and other projects.
Abu Buma dispatched missionaries to other parts of the Haltemid Caliphate to estabish cells. The Haltemids attempted to eradicate the Order of Assassins by hunting down assassins and sieging known castles. They were largely unsuccessful however. The Order's subterfuge and secrecy made them difficult to target, and their castes were well fortified. The Order also developed scientific and technological interests, with several members becoming important scientists and inventors.
The Order of Assassins defended against the crusaders of the Vaktrian Crusade beginning in 1052. They assassinated the Mikailan King Ibrahim I in 1055, which was a major factor in the crusaders' defeat. They then expanded into the Mikailan Kingdom and constructed Masyaf Castle, which became the Order's main headquarters in southern Vaktria.
The Order of Assassins fought against the Terranilian Empire and continued to operate after 1356 when Terranihil had conquered Vaktria. Terranihil was able to recapture several castles and slowly eradicated the Order. Masyaf Castle, the last Assassin stronghold, was sieged and breached in 1432.
The Order of Assassins's highest profile assassinations include four Haltemid Caliphs, three Mikailan Kings, a Nasrid Emir, and three Terranilian Ultvars. They also had several high profile failed assassination attempts.
Strongholds
- Photo gallery
Masyaf Castle
Amlair Castle
Sakhra Khadra Castle
Abu Thaqun Castle
Quintus Castle
.jpg)
