The Brotherhood of the Hand is an ancient assassins guild that began long ago when Zhir Tren, the original Arm, started training disciples under him. He formed the guild after many years or careful planning and found the Brotherhood a place to call their 'home'- a place they were always welcome, a place they knew they were safe.
Zhir led the Brotherhood as the Arm until he was extremely old, managing to reach the age of 80 until he passed the title onto the highest ranking under him, a very dear nephew. His nephew, Dar Wreh, ruled until he was 70 years of age. The title of The Arm passed down the ranks of sons or nephews until over 300 years had passed. This tradition, however, came to an end under the leadership of Lopi Gret. At that time, a smart young girl named Ciang appeared. Nothing was known of her background and she knew little of her life herself. She was quick witted and for the first time since the Brotherhood was founded, the title of The Arm was taken from the leader by force. Ciang has ruled for the past 30 years and is now 45. However, she still looks in her early 30s and has the spy eagerness of a 20-year old.
The idea for this was loosely based off of the Brotherhood from The Death Gate Cycle series by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. If you have read it, you may play the only 'main' assassin in the book besides Ciang, whom I have changed a bit to suit my needs. If you know who I am talking about, then you may have him.
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This is set in the medieval times, meaning that there is NO technology whatsoever. People ride on horses, use chamberpots, and use swords daily. They meet in taverns to gossip over brew and herd their cattle. Also, it is more common for a man to be an assassin than a woman. Keep that in mind. As long as the numbers remain equal it's fine. But women cannot outnumber the men. Ciang doesn't count in this calculation.
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The ranking of the Brotherhood is as follows, from highest to lowest- Arm, Hand, Fingers, Hilt, Blade, Tip, Sheath. The Arm is the overall leader of the guild and is by far the most powerful and best. The Sheath members are the newest recruits. Few members ever find love because it is a distraction or they do not want it. They also rarely have children. If they do, the children must either become assassins when they are of age or be given to a villager.
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~Ceremony for New Members~
In order to reach this stage, they must be deemed worthy by killing a close friend or family member without hesitation. A high-ranking member will be sent to watch them secretly. When a new member is brought before Ciang, they must stand before her desk, which is large, grand, and stained in many places with blood. A box lies there, encrusted in gold and gems. When the time is right, the new member will stand before her. She will remove from the box a dagger, the hilt of which resembles a hand, the fingers together and the palm open. The thumb forms the crosspiece and all together it is the symbol of the Brotherhood. The young one holds out their dominant hand and grips the blade of the dagger. Ciang holds the hilt of it. An assisstant, normally a higher-ranking member, will remove the leather strip from the box and tie it around the hand of the member that grips the blade. It is then yanked tight, squeezing the hand tightly around the blade. They must recite the oath of the Brotherhood right after the strip is tightened. When it is removed, there is a permanent scar that signifies their membership. To show that they are a member, they hold out their hand, palm up, with their fingers together and their thumb perpindicular to their fingers.
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~Ceremony for Bonding Members~
Members are not bonded in love, simply for necessity. It is sometimes safer to work in pairs. At least one member must already be bound to the Brotherhood. If they both are, they simply reopen their old wounds with a slash of the dagger, press their hands together, and swear an oath to each other. If one member is new, they go through the ritual for new members while the existing member does the aforementioned and presses his hand to his new partner.
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Oath of the Brotherhood
"By becoming a member of the Brotherhood, I pledge to follow all governing laws and mandates set forth by The Arm. I will not stray from the path of the Brotherhood and I will be faithful to all of my Brothers and Sisters. If at any time I stray from these rules, I understand that I have risked my own life and must give it in reparation.
Live in the shadows. Flee from the light. From this day forward, this is my plight. I shall never falter, my word shall be good. I will be ever loyal to the Brotherhood."
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Oath of Bonded Members
Member 1 will either be the highest in rank, the member (if the other is a new recruit [if a new recruit is doing this, they do it immediately after their entrance ceremony]), the lady (if equal in ranking), or the strongest/most skilled (if both are the same gender). The meaning of the phrase 'accept no others' means as a partner. They may procreate with others, but never out of love.
Member 1- "I, (states name), accept (other person's name) as my new bonded partner." They cut their hand.
Member 2- "I, (states name), accept (other person's name) as my new bonded partner." They cut their hand.
Both hands are pressed together, the cuts lined up together.
Both members together- "From this day forth, I shall accept no others but you as my partner. If I betray you, I die myself. If you betray me, you will join me in oblivion. Until my death, I shall serve you, but above you always The Arm. From this day forth, we are bonded."
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