Peoples of God faction preview: The Hashishin
Faction Preview:
The Hashashin
"And when he wished to kill someone, he would take him and say: 'Go and do this thing. I do this because I want to make you return to paradise'. And the assassins go and perform the deed willingly."
- Marco Polo - on his visit to Alamut in 1273
The Hashishin, an ordered rumoured to be much older, but only truly established in 1097 by Hassan i-Sabah. He secured the fortress of Alamut from its landowner by offering a thousand bezants for the area covered by a bull’s hide. He cut the hide into thin strips and spread them around the perimeter of the fort and, with Sabah’s popular support in the area, the landowner was forced to agree.
From that invincible fortress, he coerced or murdered his enemies: the Seljuq and Burid Sunnites and Egyptian shi’ites both. He controlled the ‘hashishin’ or ‘assassins’. These, uniquely trained and fanatically devoted murderers, used disguises and the dagger to kill their enemies.
Through this campaign of terror, he and his successors managed to take a fair part of Iran and also strengthen the Nizari faith significantly before their downfall at the hands of the Timurids. Can you do any better?
Estimated campaign difficulty: very hard
Starting faction leader: Hassan-i Sabbah
Unique Traits:
Sheikh al Jabal (Prince of the Mountain)
Marco Polo and the crusaders were all confused by the dual meaning of sheikh, the title of Hassan and his successors – it can mean Old Man or Prince. The Prince of the Mountain has even more influence and control than other faction leaders.
Faction leader trait, +2 Dread, +2 Authority/Influence, +1 Command, +2 Piety, +1 Acumen, +1 personal security, paves the way for other traits
Translation/title needed (Favoured of the Prince)
Hassan I-Sabah and his successors were not chosen by blood, but by the favour of the leader. As such, it was a greater boon to be set to inherit the title of Sheikh, because it showed not only trust in one’s abilities, but also some influence in the politics of Alamut. Being so favoured could cause jealousy among others…
Faction heir trait: +1 influence, +1 dread, +1 piety, -1 personal security, makes way for good traits and dread traits.
Translation/title needed (Once-favoured)
Falling from the favour of the Prince of the Mountain is not a healthy occupation. It shows the former favourite as a man distrusted, impious and also one most likely to be sent on missions with little chance of success…
Disinherited trait: -1 influence, -1 piety, -1 personal security, -1 morale, makes way for bad traits and chivalry traits.
Angel to Nizar
This man rescued the leader and founder of Nizarism from the vile clutches of Cairo. He is seen as a hero in the Iranian nizari world, and the masses acclaim him.
Mission-related: +1 influence, +5% conversion to Nizarism, +2 piety, +1 personal security, +1 morale to troops on battlefield. May not be acquired by a non-Nizari.
Unique Ancillaries:
Mowlana an-Nizar
The founder of the Nizari religion, Mowlana an-Nizar, was removed as Caliph of Cairo in favour of his younger brother, Ahmad al-Mustali by the Vizier al-Afdal Shahanshah. An-Nizar rebelled and was imprisoned, but now, Nizar has been freed by the Hashishin. He is an inspiration to troops and well-versed in Egyptian tactics, as well as a witness to the faith of the man who is attempting to reinstate him as Caliph.
Mission-related: +1 morale to troops on battlefield, +1 command when fighting Egyptians, +1 piety, a Christian, Shi’ite or Sunnite saddled with an-Nizar stands a high chance of converting to Nizarism.
Indoctrinated Hashishin
The Hashishin loyalty was even to death, in many circumstances, they being prepared to sacrifice their lives for that of their Sheikh.
+1 to valour of bodyguard, +1 to personal security.
Nizari Imam
The Hashishin Nizari faith is one of great secrecy and power, with knives and disguises, Hassan crippled the Sunnites of Iran. Well, who were the priests to complain… they might even help.
+1 piety, +1 LOS, 10% discount on agent training costs. Do not join non-Nizari characters.
Unique Building: Secret Garden (Alamut)
Hassan I-Sabah, according to Marco Polo, used a unique method of indoctrination; he would take potential candidates a few at a time and drug them, before taking them to the Secret Garden of Alamut. In here they would believe they were in paradise, before being brought cruelly back to reality and convinced that Hassan was an agent of God, and only his will would allow them back to paradise.
+2 valour to assassins trained in the province, beneficial traits granted to the governor of Alamut
Unique Building: Alamut water supply (Alamut)
Alamut was supplied by a unique water system, allowing it to hold out far longer than other fortresses of a similar spectacular size and also reduce the risk of plague and widespread famine. A man having spent a while in such conditions could also have excellent health.
+1 health to Alamut, increases chance of ‘healthy’ traits being acquired.
Unique mission: Rescue of an-Nizar
Starting message:
An-Nizar, imprisoned wrongly by his brother, the heretical Ahmad al-Musta’li is imprisoned in Cairo. He has managed to send a secret messenger to us, asking for release. He would be a valuable asset, as would the reputation of the rescuer. Do you accept the holy task of his release?
Player options: yes/no
If no, ‘It is a tragedy that even the most devout of Nizar’s followers are hypocrites, cowards in the extreme.’ (if I can easily trigger it, there may be a punitive trait)
If yes, ‘such glorious news is appreciated. You must send a true Nizari to invade and take Cairo and then tear down the gaol there, in that manner you will release an-Nizar. God go with you.’
Reward: Ancillary granted: Mowlana an-Nizar, potential trait granted: Angel to Nizar, 5 units granted: 1 x Mamluk faris, 2 x Egyptian heavy spearmen, 2 x Egyptian elite ships (names to be revised).
Faction Symbol: white dagger on black background
Sample/test:
Unique Units:
Hashishin
The hashishin, having been taken through the Secret Garden of Alamut, are truly formidable, not fearing death, often tortured to death rather than killing themselves. Their fanatical loyalty is an asset that makes them a useful delaying unit, or last stand force. While many act as Assassins, and, indeed are the root of the modern word, others fight on the battlefield using their favoured daggers.
Require building: Secret Garden, good attack, average defence, excellent morale, very hardy
Iranian Nizari Infantry
The Hashishin have a good supply of Iranian infantry, which, while undisciplined, are an unusual source of archers and spearmen in equal measure. The Nizari variety is somewhat sturdier, having a faith and cause to fight for.
Require buildings: spearmaker, bowmaker (names to be revised), average ranged attack, average melee attack, spears and bows.
Nizari Crossbowmen
The Nizaris, being sworn enemies of both the Sunnites and Shi’ites, were often forced to seek help in unusual places. Through alliances with either crusading power, they can secure units of these crossbowmen, which are ideal for defeating heavily armoured infantry or cavalry.
Requires alliance with Antioch or Edessa (or else to have wiped out those factions), requires building: bowmaker, powerful shot, slow reload, average defence, poor melee ability.
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*Cackles* - hope you enjoyed the preview, I think you'll get something on Makuria next.
Edit - note, the somewhat dismal faction symbol is just me messing around with photoshop. I'm going to improve it/get someone who can use photoshop to do it when I have the opportunity.
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