Assassin
By Kuseru
Entrance Requirements: None.
Skill Cost: 12 Years (8 years as a Secondary Martial Art Style).
In the late 11th century, the founder of the Order of Assassins, Hasan ibn Sabbah (1050-1124) moved from Cairo to Persia where he acquired a mountain fortress (Alamut-captured by 1090) and created a cult of killers. Hasan's agents (dai) infiltrated the Ismaili infrastructure as well as enemy potentates and notables, gathering intelligence, sowing distrust, and waiting for the signal from the grand master to strike. The dai gained control of the towns and other fortresses in the area. The main body of Hasan's overt teachings were derived from the Nizari splinter of the Ismaili branch of the Shiite split of Islam. Hasan himself became known as the Old Man of the Mountain.
The Ismaili cult consisted of a small, specially trained and trusted inner circle, insulated from and supplied by a large, outer circle of general members. Hasan's cult offered nine levels or degrees of knowledge, starting with the overt and moving toward knowledge of only the word of the grand master himself. By the fifth degree, worshipers had rejected any literal interpretation of the Koran and relied only on the Grand Master's interpretations. Level six initiates abandon all overt forms of Muslim observance (prayer, fasting, etc) and enter the rankings of dai. Ninth degree initiates were inducted into the inner circle, known as the Red Circle or the Red Mosque.
9 Malik (Chief of Chiefs)
8 Imam (Lodge Master)
7 Emir (Commander), Murid (Disciple) and Khwaja (Master)
6 Dayes/Dais (missionaries, highest level of 4 major ops sections)
5 Fidavis/Fidais (devoted ones, third level of ops sections)
4 Rafig ("Friends", second level of ops sections)
3 Laziks (Uninitiated, first level of ops sections)
2 Arif (Enlightened)
1 Salik (Seeker)
Cells of Assassins form Halka (circles) or lodges, requiring a minimum of nine initiates. Initiates were taught not only physical disciplines and killing, but mental disciplines designed to focus the mind, similar to yoga and meditation. In order to exploit the widespread belief in magic, Hasan developed elaborate stage illusions (levitation, shape-shifting, escapology) designed to mimic real magic powers, going as far as to encourage any belief that he and his followers were Jinn in human form. Assassins are likey to disguise themselves as beggars, grooms, Christian converts, Sufi holy men, bodyguards, students, and other non-threatening roles. A common tactic involved following the target at night until he reached a relatively deserted street. The Assassin would move in, grab the victim and stab him to death. They were also known for sending their assassins to kill their targets in crowded public places. The Assassin fully expected to be cut down in the ensuing chaos, believing that their place in Heaven was assured. The cold-bloodedness of such acts struck terror into the hearts of both the common populace and political and religious leaders.
The word assassin is believed to come from the name hashishin, (hashish-eaters) which originates from the rumored custom the cultists had of using drugs before their killings. The true origin of the word assassin is either a misinterpretation of either Hashimite (persons having common ancestry with the prophet Muhammed; from Hasim, Muhammed's great-grandfather) or Hasanites, followers of Hasan. The Hashishin were supposedly destroyed centuries ago, but the cult might have survived in secret to this day. The Order of Assassins is also called The Silver Band, a reference to the silver band used to hold the Ka'ba together.
Costume: Assassins favor wearing the Burnoose (hooded cloak), white tunic & red sash with masters wearing green robes, a white glove and a black glove holding an ornate silver dagger. However, assassins were also trained in disguising themselves, and often wear disguises.
Stance: None. The Assassins favor no stance for fighting as they typically attack from ambush or when disguised.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +1 to P.S.
Add +2 to P.E.
Add +1 to M.E.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 2
Escape Moves: Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact
Attack Moves: None
Basic Defense Moves: Automatic Parry, Dodge, Parry.
Advanced Defense Moves: Combination Parry/Attack.
Hand Attacks: Hammer Fist, Lion's Paw (Claw Strike), Knife Hand, Palm Strike, Punch
Basic Foot Attacks: Backward Sweep, Tripping/Leg Hook, Kick, Snap Kick, Heel Stomp Kick (Used to attack an opponent's lower body, or kick them while they're down, 1D4 damage.)
Jumping Foot Attacks: None
Special Attacks: Combination Palm Strike/Grab (A Palm Strike is used, then, if successful, it is followed up with a Grab attack.), Scorpion Arm-Trap (Combination Arm Lock/Stab), Death Blow, Death Blow from Behind, Elbow, Knee, Headbutt, Defensive Headbutt (Used to attack opponents grappling from behind, 1D4 damage.)
Holds/Locks: Automatic Arm Lock, Arm Lock, Wrist Lock, Neck Hold/Choke
Weapon Kata: W.P. Knife, W.P. Paired - Knives.
Modifiers to Attacks: Critical Strike, Critical Strike from Behind, Knockout/Stun, Knockout/Stun from Behind.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Art Powers: Select Two (2) Martial Art Powers from among Namima (Arts of Invisibility), Al-jebr (Atemi), or Tarahhub (Body Hardening Exercises).
Languages: Arabic
Cultural: Use & Recognize Poison.
Physical: Climbing, Prowl
Survival: None.
Temple: Meditation
Weapon Proficiencies: W.P. Blunt, W.P. Knife, W.P. Paired - Knives.
Philosophical Training: Nizari Ismaili splinter cult of Shiite Islam. Inner-circle members of the order of assassins also follow the personality cult of Hasan.
If this is your Primary Martial Art then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Jailhouse Rock (7 Years), Varzesh-e Pahlavani (12 Years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +2 to Strike, Critical Strike on Natural 19 or 20, Critical Strike or Knockout from Behind, Death Blow on a Natural 20.
2nd: +1 to Parry/Dodge, Select one Khilat (Mudra).
3rd: +1 Attack per Melee.
4th: +1 to Strike, Select one additional Khilat (Mudra).
5th: Critical Strike or Knockout from Behind (Triple Damage), Select one (1) additional Martial Art Power from among Namima (Arts of Invisibility), Al-jebr (Atemi), or Tarahhub (Body Hardening Exercises).
6th: +1 Attack per Melee.
7th: Knockout/Stun on a Natural 19 or 20, Select one additional Khilat (Mudra).
8th: Critical Strike on a Natural 18, 19, or 20, +1 to Roll with Punch/ Fall/Impact.
9th: +2 to Parry/Dodge, Select one (1) additional Martial Art Power from among Namima (Arts of Invisibility), Al-jebr (Atemi), or Tarahhub (Body Hardening Exercises).
10th: +2 to Damage, Death Blow from Behind.
11th: +1 Attack per Melee, Select one (1) additional Martial Art Power from among Namima (Arts of Invisibility), Al-jebr (Atemi), or Tarahhub (Body Hardening Exercises).
12th: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
13th: Death Blow on a Natural 19 or 20, Select one additional Khilat (Mudra).
14th: +2 to Damage.
15th: Add One (1) Karaamaat (Zenjorike) Power.
Why Study Assassin?
Since this form has a great number of new and unusual techniques, it is often baffling to students of other martial arts. Combination of good martial art moves and a good collection of weapon skills. Highly mobile and damaging, but the art is short on defensive maneuvers. By focusing on the development of internal powers, and forceful combat moves, this martial art is certainly effective in any attack.

Khilat: Mudra of the Order of Assassins (Disregard for now)

Earth weave = courage and strength
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Range: Self

Water weave = morality and justice
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Range: Self

Fire weave = reasoning & wisdom
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Range: Self

Air weave = temperance & spirituality
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Range: Self