Legacy of the Brotherhood

You cannot know anything. Only suspect. This article contains content from pre-release sources that may or may not be reflective of canon upon release. This article therefore likely contains spoilers.

Legacy of the Brotherhood is the second of three books comprising the Assassin's Creed Roleplaying Game published by CMON Limited. It focuses on protagonists from the Assassin's Creed series' mainline games, presenting a small background overview as a monologue, followed by a list of narrative seeds that can be used to generate new playing scenarios ("adventure hooks"), and one full simulation sequence each.

Introduction

Legacy of the Brotherhood is a compendium inspired by the most-beloved Assassins in the Ubisoft series. Over the following pages you will find eleven sections dedicated to the greatest protagonists of the saga, each containing detailed biographical information, dozens of Adventure Hooks using the same source material as inspiration, and a series of Sequences based around several Pieces of Eden.

The Sequences are structured following the same format as those included in the Assassin's Creed RPG corebook. Together with the Adventure Hooks, they provide enough material to run one or more standalone game sessions requiring minimal preparation from the Reader. In particular, they are especially appropriate to serve as starting points to be expanded, creating additional Sequences taking place in the same Time Frame, leading to more complex adventures focusing on a specific Piece of Eden.

In addition to being a rich compendium of game material for your Assassin's Creed RPG, this book is a tribute to the characters who have accompanied us all for over 15 years, letting us live action-packed stories in the fantastic and mysterious world of Assassin's Creed.

Enter the Animus, Assassin. For history waits to be discovered.

Featured characters

• Kassandra
• Bayek and Aya
• Basim ibn Ishaq
• Eivor Varinsdottir
• Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad
• Ezio Auditore
• Shao Jun
• Edward Kenway & Adéwalé
• Ratonhnhaké:ton (Connor)
• Arno Dorian
• Jacob & Evie Frye

Adventure Hooks

KassandraBayek and AyaBasim ibn IshaqEivor VarinsdottirAltair Ibn-La'AhadEzio Auditore

1. After defending a village from a group of brutal outlaws, the Witnesses find among the bandits' belongings a cache filled with scrolls. The writings hold crucial information about the inner workings and plans of the Cult of Kosmos—the Cult aims to manipulate a general and statesman of Thebes to gain control over his army.
2. Rumors circulate about a forbidden ritual of Deimos and Phobos that grants its participants the power to cast fear into the hearts of mortals. In order to prevent any attempt to perform this ritual, the Witnesses must delve into the ancient ruins of the Mountain Temple of Poseidon, west of Mytilene on the island of Lesbos. Once there, they discover that the ritual is nothing but a pantomime, and the source of the dark power attributed to it is an apparently magical prong used as a ritual dagger instead.
3. An informer reports that the Cult of Kosmos is gathering a powerful and mysterious army at Fort Tiryns, near the city of Argos. The Witnesses must infiltrate the fortified stronghold and engage in an epic battle against a small but deadly troop of Cult champions who all bear an uncanny resemblance to Kassandra's brother Alexios.
4. A shadowy figure recruits a team of relentless mercenaries to hunt down Kassandra and her allies for reasons unknown. The Witnesses must first avoid getting killed, and then uncover the truth behind the mercenaries' employer: a vengeful widow who is trying to eliminate Kassandra, who in the guise of the mercenary Misthios [sic] took her husband's life.
5. While delving into the underground catacombs of Korinth in their pursuit of the Cult of Kosmos, the Witnesses discover a hidden chamber. Inside, a cryptic tablet rests on a lectern, unveiling the precise whereabouts of a concealed tomb. Amidst scattered notes, the possibility arises that this tomb might be the long-lost resting place of King Agamemnon, dubbed 'the first servant of Kosmos.' The records of the Cult of Kosmos also mention a formidable suit of armor previously unearthed from the same location, hinting at the existence of other relics of immense power yet to be discovered.

1. Rumors in the bustling city of Memphis speak of a secret, ancient oasis hidden near the small village of Nitria in the middle of the Saqqara Nome. This forgotten place is said to hold a source of divine power secured there by the goddess Ma'at herself. To reach the hidden sanctuary and uncover its secrets, the Witnesses must battle through a dangerous sandstorm that protects the oasis in the middle of the rocky desert and beat rival treasure hunters too.
2. A noble Alexandrian family approaches the Hidden Ones, desperate to retrieve a precious relic. The artifact was recently stolen by someone who mistook it for a lost Piece of Eden. The Witnesses must navigate the sprawling streets of the great city, and penetrate the intricate underworld of black market merchants to find the member of the Order of the Ancients who commissioned the theft.
3. Dark forces loom over the once-vibrant city of Memphis, as mysterious cultists tighten their grip on its unsuspecting inhabitants. Tasked with infiltrating the newborn Isfet cult, the Witnesses must investigate the bustling markets, shady back alleys, and opulent temples of Memphis to gather information about the cult, identify the cult's inner circle, and assassinate them before they unleash chaos and bloodshed upon the city.
4. The Great Library of Alexandria is surely known as one of Egypt's many wonders. The Witnesses receive a mysterious plea for help from within the library halls. Tasked with protecting a valuable manuscript containing ancient Isu knowledge, they must deal with a cunning Order of the Ancients scholar who is also on the trail of the manuscript.
5. A trusted affiliate of the Hidden Ones suddenly disappears, leaving behind a single clue: the words "Hidden One" written in blood on the floor of their home. The Witnesses must uncover the truth behind the disappearance: a disloyal branch of the Hidden Ones that seeks to undermine the characters' bureau.

1. The Brotherhood has been keeping an eye on Al Ghul's excavation sites in the desert. Something important has been uncovered at one of the sites, perhaps a Precursor Artifact. The Witnesses must intercept the caravan bringing the discovery to Baghdad before it ends up in the Order's hands.
2. An old relic with a long association with the Hidden Ones, thought lost for centuries, has resurfaced in Baghdad in the possession of a powerful slave trader. The greedy man is selling the artifact for an over-inflated price and refuses to return it to the Hidden Ones. The Witnesses are tasked with retrieving the relic from the merchant's palace while seizing the opportunity to put an end to his evil network.
3. A deadly plague is running rife in a Baghdad district and threatening to spread to the rest of the city. Rumors point the Witnesses to the house of a Persian alchemist, who is seemingly immune to the disease and is trying to cure it. The Witnesses enter the afflicted district and find the alchemist's laboratory, discovering that the Persian has actually been poisoning everybody in the neighborhood instead of curing them. The Witnesses must stop this mad scheme and attempt to reproduce an antidote they find in the laboratory.
4. A member of the Order appears to have met with a corrupt official known for his collection of rare artifacts. The official has recently acquired an old papyrus map that leads to an ancient temple beneath Baghdad—an Isu Vault. The Witnesses must infiltrate the official's estate, decode the map before destroying it, and then find the Isu Vault.
5. An attempt by the Hidden Ones to aid the Zanj Rebellion ends in disaster, resulting in the capture of numerous rebels. A traitor within their ranks has been selling crucial information to the Order of the Ancients. Every secret, from rebel movements and strategies to the identities of the Hidden Ones, is now at stake. The Witnesses must rescue the prisoners, identify the traitor, and turn the tables on whoever he has been leaking information to.

1. The Witnesses are tasked with forging an alliance with a powerful Viking clan in a neighboring land. However, they soon discover that the clan's leader has been compromised by the Order of the Ancients. To forge an alliance, the Witnesses must prove the leader's connection with the Order of the Ancients and dispel their influence over his clan.
2. The Witnesses uncover an underground network of Saxon smugglers and thieves that is unknowingly aiding the Order of the Ancients. They must infiltrate the network, gain the trust of its key members, and assassinate them, all the while remaining undetected by the Order of the Ancients agents who are using the network for their own nefarious plans.
3. A series of mysterious disappearances plague a village south of Ravensthorpe. Investigations reveal that a secretive cult of Welsh druids has been abducting people to experiment on them with an ancient artifact. The Witnesses must track down the druids' refuge in the forest, rescue the captives, and take the artifact out of the cult's dangerous hands.
4. The Witnesses receive a distress call from a fellow Hidden One in a distant land. The Witnesses must set sail and start a perilous journey across freezing seas to rescue their comrade from hostile pirates who seek to exploit the Assassin's knowledge and power.
5. In the mystical lands of Ireland, the Witnesses discover a Roman cemetery. Inside a tomb lies a unique relic that holds the key to uncovering the lost history of the Hidden Ones. The Witnesses must decipher cryptic puzzles, ward off supernatural guardians, and protect the relic from falling into the hands of the Descendants of the Round Table.

1. Rumors from the mountain villages west of Masyaf tell of strange, awful barks in the night and of cattle disappearing mysteriously, leaving only trails of blood. Recently, even some children have disappeared from their beds. The few eyewitnesses tell of a humanoid demon with the head of a hyena and hypnotizing yellow eyes.
2. A high-ranking Templar is visiting Jerusalem, providing an opportunity for the Assassins to eliminate this key figure and whoever he's come to the Holy Land to make a deal with. However, the target is kept under strict surveillance. The Witnesses must find a way to bypass the Templar guards and complete the assassination undetected.
3. A fellow Assassin has recently gone rogue and is now working with the Templars. The Witnesses are tasked with locating and killing their former ally. However, they will soon discover that not all is what it seems. Misleading information about the supposed treachery was orchestrated by a Templar double agent within the Brotherhood's ranks.
4. The Witnesses intercept a coded message indicating the presence of a secret Templar training facility in Damascus. The Witnesses must gather intelligence and launch an audacious raid on the facility to destroy the Templar forces while they remain few in number.
5. A powerful and mysterious individual has appeared in Acre, claiming he has come into possession of ancient, divine knowledge that allows him to heal the needy. The Witnesses are tasked with determining the truth behind his claims and the possible presence of a Shroud of Eden.

1. An unknown artist of unparalleled genius who signs his work only as "The Open Eye" creates incredible paintings concealing hidden messages that are said to lead to an unknown Precursor vault. The Witnesses must infiltrate the artistic salons of Venice, uncover the artist's true identity, and decode the paintings to find the vault before the Templars do.
2. The Witnesses explore a long-forgotten sanctuary in the Roman countryside. As they prowl its ancient halls, they uncover its history, revealing the legacy of a secret circle of guardians founded by Romulus: the Shields of Mars. Intriguingly, this circle shared many principles with the Assassin Brotherhood. Empowered by this knowledge, the Witnesses embark on a quest to retrieve a Piece of Eden, fortifying the Brotherhood's foothold in the region while uncovering the truth behind Romulus and his connection to the Assassins.
3. A deadly tournament is held in Rome, attracting skilled combatants from Italy—and beyond! The Witnesses are invited to participate but soon discover that the event is secretly a front for recruitment into the Templar Order. They must participate in the deadly matches to discover the Templar plot and free some of the captured fighters used as bait.
4. A prominent member of the Medici family has gone missing in Florence, and rumors suggest their abduction is linked to the Templar Order. The Medici hire the Witnesses to investigate, providing the first in a long trail of clues that will uncover a conspiracy that threatens to destabilize the ruling family and Florence itself.
5. A band of thieves known as the "Merletti Neri" has stolen a Precursor Relic from the Brotherhood's hidden vault in Monteriggioni. The Witnesses must track down the thieves, recover the artifact, and unravel the connection between the thieves and the Templars.

Shao JunEdward Kenway & AdéwaléRatonhnhaké:ton (Connor)Arno DorianJacob & Evie Frye

1. A powerful merchant, rumored to be a spy for the Order, is consolidating his power in China through the silver trade with European Templar affiliates. The Brotherhood sends the Witnesses to infiltrate his palace, uncover his secret alliance to the Order, and assassinate him to prevent the western Templars from entering the region.
2. A hidden sanctuary, believed to hold a legendary treasure and ancient knowledge, has been discovered in the remote Lingtong Temple, in the Fujian province. The Witnesses are tasked with exploring the sanctuary, battling an Isu guardian, and discovering a secret message left by the First Civilization.
3. The Witnesses are summoned in Ningbo in north-east Zhejiang province to investigate a series of mysterious assassinations that have targeted some of their key allies. The Witnesses discover a branch of rogue Assassins who have turned against the Brotherhood to side with the Portuguese Rite of the Templar Order. They must thwart their deadly mission, while ensuring the reputation of the Brotherhood remains intact.
4. A legendary sword said to be once wielded by Hülegü Khan, and Genghis Khan before him, has resurfaced in the hands of the Xu brothers—heads of a pirate syndicate—in Shuangyu. The Witnesses must infiltrate the syndicate to steal the sword and prevent its misuse by the pirate lords, whose marauding ambitions threaten to destabilize the whole region.
5. The Witnesses are sent to a war-torn province where two rival factions vie for power. Both sides seek the aid of the Assassins, and the Witnesses must carefully evaluate the political landscape, choosing which clan to support while potentially unraveling a Templar plot to exploit the chaos for their own gain.

1. The pirate Black Caesar is looking for help in Nassau to free a group of shipmates imprisoned in a fearsome slaver vessel. The Witnesses must board the ship, free the captives, and confront the slaver captain in a thrilling battle during a storm on the high seas.
2. The Witnesses unearth a hidden network of liberated slaves active across the Caribbean. However, this newfound community is threatened by an infiltrator working for the Templars. The Witnesses must uncover the infiltrator's identity, expose their treachery, and protect the emancipated people's hard-won freedom.
3. A nameless pirate hunter, driven by a personal vendetta against pirates and Assassins alike, is closing in on the Witnesses' crew. The Witnesses must evade capture, outsmart the hunter's tactics, and uncover their motivations. In a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, they must protect their pirate comrades and confront the hunter before their ship is destroyed.
4. The Witnesses find themselves entangled in a deadly race against rival pirate crews to locate a fabled treasure buried on a treacherous island. As they navigate dangerous waters and explore hidden caves, they must stay one step ahead to claim the treasure for the Brotherhood to support their war against the slave trade.
5. The Witnesses receive a distress call from a remote Maroon community, a refuge for escaped slaves. The community is threatened by a Templar-led expedition aiming to wipe them out. The Witnesses must rally the Maroons, fortify their defenses, and fight alongside them to fend off the Templar assault, to preserve their freedom and way of life.

1. Subjugated by an Apple of Eden, Benjamin Franklin is creating a weapon that could tilt the balance of power of the entire revolution. The Witnesses venture on a scavenger hunt taking them from Boston to New York, deciphering cryptic clues left behind by Franklin's subconscious. As they discover the secret laboratory hidden beneath New York and destroy the weapon, the Witnesses must also free Benjamin Franklin from the Apple's control.
2. In the port of Boston, sailors whisper of a ghost ship haunting the East Coast. The ship is said to be manned by the vengeful spirits of enslaved people who perished during the Middle Passage. The Witnesses set sail on a perilous expedition to find the ghost ship, defying the rumors of a supernatural threat and searching for the truth behind the sinister story.
3. The Witnesses discover that an important heirloom linked to the heritage and traditions of Ratonhakè:ton's tribe has been stolen by a group of French fur traders. Tracking down the traders will plunge the Witnesses into the seedy underbelly of colonial society across the wild frontier, north-west of Fort Duquesne, until they retrieve the stolen relic and restore the tribe's honor.
4. One of the Witnesses' allies finds herself embroiled in a dangerous game of espionage, as she infiltrates both the Templar and British ranks in Philadelphia. The Witnesses must assist their ally in maintaining her secret identity, engaging in an adventure of intrigue and deception.
5. The Colonial Brotherhood informs the Witnesses of a group of Loyalists who fled to the northern lands of Canada and are suspected to possess an Apple of Eden. As winter approaches, the Witnesses must reach the frozen territories of Nova Scotia to find the Loyalist group in Port Roseway, before they can leave for Britain.

1. A hidden chamber containing a Precursor artifact is uncovered in the catacombs of Paris. The Witnesses must descend into the gloomy catacombs, outsmart the Templars also aware of its existence, and prevent the artifact from falling into the wrong hands.
2. One of the wealthiest families is hosting a masquerade ball, purportedly to act as a meeting ground for influential Templars. The Witnesses must infiltrate the event, gather intelligence, and expose the Templars' plans while maintaining their cover amidst the opulence and intrigue of Parisienne high society.
3. A mysterious epidemic sweeps through Paris, and the Witnesses must investigate its causes. As they proceed with their mission, they make a shocking discovery: the epidemic is not the work of the Templar Order, as they suspected, but rather a sinister collaboration between a rogue faction within the Assassins and the Instruments of the First Will. The Witnesses must uncover the truth behind this unexpected alliance and put an end to their deadly scheme.
4. Pauline de Lézardière, a renowned historian, has uncovered a secret manuscript containing valuable information about ancient artifacts stolen during the Viking invasions of Paris. This discovery has attracted the attention of the Templar Order. The Witnesses must protect Pauline from the pursuing Templars, decipher the hidden messages within the manuscript, and use the knowledge gained to cripple the Order.
5. A trusted member of the Assassin Brotherhood has been captured by the Templars, and the Witnesses receive a desperate plea for help. Determined to save their comrade, they launch a daring rescue mission, only to discover that it was an elaborate trap, meticulously orchestrated by the Templars to catch the Witnesses. Now ensnared in the Templar web, the Witnesses must use their cunning, skills, and resourcefulness to escape their captors and turn the tables.

1. A new secret society known as the "Enlightened Circle" threatens to reshape London's power dynamics. The Witnesses are hired by a wealthy benefactor to investigate the society's activities, infiltrate their ranks, and dismantle their operations before they gain too much influence.
2. A notorious gang leader has risen to power in the East End, and the Brotherhood suspects he has been maneuvered into position by the Templars to be their pawn in the slums. The Witnesses are tasked with infiltrating his gang, gaining the leader's trust, and eventually bringing him down once they've learnt the identity of his Templar connection.
3. David Hughes, an established scientist, has just returned from America with a revolutionary device that could have potentially devastating consequences were it to fall into the wrong hands. The Witnesses must retrieve the device and safeguard it from Templar agents.
4. A mysterious ancient artifact has been exhibited at the British Museum, attracting the attention of both the Brotherhood and the Templars. The Witnesses must swap the artifact for a counterfeit copy to fool the Templars and hide the real artifact in a secret location.
5. A renowned detective has gone missing while investigating a series of occult rituals taking place in the darkest corners of the city. The Witnesses are hired by his concerned wife to unravel the mystery, uncover the truth behind the rituals, and rescue the detective from the clutches of a malevolent cult inspired by a perverted version of the Calves' Head Club secret society.

Supplementary material

The sourcebook includes a couple of database-like entries.

The Assassin Cult and Its EvolutionThe AlruhConsus

"The historical elements of the narrative text about the Assassins and their Brotherhood are quite intriguing. It's fascinating to learn how individuals became part of this secretive organization.

There were two ways to become an Assassin in the past: being born into an Assassin family, or being actively recruited due to one's potential and skills. It's noteworthy how the Brotherhood valued lineage, allowing those born into Assassin families to begin training at a young age. This practice might have maintained a sense of continuity and preserved their traditions over time.

On the other hand, the recruitment process adds another layer of interest to the story. Imagine being sought out and identified as someone with exceptional abilities, seen as a potential asset to the Brotherhood's cause. It indicates that the Assassins sought to expand their ranks with promising individuals, potentially adding diverse skills and perspectives to their organization.

The initiation ceremony stands out as a significant rite of passage for the Assassins. It marks the pivotal moment when an apprentice becomes a fully fledged member of the Brotherhood. Being granted the iconic weapon, the Hidden Blade, and receiving the traditional garb, including the beaked hood, must have been a symbol of pride and belonging for the newly initiated Assassins.

It's intriguing to see how the Brotherhood evolved over time. As the guilds within the Brotherhood fragmented in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the formal initiation ceremonies gradually fell out of practice. This suggests that internal dynamics and organizational structure changes may have influenced how they inducted new members.

Finally, the novices' journey to becoming confirmed full members adds a sense of progression and dedication to the narrative. The fact that novices operated under supervision before earning their full membership shows that the Assassins were deliberate in their approach to training and integrating new elements into their ranks. Overall, exploring the historical nuances of the Assassins and their Brotherhood sheds light on how this clandestine organization operated and adapted over time. It provides an intriguing glimpse into their secretive world and the methods they employed to strengthen their cause and uphold their principles."

–Excerpt from "The Assassin Cult and Its Evolution",
by Dr Matthew Renter

"This is my Great Work. I call it Alruh. It will take you on a journey to another realm." – Fazil Fahim al-Kemsa to Basim ibn Ishaq The Alruh, a creation of Hassan (also known as The Doctor), was a machine concealed beneath the House of Wisdom in Baghdad. Designed to unlock the secrets encoded within Memory Seals, it served as a gateway to a paradisiacal past. However, while partially functional, the Alruh's progress was hindered, leading to frustration within the Order of the Ancients. Its full potential remained elusive, with only glimpses of its capabilities witnessed through partial experiences.

In ancient times, there lived a brilliant scientist known as Consus, also known as Prometheus. He was a gifted Precursor whose talent was crucial in creating the enigmatic Pieces of Eden. Working alongside Hephaistos, he contributed to crafting the powerful Swords of Eden. However, as the war unfolded, Consus recognized the urgent need for advanced medical technology. He set his mind to design a remarkable device called the Shroud of Eden. This ingenious creation had the ability to scan and reconstruct a body, effectively healing injuries and restoring it to a predetermined state. It had one limitation, though—the Shroud could not reverse death itself. As Consus approached the end of his natural life, he hatched a daring plan to overcome mortality. He decided to transfer his consciousness into the Shroud, hoping to evade the clutches of death. The transfer was a success, but it had an unforeseen consequence—Consus found himself trapped within the artifact, where he was eventually forgotten by time and history. Centuries later, during the research conducted by the Capitoline Triad in their quest to survive the impending Toba Catastrophe, the Isu Juno stumbled upon the lost artifact. Discovering Consus trapped within the Shroud, Juno saw the opportunity to exploit his vast knowledge. She experimented with transferring Isu consciousness into artificial bodies, a daring endeavor that ultimately failed. Throughout the ages, Consus managed to possess different users of the Shroud, offering them invaluable guidance and counsel. His wisdom proved instrumental to those fortunate enough to possess the powerful artifact. However, fate took an unexpected turn in 2014. The Shroud faced destruction, and with it, Consus' consciousness appeared to be lost forever.