| Layla, as you traipse about England, [[Rebecca Crane|Becs]] and [[Shaun Hastings|I]] thought you might want to keep your eyes open for a few things.<br><br>ASSASSIN BUREAUS<br>Or the Hidden Ones, more accurately. They operated in {{Wiki|Roman Britain}} between the years 100 and 430 CE. It's not clear why they left, but the final date corresponds roughly to the [[Roman Empire|Roman]] exodus from [[United Kingdom|Britain]], so I imagine their leaving had [[Honorius|something]] to do with the empire's retreat? Mission accomplished or a loss of faith? Not sure. But we do know that it was several hundred years before the Hidden Ones returned to the island. It may be [[Basim Ibn Ishaq|Basim]] and [[Hytham]] are the first in half a century.<br><br>From our own archives, I believe there were six main bureaus operating in the Roman period:<br><br>[[Leicestershire]]<br>[[London]]<br>[[Winchester]]<br>[[York]]<br>[[Essex]]<br>[[Gloucestershire]]<br><br>These won't be the Saxon names, so you'll have to read between the lines.<br><br>[[Animus Anomalies|ANIMUS ANOMALIES]]<br>Becs noticed these, about ten, embedded in the simulation. They're dense clusters of data that may screw with your ability to navigate Eivor's memories.<br><br>Approach with caution. We don't know what they'll do if you get too close. They may be harmless, they may induce occipital shock, or wipe your mind. Hard to say. Bes tto err on the side of "hell no". But if you're curious, well, I warned you.<br><br>PIECES OF [[Eden|EDEN]]<br>We don't know of any Isu artifacts you should be looking for specifically, but [[Gungnir|they're]] [[Mjölnir|out]] [[Excalibur|there]], and this was a period where they often cropped up in legend. Norse and Saxon songs and tales spak of them often, so I'd keep your eyes peeled.<br><br>Especially around [[Stonehenge]]. How could that NOT be an [[Isu Barracks|Isu site]]? | | Layla, as you traipse about England, [[Rebecca Crane|Becs]] and [[Shaun Hastings|I]] thought you might want to keep your eyes open for a few things.<br><br>ASSASSIN BUREAUS<br>Or the Hidden Ones, more accurately. They operated in {{Wiki|Roman Britain}} between the years 100 and 430 CE. It's not clear why they left, but the final date corresponds roughly to the [[Roman Empire|Roman]] exodus from [[United Kingdom|Britain]], so I imagine their leaving had [[Honorius|something]] to do with the empire's retreat? Mission accomplished or a loss of faith? Not sure. But we do know that it was several hundred years before the Hidden Ones returned to the island. It may be [[Basim Ibn Ishaq|Basim]] and [[Hytham]] are the first in half a century.<br><br>From our own archives, I believe there were six main bureaus operating in the Roman period:<br><br>[[Leicestershire]]<br>[[London]]<br>[[Winchester]]<br>[[York]]<br>[[Essex]]<br>[[Gloucestershire]]<br><br>These won't be the Saxon names, so you'll have to read between the lines.<br><br>[[Animus Anomalies|ANIMUS ANOMALIES]]<br>Becs noticed these, about ten, embedded in the simulation. They're dense clusters of data that may screw with your ability to navigate Eivor's memories.<br><br>Approach with caution. We don't know what they'll do if you get too close. They may be harmless, they may induce occipital shock, or wipe your mind. Hard to say. Best to err on the side of "hell no". But if you're curious, well, I warned you.<br><br>PIECES OF [[Eden|EDEN]]<br>We don't know of any Isu artifacts you should be looking for specifically, but [[Gungnir|they're]] [[Mjölnir|out]] [[Excalibur|there]], and this was a period where they often cropped up in legend. Norse and Saxon songs and tales speak of them often, so I'd keep your eyes peeled.<br><br>Especially around [[Stonehenge]]. How could that NOT be an [[Isu Barracks|Isu site]]? |
| Animus Session Report<br><br>Date: 3 November 2014<br>Operator: Rebecca Crane<br>Subject: Shaun Hastings<br>Reporter: William Miles<br><br>Preface: The transformation of the Order of the Ancients into the Templars as we now them today has always been a subject of considerable debate among our [[Assassin rank|ranks]]. We have operated with the assumption that the Templars themselves hold som or complete knowledge of this evolution, but at present, no concrete historical evidence has ever made it into our hands.<br><br>What little data we do have is mostly a matter of public record, with some exceptions. It is commonly understood that the origin of the Knights Templar dates back to 1119 CE, and this indeed was the appearance of the public face of the Templars. However, our records attest to the existence of Templar agents at least two centuries before this date.<br><br>In one badly damaged document, an "Assassin Contract" from [[Normandy]] in the mid-11th century, the author makes free use of the term Templar. An earlier letter—this time from a Hidden One in the region of modern-day {{Wiki|Dorset}}, circa 978 CE—makes mention of a "Templar spy" within the ranks of the Brotherhood. From this we can sagely assume that the Templar Order, as an entity distinct from the Order of the Ancients, existed at some point in the mid-10th century.<br><br>Witn an aim to expand our understanding of this dark age, one of our agent recently volunteered to delve into his genetic memories to search for further clues to the age-old mystery. Unfortunately, what he discovered was of little use for our purposes.<br><br>Shaun Hastings began in the fist of his seven sessions on October 5th, 2014. Over the course of the next three weeks, he followed various matrilineal and patrilineal lines into the past, focusing on the 9th, 10th, and 11th centuries, in search of Assassins and/or Templars in his bloodline. He found none. Of minor interest, however was the following personage here noted for the peculiarity of his biography.<br><br>[[Alrekr Thorvaldson]], and early 9th century {{Wiki|Jutes|Jute}} who sailed from north of modern-day [[Denmark]] with a wooden plank bearing a carving of a map that purported to show the location of "[[Thor]]'s hammer". Alrekr made it as far as [[Stavanger]] before running afoul of a powerful clan there. Alrekr was defeated in battle and enthralled as a [[Slavery|slave]]. He escaped his captivity some ten years later, and returned to {{Wiki|Jutland}} to marry and settle down. The location of Alrekr's map is unknown, and the existence of "Thor's hammer"—a Precursor relic, no doubt—remains unconfirmed.<br><br>Alrekr's ancestors [sic] would later sail to England following the Norman's conquest of the island, settling in what is now called {{Wiki|Loughborough}} in modern-day Leicestershire. The irony that a man named {{Wiki|Hastings}} would contain no useful genetic memory data regarding the {{Wiki|Norman conquest of England|Norman invasion}} of England in 1066 was not lost on our subject. Still, he retained his usual chipper wit, and asked if he might next relive the genetic memories of his grandfather to, quote, "give a [[Nazi Party|Nazi]] a proper bollocking". | | Animus Session Report<br><br>Date: 3 November 2014<br>Operator: Rebecca Crane<br>Subject: Shaun Hastings<br>Reporter: William Miles<br><br>Preface: The transformation of the Order of the Ancients into the Templars as we now them today has always been a subject of considerable debate among our [[Assassin rank|ranks]]. We have operated with the assumption that the Templars themselves hold some or complete knowledge of this evolution, but at present, no concrete historical evidence has ever made it into our hands.<br><br>What little data we do have is mostly a matter of public record, with some exceptions. It is commonly understood that the origin of the Knights Templar dates back to 1119 CE, and this indeed was the appearance of the public face of the Templars. However, our records attest to the existence of Templar agents at least two centuries before this date.<br><br>In one badly damaged document, an "Assassin Contract" from [[Normandy]] in the mid-11th century, the author makes free use of the term Templar. An earlier letter—this time from a Hidden One in the region of modern-day {{Wiki|Dorset}}, circa 978 CE—makes mention of a "Templar spy" within the ranks of the Brotherhood. From this we can safely assume that the Templar Order, as an entity distinct from the Order of the Ancients, existed at some point in the mid-10th century.<br><br>With an aim to expand our understanding of this dark age, one of our agent recently volunteered to delve into his genetic memories to search for further clues to the age-old mystery. Unfortunately, what he discovered was of little use for our purposes.<br><br>Shaun Hastings began in the fist of his seven sessions on October 5th, 2014. Over the course of the next three weeks, he followed various matrilineal and patrilineal lines into the past, focusing on the 9th, 10th, and 11th centuries, in search of Assassins and/or Templars in his bloodline. He found none. Of minor interest, however was the following personage here noted for the peculiarity of his biography.<br><br>[[Alrekr Thorvaldson]], and early 9th century {{Wiki|Jutes|Jute}} who sailed from north of modern-day [[Denmark]] with a wooden plank bearing a carving of a map that purported to show the location of "[[Thor]]'s hammer". Alrekr made it as far as [[Stavanger]] before running afoul of a powerful clan there. Alrekr was defeated in battle and enthralled as a [[Slavery|slave]]. He escaped his captivity some ten years later, and returned to {{Wiki|Jutland}} to marry and settle down. The location of Alrekr's map is unknown, and the existence of "Thor's hammer"—a Precursor relic, no doubt—remains unconfirmed.<br><br>Alrekr's ancestors [sic] would later sail to England following the Norman's conquest of the island, settling in what is now called {{Wiki|Loughborough}} in modern-day Leicestershire. The irony that a man named {{Wiki|Hastings}} would contain no useful genetic memory data regarding the {{Wiki|Norman conquest of England|Norman invasion}} of England in 1066 was not lost on our subject. Still, he retained his usual chipper wit, and asked if he might next relive the genetic memories of his grandfather to, quote, "give a [[Nazi Party|Nazi]] a proper bollocking". |
| I.<br>Welcome fair traveler, curious Child of [[Christianity|His]]. I am Brendan of Ireland, and through Light and Voice have these stones spoken to me. Here lies the markings of Him, where a second voice, Higher than most, spoke to me again. Listen to all I have learned through prayer. Long ago was [[Human-Isu War|a Great and Tragic War]]. The [[Hybrid|offspring of Gods]] who lived before {{Wiki|Genesis flood narrative|the Deluge}}. I pray for these [[Adam|Rebel]] [[Eve|Angels]] who came before.<br><br>II.<br>Here, I believe, is where the Nephilim placed sacred stones to guard the chattel of God from other giants. Those present were scared by demons, and God defended the pious, sending the giants away. Only these Holy reverberations remain. The work of Good Souls who have the earth in their heart will forever be tied to our ancestors and out Lord via this gateway.<br><br>III.<br>Again I find traces of the Nephilim. By edict of {{Wiki|List of monarchs of Northumbria|the local king}}, I shall prayeth to Him, that his light may be known as Holy. These luminous placards are the divining rods of Him who speaks to me. With effort, I seek the union of all His holy creations. [[Aita]], Juno, Minerva, names that enter my head. Are these the Nephilim He reveals to me? Are these stones their signposts? I pray for your guidance, Lord. Amen.<br><br>IV.<br>The kingdoms of {{Wiki|Bernicia}} and {{Wiki|Elmet}} have granted me the right to worship here, by edict of {{Wiki|Anglo-Saxon royal genealogies|Eoppa of Bernicia}}. The Nephilim were the only race with the strength to have moved such pillars with the power of the Lord behind them. But what were they guarding against? Did you command them, Lord? Was it for the sin of people of other times? Was it to keep the demons out?<br><br>V.<br>I shall inform the local {{Wiki|Wuffingas}} that He lives among them, through traces of the Nephilim, the giant warriors who fought for God in their ancient times. They hath left his presence here on earth for us to absorb His light. The light of Angels that hath been infused throughout the earth. I feel His Power. He calls me My Beloved and I am calmed. I respondeth with my own communion, my piety, and become another of His voices.<br><br>VI.<br>Here lieth still more remnants of the Nephilim. I have marked a symbol upon the stones, that future folk may imbue their spirit with the energy within. For those who seek communion with the Lord here, be wary. For He Speaks through [[cipher]]s, and His words are woven with ancient fibers. He is manifest here. He hath made importance of these pillars, brought by the giants of yore, now guarding us, as only He knows. Amen.<br><br>VII.<br>I am proud the Lord speaks so cleanly through my soul here in {{Wiki|Wreocensæte}}. He talks of his instruments, and asks that I be one. It appears the Nephilim were at battle here long ago. Against a great tempest, some few protected us. We must honor these ancient paths. I have explained what He left for us here to the Wreckin-Dwellers nearby. Blessed be all those who tread in this Holy light.<br><br>VIII.<br>I spoke with Him again. He said that he pined, and I feel torn in two: my loyalty to Him tears me in one direction and the Nephilim point elsewhere. Why hath these voices spoken to me? The gospels sing within me, and yet I sense conflict. I sense disagreement among the angels. It saddens me greatly. I will, one day, weigh my soul, attempt penance, attempt to repent for the missteps in my life. Yet here all shineth brightest, for He let me see.<br><br>IX.<br>I have come upon these ancient timbers, tarred for preservation, to mark my sacred symbol and pinpoint the source of their power. As I pray, the Lord sends through me the voice of a Holy Spirit. It reverberates with the finery of ancient language, and I am made anew. Were these timbers carried by the Nephilim? Barriers against invasions from afar? Please Lord, let this truth shineth upon me as bright as your Word doth.<br><br>X.<br>Here in the ancient Kingdom of [[Kent|Cent]], the Jutes have brought me to where his fire burns through traces of the Nephilim. Here the Lord speaks to me again. He warns of betrayals, of struggles, of the trials of the First Ones. I do not always understand His message. If He is warning me, it is because He believes I am worthy. He says there is one angel still [[Grand Temple|trapped]], she who must be released, or joined. Must I find her?<br><br>XI.<br>Here in the {{Wiki|Chew Valley}}, Old Kings of {{Wiki|Hwicce}} still dance with the stones of the Nephilim. I have taught them of the power that sings here. "How dare you tamper with these sacred threades," a voice scolded me. "You must leave me," he said. "Divorced from the [[Illuminat]]." His voice waxes and wanes, but a soft song still finds me in my penance. I bend a knee and leave a grain of sand for the old winds.<br><br>XII.<br>This is a different site. One resplendent in a manner unto itself. Where His light shines the greatest. Today, I was warned of a harrowing depth. After the Nephilim, great battles were fought in resurrective Kingdoms of Christ. Many were lost in the fight, many more in the cataclyms that followed. Today, my lord instructed me in plain words to travel o'er the [[Atlantic Ocean|ocean]] and seek the door behind which hides his fallen angel. I shall try, in His name. Amen.<br><br>XIII.<br>Here, I, Brendan of Clonfert, servant of our Lord, do make my final inscription before this holy fount of Light. My journey is ended. For two and some years, have I heeded the inner-voice of my Lord, and followed it to this place to receive His word. I have seen the gate with its ancient markings. I have heard the voice of His angel, calling me Beloved. Yet the way did not open. His voice yet calls to me still, in blissful forms, torturous to me. Yet the way remains closed. My way forward is ... uncertain. | | I.<br>Welcome fair traveler, curious Child of [[Christianity|His]]. I am Brendan of Ireland, and through Light and Voice have these stones spoken to me. Here lies the markings of Him, where a second voice, Higher than most, spoke to me again. Listen to all I have learned through prayer. Long ago was [[Human-Isu War|a Great and Tragic War]]. The [[Hybrid|offspring of Gods]] who lived before {{Wiki|Genesis flood narrative|the Deluge}}. I pray for these [[Adam|Rebel]] [[Eve|Angels]] who came before.<br><br>II.<br>Here, I believe, is where the Nephilim placed sacred stones to guard the chattel of God from other [[giant]]s. Those present were scared by demons, and God defended the pious, sending the giants away. Only these Holy reverberations remain. The work of Good Souls who have the earth in their heart will forever be tied to our ancestors and our Lord via this gateway.<br><br>III.<br>Again I find traces of the Nephilim. By edict of {{Wiki|List of monarchs of Northumbria|the local king}}, I shall prayeth to Him, that his light may be known as Holy. These luminous placards are the divining rods of Him who speaks to me. With effort, I seek the union of all His holy creations. [[Aita]], Juno, Minerva, names that enter my head. Are these the Nephilim He reveals to me? Are these stones their signposts? I pray for your guidance, Lord. Amen.<br><br>IV.<br>The kingdoms of {{Wiki|Bernicia}} and {{Wiki|Elmet}} have granted me the right to worship here, by edict of {{Wiki|Anglo-Saxon royal genealogies|Eoppa of Bernicia}}. The Nephilim were the only race with the strength to have moved such pillars with the power of the Lord behind them. But what were they guarding against? Did you command them, Lord? Was it for the sin of people of other times? Was it to keep the demons out?<br><br>V.<br>I shall inform the local {{Wiki|Wuffingas}} that He lives among them, through traces of the Nephilim, the giant warriors who fought for God in their ancient times. They hath left his presence here on earth for us to absorb His light. The light of Angels that hath been infused throughout the earth. I feel His Power. He calls me My Beloved and I am calmed. I respondeth with my own communion, my piety, and become another of His voices.<br><br>VI.<br>Here lieth still more remnants of the Nephilim. I have marked a symbol upon the stones, that future folk may imbue their spirit with the energy within. For those who seek communion with the Lord here, be wary. For He Speaks through [[cipher]]s, and His words are woven with ancient fibers. He is manifest here. He hath made importance of these pillars, brought by the giants of yore, now guarding us, as only He knows. Amen.<br><br>VII.<br>I am proud the Lord speaks so cleanly through my soul here in {{Wiki|Wreocensæte}}. He talks of his instruments, and asks that I be one. It appears the Nephilim were at battle here long ago. Against a great tempest, some few protected us. We must honor these ancient paths. I have explained what He left for us here to the Wreckin-Dwellers nearby. Blessed be all those who tread in this Holy light.<br><br>VIII.<br>I spoke with Him again. He said that he pined, and I feel torn in two: my loyalty to Him tears me in one direction and the Nephilim point elsewhere. Why hath these voices spoken to me? The gospels sing within me, and yet I sense conflict. I sense disagreement among the angels. It saddens me greatly. I will, one day, weigh my soul, attempt penance, attempt to repent for the missteps in my life. Yet here all shineth brightest, for He let me see.<br><br>IX.<br>I have come upon these ancient timbers, tarred for preservation, to mark my sacred symbol and pinpoint the source of their power. As I pray, the Lord sends through me the voice of a Holy Spirit. It reverberates with the finery of ancient language, and I am made anew. Were these timbers carried by the Nephilim? Barriers against invasions from afar? Please Lord, let this truth shineth upon me as bright as your Word doth.<br><br>X.<br>Here in the ancient Kingdom of [[Kent|Cent]], the Jutes have brought me to where his fire burns through traces of the Nephilim. Here the Lord speaks to me again. He warns of betrayals, of struggles, of the trials of the First Ones. I do not always understand His message. If He is warning me, it is because He believes I am worthy. He says there is one angel still [[Grand Temple|trapped]], she who must be released, or joined. Must I find her?<br><br>XI.<br>Here in the {{Wiki|Chew Valley}}, Old Kings of {{Wiki|Hwicce}} still dance with the stones of the Nephilim. I have taught them of the power that sings here. "How dare you tamper with these sacred threads," a voice scolded me. "You must leave me," he said. "Divorced from the [[Illuminat]]." His voice waxes and wanes, but a soft song still finds me in my penance. I bend a knee and leave a grain of sand for the old winds.<br><br>XII.<br>This is a different site. One resplendent in a manner unto itself. Where His light shines the greatest. Today, I was warned of a harrowing depth. After the Nephilim, great battles were fought in resurrective Kingdoms of Christ. Many were lost in the fight, many more in the cataclysm that followed. Today, my lord instructed me in plain words to travel o'er the [[Atlantic Ocean|ocean]] and seek the door behind which hides his fallen angel. I shall try, in His name. Amen.<br><br>XIII.<br>Here, I, Brendan of Clonfert, servant of our Lord, do make my final inscription before this holy fount of Light. My journey is ended. For two and some years, have I heeded the inner-voice of my Lord, and followed it to this place to receive His word. I have seen the gate with its ancient markings. I have heard the voice of His angel, calling me Beloved. Yet the way did not open. His voice yet calls to me still, in blissful forms, torturous to me. Yet the way remains closed. My way forward is... uncertain. |
