In 921, Ahmad ibn Fadlan travelled form Baghdad to central Russia where he met a mysterious Northern people. He was the first Muslim scholar to make an account of their strange habit of burning their dead kings with their ships.
User:Soranin/Sandbox
My primary sandbox.
To do
In no particular order.
- The Silk Road
- French augmented reality tours
- Create/improve [Le Trésor des Templiers], Le Secret de Napoléon Ier, Le Secret de Camerone, L'Armoire de Fer, [Senka], Le Secret des Mines
- See France
Mirage
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Al-Khawarizmi was a House of Wisdom mathematician best known for giving his name to the notion of "algorithm", his work on algebra (al-jabr), and his diffusion of the Arabic-Indian Numeral system.
The Abbasids were descendants of al-Abbas, the uncle of Prophet Muhammad. This lineage (and their military might) helped them serve as Caliphs, or Muhammad's successors, from 750 to 1517.
Hidden Ones operate out of Bureaus. These are hidden from sight and accessible only by members of the organization. Each Bureau is helmed by a Rafiq.
Introduced to Baghdad from China and Central Asia at the end of the 8th century, cheap paper quickly replaced costly parchment and lead to the emergence of a strong reading culture in the Abbasid empire.
Ascribed to a divine being, the title "Father of Understanding" dates back to Isu times and reflects the Order of the Ancients' mission to guide humanity towards their idea of enlightenenment.
The Muslim calendar starts with the Hijra, the migration of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622. Mirage is therefore set in the 3rd century After Hijra (AH). As of September 2023, we are in 1445 AH.
The Hidden Ones were founded in Egypt in 47 BCE. Working in the dark to serve the light, the organization aims to fight oppression and to safeguard the people's free will.
A highly advanced civilization, the Isu lived on Earth around seventy-seven thousand years ago and were the original creators of humanity.
The Order of the Ancients intend to use these ancient and elaborate pieces of Isu technology to control the population and revive the Isu.
The initiation ritual for becoming a Hidden One involves the sacrifice of a ring finger. Its removal ensures space for a retracted hidden blade, but is also a tribute to Bayek of Siwa, the original Hidden One.
In Baghdad, perfume was used in food, ink, and even mosque-building. One of the most sought-after perfume ingredients was Indian ambergris, a solid substance found in the digestive system of sperm whales.
Arabic language names are based on a chain of names systems, with each part having a meaning. Calling the Caliph Harun al-Rashid "Mr. Rashid" would therefore have been a terrible mistake.
Abbasid glasswork was considered valuable throughout Europe and Asia. It has been discovered in 9th century royal burial sites in Korea as well as on a Carolingian brooch recovered from the Ballycottin bogs (Ireland).
The caravanserai was a "palace (saray) for groups of people (karvan)". But most caravanserai looked more like empty shells in which travelers could find safety for the night, share news … and pay taxes!
"The Accounts of China and India" recounts the five-month journey of Sulayman al-Tajir from Baghdad to Guangzhou in 850. He is one of the earliest named people to have travelled that far for trade!
In the Caliphal Palace stood a large tree made of 1400 kilograms of silver, its branches crowned with mechanical birds. The leaves appeared to move with the wind and the birds to burst into song whenever ambassadors appeared in front of the Caliph.
Animals featured heavily at court: flocks of hunting falcons, silk-clad elephants and a monkey dressed as a general were trained to provide exotic entertainment to the palace guests.
Poetry schools competed for the attention and the patronage of the Caliphs. The ultimate prize? To have the ruler tear off a part of his silk-embroidered clothing and throw it at the poet!
During Caliph al-Mamun's wedding in 825, perfumed shells containing the names of prizes were distributed to the guests. Whoever received one was then given what was written on it, be it a small item or an entire town.
Inspired by Indian and Persian literature, the "1001 Nights" was created in 9th century Baghdad. Book critics of the time found it crude and unimaginative, predicting it would fail to attract any attention.
Far from being the steamy brothel often described in western culture, the harem was first and foremost a space dedicated to child raising, poetry writing, and political rivalry.
The sprawling offices of the Round City hosted an increasingly centralized administration. As its master, the Vizier was both an essential servant and a potentially deadly enemy of the Caliphs.
Introduced to Baghdad from China and Central Asia at the end of the 8th century, cheap paper quickly replaced costly parchment and lead to the emergence of a strong reading culture in the Abbasid empire.
The Banu Musa invented a human-like automaton for Caliphal parties. Filled with wine, after a time it would release its liquid onto the person unlucky enough to be holding it, much to the amusement of the other guests!
Baghdad's environment was almost devoid of building materials and most of its houses were made of dried or baked mudbricks. This meant that its buildings had to be partially rebuilt after every storm.
From China to Europe, medieval merchants travelled on a network of routes collectively known as "the silk road". Set in the middle of this network, Baghdad served as one of its main hubs and hosted many of the world's most exquisite creations.
Baghdad was built from scratch between 762 and 766 at the order of Caliph al-Mansur. At first only the Round City was planned, but soon densely populated areas sprawled beyond its walls.
Between the assassination of al-Mutawakkil in 861 and the ascension of his son al-Mu'tamid to the throne in 870, four Caliphs reigned from the palatial city of Samarra as puppets of powerful military factions.
The Zanj were enslaved persons taken from south-eastern Africa and used for harsh manual labor on sugar cane plantations. Their revolt between 869 and 883 decisively weakened caliphal power.
Baghdad was sacked by the Mongols on February 10th, 1258. Killing people and burning books, they are said to have created "streams of blood and rivers of ink", destroying most of the pre-1258 city in the process.
The original Hidden Ones had two tenets to their creed: to work in the shadows and to only kill those who deserved it. A third tenet, to never compromise the Brotherhood, was added later.
Known as Eagle Vision, Odin's Sight, Eagle Sense and other names through the ages, this extrasensory ability is a manifestation of a strong Isu gene concentration in an individual.
Aiming to achieve order and control over the masses through any means possible, the Order of the Ancients was founded in Egypt in 1334 BCE by the Pharaoh Smenkhkare.
Each branch of the Order of the Ancients has several prominent Members. These lead their own sub-branches, and are themselves led in turn by a single Head of the Order.
Inventory
Trade goods
Quest Items
| Image | Name | Description | Relevancy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wrapped Package | Given by Al-Hasan, required for the ceremony. | Taking Flight | |
| Lump of Copper Ore | A lump of muddy copper ore found inside a lusterware pot located within a sunken pottery workshop in Ukbara. | ||
| Marked Coins | Specially marked coins. | The Marked Coins | |
| Bronze Mirror | A valuable bronze mirror that Dervis covets. | The Bronze Mirror Heist | |
| Panacea Sample | Whatever it is, it carries a potent aroma of mysterious herbs and strong alcohol. | The Botanist | |
| Carolingian Coin | A rare and precious silver coin minted during the reign of Charles the Bald, who was King of Francia at the time when the fearsome Ragnar Lothbrok raided Paris. | The Carolingian Coin Heist | |
| Magic Potion | Farah's flask of what is most likely alchol. Nasrin holds it for her. | The Servant and the Impostor | |
| Eye Makeup | A tincture of herbs that makes the eyes bigger and more luminous. | The Servant and the Impostor | |
| The Garden and its Mysteries | A heavy, well-thumbed tome. | The Servant and the Impostor | |
| Caliphal Palace Master Key | This key unlocks all doors in the Caliphal Palace. | The Serpent's Nest | |
| Damascus Gate Prison Keys | These keys unlocks several doors in the Damascus Gate prison. | Jailbreak | |
| Heron Feather | A feather used by a Hidden One to mark a successful assassination. | All Order assassination missions | |
| Bloodied Heron Feather | A feather dipped in the blood of a Hidden One's target. | All Order assassination missions | |
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Mysterious Shard | This little shard weighs heavily in my hand. It seems charged with a strange energy. | The Calling |
| Calculating the Azimuth | Endless tables filled with numbers and symbols. | A Life's Work | |
| Comments on Euclid's Elements, Chapter X | Commentaries on Euclid's Elements, along with what appears to be his son's birthdate scribbled in the corner. | A Life's Work | |
| Piece of Fabric | A piece of fabric from a woman's gown found in the dead librarian's grasp. | Follow the Fiery Trail | |
| White Flowers | A posy of beautiful white flowers. | The Hunter | |
| Informer's Orders | I need More names. Do whatever you have to do, but get them. I have something special planned. - Dogan bin Arslan |
The Hunter | |
| An Exotic Hairpin | A precious hairpin of ancient Chinese origin, finely ornate, coveted by the Treasurer. | Gilded Butterflies | |
| Dragon Brooch | A brooch belonging to members of The Ivory Coin, an exclusive merchants' guild. | Gilded Butterflies | |
| Transport Routes Ledger | These are the transport routes for the items. | ||
| Message | A message for the chief of security in the Prince's Palace. |
Resources / Consumables / Materials
Dervis' Artifacts
Valhalla
Armor
Game
| Name | Type of Gear | Class | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raven Clan Crew Outfit | Torso | A stolen Raven Clan crew member outfit found on the body of a Ravensburg sentry. |
MTX
| Name | Type of Gear | Class | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of the Elements Helmet (Ah Puch/Itzamná) | Helmet | Bear | This impressive helmet reflects the awesome power of the starry-eyed deity, Kinich Ahau. His power was so great that he ascended into the ultimate form of godhood by transforming into the very Sun. |
| Master of the Elements Hood | Cloak | Bear | These wing-shaped shoulder pads represent the unfolding of time, one side engraved with the symbols for day, the other with those for night. |
| Master of the Elements Armor | Torso | Bear | The solar calendar carved into this majestic armor grants advance knowledge of future events such as death, wars, famines, and even the end of the world. |
| Master of the Elements Bracers | Bracers | Bear | These gauntlets hold the power of the four elements, concentrated into four respective gems. The collective energy within this artifact could alter our very existence with the snap of a finger. |
| Master of the Elements Pants | Pants | Bear | The thin and highly sensitive soles of these boots let flow the earth's energy to the wearer's feet, from the finest grains of sand to the most jagged rocks. |
| Blood Elf Eye-wrap(Oracle/Solar) | Helmet | Bear | The wearer of this wrap can still see clearly through it but has their sight clouded by visions of distant evil. |
| Blood Elf Hood | Cloak | Bear | Anyone under this hood is said to be completely hidden from the view of elves. If only there were some around to test it with... |
| Blood Elf Armor | Torso | Bear | Intricate elven designs cover every inch of this tight but nearly impenetrable breastplate. |
| Blood Elf Bracers | Bracers | Bear | Despite having seen many battles already, these bracers still seem unmarked and unfaded. |
| Blood Elf Greaves | Pants | Bear | Almost weightless, these greaves are designed to have minimal impact on the wearer's speed and mobility. |
| Advanced Mechanicals Helmet (Copper Alloy/) | Helmet | Bear | The inside surfaces of this helm are inscribed with ever-changing runes in an unknown language. |
| Advanced Mechanicals Hood | Cloak | Bear | Hexagonal textures across the surface of this hood make it hard to focus the eye on it. |
| Advanced Mechanicals Chestpiece | Torso | Bear | An unknown energy churns beneath the outer surface of this near-impenetrable armor. |
| Advanced Mechanicals Wristguards | Bracers | Bear | The gloves attached to these wristguards whirr and hum with every movement of the wearer's fingers. |
| Advanced Mechanicals Leg-plates | Pants | Bear | Scuffs on the soles of these heavy metal boots show signs of use on hazardous terrain. |
| Yurei Bushido Mask (ghostly/flamboyant) | Helmet | Bear | A work of art by itself, this snarling mask also protects the face from unwanted battle scars. |
| Yurei Bushido Hood | Cloak | Bear | An ornate hood that, while unsubtle, still effectively disguises the wearer's identity. |
| Yurei Bushido Armor | Torso | Bear | Interlocking iron and leather make for unusually lightweight and beautiful armor that catches both the eye and blows to the chest. |
| Yurei Bushido Bracers | Bracers | Bear | Thick but mobile plating protects the wearer's wrists from hacking and slashing. |
| Yurei Bushido Pants | Pants | Bear | Hinged iron splints shield the legs while open-toed sandals ensure comfort and breathability. |
Weapons
| Name | Type of Gear | Class | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q'uq'umatz | Short Sword | Wolf | The aesthetic of this sword is inspired by Q'uq'umatz, the winged serpent who carried the sun across the sky and down into the underworld. |
| Kukulkan | Short Sword | Wolf | The pommel of this sword bears the likeness of Kukulkan, the feathered serpent. Every summer the War Serpent is said to cause a terrible earthquake from his home beneath the sea. |
| Devil's Claw | Sickle | Raven | Among the varied accounts across numerous manuscripts, one statement regarding this weapon remains consistent: "Whosoever shall wield the Devil's Claw will have their deepest desires revealed and a shadow cast over their fate." |
| Sorcerer's Sword | Short Sword | Wolf | This ensorcelled blade was infused with dark magic to defeat demons, dragons, and all form of supernatural monsters. It is also effective at carving up more commonplace creatures. |
| Sacrificial Dagger | Dagger | Raven | The blood of those sacrificed to this blade flows along its length to be drunk by the dagger. Regular feedings are required to help maintain its edge. |
| Ancestors' Scythe | Scythe | Wolf | This weapon is probably the most coveted within the sorcerous community. Its ingenious dwarven design allows users to cast spells at long-range targets while its deadly curved blade can dispatch more immediate threats. The perfect tool for any problem! |
| Álfheimr's Arm | Spear | Wolf | The detailed filigree along the socket of this spear runs as red as its blade when blood is spilled. |
| Blóduppskeru | Scythe | Wolf | The blade of this scythe is made from a single slab of fiery crystal of unknown, but decidedly elven, origin. |
| Blade of the Damned | Short Sword | Wolf | Said to be inhabited by the sould of those who perished in flames, this sword is adept at adding to their number. |
| Heleister | Spear | Wolf | Each point on this trident glows like the helfires of Døkkerland. And for good reason, forged as it is from the living rock of those ashen wastes. |
| Hugr-Reaper | Scythe | Wolf | Causes intense agony in the victim at the instant of death, then absorbs that moment of exquisite pain to keep itself sharp and deadly. |
| Öxi Eimyrju | Dane Axe | Raven | Forged by the jotun Eimyrja as a gift to her father Hilogi, god of fire. The blade of this axe still burns as hot as the flames it was born in. |
| Caladcholg | Great Sword | Wolf | When activated, this formidable sword shines with the refracted light of distant suns and trambles with unquenchable energy. |
| Gore-ripper | Short Sword | Wolf | Never dulled and never broken, the vicious teeth on the edge of this blade are well-suited to removing your foes' undesirable limbs. |
| Kalastungr | Bearded Axe | Bear | The solid ice of this axe's blade appears stained with the blood of all the foes it has cut down. |
| Ormr-tooth | Dagger | Raven | The hilt of this vicious blade was cast from an ancient serpent found preserved deep under the ice. |
| Fröstbíta | Great Sword | Bear | Named "frost-biter" for its jagged edges that rip and tear on their way in and out of your enemies. |
| Tvíndarradr | Spear | Wolf | Twisted snakes form both ends of this deadly spear, cold and sharp to the touch. |
| Sólskin Shield | Heavy Shield | Bear | As Sól's golden light brings warmth and fair weather, so will her mighty chariot-steeds protect you from darkness. |
| Blade of the Golden Rays | Great Sword | Raven | Made in the image of beams of light, the twin blades that compose this deadly weapon combine to strike foes with brilliant force. |
| Blue Vibrant Sword | Short Sword | Wolf | Though it appears fragmented, this blade holds fast and firm enough to cut down any who doubt its integrity. |
| Purple Vibrant Sword | Short Sword | Wolf | Made of unstable Isu energy, this sword can barely hold itself together while cleaving through enemies. |
| Green Vibrant Sword | Short Sword | Wolf | Seemingly formed of nothing but light itself, this sword stabs and slices just as its steel brethren. |
| Red Vibrant Sword | Short Sword | Wolf | Raw, seething energy makes up this sword's blade, clashing with itself as much as it clashes with other weapons. |
| Hi-Gatana | Short Sword | Wolf | Fueled by flame, this ancient Japanese sword thirsts for blood and fire in equal measure. |
| Kizami-Gatana | Short Sword | Wolf | The vicious serrations on the edge of this blade make it exceptionally vicious even when it's not set ablaze. |













































































