Ottoman Brotherhood of Assassins
The Turkish Assassins, also known as the Seljuk Assassins or Ottoman Assassins during the time of the Ottoman Empire, were the Brotherhood of Assassins located in and around Turkey, existing since their formation during the later half of the 13th century.
Existing throughout two different empires, the Turkish Assassins were mainly involved in a struggle against the Byzantines, the Eastern European embodiment of the Templars. Even after the Byzantine Empire was dissolved, the Byzantines posed a threat to the Assassins, as they were determined to revive their fallen empire. Until the ultimate fall of the House of Palaiologi, the Assassins kept battling their Byzantine rivals.
History
Formation
- Altaïr: "So, where will you go next?"
- Niccolò: "Back to Constantinopoli for a time. We will establish a guild there before returning to Venezia."
- —Niccolò Polo to Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad about establishing the Constantinople Assassins Guild.[src]
Origins and appearance
By the 16th century, the Ottoman Assassins wore tanned white Assassin robes with an orange chest-plate, and blue pants. In some cases, Assassins also wore Ottoman masks underneath their hoods, and some Assassins always wore their hood down, like Yusuf Tazim, in contrast to common Assassin custom. Each of them were equipped with a Hidden Blade and a Hookblade, which they used for fast and easy climbing and for transporting via ziplines, so they could make their way to their destination fast.[2]
During the time of the Ottoman Empire, people from various countries and regions around Turkey were attracted to the empire, which resulted in the Assassin Brotherhood containing members from various different cultures and ancestries.[2]
Techniques
The basic techniques of the Turkish Assassins were similar to those of the Levantine Assassins, who were the Turkish Assassins' spiritual forebearers. However, the Turkish Assassins invented their own upgraded version of the Hidden Blade, called the Hookblade, which allowed for faster climbing and faster travel via Constantinople's ziplines.[2]
The Turkish Assassins were also introduced to various types of bombs, by trade from China. The Turkish Assassins trained themselves in their usage, and the Master Assassin Piri Reis eventually created more specialized bombs with experience gained in the Ottoman navy.[2]
References
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