Board Thread:Series general discussion/@comment-2112031-20170322125406/@comment-18014300-20170405161533

ACsenior wrote: Given what we know of the Council of Elders, they are also the board of directors of Abstergo Industries. While being between the General of the Cross and Guardians, the Elders seems more like a distinct group who's only function is directing Abstergo as a whole while Guardians direct the divisions(Inner Sanctum) within Abstergo. There's nothing that I'm aware of that suggests the Elders are more than the directors of Abstergo. And the Essential Guide specifically says Grand Masters control their own Rites, so it's therefore right to assume Alan Rikkin controls a specific Rite. If I'd guess one it would be the British Rite but that's just speculation.

I'm confused about this. It's well-established across virtually all sources that the Inner Sanctum is identical to the Board of Directors of Abstergo Industries. The Council of Elders is clearly distinct from the Inner Sanctum and thus the Board of Directors. The Guardians' role isn't meant to be limited to divisions within Abstergo. They're the highest authority of the entire order aside from the General of the Cross, and only they are granted knowledge of his identity.