The Fida'i
- Newly Embraced neonates recieve the title fida'i-- "those
who sacrifice themselves"-- in token of their submission to
the will of the clan. They remain at Alamut for a further seven
years, training to use their vampiric strength and speed,
learning to frenzy, being instructed in the Clan's Disciplines
(and any others for which they show aptitude), and being inducted
into the second level of the teachings of Haqim.
Occasionally, one or more fida'i may leave Alamut--under the
tutelage of a more senior Assamite--on simple errands of various
kinds. They learn firsthand about the world of the Kindred, and
even get to meet the Get of Khayyin on occasion. They also gain
experience in the business side of the clan, witnessing contract
negotiations and assisting with the collection of vitae in
payment.
At the end of seven years, silsila judge the fida'i to see if
they are found worthy of full clan membership. Most Assamites
serve the full seven years of their apprenticeship; under
exceptional circumstances, however, particularly outstanding
individuals may serve only four or five years as fida'i, while
some are given an additional seven years at Alamut if they are
not found ready to leave. The end of a neonates time as a fida'i
is marked by another ceremony, held at the same time as the
ceremony of the Embrace. At this time, the neonates become full
fledged members of the clan and gain the title of
Rafiq--"Comrades".
The Rafiq
- The Rafiq make up the Clan's rank and file. The majority are
assassins, dwelling away from Alamut either in havens of their
own or in Assamite strongholds. Some, however, are specialists,
serving the clan in other ways. The majority of these specialists
stay at Alamut itself, though some are posted to the larger
strongholds around the world, so that rafiq in need of their
skills can contact them quickly and easily.
Specialists include scholars, mages and increasingly, scientists.
Most are employed in the tajdid--the massive research effort
aimed at freeing the Clan from the Curse--but some serve in other
capacities. Historians and Archivists are employed to study and
compile the fragments of the Book of Nod which fall into the
Clan's possession. The Library of Alamut employs its own
specialist scholars and researchers.
The majority of the rafiq, though, are field operatives. While
the Clan is only loosely organized outside the confines of
Alamut, the rafiq make a habit of staying in touch with one
another and are usually aware of all Assamite activity in their
area. This is partly to avoid the possibility of situations
arising where Assamites may come into conflict with one another,
but it's main purpose is to make sure that no rafiq undertakes a
contract without anyone else from the Clan knowing about it. Then
should the rafiq fail to return, inquiries can begin to establish
whether there is cause for revenge.
The Silsila - These are the Elders of the Clan, the Keepers of the Blood. They act as a priesthood, instructing the fida'i in the Path of Blood and guiding the rafiq in the footsteps of the Ancestor. Any Assamite may be appointed to the silsila by the Master and the Du'at; it is a great honor, normally given in recognition of long or outstanding service to the clan and to the teachings of Haqim. The silsila are respected by all, and one of their number normally acts as Castellan for an Assamite base away from Alamut.
The Du'at -
The Du'at are the three most senior clan members aside from the
Master. They serve as a council of advisors for the Master and
his appointed representatives in their own fields of interest:
military, political, and magical. There is no specialist advisor
on philosophy and doctrine, for two reasons: Firstly, the Master
is the spiritual leader of the Assamites and largely fulfills
this role himself; and secondly it is believed that the teachings
of Haqim should live in the heart of each individual and not
subject to the interpretations by teachers.
The military head of the Assamites has the title of Caliph. He
(there has never yet been a female Caliph, though it is thought
to be only a matter of time) is the commander of all field
operatives, and has the power to overrule any assasination
contract--though this is hardly ever done because of the
importance of an Assamites word. He can also declare a Blood Hunt
on behalf of the clan and is responsible for administering the
policy of Hadd.
The chief scholar has the title of Vizier, and is equal in status
to the Caliph. This individual has overall responsibility for the
maintenance of the library, the search for knowledge of all
kinds, and the conduct of research into lifting the Curse. In
this last duty, the Vizier shares responsibility with the Amr,
since both magical and mundane avenues are being explored. As
well as being our chief scholar, the Vizier acts as a political
advisor to the Master and is responsible for mediating between
the various factions within the Clan, as well as maintaining
relations between the Clan and our so-called antitribu.
The third Du'at is the Amr, who is the chief magician of Alamut.
The Clan's specialist magicians oversee the training of the rafiq
in the various Disciplines, as well as conducting magical
research into lifting the Curse and other matters. The Amr
directs the efforts of the Clan's magicians, and acts as an
advisor to the Master on magical and supernatural matters.
The Master
- The Master of Alamut, also known as the Old Man of the
Mountain, is the Supreme head of our Clan. His word has the force
of law over the rafiq and is subject only to the code of the
Khabar and the Teachings of Haqim. He (there has not yet been a
female Master though several have tried) appoints candidates to
all posts of importance within the Clan, having first listened to
the counsil of the Du'at.
The Master may be challenged by any Clan member to a duel for
leadership. The Master chooses the type of duel--physical (mutual
assasination), political (a vote at a Clan council) or
magical--so any challenger must be confident of beating the
incumbent Master in all three fields. This ensures that
challenges are comparitively rare and normally works to improve
the Clan's leadership. The loser of a challenge is ritually
executed, and his/her blood is added to the Heartblood of the
Clan.
Traditionals - More conservative members of the clan, mostly the older Assamites. They disapprove of the relaxing of traditional restrictions on recruitment, and look down upon female rafiq and those not of Middle Eastern origin. They have a great love for formality and hold the clan's rituals and social structure very dear. The Traditonals are among the closest to the Assamite antitribu, and work constantly to bring about the clan's reunification.
Progressives - They embrace the changes in the clan, especially the ethnic and gender restrictions on recruitment. This would help to mask the Assamite in any company, rather than to have them easily recognised. Progressives make more use of Anarchs than the Traditionalists.
Militants - The strongest faction within the Assamite. They believe the clan should step up its campaign against the other Kindred, eliminating clan leaders and other important munafiqun without any need for an assassination contract. To do otherwise, they maintain, is to betray the spirit of Haqim.
Moderates - They advise caution, believing the Assamite should strike when the Curse has been lifted and the Hijra brought to an end. It would not serve Haqim's purpose, they maintain, if the clan got itself wiped out. The clan needs to rebuild its strenght before open warfare has any chance of succeeding.
Warriors - They form the majority of the clan, and consider themselves closer to the clan's true ideals than the others (which they mockingly call Scribes). They tend to look down on the Scribes' lack of martial prowess.
Scholars & Scientists - Historians, archivists and researchers. They maintain the enormous Assamite library, which also contains many fragments of the Book of Nod, and research ways to lift the Curse. They regard the warriors as vain and boastful, and look at the Magi with mixed attitude, seeing in them both colleagues and frauds.
Magi - The sorcerers of the clan. They often research ways to lift the Curse through magic, and have the ability to manufacture specialised weapons and poisons from the clan's Heartblood. They are the most secretive members of the clan, revealing little of their knowledge even to clan elders.
