Hidden Ones

Guardians of free will born from the sands of Egypt to fight tyranny.

The Hidden Ones represent the foundational iteration of the Assassin Brotherhood, originating in the sands of Ptolemaic Egypt during the late first century BCE. Born from a desire to protect humanity from those who would enslave its will, this secretive organization was established by Bayek of Siwa and his wife Aya following personal tragedies that exposed the corruption of the ruling powers. Unlike their later successors, they operated without the formal title of Assassin, preferring anonymity to ensure their survival against the Order of the Ancients. Their philosophy centered on preserving free will and preventing any single entity from controlling society through fear or forbidden artifacts.

Quick Facts

Opposition: Order of the Ancients
Successor group: Assassin Brotherhood

Lore & Background

The formation of this order began when Bayek, a Medjay protector, sought justice for his son's murder at the hands of cultists aligned with political elites. He realized that local protection was insufficient against a global conspiracy. Teaming up with Aya, who had her own vendetta in Alexandria, they formalized their methods into a shared creed focused on eliminating key figures who threatened liberty. Rather than relying on a single headquarters, they established a network of hidden bureaus across Egypt and beyond, utilizing coded correspondence to coordinate strikes without revealing the full extent of their operations.

Siwa served as the spiritual birthplace where Bayek took his oath, but the organization functioned through these dispersed cells. The Hidden Ones were formally established in Memphis following the defeat of the Order of the Ancients in Egypt. Aya eventually traveled to Rome, where she founded the Roman branch on her own initiative; while she allied with Brutus and Cassius to assassinate Caesar, these conspirators were political partners rather than co-founders of the order itself.

Their teachings emphasized that truth is subjective and actions are permitted within a moral framework designed to serve humanity rather than gods or kings. This ideology became the bedrock for all future iterations of the Assassin order. Despite facing relentless persecution from the Ancients, who sought to control human evolution through Isu technology, the Hidden Ones endured. They passed their knowledge down through generations, eventually adopting the name Assassins in later centuries while maintaining the core mission established in Egypt.

Reader's Guide

The Hidden Ones emerged from the ashes of personal loss in ancient Egypt, transforming local protectors into a clandestine network dedicated to human liberty. Originally operating as Medjay guardians within Siwa, Bayek and Aya realized that true freedom required dismantling the oppressive structures imposed by the Order of the Ancients. They established cells across the Mediterranean, communicating through coded messages and hidden caches. Their primary goal was not conquest, but preservation of free will against those who sought to control humanity through artifacts or ideology.

Members swore oaths of secrecy, often sacrificing their identities to protect the greater good. Unlike later iterations, they did not yet use the title Assassin, preferring anonymity to avoid persecution while spreading their influence. This order laid the foundational philosophy for centuries of conflict between freedom and tyranny. They taught that truth is subjective and actions are permitted within moral bounds.

Their legacy survived through generations, evolving into the Brotherhood known today, forever changing history from the shadows.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the main purpose of the Hidden Ones?

Their core mission focused on protecting humanity from those who would enslave free will, specifically targeting the Order of the Ancients. They operated in secrecy to ensure their survival while preserving liberty for the common people.

How do the Hidden Ones relate to the Assassin Brotherhood?

The Hidden Ones served as the foundational iteration that eventually evolved into the formal Assassin Brotherhood known in later timelines. While they shared the same philosophy, they did not officially use the title of Assassin during their initial era.