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.
- Founders
- Bayek of Siwa, Aya (Amunet)
- Era
- Ptolemaic Period
- Primary Base
- Siwa Oasis, Egypt
- Opposition
- Order of the Ancients
- Successor Group
- Assassin Brotherhood
- Status
- Evolved into modern Assassins
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.
They established hidden bases across Egypt and beyond, utilizing coded correspondence to coordinate strikes without revealing the full extent of their network. 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.
In Their Own Story
The moon hung low over Siwa as Bayek stood atop the sandstone ruins, his linen robes blending with the shadows of the temple walls. Below, a messenger approached silently, clutching a scroll sealed with wax bearing no insignia. They exchanged words barely audible above the desert wind, discussing targets in Alexandria who had grown too powerful. There was no celebration, only the grim resolve of men and women who understood that their names would never be spoken in history books, yet their deeds would shape the world for millennia.
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.
Did You Know?
- Bayek was originally a Medjay before becoming a Hidden One.
- The group did not use the name Assassin until centuries later.
- Aya founded the branch of the organization based in Alexandria.
- Their code influenced the Creed used by modern Assassins.