Al'Ukhan w Alzal'a
The Al'Ukhan w Alzal'a (brotherhood of shadow) is a secretive organization of Al'shahri which operate within the faith, primarily in lands outside of Al'shahri control. It was first founded in 1241 during the events preceding the division of the Illahic faiths into Al'shahri and Al'fatimi sects, with Al'shahri priests making up its first members. Originally formed as an organization dedicated to espionage and subterfuge against supposed enemies of the faith, it would delve into assassinations at an unclear time. During this early period, is is uncertain whether or not the Brotherhood of Shadow actually murdered the Holy Successors Abdulhamid II, Durvar II, and Hamidhal I and caused the sundering of the Empire, but it is undisputed that the brotherhood would emerge as an organization of assassins shortly thereafter. Since the Al'shahri priesthood, victorious as they were, no longer had any need to work in the shadows, the Brotherhood became the sword of the faith. Claimed assassination of the last few Emperors aside, they first formally struck in 1253, killing the [tbd] of [tbd], who they claimed was a secret heretic. His lands and properties would be seized, becoming the first strongholds of the Brotherhood.
During the Uthmarid period, due to the state religion being Al'shahri, the Brotherhood remained closely tied to the Al'shahri priesthood, rarely, if ever, striking without express permission of the priesthood. Though internal enemies such as [tbd] were occasionally killed, this seemed to be done more to keep the populace in line rather than out of any real need, and the priesthood typically preferred to seize assests in the regular way. Far more often was their use against foreigners, and Brotherhood assassinations cleared the way for much Uthmarid expansion. As the Uthmarid Empire exported its faith oversees, Brotherhood agents would occasionally travel to assassinate rulers particular reluctant to allow Al'Shahri communities to form. Their first assassination outside of Ærellion itself would be performed in Ifyrial in [tbd], against [tbd], an advisor and confidant of the [tbd] of [tbd]. This was to be a warning against their lack of cooperation with the Uthmarid Empire's traders.
It is with the fall of the Uthmarids that the Brotherhood truly came into its own, however. Taking control of a scattered network of fortifications which resisted the expansion of the Fatimi Empire, they began a reign of terror over provincial governors which lasted the entire Fatimi reign. Often striking from fortresses just outside Fatimi lands or nestled within mountains, they were exceedingly difficult to dislodge, seemingly having a supernatural ability to vacate their forts just before doom struck. While the head of the order originally resided with the center of the priesthood in [tbd], over time they drifted apart and became increasingly autonomous, being no longer attached to the priesthood by 1486. From then on they would take whatever matters they believed necessary to defend the faith without asking permission. However, they remained faithful, and believed in the authority of the Holy Successorship, refusing to totally distance themselves. This culminated in a coup by factions who had come under the sway of the Al'utham and rejected the Successorships, but the coup was eventually put down with assistance from forces of the Sultanate of [tbd]. In return, the restored brotherhood thereafter paid a tribute to the sultanate until relations soured and he himself was murdered for agreeing to a treaty with the Fatimi. As for the rebels, they maintained control of a few forts and became the Alma'haylin Al'Ukhan.
During the Uthmarid period, due to the state religion being Al'shahri, the Brotherhood remained closely tied to the Al'shahri priesthood, rarely, if ever, striking without express permission of the priesthood. Though internal enemies such as [tbd] were occasionally killed, this seemed to be done more to keep the populace in line rather than out of any real need, and the priesthood typically preferred to seize assests in the regular way. Far more often was their use against foreigners, and Brotherhood assassinations cleared the way for much Uthmarid expansion. As the Uthmarid Empire exported its faith oversees, Brotherhood agents would occasionally travel to assassinate rulers particular reluctant to allow Al'Shahri communities to form. Their first assassination outside of Ærellion itself would be performed in Ifyrial in [tbd], against [tbd], an advisor and confidant of the [tbd] of [tbd]. This was to be a warning against their lack of cooperation with the Uthmarid Empire's traders.
It is with the fall of the Uthmarids that the Brotherhood truly came into its own, however. Taking control of a scattered network of fortifications which resisted the expansion of the Fatimi Empire, they began a reign of terror over provincial governors which lasted the entire Fatimi reign. Often striking from fortresses just outside Fatimi lands or nestled within mountains, they were exceedingly difficult to dislodge, seemingly having a supernatural ability to vacate their forts just before doom struck. While the head of the order originally resided with the center of the priesthood in [tbd], over time they drifted apart and became increasingly autonomous, being no longer attached to the priesthood by 1486. From then on they would take whatever matters they believed necessary to defend the faith without asking permission. However, they remained faithful, and believed in the authority of the Holy Successorship, refusing to totally distance themselves. This culminated in a coup by factions who had come under the sway of the Al'utham and rejected the Successorships, but the coup was eventually put down with assistance from forces of the Sultanate of [tbd]. In return, the restored brotherhood thereafter paid a tribute to the sultanate until relations soured and he himself was murdered for agreeing to a treaty with the Fatimi. As for the rebels, they maintained control of a few forts and became the Alma'haylin Al'Ukhan.
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