Okay, so I'm not going to go into great detail here as you should already be familiar with standard rules and decency:

Respect each-other both in the IC and OOC. Banter is fine, but if you start to get bitchy so will I! You're characters don't have to like each other either, but don't let OOC things interfere with the plots and always consult others before posting about their characters or their devices.

No more than 2 characters per person. If a character dies, you may make another, however, everyone will be limited to 2 characters at a time. HOWEVER, if there is an absolutely brilliant plot idea and you have a third character you really want to incorporate, you may request one from one of the head GM's.

No killing characters without permission. This includes your characters, other player's characters, and NPCs that are being used frequently by other players. Of course feel free to make dozens of your own NPCs to kill at your hearts content

Everyone makes grammar mistakes here and there, so I'm not expecting you all to write perfectly. However, expect to be picked up on if you get a bit slack. This is set about 2,039 years ago so posts should be strictly in the past tense. I'm also a fan of splitting paragraphs when different people speak. If grammar is consistently awful to the point that I can no longer be bothered to read it then I will be harsh and kick you out of the RP.

The year’s 25bc, Rome has transitioned from a Republic into an Empire, and the land is full of war, slavery, poverty and all manner of things. Caesars heir, Augustus, is now the Emperor and it has been 17 years since the Battle of Philippi (42bc) and the destruction of the Liberatores. Augustus stands in the way of democracy and the assassins believe that he is leading Rome and its people to destruction, if not in the short run then definitely in the long run. To make things worse he is now a Templar. August has many supporters as well as Templar friends; these not only pose a threat but some are considered to simply be in need of killing. The Praetorian Guard act as the instruments of Augustus and the Templars.

The Liberatores (Liberators) were a group of senators (notably Brutus) who assassinated Julius Caesar due to fears he was growing too powerful. What was unbeknownst to most of these ‘Liberatores’ was that their leaders were in fact part of the Assassin Order, which at this point were very thinly spread. What August and his newly founded Templar allies do not yet know however is that some of the more secretive members as well as the families of the fallen have managed to survive, and have now joined under the banner of the Assassin Order. These Assassins now try to accomplish their goals through political means as well as violence, with some becoming politicians, some military, but most simply acting as common spies/assassins.

The Roman Brotherhood is currently being led by Filius Manius (aka ‘Rector’, Master Assassin). He is wise, confident and experienced, but he is too old to fight and his leadership is lacking. His right hand man is Raminus Cimber (Assassin Rank), a smart and cunning man who has had experience with the Egyptian Brotherhood. Raminus has the most contact with the lower Assassins, being the one to issue orders and training. His left hand is Samsonite (Assassin Rank), an angry man who's father was one of the Liberatores (although not an assassin). Samsonite is often at ends with Manius for not being aggressive enough.

Not only is this brotherhood very weak and low on members, but it is under threat of both Templars and to an extent other orders. The other assassin orders have become increasingly agitated by the growth of the Empire, especially when it seeps into their territories; they question whether the Roman Brotherhood is more loyal to the Assassins or to Rome

The ranking structure is as follows (highest to lowest): [list]

Master Assassin - The most experience of Assassins would be left in charge of an entire brotherhood

Assassin - Only after years of service would you be formally initiated into the Assassins and receive your hidden blade

Veteran - Whilst following orders, Veterans are trusted to mostly act as they see fit

Warrior - Warriors are sent on important missions/contracts

Disciple - Having trained and having proved oneself on small tasks, Disciples would be sent on small missions

Apprentice - If potential was seen then you would be taken in and begin training

Recruit - At this level they would simply be used as spies and informants

Name: (Include nicknames if any)
Gender: (Male? Female? Eunuch?)
Age: (Should match skill/ability - i.e. a 70 year old shouldn't be a master free-runner)
Rank: (You should be Disciple or below, or yet to be recruited)
Appearance: (Pics are good but not mandatory)
Equipment: (What weapons, etc. Players will get the opportunity to gain/swap weapons so don't make your character a living Armoury)
Personality: (Good guy? Bad Girl? Stoic? Slutty?)
Bio: (History and Background - if there's anything you don't want other players to see then PM me)
Skills/Strengths: (If your character is already trained/experienced, what fighting style do they use for example.)
Weaknesses: (Fat? Weak? Can't swim? Scared of heights? You don't have to list all their weaknesses and some will of course be alluded to or shown in the IC posts, but it'd be nice to show that you're not god-modding)

Name: Caelus Marius Scipio
Gender: Male
Age: 29
Rank: None at present

Appearance: Marius is of typical northern Italian stock, with thick, leathery skin born of a lifetime's work. His black hair is always cropped short as per regulations, and is generally covered by either his helmet when on duty or a beaten leather cap otherwise.

Equipment: Most of the time Marius uses the full Legionary Lorica segmentata with gladius and shield, but has come to acknowledge that battlefield equipment is not always the ideal choice. For those moments when subtlety or dexterity are more important than staying power, he generally uses a Germanic short sword and leather armour garnished with fur, both souvenirs of past conquests.

Personality: Marius is a soldier to the core, with unwavering loyalty to the empire and a healthy dose of Roman arrogance. For the most part however, he is straightforward and respectful, both to Roman citizens and even barbarians; he may look down on non-citizens, but has also picked up a certain grudging respect during his years in Germania.

Bio: Caelus Marius Scipio was born on campaign, the son of one Gaius Marius Scipio, Primus pilos Centurion of the V Alaudae Legion. His early life was spent in camp as his mother followed the Legion though Germania; he was trained from an early age, both by his father and his adopted Legionary uncles to be both a proficient fighter and respected leader. At the age of fifteen he joined V Alaudae as a war dog handler and through dint of skill, determination and the odd helping hand from his father, spent the next few years steadily rising through the enlisted ranks.

His father's sudden death was a turning point in Marius' life. He knew next to nothing about the circumstances surrounding the murder; indeed, all the evidence pointed to it all being an unfortunate accident and if it wasn't for his gut feeling, Marius might have believed that. After years of searching for the truth, he was eventually contacted by someone who claimed to have proof of a conspiracy instigated by so-called 'Templars' and which included Gaius Marius' murder. It took Marius over a decade to hunt this lead down and he is determined to pursue it.

Marius is currently serving as Optio centuriae to one of V Alaudae's many Centurions and is directly in charge of the Cohort's war hounds. While his role is technically 2iC, his Centurion is the lazy son of an aristocrat; as such, Marius generally finds himself in de facto command of the Century.

Skills/Strengths:
Marius is a career Legionary and swordsman, with a decade and a half's fighting experience to draw from.
His long service and subsequent promotions have given him a good amount of influence with some of the men in his legion; a handful may even be more loyal to him than to their Legate.
Also through his work, Marius has something of a way with animals. The dogs that his cohort uses are trained to listen for his voice above all others on the battlefield; they could be a useful asset in other situations.

Weaknesses:
Marius has no diplomatic ability whatsoever, let alone senatorial. When it comes to using charm or logic to outwit an opponent, Marius will be caught flat-footed every time.
After a life living in empty frontier outposts and tent camps, Marius has developed a serious weakness for those luxuries only available in civilisation; namely, women and wine.

Name: Filius Manius aka "The Master" or "Master Filius"
Gender:Male
Age: 68
Rank Master Assassin

Appearance: http://tinyurl.com/ofud8jv
Equipment: Filius usually wears a Toga with no added protection except for a sheathed dagger. He has not worn his hidden blade for a while now.

Personality: Filius is austere, often speaking only few words to those bellow him save for the times when he feels a lecture is due. He is very wise and knows it, however as much as he tries to hide it he feels over-encumbered by the burden of leadership. Unless you’re a high ranking member of the order don’t expect to speak to him much

Bio: Filius was born into the Assassin Order and trained from a young age. His father owned a wealthy estate just outside of Rome and Filius would often accompany his family into the city to various parties hosted by the roman elite. The party lifestyle grew on Filius as he entered adolescence and would suit him far greater than the lifestyle the Assassins offered him.

Due to his lack of discipline, his father pulled some strings and had him enlisted into the Navy. Filius would hate his father for this. Life on the seas wasn’t too bad however, especially when Filius was able to escape the role of a common marine in order to become a scribe for the captain. Even then however Filius saw his fair share of action, and came to realise that his earlier training had been on many occasions what saved him.

Returning to Rome Filius would find his estate owned by strangers, his family vanished from existence, and a series of shut doors from those he once called friends. In time he would be reunited with the Order and discover his family was murdered by Templars. This hate drove him throughout his adult life and up the assassin ranks.
He had little to do with the assassination of Caesar, but would be tasked by Brutus and others to protect some of their families. After the battle of Philippi Filius became a Master Assassin by default in order to rebuild the roman creed.

Skills/Strengths: Filius is very well read. He believes himself to be good at spotting deception. He is a master of logistics and to some extent politics.

Weaknesses: Filius is past his prime and cannot fight like he used to. He is often accused of having turned over-cautious in his old age, and some have openly questioned his leadership.

Name: Samsonite
Gender:Male
Age: 32
Rank: Assassin

Appearance: http://tinyurl.com/olgevgz - Samsonite stands at 6ft2 and is of very large muscular build.
Equipment: Samsonite wears standard Lorica segmentata, and a cape (sagum) which hides his hidden blade. He tends to carry just a spatha rather than a gladius and shield.

Personality: Samsonite is a very temperamental man, easily being sent into rage. It seems like he is always slightly pissed off and he is often just waiting for his next fight. He tends to clash with Filius as he believes that the Assassins should be more aggressive towards the Templars. He struggles to agree with some of the principles of the Order and is more concerned about revenge and what is best for Rome.

Bio: Samsonite was born into a senatorial household and from a young age was instilled with a great sense of Roman pride. Whilst his father had little influence in the Senate directly, he was quite wealthy and as a result of strategic lending had the discrete support and favours of other less influential senators. Samsonite was mentored from a young age due to his father’s intent to get his son a good military posting once he was old enough.

However before Samsonite came of age the assignation of Caesar took place. This is turn would lead to the family fleeing to Greece with other Liberatores. Samsonite was one of the ‘fortunate’ few to be left in the hands of Filius, during which time his father and mother were both killed in the Battle of Philippi. Samsonite’s hatred of Augustus was immeasurable; not only had he destroyed his family and any record of it, but he took Samsonite’s cherished republic and made it his empire.

Filius, reminded of his own history decided to convince Samsonite to stay with him and trained him to become an Assassin. Whilst they initially had a good relationship, as Samsonite has grown more reckless and Filius more passive, the two rarely see things eye to eye although Samsonite usually follows his mentors orders.

Samsonite joined the military but has not stayed with any legion for too long, just long enough to kill his targets or gather information. He currently acts as a messenger, allowing him freedom of movement.

Skills/Strengths: Samsonite has a natural combat advantage due to his size and physique. He is adept at swordplay as well as roman battle tactics. He is also one tough son of a bitch, having survived multiple injuries including a blow to the head.

Weaknesses: Samsonite’s explosive temper can have very negative effects. His impatience has also served to weaken his political and military prowess, despite having a good understanding of both.

Name: Gnaeus Raminus Cimber
Gender:Male
Age: 41
Rank: Assassin

Appearance: http://tinyurl.com/pc3bpyv

Equipment: Raminus prefers to wear light linen clothing (like in the picture), but usually will wear linothorax armour underneath a senators toga. He uses his hidden blade as well as a Khopesh.

Personality: Raminus is a patient and moral man. He is a strong leader and will do what he can to help those around him. Although an assassin, Raminus tries to avoid necessary bloodshed and is a strong preacher of the three tenants. Whilst he is a roman through and through, his time in foreign lands and his assassin heritage has taught him the value of diversity and culture; as such he is against the expansion of the Empire.

Bio: Raminus was the youngest of three brothers and was born into the Assassins. His eldest brother Tillius Cimber was already making his way in politics by the time Raminus was born. Like his brothers he was trained at a young age in all manner of things, particularly fighting. At the age of thirteen, whilst living with friends in Egypt to study as his brothers had, his very elderly father passed away. Due to this his relationship with his Egyptian carers grew significantly.

He traveled between Rome, Egypt and Athens frequently during his late teens. Raminus had intended to – like his father and brothers before him – join the senate, however his brother Publius was exiled from Rome as a result of power plays by the Templars. As such it seemed to risky to enter the political ring, especially considering that at that point only close friends knew that Raminus was their brother (the age gap seemed to conceal this).

Following the death of his brothers and the annihilation of the Roman Brotherhood, Raminus became more involved with the Egyptian Brotherhood due to the sudden pressure it came under (with the roman occupation of Egypt and the lack of Assassins around the Mediterranean, their brotherhood was heavily targeted by Templars). Raminus also became romantically involved with the Master of the Egyptians, Amunet. Once things began to settle, Raminus went out in search of remnants of the Roman Brotherhood and found Filius and his recruits. Since then he has been trying to help Filius rebuild the brotherhood and tackle the Templar threat from within Rome.

Since the other Brotherhoods have become agitated with the Roman Brotherhood, it had been mostly Raminus who has had to try and convince them of their loyalty. The Egyptian brotherhoods discontent has been particularly hard on him do to his personal ties.

Skills/Strengths: Raminus is well cultured and due to travelling has picked up various moves and techniques, learning how to use a number of different weapons to an acceptable standard. Raminus can play the politics game well enough, although some are suspicious of his background as well as his name.

Weaknesses: Raminus completely lacks experience when it comes to war or large scale battles. He had personal ties within other Brotherhoods that could potentially compromise him.

face He also wears robes that are cut off at the waist by a belt and shortened to his thighs. Underneath that he wears cloth trousers fit for riding and moving about easier.