The followers of Shapur/The Shapuri Assassins (Shuh-pyur)
The Followers of Shapur.
The followers of Shapur were a religious cult/Terrorist organization based out of Actium. It was founded by the Wahadi Cleric, Imen Shapur, an extremist who held firmly the Wahadi view that mankind's reliance on technology, rather than God, along with our over attachment to the modern way of life was what led to the great wars which destroyed the earth, leading to humanity's exodus from our homeworld. Disgusted by the Actium settler's efforts to rebuild the old world on this new planet, He withdrew himself along with several dozen followers of his into the outlands where they would lay the foundations of their mountain stronghold. In their Stronghold, one part Fortress, and one part monastery, Shapur and his followers hoped to remain removed from those they called "The Faithless" and "The Unclean." But at the back of the Cleric's mind, he felt that one day, the conflicting ways of life would be forced to violently clash, resulting in one or the other's destruction. Quietly, over the course of years, they prepared and waited for that day...
And with the beginning of the first tribal war in 2164 and the following conflicts between the outlands tribes people and federal forces, He would unleash his followers upon the world... The Shapuri assassins. For decades they terrorized the civilized regions of Actium, killing high profile targets to spread fear and their message along with it: Generals, politicians, even random passers by. No one was safe from their reach.
And with the beginning of the first tribal war in 2164 and the following conflicts between the outlands tribes people and federal forces, He would unleash his followers upon the world... The Shapuri assassins. For decades they terrorized the civilized regions of Actium, killing high profile targets to spread fear and their message along with it: Generals, politicians, even random passers by. No one was safe from their reach.
Structure
The Shapuri never numbered more than a few hundred. The original followers who had accompanied Shapur into the outlands would become lieutenants in the new army he would build. The Shapuri recruited solely children, never older than 5, often orphans picked off the streets, or slaves purchased from the black markets. They would be raised from then on to revere the Ustad (Meaning Master), Imen Shapur, as a prophet and obey his every command. They were trained from the moment they could hold a blade or a firearm, they were taught to be proficient with it. These young recruits would be known as Shapur's children, and would form the majority of his assassins. They were used as tools, often sent on sucide missions with no regard for their own lives.
Culture
Little is known of how the Shapuri lived their day to lives. What is known is that nearly every waking moment not devoted to prayer to Wahad, was spent in training to be a weapon for their order. Hunting was a common pass time among the assassins. They were forbidden from having earthly attachments such as families or relationships. Some rumors also mention that drug use was common among the young assassins as a way of inducing visions, but this is not confirmed.
Public Agenda
The goal set fourth by Shapur was the abolishment of Actium's "Unclean" way of life, and replacing that with a nation governed by the most extreme fringe beliefs of Wahadism. They also wished Actium to be free of all advanced forms of technology unless absolutely necessary. Their momentary goal however was the protection of their region of the planet, the southern mountains.
Disbandment
For decades the Shapuri assassins killed from the shadows, eliminating those who they considered to be threats to their cause. Their influence was felt even among the most powerful on Actium. Any who attempted to expand into their territory, and the few who dared challenge them would quickly become victims of their feared assassins. Their threats and secrecy protected them for a time. But their murder of High Chancellor Aisha Greer, there was no where far enough or secluded enough to hide themselves from an enraged nation. Chancellor Greer was popular among the people of Actium, and with her murder Imen Shapur hoped to spark fear and civil unrest within the Actium Federation. All he did was seal the fate of his order of Assassins.
With the help of some local nomads in region, the Actium military was able to locate Shapur's stronghold. In a swift surprise attack, breached into the stronghold along local milita. Despite heavy casualties inflicted by the defenders, by the morning the Stronghold was in flames, the assassins lay dead in the court yard, and Imen Shapur, the first and last Ustad of the Shapuri Assassins was dead. And with their defeat, nearly 4 decades of the order came to an end. Shapur's vision of a clash between the new and the old, in which one would destroy the other, had finally came to fruition, due to his own actions. With Shapur's death, many remaining members of the order who had not been present at the stronghold during the attack chose to commit suicide at their failure to protect the man they saw as both their father, and holy prophet. Some say this was the fate of all of his wayward disciples. Some say a few managed to escape and attempted to rebuild the order, while others slowly faded into obscurity, realizing the lies their lives had been based on... Some perhaps remain, attempting to carve some form life for themselves... Or perhaps, the last of the Shapuri have long since joined their comrades death... We may never know for sure.
With the help of some local nomads in region, the Actium military was able to locate Shapur's stronghold. In a swift surprise attack, breached into the stronghold along local milita. Despite heavy casualties inflicted by the defenders, by the morning the Stronghold was in flames, the assassins lay dead in the court yard, and Imen Shapur, the first and last Ustad of the Shapuri Assassins was dead. And with their defeat, nearly 4 decades of the order came to an end. Shapur's vision of a clash between the new and the old, in which one would destroy the other, had finally came to fruition, due to his own actions. With Shapur's death, many remaining members of the order who had not been present at the stronghold during the attack chose to commit suicide at their failure to protect the man they saw as both their father, and holy prophet. Some say this was the fate of all of his wayward disciples. Some say a few managed to escape and attempted to rebuild the order, while others slowly faded into obscurity, realizing the lies their lives had been based on... Some perhaps remain, attempting to carve some form life for themselves... Or perhaps, the last of the Shapuri have long since joined their comrades death... We may never know for sure.
DISBANDED/DISSOLVED
"In the shadows we fight for our righteous Lord"
early 2160s - 2192
Type
Religious, Cult
Alternative Names
The Shapuri Assassins, The Shapuri Order
Training Level
Elite
Leader
Leader Title
Location
Related Ranks & Titles
Notable Members
Related Ethnicities
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In response to the prompt Describe a cult in your world. How did they form and what do they believe in?
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