Difference between revisions of "Officio Assassinorum"
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|quote = '''''"For those that defy the Imperium, only the Emperor can judge your crimes.<br>Only in death can you receive the Emperor's judgement."'''<br>- Motto of the Officio Assassinorum'''''{{Fn|18}} | |quote = '''''"For those that defy the Imperium, only the Emperor can judge your crimes.<br>Only in death can you receive the Emperor's judgement."'''<br>- Motto of the Officio Assassinorum'''''{{Fn|18}} | ||
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| + | {|hspace=5 VSPACE=5 align=right cellpadding=4 cellspacing=4 style="margin:7px; border:1px solid #090909" | ||
| + | |colspan=2 align="center"|'''Officio Assassinorum''' | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |align=center colspan=2 style="font-size:85%;font:85%"|[[Image:OfficoSymbolNew.jpg|90px]] | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |cellpadding=2 cellspacing=1 style="font-size:95%;font:95%"|'''Parent Agency''' | ||
| + | |cellpadding=2 cellspacing=1 style="font-size:95%;font:95%"|[[Adeptus Administratum]] | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |cellpadding=2 cellspacing=1 style="font-size:95%;font:95%"|'''Headquarters''' | ||
| + | |cellpadding=2 cellspacing=1 style="font-size:95%;font:95%"|[[Assassinorum Temple|Temple of Assassins]], [[Terra]] | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |cellpadding=2 cellspacing=1 style="font-size:95%;font:95%"|'''Leader''' | ||
| + | |cellpadding=2 cellspacing=1 style="font-size:95%;font:95%"|[[Grand Master of Assassins|Grand Master]] [[Fadix]] | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |cellpadding=2 cellspacing=1 style="font-size:95%;font:95%"|'''Armed Forces''' | ||
| + | |cellpadding=2 cellspacing=1 style="font-size:95%;font:95%"|Various Assassin Temples | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |cellpadding=2 cellspacing=1 style="font-size:95%;font:95%"|'''Established''' | ||
| + | |cellpadding=2 cellspacing=1 style="font-size:95%;font:95%"|[[Unification Wars]]-era | ||
| + | |} | ||
| + | The '''Officio Assassinorum''' (Office of Assassins) is a subdivision of the [[Administratum]] responsible for the recruitment, training, and deployment of elite assassins.{{Fn|1}} | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
| − | [[Image:ExecForce.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The four principle types of Assassins of the Officio Assassinorum from left to right: [[Eversor]], [[Culexus]], [[Callidus]], and [[Vindicare]] ]] | + | [[Image:ExecForce.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The four principle types of Assassins of the Officio Assassinorum from left to right: [[Eversor]], [[Culexus]], [[Callidus]], and [[Vindicare]]{{Fn|15a}}]] |
The Officio's head is the [[Grand Master of Assassins]] and due to the power of his organisation, and by tradition, he is always a member of the [[Senatorum Imperialis]]. Although the Grand Master oversees the organisation, they may only deploy assassins with the authority of the Senatorum, requiring a two-thirds majority of the High Lords to authorise the deployment of a single assassin.{{fn|16}} | The Officio's head is the [[Grand Master of Assassins]] and due to the power of his organisation, and by tradition, he is always a member of the [[Senatorum Imperialis]]. Although the Grand Master oversees the organisation, they may only deploy assassins with the authority of the Senatorum, requiring a two-thirds majority of the High Lords to authorise the deployment of a single assassin.{{fn|16}} | ||
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==Organisation== | ==Organisation== | ||
| − | [[Image:OfficioOrg.jpg|thumb|right|The structure of the Officio Assassinorum. Note that the [[Vanus]] and [[Venenum]] Temples are dubbed "classified"]] | + | [[Image:OfficioOrg.jpg|thumb|right|The structure of the Officio Assassinorum. Note that the [[Vanus]] and [[Venenum]] Temples are dubbed "classified"{{Fn|16}}]] |
| − | The primary division of the Officio is into temples (also called clades), each of which is led by a small group of Masters (often termed '''Lord Assassins''' or '''Grand Masters'''{{fn|9}}) and specialises in a unique brand of murder.{{fn|16}} These Masters rarely work directly but instead being responsible for planning, organising, research and watching over the younger Assassins. The greater number of the Assassins are unranked, though some can be more experienced than others.{{Fn|2}} | + | The primary division of the Officio is into temples (also called clades), each of which is led by a small group of Masters (often termed '''Lord Assassins''' or '''Grand Masters'''{{fn|9}}) and specialises in a unique brand of murder.{{fn|16}} These Masters rarely work directly but instead being responsible for planning, organising, research and watching over the younger Assassins. The greater number of the Assassins are unranked, though some can be more experienced than others.{{Fn|2}} |
| + | |||
| + | Despite their hard and often short lives, Assassins can rise in the organization by successfully completing missions. Upon achieving '''Sicarius Primus''', they gain the right of refusal to any sector-level mission and even take assignments intended for other Temples. This is the stepping stone for advancement to the central Temple on Terra, where they can become high-ranking masters of the organization.{{Fn|27a}} Indeed, the Grand Master himself is a skilled assassin who has advanced to the Officio's highest position.{{Fn|28}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | The temples, with the exception of the Culexus Temple, are located on Terra but their specific locations are a closely guarded secret. Each Temple also operates sub-temples on the [[Segmentum]] and then [[Sector]] level. These are in turn coordinated by the [[Temple of Assassins]] on Terra, which is home to the [[Grand Master]] of Assassins and the central command of the organization. The Central Temple on Terra maintains several sub-departments to oversee Officio activities, such as the '''Office of Missions''' and '''Office of Operations'''. The heads of these departments answer in turn to the Grand Master himself.{{Fn|27a}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Officio is also home to many non-assassin employees as for every assassin that is deployed, thousands of clerks and bureaucrats oversee the logistical work of the Officio. These officials determine where the operatives should go, who they should kill, and how their equipment is produced and maintained.{{Fn|27a}} The ranks of the Officio Assassinorum also include ancillary staff, including intelligence operatives who are deployed across the Imperium to conduct reconnaissance and analysis,{{Fn|27}} along with [[Astropath]]s, [[Navigator]]s, and other such servants. Though these individuals are not Assassins themselves, they live entirely within the organisation and have no contact with the outside world.{{Fn|2}} | ||
| − | + | Assassins may be deployed to a battlefield to covertly 'help' an Imperial force, including [[Space Marine]]s, [[Sisters of Battle]], and the [[Imperial Guard]], but rarely join any squad, as they work best alone. When Temples do decide to work together on a single mission, it is in an [[Execution Force]].{{Fn|27a}} | |
| − | The | + | The temples use many exotic types of equipment, such as [[synskin]], a substance that once sprayed onto the body, forms a black outer skin which protects the wearer from the environment and enhances strength.{{Fn|2}} The Temple also maintains a secret vault of forbidden and alien weapons, giving them access to some of the most advanced technology in the Imperium.{{Fn|5a}} |
===Temples=== | ===Temples=== | ||
| − | [[Image:Officio Assassinorum symbol 2.png|thumb|220px|Seal of the Officio Assassinorum]] | + | [[Image:Officio Assassinorum symbol 2.png|thumb|220px|Seal of the Officio Assassinorum{{Fn|25}}]] |
| − | *[[Vindicare Temple]] - sharpshooters, specialists in sniping and marksmanship. | + | *[[Vindicare Temple]] - sharpshooters, specialists in sniping and marksmanship.{{Fn|18a}} |
| − | *[[Callidus Temple]] - chameleons, specialists in infiltration and impersonation. | + | *[[Callidus Temple]] - chameleons, specialists in infiltration and impersonation.{{Fn|18a}} |
| − | *[[Eversor Temple]] - berserkers, drug-fuelled killing machines. | + | *[[Eversor Temple]] - berserkers, drug-fuelled killing machines.{{Fn|18a}} |
| − | *[[Culexus Temple]] - [[pariah]]s, [[psyker]]s are their exclusive targets. | + | *[[Culexus Temple]] - [[pariah]]s, [[psyker]]s are their exclusive targets.{{Fn|18a}} |
| − | *[[Venenum Temple]] - specialists in poisoning their targets. | + | *[[Venenum Temple]] - specialists in poisoning their targets.{{Fn|3}} |
*[[Vanus Temple]] - intelligence-gatherers, in matters of strategy and tactics their insight is unparalleled. They often assassinate their targets indirectly using their intelligence and knowledge to bring down targets.{{Fn|3}} | *[[Vanus Temple]] - intelligence-gatherers, in matters of strategy and tactics their insight is unparalleled. They often assassinate their targets indirectly using their intelligence and knowledge to bring down targets.{{Fn|3}} | ||
| + | *[[Adamus Temple]] - The oldest of the formal Assassin orders, specializing in the decapitation strike.{{Fn|29}} | ||
An additional temple, the [[Maerorus Temple]], attempted to create an assassin using illegal human/mutant/xenos hybrids capable of absorbing the biomass of victims to rapidly evolve new bio-weapons. The temple is now extinct.{{Fn|9}} | An additional temple, the [[Maerorus Temple]], attempted to create an assassin using illegal human/mutant/xenos hybrids capable of absorbing the biomass of victims to rapidly evolve new bio-weapons. The temple is now extinct.{{Fn|9}} | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | The origins of the Officio Assassinorum are traced to the times of the [[Great Crusade]] where a pact was made on Mount Vengeance by the six ''Directors Primus'' of the Assassin Clades, headed by the Master of Assassins. All seven individuals were masked and their identities kept secret from one another and thus they were unaware that their leader was none other than [[Malcador (Character)|Malcador the Sigilite]]. From the six Directors Primus, the founding Clades were formed from [[Sire Vindicare]], [[Sire Eversor]], [[Sire Culexus]], [[Sire Vanus]], [[Siress Venenum]] and [[Siress Callidus]] who all met in secret at the [[Shrouds]]. For decades, they hunted the enemies of the Emperor by way of stealth and subterfuge in order to show these foes that there was no place for them to hide. Such was the secrecy of this agency that its existence and actions were only marginally known to the [[Emperor]] as they intended to maintain his noble purity. As the deployment of an Imperial Assassin was a delicate matter, usually only a single agent was sent into the field or, at maximum, three, but always from the same primary Clade.{{Fn|3 | + | [[Imperial]] Assassins are an ancient order, having dated back to the [[Unification Wars]] for the elimination of key enemies of the [[Emperor]]. During their earliest days, they answered to the [[Ephoroi]] of the [[Adeptus Custodes]].{{Fn|23}} |
| + | |||
| + | The origins of the Officio Assassinorum itself are traced to the times of the [[Great Crusade]] where a pact was made on Mount Vengeance by the six ''Directors Primus'' of the Assassin Clades, headed by the Master of Assassins. All seven individuals were masked and their identities kept secret from one another and thus they were unaware that their leader was none other than [[Malcador (Character)|Malcador the Sigilite]]. From the six Directors Primus, the founding Clades were formed from [[Sire Vindicare]], [[Sire Eversor]], [[Sire Culexus]], [[Sire Vanus]], [[Siress Venenum]] and [[Siress Callidus]] who all met in secret at the [[Shrouds]]. For decades, they hunted the enemies of the Emperor by way of stealth and subterfuge in order to show these foes that there was no place for them to hide. Such was the secrecy of this agency that its existence and actions were only marginally known to the [[Emperor]] as they intended to maintain his noble purity. As the deployment of an Imperial Assassin was a delicate matter, usually only a single agent was sent into the field or, at maximum, three, but always from the same primary Clade.{{Fn|3}} | ||
Following the outbreak of the [[Horus Heresy]], the agents of the Officio Assassinorum dispatched eight agents from the six primary Clades in order to eliminate the renegade [[Warmaster]] [[Horus]], but all of them failed. The last attempt was made by [[Tobeld]] of the Venenum Clade outside the command tent of the rogue [[Primarch]]. During a meeting at the Shrouds, the Clade Directors Primus debated and argued over how to eliminate their foe. At this point the Master of Assassins, following the advice of [[Legio Custodes]] [[Captain-General]] [[Constantin Valdor]], decided to assemble the first [[Officio Assassinorum Execution Force]] consisting of various Clades, to eliminate Horus. Such an act was unheard of in the history of the Officio Assassinorum.{{Fn|3}} | Following the outbreak of the [[Horus Heresy]], the agents of the Officio Assassinorum dispatched eight agents from the six primary Clades in order to eliminate the renegade [[Warmaster]] [[Horus]], but all of them failed. The last attempt was made by [[Tobeld]] of the Venenum Clade outside the command tent of the rogue [[Primarch]]. During a meeting at the Shrouds, the Clade Directors Primus debated and argued over how to eliminate their foe. At this point the Master of Assassins, following the advice of [[Legio Custodes]] [[Captain-General]] [[Constantin Valdor]], decided to assemble the first [[Officio Assassinorum Execution Force]] consisting of various Clades, to eliminate Horus. Such an act was unheard of in the history of the Officio Assassinorum.{{Fn|3}} | ||
| − | In 546.[[M32]], the [[High Lords of Terra]] were slain to a man by the Grand Master of the Officio, [[Drakan Vangorich]]. A [[Space Marine]] strike force drawing from the [[Halo Brethren]], [[Sable Swords]], and [[Imperial Fists]] [[Chapter]]s was scrambled to stop Vangorich. Storming the [[Assassinorum Temple]] on [[Terra]], the force was assailed by a hundred [[Eversor Assassin]]s. | + | In 546.[[M32]] after the disastrous [[War of the Beast]], the [[High Lords of Terra]] [[The Beheading|were slain to a man]] by the Grand Master of the Officio, [[Drakan Vangorich]]. A [[Space Marine]] strike force drawing from the [[Halo Brethren]], [[Sable Swords]], and [[Imperial Fists]] [[Chapter]]s under [[Lord Commander]] [[Maximus Thane]] was scrambled to stop Vangorich. Storming the [[Assassinorum Temple]] on [[Terra]], the force was assailed by a hundred [[Eversor Assassin]]s. Only Thane survived to reach Vangorich and slay the mad Grand Master. Afterwards, the Imperium descended into a period of anarchy.{{Fn|6}} |
During the [[Age of Apostasy]], the Officio itself became afflicted by the general corruption of the Imperium, and certain high-ranking members of the Office utilised the assassins for [[Goge Vandire]]'s own ends. During Vandire's purges, powerful individuals and even the Officio's Grand Master became victims of the assassins. The war within the Officio became known as the [[Wars of Vindication]]. Following the Apostasy, it was deemed wise to reorganise the Office, one change being that only the Senate could order an assassination. A section of the [[Inquisition]], the [[Ordo Sicarius]], was created to monitor and control the Officio Assassinorum from that date on.{{Fn|17}} | During the [[Age of Apostasy]], the Officio itself became afflicted by the general corruption of the Imperium, and certain high-ranking members of the Office utilised the assassins for [[Goge Vandire]]'s own ends. During Vandire's purges, powerful individuals and even the Officio's Grand Master became victims of the assassins. The war within the Officio became known as the [[Wars of Vindication]]. Following the Apostasy, it was deemed wise to reorganise the Office, one change being that only the Senate could order an assassination. A section of the [[Inquisition]], the [[Ordo Sicarius]], was created to monitor and control the Officio Assassinorum from that date on.{{Fn|17}} | ||
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===Notable Operations=== | ===Notable Operations=== | ||
| − | [[File:ImpAss.jpg|thumb|right|170px|An Imperial assassin]] | + | [[File:ImpAss.jpg|thumb|right|170px|An Imperial assassin{{Fn|26}}]] |
*'''[[M31]]''' - The first [[Officio Assassinorum Execution Force]] is dispatched to kill the rogue [[Warmaster]] [[Horus]]. The operation ends in failure.{{Fn|11a}} | *'''[[M31]]''' - The first [[Officio Assassinorum Execution Force]] is dispatched to kill the rogue [[Warmaster]] [[Horus]]. The operation ends in failure.{{Fn|11a}} | ||
*'''[[M31]]''' - The [[Callidus Assassin]] [[M'Shen]] slays [[Night Lords]] [[Primarch]] [[Konrad Curze]].{{Fn|11a}} | *'''[[M31]]''' - The [[Callidus Assassin]] [[M'Shen]] slays [[Night Lords]] [[Primarch]] [[Konrad Curze]].{{Fn|11a}} | ||
| − | *'''546.[[M32]]''' - | + | *'''546.[[M32]]''' - In the aftermath of the [[War of the Beast]] the [[High Lords of Terra]] are killed to a man on the orders of the rebellious [[Grand Master of Assassins]] [[Drakan Vangorich]].{{Fn|11a}} |
*'''990.[[M32]]''' - [[Culexus Assassin]] [[Dranos]] slays the [[Sorcerer]] [[Xantaka]].{{Fn|11a}} | *'''990.[[M32]]''' - [[Culexus Assassin]] [[Dranos]] slays the [[Sorcerer]] [[Xantaka]].{{Fn|11a}} | ||
*'''340.[[M33]]''' - The [[Callidus Assassin]] [[Mother Gullet]] steals away the son of the dangerously self-centered [[Governor]] [[Thygmus van Spracht]].{{Fn|11a}} | *'''340.[[M33]]''' - The [[Callidus Assassin]] [[Mother Gullet]] steals away the son of the dangerously self-centered [[Governor]] [[Thygmus van Spracht]].{{Fn|11a}} | ||
*'''452.[[M34]]''' - A [[Culexus Assassin]] assassinates the [[Eldar]] [[Farseer]] [[Lithandros-Esmanthil]].{{Fn|11a}} | *'''452.[[M34]]''' - A [[Culexus Assassin]] assassinates the [[Eldar]] [[Farseer]] [[Lithandros-Esmanthil]].{{Fn|11a}} | ||
*'''372.[[M35]]''' - Six [[Eversor Assassin]]s massacre the [[Abhuman]] [[Thugrock Goliath]] blood cult of [[Thugrock Secundus]]{{Fn|11a}} | *'''372.[[M35]]''' - Six [[Eversor Assassin]]s massacre the [[Abhuman]] [[Thugrock Goliath]] blood cult of [[Thugrock Secundus]]{{Fn|11a}} | ||
| − | *'''[[M37]]-[[M40]]''' - The [[War of the Golden Cog]] with the [[Adeptus Mechanicus]]. | + | *'''[[M37]]-[[M40]]''' - The [[War of the Golden Cog]] with the [[Adeptus Mechanicus]].{{citethis}} |
*'''501.[[M37]]''' - [[Cardinal]] [[Jerome the Unsaintly]] is killed by a [[Vindicare Assassin]] after trying to secede from the Imperium{{Fn|11a}} | *'''501.[[M37]]''' - [[Cardinal]] [[Jerome the Unsaintly]] is killed by a [[Vindicare Assassin]] after trying to secede from the Imperium{{Fn|11a}} | ||
*'''563.[[M37]]''' - [[Venenum Temple]] Assassin [[Urhua Thereaux]], originally targeting the renegade [[Governor]] [[Yawell]] [[Morisha]], instead finds him dead and replaced by an anti-Imperial democratic committee. Thereaux kills every committee member over the next three days.{{Fn|11a}} | *'''563.[[M37]]''' - [[Venenum Temple]] Assassin [[Urhua Thereaux]], originally targeting the renegade [[Governor]] [[Yawell]] [[Morisha]], instead finds him dead and replaced by an anti-Imperial democratic committee. Thereaux kills every committee member over the next three days.{{Fn|11a}} | ||
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*'''[[M42]]''' - The Officio Assassinorum is deployed by [[Roboute Guilliman]] during his purge of [[Imperial]] Bureaucracy, known as the [[Primarch's Scourge]].{{Fn|22}} | *'''[[M42]]''' - The Officio Assassinorum is deployed by [[Roboute Guilliman]] during his purge of [[Imperial]] Bureaucracy, known as the [[Primarch's Scourge]].{{Fn|22}} | ||
*'''[[M42]]''' - Three [[Callidus Assassin]]s are dispatched to kill [[Grandsire Wurm]], [[Genestealer Patriarch]] of the [[Cult of the Pauper Princes]] on [[Vigilus]]. Though none of the Assassins survive, they succeed in slaying Grandsire Wurm. In the aftermath however, another Grandsire Wurm reincarnates in its place.{{Fn|20}} | *'''[[M42]]''' - Three [[Callidus Assassin]]s are dispatched to kill [[Grandsire Wurm]], [[Genestealer Patriarch]] of the [[Cult of the Pauper Princes]] on [[Vigilus]]. Though none of the Assassins survive, they succeed in slaying Grandsire Wurm. In the aftermath however, another Grandsire Wurm reincarnates in its place.{{Fn|20}} | ||
| − | *''' | + | *'''[[M42]]''' - A [[Callidus Assassin]] posing as a [[Mentors]] [[Chapter Serf]] kills [[Ekene Dubaku]], [[Chapter Master]] of the [[Celestial Lions]].{{Fn|21}} |
| + | *'''[[M42]]''' - [[Grand Master of Assassins]] [[Fadix]] reveals his loyalty to [[Regent]] [[Roboute Guilliman]] by slaying the members of the [[Hexarchy]] before they could launch a coup against his regime.{{Fn|24}} | ||
*'''Undated''' - Word reaches the High Lords of a [[Chaos Lord]] claiming to be [[Alpharius]] ravaging the moons of the [[Danevra Sub-sector]]. Debate rages about whether this could potentially be the case, for the [[Primarch]]’s death has been recorded more than once across the span of Imperial history. Nonetheless, the [[Grand Master of Assassins]] dispatches a force of six [[Vindicare Assassins]]. Over a number of years they identify and slay a dozen Alpha Legion champions bearing the name of Alpharius, but the reports of raids upon the sub-sector’s mining operations only intensify. Five years later, the heads of all six Vindicare Assassins are found frozen in the food storage halls of the High Lords.{{Fn|19}} | *'''Undated''' - Word reaches the High Lords of a [[Chaos Lord]] claiming to be [[Alpharius]] ravaging the moons of the [[Danevra Sub-sector]]. Debate rages about whether this could potentially be the case, for the [[Primarch]]’s death has been recorded more than once across the span of Imperial history. Nonetheless, the [[Grand Master of Assassins]] dispatches a force of six [[Vindicare Assassins]]. Over a number of years they identify and slay a dozen Alpha Legion champions bearing the name of Alpharius, but the reports of raids upon the sub-sector’s mining operations only intensify. Five years later, the heads of all six Vindicare Assassins are found frozen in the food storage halls of the High Lords.{{Fn|19}} | ||
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*[[Quotes Officio Assassinorum]] | *[[Quotes Officio Assassinorum]] | ||
| − | + | ==Sources== | |
{{cite}} | {{cite}} | ||
| − | + | *{{Endn|1}}: [[Codex Imperialis (Background Book)]], pg. 47 | |
| − | |||
| − | *{{Endn|1}}: [[Codex Imperialis]], pg.47 | ||
*{{Endn|2}}: [[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader]], pgs. 170-171 | *{{Endn|2}}: [[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader]], pgs. 170-171 | ||
*{{Endn|3}}: [[Nemesis (Novel)]], Chapter Two | *{{Endn|3}}: [[Nemesis (Novel)]], Chapter Two | ||
| Line 110: | Line 136: | ||
**{{Endn|11a}}: ''The Chains That Bind'' | **{{Endn|11a}}: ''The Chains That Bind'' | ||
**{{Endn|11b}}: ''Officio Assassinorum'' | **{{Endn|11b}}: ''Officio Assassinorum'' | ||
| − | *{{Endn|12}}: [[Imperial Armour Volume Five - The Siege of Vraks - Part One]] pgs. 9-10 | + | *{{Endn|12}}: [[Imperial Armour Volume Five - The Siege of Vraks - Part One]] pgs. 9-10 |
*{{Endn|13}}: [[Fall of Macharius (Novel)]], {{Cite This}} | *{{Endn|13}}: [[Fall of Macharius (Novel)]], {{Cite This}} | ||
*{{Endn|14}}: [[War Zone Damocles: Mont'ka]] - ''Spectre of Death'' | *{{Endn|14}}: [[War Zone Damocles: Mont'ka]] - ''Spectre of Death'' | ||
*{{Endn|15}}: [[Assassinorum: Execution Force (Novel)]],{{Cite this}} | *{{Endn|15}}: [[Assassinorum: Execution Force (Novel)]],{{Cite this}} | ||
| − | *{{Endn|16}}: [[Assassinorum: Execution Force (Game)]] | + | **{{Endn|15a}}: Cover |
| + | *{{Endn|16}}: [[Assassinorum: Execution Force (Game)]] pg.23 | ||
*{{Endn|17}}: [[Codex: Inquisition (6th Edition)]], ''Ordo Sicarius'' | *{{Endn|17}}: [[Codex: Inquisition (6th Edition)]], ''Ordo Sicarius'' | ||
| − | *{{Endn|18}}: [[Codex: Assassins (2nd Edition)]], pg.2 | + | *{{Endn|18}}: [[Codex: Assassins (2nd Edition)]], pg. 2-5 |
| − | *{{Endn|19}}: [[Codex: Chaos Space Marines (8th Edition)]] pg.28 | + | **{{Endn|18a}}: pg.10-20 |
| − | *{{Endn|20}}: [[Imperium Nihilus: Vigilus Ablaze]], pg. 106 - The Wheels of Justice Turn Slowly | + | *{{Endn|19}}: [[Codex: Chaos Space Marines (8th Edition)]], pg. 28 |
| − | *{{Endn|21}}: [[Spear of the Emperor (Novel)]] | + | *{{Endn|20}}: [[Imperium Nihilus: Vigilus Ablaze]], pg. 106 - ''The Wheels of Justice Turn Slowly'' |
| − | *{{Endn|22}}: [[White Dwarf July 2019]] - Indomitus Crusade Fleets | + | *{{Endn|21}}: [[Spear of the Emperor (Novel)]], Chapter 23 |
| − | *{{Endn|23}}: [[ The Horus Heresy Book Seven]] pg. | + | *{{Endn|22}}: [[White Dwarf July 2019]] - ''Indomitus Crusade Fleets'' |
| + | *{{Endn|23}}: [[ The Horus Heresy Book Seven]], pgs. 116–119 | ||
| + | *{{Endn|24}}: [[Watchers of the Throne: The Regent's Shadow (Novel)]], Chapter 28 | ||
| + | *{{Endn|25}}: [[Warhammer 40,000: Wargear (2nd Edition)]], p.63 | ||
| + | *{{Endn|26}}: [[White Dwarf 118 (UK)]] pg.60 | ||
| + | *{{Endn|27}}: [[Assassinorum: Kingmaker (Novel)]], Chapter 4 | ||
| + | **{{Endn|27a}}: Chapter 2 | ||
| + | *{{Endn|28}}: [[The Beheading (Novel)]] - Chapter 9 | ||
| + | *{{Endn|29}}: [https://www.warhammer-community.com/2022/09/29/heresy-thursday-decapitate-your-enemies-with-the-clade-adamus-assassin/ Warhammer Community: Heresy Thursday – Decapitate Your Enemies With the Clade Adamus Assassin (Posted on 29/09/2022)] (Last accessed on 29 September 2022) | ||
{{ImperiumOrg}} | {{ImperiumOrg}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:Adeptus Terra]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Imperial Armed Forces]] | ||
[[Category:Officio Assassinorum| ]] | [[Category:Officio Assassinorum| ]] | ||
| − | + | ||
[[de:Officio Assassinorum]] | [[de:Officio Assassinorum]] | ||
[[fr:Temple Vindicare]] | [[fr:Temple Vindicare]] | ||
| − | |||
Latest revision as of 04:48, 20 February 2024
"For those that defy the Imperium, only the Emperor can judge your crimes.
Only in death can you receive the Emperor's judgement."
- Motto of the Officio Assassinorum[18]
| Officio Assassinorum | |
| |
| Parent Agency | Adeptus Administratum |
| Headquarters | Temple of Assassins, Terra |
| Leader | Grand Master Fadix |
| Armed Forces | Various Assassin Temples |
| Established | Unification Wars-era |
The Officio Assassinorum (Office of Assassins) is a subdivision of the Administratum responsible for the recruitment, training, and deployment of elite assassins.[1]
Contents
Overview
The Officio's head is the Grand Master of Assassins and due to the power of his organisation, and by tradition, he is always a member of the Senatorum Imperialis. Although the Grand Master oversees the organisation, they may only deploy assassins with the authority of the Senatorum, requiring a two-thirds majority of the High Lords to authorise the deployment of a single assassin.[16]
The agency is almost as secretive as the Inquisition itself and it is not surprising to see that the two organisations work closely with one another.[4] The location of the Officio's headquarters on Terra is secret, and the Master of Assassins is never seen by the Adeptus Terra, though he is rumoured to have access to the Emperor himself. Typically, the Grand Master's loyalty to the Emperor must be beyond doubt, as he holds power that could feasibly topple the Imperium itself.[2]
Under Imperial and Mechanicus law, the improper activation of a member of the Officio Assassinorum is considered treason of the highest order.[8]
Training
Assassins are recruited at a very young age, from the orphans of Imperial servants raised in the Schola Progenium[1], and from the populations of feral worlds. Prospective candidates are tested mercilessly even as they are shipped to Terra, pitted against hazardous environments as well as each other, with perhaps one in ten surviving the journey.[11b] The survivors are divided among the temples and then undergo ten years of intensive training under the Lord Assassins.[11b] From then onwards they live and operate from one of the Assassin temples said to be located somewhere on Terra. They are harshly tested and trained, their senses and resolve heightened with implants. Even after the initial training, the life of an agent of the Officio remains hard and unforgiving.[2]
Some Inquisitors are known to organise Officio Assassinorum training for Death Cultists that serve in their retinue which transforms these already highly efficient killers into much more deadly and honed executioners.[4]
Organisation
The primary division of the Officio is into temples (also called clades), each of which is led by a small group of Masters (often termed Lord Assassins or Grand Masters[9]) and specialises in a unique brand of murder.[16] These Masters rarely work directly but instead being responsible for planning, organising, research and watching over the younger Assassins. The greater number of the Assassins are unranked, though some can be more experienced than others.[2]
Despite their hard and often short lives, Assassins can rise in the organization by successfully completing missions. Upon achieving Sicarius Primus, they gain the right of refusal to any sector-level mission and even take assignments intended for other Temples. This is the stepping stone for advancement to the central Temple on Terra, where they can become high-ranking masters of the organization.[27a] Indeed, the Grand Master himself is a skilled assassin who has advanced to the Officio's highest position.[28]
The temples, with the exception of the Culexus Temple, are located on Terra but their specific locations are a closely guarded secret. Each Temple also operates sub-temples on the Segmentum and then Sector level. These are in turn coordinated by the Temple of Assassins on Terra, which is home to the Grand Master of Assassins and the central command of the organization. The Central Temple on Terra maintains several sub-departments to oversee Officio activities, such as the Office of Missions and Office of Operations. The heads of these departments answer in turn to the Grand Master himself.[27a]
The Officio is also home to many non-assassin employees as for every assassin that is deployed, thousands of clerks and bureaucrats oversee the logistical work of the Officio. These officials determine where the operatives should go, who they should kill, and how their equipment is produced and maintained.[27a] The ranks of the Officio Assassinorum also include ancillary staff, including intelligence operatives who are deployed across the Imperium to conduct reconnaissance and analysis,[27] along with Astropaths, Navigators, and other such servants. Though these individuals are not Assassins themselves, they live entirely within the organisation and have no contact with the outside world.[2]
Assassins may be deployed to a battlefield to covertly 'help' an Imperial force, including Space Marines, Sisters of Battle, and the Imperial Guard, but rarely join any squad, as they work best alone. When Temples do decide to work together on a single mission, it is in an Execution Force.[27a]
The temples use many exotic types of equipment, such as synskin, a substance that once sprayed onto the body, forms a black outer skin which protects the wearer from the environment and enhances strength.[2] The Temple also maintains a secret vault of forbidden and alien weapons, giving them access to some of the most advanced technology in the Imperium.[5a]
Temples
- Vindicare Temple - sharpshooters, specialists in sniping and marksmanship.[18a]
- Callidus Temple - chameleons, specialists in infiltration and impersonation.[18a]
- Eversor Temple - berserkers, drug-fuelled killing machines.[18a]
- Culexus Temple - pariahs, psykers are their exclusive targets.[18a]
- Venenum Temple - specialists in poisoning their targets.[3]
- Vanus Temple - intelligence-gatherers, in matters of strategy and tactics their insight is unparalleled. They often assassinate their targets indirectly using their intelligence and knowledge to bring down targets.[3]
- Adamus Temple - The oldest of the formal Assassin orders, specializing in the decapitation strike.[29]
An additional temple, the Maerorus Temple, attempted to create an assassin using illegal human/mutant/xenos hybrids capable of absorbing the biomass of victims to rapidly evolve new bio-weapons. The temple is now extinct.[9]
History
Imperial Assassins are an ancient order, having dated back to the Unification Wars for the elimination of key enemies of the Emperor. During their earliest days, they answered to the Ephoroi of the Adeptus Custodes.[23]
The origins of the Officio Assassinorum itself are traced to the times of the Great Crusade where a pact was made on Mount Vengeance by the six Directors Primus of the Assassin Clades, headed by the Master of Assassins. All seven individuals were masked and their identities kept secret from one another and thus they were unaware that their leader was none other than Malcador the Sigilite. From the six Directors Primus, the founding Clades were formed from Sire Vindicare, Sire Eversor, Sire Culexus, Sire Vanus, Siress Venenum and Siress Callidus who all met in secret at the Shrouds. For decades, they hunted the enemies of the Emperor by way of stealth and subterfuge in order to show these foes that there was no place for them to hide. Such was the secrecy of this agency that its existence and actions were only marginally known to the Emperor as they intended to maintain his noble purity. As the deployment of an Imperial Assassin was a delicate matter, usually only a single agent was sent into the field or, at maximum, three, but always from the same primary Clade.[3]
Following the outbreak of the Horus Heresy, the agents of the Officio Assassinorum dispatched eight agents from the six primary Clades in order to eliminate the renegade Warmaster Horus, but all of them failed. The last attempt was made by Tobeld of the Venenum Clade outside the command tent of the rogue Primarch. During a meeting at the Shrouds, the Clade Directors Primus debated and argued over how to eliminate their foe. At this point the Master of Assassins, following the advice of Legio Custodes Captain-General Constantin Valdor, decided to assemble the first Officio Assassinorum Execution Force consisting of various Clades, to eliminate Horus. Such an act was unheard of in the history of the Officio Assassinorum.[3]
In 546.M32 after the disastrous War of the Beast, the High Lords of Terra were slain to a man by the Grand Master of the Officio, Drakan Vangorich. A Space Marine strike force drawing from the Halo Brethren, Sable Swords, and Imperial Fists Chapters under Lord Commander Maximus Thane was scrambled to stop Vangorich. Storming the Assassinorum Temple on Terra, the force was assailed by a hundred Eversor Assassins. Only Thane survived to reach Vangorich and slay the mad Grand Master. Afterwards, the Imperium descended into a period of anarchy.[6]
During the Age of Apostasy, the Officio itself became afflicted by the general corruption of the Imperium, and certain high-ranking members of the Office utilised the assassins for Goge Vandire's own ends. During Vandire's purges, powerful individuals and even the Officio's Grand Master became victims of the assassins. The war within the Officio became known as the Wars of Vindication. Following the Apostasy, it was deemed wise to reorganise the Office, one change being that only the Senate could order an assassination. A section of the Inquisition, the Ordo Sicarius, was created to monitor and control the Officio Assassinorum from that date on.[17]
It was through intelligence gathered by the Officio Assassinorum that the Adeptus Astartes learnt that the Sorceror Ygethmor intended to claim the world of Medusa V in a Warp Storm.[7b] During the 13th Black Crusade, an assassin team was deployed to eliminate the Sorceror amongst other notable targets. It was known that at least seven agents of the Assassinorum failed in the attempt on Ygethmor's life.[7a]
Notable Operations
- M31 - The first Officio Assassinorum Execution Force is dispatched to kill the rogue Warmaster Horus. The operation ends in failure.[11a]
- M31 - The Callidus Assassin M'Shen slays Night Lords Primarch Konrad Curze.[11a]
- 546.M32 - In the aftermath of the War of the Beast the High Lords of Terra are killed to a man on the orders of the rebellious Grand Master of Assassins Drakan Vangorich.[11a]
- 990.M32 - Culexus Assassin Dranos slays the Sorcerer Xantaka.[11a]
- 340.M33 - The Callidus Assassin Mother Gullet steals away the son of the dangerously self-centered Governor Thygmus van Spracht.[11a]
- 452.M34 - A Culexus Assassin assassinates the Eldar Farseer Lithandros-Esmanthil.[11a]
- 372.M35 - Six Eversor Assassins massacre the Abhuman Thugrock Goliath blood cult of Thugrock Secundus[11a]
- M37-M40 - The War of the Golden Cog with the Adeptus Mechanicus.[Needs Citation]
- 501.M37 - Cardinal Jerome the Unsaintly is killed by a Vindicare Assassin after trying to secede from the Imperium[11a]
- 563.M37 - Venenum Temple Assassin Urhua Thereaux, originally targeting the renegade Governor Yawell Morisha, instead finds him dead and replaced by an anti-Imperial democratic committee. Thereaux kills every committee member over the next three days.[11a]
- 003.M38 - The progressive astronomer Lenas Scard is declared heretical and killed by the Vindicare Assassin Erasmus Menst.[11a]
- 386143.M38 - A Callidus Assassin manages to end the rebellion on Orlenza Triartes by replacing the rebellious lords chief military advisor[11a]
- 209.M38 - Callidus Assassin Militzia Scarvelli is able to impersonate a Gretchin, infiltrate the Ork mob of Big Mek Oilguzla, and assassinate him[11a]
- 243.M39 - Dark Eldar pirate pilot Skyknife is killed by the Vindicare Assassin Dejedris Garamach after the sniper waited in position for six years[11a]
- 353.M41 - The Culexus Assassin known as the Revoker kills a group of Rogue Psykers known as the Gestalt[11a]
- 400.M41 - A Callidus Assassin posing as an Inquisitorial Stormtrooper kills the already dying Warmaster and eventual Saint Lord Solar Macharius at the end of the Macharian Crusade. The assassination was part of a conspiracy involving the Inquisitor Hyronimus Drake, who was subsequently killed by the assassin as well to hide the truth of the matter. After the deaths of Macharius and Drake, Imperial authorities cover up the truth.[13]
- ca. 809.M41 - A Vindicare Assassin fails to neutralize Cardinal-Astral Xaphan on Vraks Prime, precipitating several days of civil disorder and ultimately the Siege of Vraks.[12]
- 886.M41 - An Eversor Assassin massacres the Tech-Priests of the lubricant-worshiping Lubricae Cult[11a]
- 999.M41 - All attempts to assassinate Abaddon the Despoiler amid the Thirteenth Black Crusade fail[11a]
- 999.M41 - An Execution Force succeeds in killing the Crimson Slaughter Sorcerer Lord Severin Drask before he can fully enact the Achyllan Atrocity.[15]
- 999.M41 - During the Second Agrellan Campaign a Culexus Assassin attached to an Officio Execution Force succeeds in killing Aun'va, Ethereal Supreme of the Tau Empire.[14]
- M42 - The Officio Assassinorum is deployed by Roboute Guilliman during his purge of Imperial Bureaucracy, known as the Primarch's Scourge.[22]
- M42 - Three Callidus Assassins are dispatched to kill Grandsire Wurm, Genestealer Patriarch of the Cult of the Pauper Princes on Vigilus. Though none of the Assassins survive, they succeed in slaying Grandsire Wurm. In the aftermath however, another Grandsire Wurm reincarnates in its place.[20]
- M42 - A Callidus Assassin posing as a Mentors Chapter Serf kills Ekene Dubaku, Chapter Master of the Celestial Lions.[21]
- M42 - Grand Master of Assassins Fadix reveals his loyalty to Regent Roboute Guilliman by slaying the members of the Hexarchy before they could launch a coup against his regime.[24]
- Undated - Word reaches the High Lords of a Chaos Lord claiming to be Alpharius ravaging the moons of the Danevra Sub-sector. Debate rages about whether this could potentially be the case, for the Primarch’s death has been recorded more than once across the span of Imperial history. Nonetheless, the Grand Master of Assassins dispatches a force of six Vindicare Assassins. Over a number of years they identify and slay a dozen Alpha Legion champions bearing the name of Alpharius, but the reports of raids upon the sub-sector’s mining operations only intensify. Five years later, the heads of all six Vindicare Assassins are found frozen in the food storage halls of the High Lords.[19]
Connections to Space Marine Chapters
Owing to their codes of conduct and their proud warrior nature, Space Marines find assassination distasteful, and will avoid any contact with assassins under most circumstances. However, as is to be expected from an institution which specialises in subterfuge and clandestine actions, there have been countless rumours and conspiracy theories concerning the Officio Assassinorum, and a number of these relate to disasters which have befallen certain Space Marine Chapters. A long string of coincidences have led some to lay the blame for the loss of the Fire Hawks' fleet in the warp, the unusual destruction of the Crimson Fists' fortress monastery by one of their own defensive missiles, the death of the Celestial Lions Apothecaries on Armageddon[11b], and the ambush of the Angels of Retribution on Alantor X, as well as many other lesser known catastrophes squarely at the Assassins' door. It may never be known if Assassins were involved in any of these calamities, and if they were, whether they were working under the orders of the High Lords of Terra, some other institution or for their own agenda.[5b]
What is known, however, though it is hardly common knowledge, is that, since the Horus Heresy, some secret departments of the Inquisition have researched methods of controlling and/or killing Space Marines, and some Assassins have access to their work.[10]
See also
Sources
 |
- 1: Codex Imperialis (Background Book), pg. 47
- 2: Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, pgs. 170-171
- 3: Nemesis (Novel), Chapter Two
- 4: Inquisitor Rulebook Part Two, pg. 31
- 5: Codex: Assassins (3rd Edition)
- 6: Warhammer 40,000 5th Edition Rulebook, pg. 124
- 7: The Fall of Medusa V
- 8: Deus ex Mechanicus (Short Story)
- 9: Seventh Retribution (Novel), K-Day +15 Days
- 10: Wolfblade (Novel) by William King - Space Wolf: The Second Omnibus, Chapter Twenty-Two, pgs. 214-215
- 11: Dataslate: Officio Assassinorum
- 12: Imperial Armour Volume Five - The Siege of Vraks - Part One pgs. 9-10
- 13: Fall of Macharius (Novel), [Needs Citation]
- 14: War Zone Damocles: Mont'ka - Spectre of Death
- 15: Assassinorum: Execution Force (Novel),[Needs Citation]
- 15a: Cover
- 16: Assassinorum: Execution Force (Game) pg.23
- 17: Codex: Inquisition (6th Edition), Ordo Sicarius
- 18: Codex: Assassins (2nd Edition), pg. 2-5
- 18a: pg.10-20
- 19: Codex: Chaos Space Marines (8th Edition), pg. 28
- 20: Imperium Nihilus: Vigilus Ablaze, pg. 106 - The Wheels of Justice Turn Slowly
- 21: Spear of the Emperor (Novel), Chapter 23
- 22: White Dwarf July 2019 - Indomitus Crusade Fleets
- 23: The Horus Heresy Book Seven, pgs. 116–119
- 24: Watchers of the Throne: The Regent's Shadow (Novel), Chapter 28
- 25: Warhammer 40,000: Wargear (2nd Edition), p.63
- 26: White Dwarf 118 (UK) pg.60
- 27: Assassinorum: Kingmaker (Novel), Chapter 4
- 27a: Chapter 2
- 28: The Beheading (Novel) - Chapter 9
- 29: Warhammer Community: Heresy Thursday – Decapitate Your Enemies With the Clade Adamus Assassin (Posted on 29/09/2022) (Last accessed on 29 September 2022)
