Arrow Redesigned X: Background

by RoczaDeb

This is a summary of this Alternate Universe and how I got it. It includes Character and Organization Summaries for each character and group. How they develop differently from Arrow (2012) and the DCU; How they are the same; How I made them my own; Arrow Enriched Series: Part X.

12. Chapter 12: The League

Chapter 12: The League

I merged many of the elements in the Arrowverse!League (of Assassins) with the DCU!League (of Assassins). The DCU gave the LoA many branches in one of their universal reboots. I liked that. I incorporated it into my AU. I elaborated on the priesthood that is present in the Arrowverse!League (of Assassins), but lacking in DCU (I think). I did a ton of World Building with the League for my own AU.

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ORIGIN:

The League is an ancient order of Shadow Warriors who are trained to maintain the balance of good and evil. When The League was founded, The Hand commissioned its members to work for the Source. The League's sole purpose is to maintain balance. Over time, the League supplemented its original purpose. But all facets of the League are focused on this main purpose of maintaining balance. All recruits are trained in it and any children born within the League are raised to respect and uphold the League Code of balance.

The League generally prefers to kill one man or a few men rather than many. Even if that one man has influenced many, the many are not corrupt enough to warrant death. That would not serve balance. The many may return to balance. This is the will of the Source. The one person is the source of that evil. Not the many. However, some evils become so large they have their own branches of evil. The League works to eliminate each branch before taking out the main source of evil.

The League has learned to stay in the shadows and remain hidden. Their purpose is misunderstood and ostracized by the outside world. Their purpose is greater than a single society. They will not let the morality of the outside affect their members. Many of their recruits come to them because the outside societies have failed to stop evil. The outside world does not understand the League Code. Instead, it coldly calls the League, the League of Assassins. Actively discounting the assistance provided by the League to those authorities. Failing to understand why the source of evil had to be killed. Regardless of their face, or position in that society.

To maintain its purpose, the League must remain a secret. They must stand apart. They know evil will target them if they were known. They know that good will target them for similar reasons. They must maintain the balance of good and evil. Their secrecy is held sacred by all in the League. It is a part of their oath. To violate that oath of secrecy is the vilest of crimes within the League because it threatens the balance.

However, the League is vague rumors and whispers in the night. These are the whispers that help those who wish assistance in finding the League. To become recruits. These are also the rumors that many military grunts relay to their chain of command. All of these rumors are dismissed by their higher-ups. They discount that an organization that large could be a threat to them.

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STRUCTURE:

Leader: Ra's al Ghul (the Demon's Head) - Ra's is a title and a name. Only one person can hold the title of Ra's at one time. Ra's will choose who becomes Heir. The title is NOT hereditary. The children of the current Ra's will hold the title of Heir temporarily until an Heir is chosen. If the current Ra's al Ghul dies before an heir is chosen, the child will only hold that place until a proper heir can be found.

Heir: Warith al Ghul (Heir to the Demon) - The formal Heir is the chosen of Ra's al Ghul. Until a formal Heir is named, the children of the current Ra's al Ghul hold the title temporarily. This ensures that they are trained to lead the elite of the Shadow Warriors. All children of Ra's are raised KNOWING that they are not entitled to the title of Heir. That the Heir must be a chosen of Ra's. This is why Talia al Ghul chose lead the Alzalil al Ghul, the Demon's Shadows, within the League when her sister was old enough to assume the title.

Horseman: Faris al Ghul (Horseman to the Demon) - The Fasir are special advisors to Ra's al Ghul. They have a special ability to see strategically. They have the valuable ability to communicate clearly. The Fasir are appointed by the current Ra's al Ghul to lead the various arms of the League in various corners of the world. The chosen Heir is often selected from the Fasir [1]. Fasir are often trained as Qayid (Command) Elite, but this is not a requirement.

Demon's Fang: Nab al Ghul - Led by the Heir. Shoulder guard is red. Nyssa al Ghul is the current leader. Headquarters are located at Nanda Parbat (Great Nexus). The Demon's Fang consists of all Elite Shadow Warriors. This group consists of Barkih (mage), Wahy (Oracle), Hasub (Tech), Qayid (Command), and Majahid (Fighter) Elites. They are deployed at the discretion of the Heir and are often sent for specific missions. These mission are usually more difficult missions that cannot be complete by a hunt team located at a branch. Their composite members allow them to collect greater intelligence for their hunt. Usually, a Fang hunt is preceded by detailed intelligence gathering by the Ravens.

Demon's Claw: Makhlah al Ghul - Led by a Horseman. Shoulder guard is green. Dam Dhib is the current leader. Headquarters are located at Chiu Monastery, Tibet (Minor Nexus). Training and indoctrination are held at Nanda Parbat, but this branch is responsible for that training. This branch of the League is the largest. It covers the training of recruits and their indoctrination. It also covers a large part of the globe (Asia, Russia, India). This branch focus' on martial skill. It covers all types of archaic weapons, more modern weapons, and basic technology for communication and transportation.

Demon's Spine: Shawka al Ghul - Led by a Horseman. Shoulder guard is yellow. al Qirsh is the current leader. Headquarters are located at Christ's Church, New Zealand (Major Nexus). This branch of the League has a large geographic area to cover, but much of that area is diverse and widespread by oceans (Oceania, India, Some Asia, Australia, Africa, Middle East). This branch focus' on stealth, infiltration, and intelligence gathering through common and electronic means. It is also where most of the Qayid (Command) and the Ghurab (Raven) Elite are trained.

Demon's Horn: Qarn al Ghul - Led by a Horseman. Shoulder guard is blue. al Khafifa is the current leader. Headquarters are located in Rome, Italy (Major Nexus). This branch of the League is more focused on the advanced societies (Europe, North America). This branch focus' on stealth, infiltration, technology (all kinds), and advanced arms. Members can seek additional training in robotics and cybernetics. All medical personnel are sponsored through this branch to ensure that those skills are available to the League. It is where the Hasub (Technology) Elite and the Qayima specialty are trained.

Demon's Venom: Daghn al Ghul - Led by a Horseman. Shoulder guard is indigo. al Hamsa is the current leader. Headquarters are located a Lima, Peru (Minor Nexus. Nearby, Tiahuanaco, Peru is the Second Great Nexus, but it is too public for the League.) This branch of the League covers a smaller population with a great dispersal. This is also the area of the world where extraordinary measures are often needed to combat the evil that festers in this area (Central and South America, Caribbean). This branch focus' on poison, stealth, spirits, diversion, infiltration, and magic. It is where most Wahy (Oracle) and Barkih (Mage) Elite are trained.

Demon Support: The League Uniform indicates that the Shadow Warrior is assigned to Demon Support when the piping down the button stand on the chest of the Shadow Warrior. All other Branches of the League use Black piping. Demon Support uses the colors of this piping to indicate the type of support they provide. The League is a large organization that requires quite a few specialized services. Most of the members of the League are insanely loyal to the organization. However, not all members of the organization are fit for field service. This is due to the variety of needs the organization has. Many of the field operatives will require medical treatment. Many will require training and cleaning expertise. Some members are not physically able to provide the kinds of services that the League can provide. This does not mean that these members of the League are not useful. Every member of the League is useful. Every member of the League is dedicated to their true purpose. Once they come of age, every member of the League is required to complete initial League training to the best of their abilities. If HIVE were to attack a League facility, they would find that even an old crippled woman, would be a deadly asset to the League. Her function may be to cook, but she is just as skilled and deadly as the rest of the League members.

Khiata: The Khiata specialty is dedicated to providing uniforms and clothing to the Shadow Warriors. Purple piping is Khiata (Sewing). They prepare uniforms with rank markings to those Shadow Warrior who require them. They are quick and efficient. They take pride in the quality of their work and the durability of their uniforms.

Qayima: The Qayima specialty is dedicated to medical knowledge. All Shadow Warriors have basic skill, but the Qayima take over long term care of injuries and recovery. Blue piping is Qayima (Medical). One for Qayima specialty. Two for advanced Qayima specialty (emergency trauma physician).

Qut: The Qut specialty is dedicated to food storage, preparation, and service. Orange piping is Qut (Food). They frequently manage the kitchens with a glut of helpers to prepare the dishes served to Shadow Warriors.

Sagh: The Sagh specialty is dedicated to the skill and arts of the forge. Yellow piping is Sagh (Forging). They take pride in their ability to forge new weapons and to repair weapons used by the Shadow Warriors. They have maintained ancient forge practices no longer used in the outside world. To ensure the best quality of weapons available to the Shadow Warriors.

Tanzif: The Tanzif specialty is dedicated to ensuring that the common areas are kept clean and tidy. Red piping is Tanzif (Cleaning). They frequently manage the common areas with a glut of helpers to ensure a lack of dust, debris, and stains.

Priesthood: Qas or Qasisa - Shoulder guard is white. Dusan al Ghul is assigned leader of the priesthood. The priesthood is maintained at Nanda Parbat. A few of the priesthood are assigned to each of the main branch headquarters to provide spiritual guidance to the League members. They are not expected to participate in the hunting activities of the League branch. They all maintain basic martial skills. But their true calling is to preserve the records and histories of the League and everything they have encountered. Each hunt is recorded with the Qas. Special encounters are also recorded. This adds depth to the knowledge of the League. When pursuing a specific type of evil, they will often consult with the priesthood. The priesthood is also called for Lazarus Pit maintenance, the maintenance of special drugs, and with child-rearing.}

Elite: 'Afdal - The elite are Shadow Warriors who have shown a special skill or achieved mastery in a specific skill type. Their League Uniform will indicate what that skill is and what level of that skill. All Elite Shadow Warriors are indicated by the piping on their shoulder guards. The Elite are scattered throughout the branches of the League, but all the members of the Fang are Elite. Journeyman Rank is indicated by one pipe. Master Rank is indicated by two pipes. Chief Rank is indicated by three pipes on the Majahid (Warrior). Critical Rank is indicated by a fourth white pipe and is only found in the Majahid (Warrior) Elite.

Shadow Warriors: Eadi - All members of the League advance through the ranks to achieve a rank of Shadow Warrior. All members progress from Recruit, Trainee, Apprentice, to Shadow Warrior. All are indoctrinated into the League. It is only after one year that the trainee is considered a fully trained Shadow Warrior and assigned to their first branch in the League.

Recruit: Everyone who is brought to the League who has been accepted by Ra's al Ghul is given the rank of Recruit until they begin their indoctrination. Each recruit goes through a series of tortures to help condition their mind and body to their new way of life. This includes sensory deprivation, food deprivation, psychotropic drugs, use of pain, reward/punishment cycles, and verbal repetition. The indoctrination phase takes approximately one month.

Trainee: Recruits who are indoctrinated into the League and passes the evaluation by the Training Coordinator, is given the rank of Trainee until they are sent for Advanced Field Training at the various branches. Each Shadow Warrior, once indoctrinated, is trained to be skilled in the use of ranged weapons, bladed weapons, light weapons, unarmed combat, heavy weapons, and modern weapons. They are trained in basic communication technologies, mechanical maintenance, medical treatments for self and ally care, and chemical and drug fabrication. The basic martial and field skills training takes an additional five months.

Apprentice: Trainees are sent to the various branches for Advanced Field Training. They will be required to pass an evaluation by their mentor to achieve the rank of Shadow Warrior. Trainees are then sent to one of the branches for an additional six months under the guidance of a Horseman to gain additional martial and field experience.

Barkih: Additional magic training at Daghn al Ghul.

Ghurab: Additional intelligence gathering training at Shawka al Ghul.

Hasub: Additional technology training at Qarn al Ghul.

Majahid: Additional Warrior training at Makhlah al Ghul, Daghn al Ghul, Shawka al Ghul, and Qarn al Ghul.

Qayid: Additional leadership training at Shawka al Ghul.

Wahy: Additional Ruya training at Daghn al Ghul

Shadow Warrior: All Apprentices are required to complete Advanced Field Training and a mentor evaluation to achieve the rank of Shadow Warrior. All members of the League are Shadow Warriors, regardless of further ranks.

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LEAGUE UNIFORM MARKINGS:

Like any organization, the League of Assassins has a ranking structure and organization. Since most of their members wear a mask in the field, they require a visual way to determine who has what purpose.

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BASIC UNIFORM:

The basic League uniform is a solid flat black. It includes; solid knee-high leather boots (with soft soles), knee pads, elbow pads, thigh guards, forearm guards, upper arm guards, chest plates, stomach plates, rib plates, shoulder pads, a hood, and a mask that covers the nose and mouth.

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COLORS:

The basic League uniform stays black for all Shadow Warriors. The only color on a League Uniform will be on the Shoulder Guards, Should Guard piping, and Button Stand piping.

FASIR/HEIR: Shoulder pads and mask show the color of the branch command. Colors are slightly subdued to enable stealth.

Demon's Fang: Heir: Red.

Demon's Claw: Green.

Demon's Spine: Yellow.

Demon's Horn: Blue.

Demon's Venom: Indigo.

QAS: Shoulder pads and mask show White for Qas. Colors are slightly subdued to enable stealth.

SHOULDER PIPING:Elite are marked with the piping on their shoulder pads and mask with the color of their Elite Title

Barkih (Mage): Magical skill. Skill level varies with the magician. Piping is ORANGE. A journeyman is one pipe (1 year under Master). Master is two pipes (5 years solo in the field).

Ghurab (Raven): Intelligence Gathering. Piping is GRAY. A Journeyman is one pipe (after Advanced Field Training). A Master is two pipes (5 years). Ghurab are usually solitary and coordinate intelligence gathering activities from the Alfaar.

Hasub (Technology):Hacker or Master Builder of Technology: Piping is BLUE. A journeyman is one pipe (at the completion of Advanced Field Training). Master is two pipes (3 years).

Majahid (Fighter): Piping is RED. A journeyman is one pipe (1 year). Master is two pipes (3 years). Chief is three pipes (5 years). Critical is four pipes (7 years, the last pipe is white. Only White piping is allowed to be Elite Guards to Ra's)

Qayid (Command):Strategic or Tactical analysis. Piping is YELLOW. A journeyman is one pipe (at the completion of Advanced Field Training). Master is two pipes (5 years).

Wahy (Oracle):The sight. Trained in the Ruya. Piping is PURPLE. A journeyman is one pipe (after Advanced Field Training). Master is two pipes (5 years). Wahy defers command of all teams.

BUTTON STAND PIPING:The Demon Support are marked on the Button Stand Piping that runs down the chest of the standard League Uniform.

Khiata (Sewing):Sewing and mending League uniforms and piping designations and supplies. Piping is PURPLE.

Qayima (Medical): Medical Emergency, Medical Technicians, or Medical Physicians. The piping is BLUE. Physicians are two pipes. All other medical-trained personnel are one pipe.

Qut (Food):Food storage, preparation, service, and acquisition. Piping is ORANGE.

Sagh (Forging): Forging weapons and armor and acquisition of supplies for forging. Piping is YELLOW. Apprentices are one pipe. Master forgers are two pipes.

Tanzif (Cleaning): Cleaning detailed items to include scrubbing the bathing pools, training rooms, and laundry. Piping is RED.

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ASCENSION OF HEIR:

The current Ra's al Ghul must select a chosen Heir. Once chosen, the Heir must complete several tasks before they can be ready to ascend to the title of Ra's al Ghul. Ra's declares their chosen Heir by proclaiming: 'Wing ta leo wo chey' [A tale to be told, begins thus...] in the Throne Room at Nanda Parbat. Ra's al Ghul will not issue this proclamation until the chosen heir has accepted their new title. They will immediately begin the ascension tasks.

Oath: The Heir must proclaim a new oath to the League and maintain the balance of good and evil. This is the same oath that they will proclaim a second time when ascending to the title of Ra's al Ghul.

Outside Ties: The Heir must personally sever all ties with the outside world. The Heir may bring their blood family and close friends inside the League, but any who remain outside the League must die. Ra's al Ghul does not age. They should not be recognized outside of the League. [2]

Challengers: The Heir must kill all rivals to their position of Heir, even if they remain in the League. This is to ensure a clean line of ascension and loyalty to the one Ra's al Ghul.

Special Note: Ra's al Ghul can choose to ascend the Heir after their tasks are complete and then retire into the priesthood. This happens rarely, but it allows an aging Ra's al Ghul to ensure their Heir is not required to kill an old man to ascend to the title. The Ra's al Ghul will take back their old League name.

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CUSTOMS:

Challenge: Within the League, a member may challenge the Fasir, Heir, or Ra's al Ghul if they feel that the decision of the League is wrong in that action. It is usually used to resolve a blood debt. However, any member of the League is free to challenge. The result of the armed combat will resolve the issue. Either the dissenting voice will die, or the challenger will win the battle and change the League decision on that matter. It is NOT used to determine ascension to the title of Ra's al Ghul. Only the Heir may challenge Ra's al Ghul to combat to ascend. That is formal and sacred combat. Not a challenge. If Ra's al Ghul loses, his Heir will place him in the Pit. [3]

Marriage: The League is a CLOSED and SECRET society. Many of the Shadow Warriors are victims of some kind of trauma, but many were raised in the League for any number of reasons. In any society, there must be a way for a formal union between two people to be recognized. Hence a marriage ceremony. I will note that polyamory is accepted in the League. As is most same-sex relationships. Ra's was married three times to three different women. Likewise, they have no way to annul a marriage or divorce. This is a spiritual connection. A binding of souls. The League recognizes that the soul is the bond. It is possible to bond with multiple people. Death does not break the bond. One cannot choose the sex of the soul they are attracted towards. Likewise, all Shadow Warriors are encouraged to take lovers without marriage. Pleasure is kept separate from the soul bond.

Soul Bound: The League recognizes that some souls are bonded outside of their rites. These souls are considered to be Bound by the Source. The League recognizes the Soul Bond as an existing marriage created by the Source. They will do everything in their power to recognize a Soul Bound pair and to ensure the pair are kept together. Soul Bonds are not common, but are easily recognized by the Qas. A Soul Bound pair will be stronger together and be more effective while together. If they are apart, they will become distracted by missing their missing part of their soul.

Blood Debt: The League comes from an older time. It does not follow the more modern convention that a child is innocent of the crimes of their forefathers. Because of this, the blood debt is an incurred debt by any child or blood relative of the evil member for the crimes of that evil member. This does not mean that those members will be killed. This just means they WILL be reeducated. Too often a child swears vengeance for the crimes committed against their parent, real or imagined. The League is aware of this problem. That is why the blood debt is a serious matter to the League. Blood debt includes any relation to the blood of the criminal, direct and indirect, and any spouse of the criminal. The group owing a blood debt is pulled into an audience with Ra's or his Fasir. Those of legal age (18) or older are given the option of a life of service to the League or death. Those below the legal age are taken by the priesthood to be raised and start service at 18. No other option is given to those with a blood debt. Failure to uphold the option of service means immediate death.

Death Prayer: The League frequently encounters death. Few members use the Lazarus Pit and it is actively discouraged. Most League members do not desire to live longer. They frequently have very violent and sudden ends. Because of this, the League has a prayer they say to every warrior or ally that falls in battle. It is a part of their spirituality. They do not believe in a single God, but they do believe in an encompassing Force that is always present. It is known as The Source. This force is responsible for their charge of balance. It is to this force that they are accountable.

Forgive and have mercy on him (her).

Excuse him (her) and pardon him (her).

Make honorable his (her) reception.

Protect him (her) from the punishment of the {Source},

And the torment of the fire.

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LEAGUE SAYINGS:

These are some common League sayings that have filtered out into the outside world. Many of these sayings are used in the indoctrination of recruits.

Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.

A man cannot live by two names.

Replace evil with death.

_ is alive only in the past. He (She) is forgotten.

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[1] The current Ra's al Ghul was a Fasir before being chosen. He led the Makhlah al Ghul, the Demon's Claw. His rival was another Fasir, Damien Dahrk, who led the Daghn al Ghul, the Demon's Venom. He failed to kill Dahrk. Dahrk left the League with his loyal followers and now acts against the balance of good and evil to oppose the League.

[2] In my AU the League does not require that the Heir destroy their hometown. That speaks of evil and they are all about balance. That is why family and close friends can be brought into the League. They can dedicate themselves to the service of the League, but they will be killed if they chose not to serve. I want to point out that after Advanced Field Training, the family member could choose to serve in a different capacity. There are many jobs and positions in the League.

[3] This is why Damien Dahrk was forced to flee after he was not chosen. Even if he killed Ra's or the Heir, he could not ascend to the title of Ra's. He would only incur the wrath of the entire League.

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NOTES:

I enjoyed the Arrowverse!League of Assassins. I wanted to extrapolate some of their changes. I served in the US military. I get and understand the sheer bureaucracy of that kind of military organization. Hence my World Building spree on the League. I am adding to this constantly. The current image I have is of an elderly Shadow Warrior with a cane who works in the kitchen. When the fortress is attacked, the old woman uses her can to great effect and then stabs the attacker with a knife stored in her cane. Yeah! BAMF Grandma Shadow Warrior!

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