Line #1 PlayingWith/AncientTradition


1	'''Basic Trope''': An ancient, powerful secret group with a tradition of passive observation, helping destined heroes, or guarding some object of power.
2	* '''Straight''': The Assassins have been covertly aiding those who fight UsefulNotes/TheKnightsTemplar, an AncientConspiracy which secretly manipulates the world for their own nefarious goals.
3	* '''Exaggerated''': The Assassins have been covertly aiding absolutely everyone who fights any sort of AncientConspiracy, from the foes of UsefulNotes/TheKnightsTemplar to the foes of The Grey to the foes of Microsoft.
4	* '''Logical Extreme''': The Assassins have evolved into a global network with operatives in every country, manipulating world events and ensuring the rise of destined heroes in every corner of the globe.
5	* '''Downplayed''': The Assassins have been just aiding the Communist revolutionaries and the American revolutionaries.
6	* '''Justified''': Both the Assassins and UsefulNotes/TheKnightsTemplar possess powerful artifact from the {{Precursors}}, so only the Assassins can ever hope to challenge The Knights Templar.
7	* '''Inverted''': The Assassins ''are'' an AncientConspiracy secretly ruling the world.
8	* '''Subverted''': The Assassins seems to aid the heroes against an AncientConspiracy, but later the heroes find out that the Assassins only do it because they are also an AncientConspiracy.
9	* '''Double Subverted''': ... which prevents a more terrifying AncientConspiracy backed by the Elder Gods from ever becoming effective on Earth.
10	* '''Parodied''': Assassin Kebab, a secret fast-food chain which oppose the operations of Templar Tacos, another secret fast-food chain.
11	* '''Zig Zagged''': One day The Assassins act as a BigGood, the other day they act as a BigBad, for reasons only known to their top tier.
12	* '''Averted''': There is no conspiracy, good or evil. [[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial Guaranteed]].
13	* '''Enforced''': "When you look at it closely, there is no way the heroes can win against the BigBad and his shadow empire. Let's make it fair without making the heroes invincible."
14	* '''Lampshaded''': "so now we are fighting UsefulNotes/TheKnightsTemplar huh? I sure hope some Middle-Eastern ninjas will pop out of nowhere to save our arses."
15	* '''Invoked''': The heroes appeal to the Assassin's ethics, hoping that the legendary group will come to his aid.
16	* '''Exploited''': A MagnificentBastard, having found out about the important alliance between the heroes and the Assassins, decides to masquerades as one of the shadowy figures in order to lead the good guys into a trap. [[XanatosGambit If it works: No more heroes. If it fails: The seed of paranoia and distrust will eventually destroy their alliance.]]
17	* '''Defied''': PresidentEvil, aware and well informed about the Assassins' agenda, forms a specialized squad to counter them, [[StandardEvilOrganizationSquad The Reapers]].
18	* '''Discussed''':
19	--> Bob: "You know those secret groups that help heroes and guard powerful objects? Like the Assassins or the Knights Templar? I wonder if they exist in real life."
20	* '''Conversed''':
21	--> Alice: "Secret groups like the Assassins and the Knights Templar, they always make for interesting stories."
22	--> Bob: "Yeah, they add an element of mystery and intrigue to the plot, don't they?"
23	* '''Deconstructed''': After existing for so long and encompassing so many people, Ancient Tradition is no longer unified but composed of many conflicting factions; the passive helpers, the active helpers, those that insist on traditional practices and those that want to create new practices to fit the age, and people that are born to it but don't want to be part of it.
24	* '''Reconstructed''': Though there are many factions within the Ancient Tradition they are unified by its core purpose of opposing the Knight Templars and proceed in the way they believe is best.
25	* '''Played For Laughs''': The Assassins protect the world from the secret of... the recipe for world's most delicious sushi. TheWorldIsNotReady.
26	* '''Played for Drama''': The Assassins' duty to protect the world from the Knight Templars weighs heavily on their souls, as they constantly question the morality of their actions and the sacrifices they make.
27	* '''Played for Horror''': The Assassins' ancient tradition takes a dark turn as they become obsessed with obtaining ultimate power, using their passive observation and manipulation to enslave humanity instead of protecting it.
28	* '''Implied''': The existence of the Assassins is hinted at through ancient texts and legends, but no concrete evidence of their activities has ever been discovered.
29	* '''Untwisted''': The heroes initially suspect the Assassins to be secretly aligned with the Knight Templars, but it turns out they are truly dedicated to opposing the Templars and have been working undercover to infiltrate their ranks.
30	* '''Plotted A Good Waste''': The Assassins, once revered for their power and influence, turned out to be incredibly inept at their job, constantly failing in their missions and making grave mistakes. As a result, they are gradually phased out of the plot, their significance diminishing until they are no longer a relevant part of the story.
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32	Back to AncientTradition
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34	%% Optional items, added after Conversed, at your discretion:

Context PlayingWith / AncientTradition