The Arcani

The assassination of Julius Caesar and the fall of the Republic ushered in an era of political and social unrest in Rome. With factions vying for power over one another and the control of Rome, tactics became both creative and ruthless. The Junii bought the services of the local Collegium in order to influence the politics of the people. They sought to gain the favor of the mob in order to attain power. The Julii, headed by Octavian Caesar, would follow a different and more subtle route.

The group that was recruited by the young Caesar is not mentioned often in the history books, mostly due to the nature of their existence. They were instructed to do whatever was necessary to secure the position of Emperor for the Julii once again, but never reveal who was paying them. Granted total autonomy, they were loosed upon Rome. Within a few short weeks, several key opponents of Octavian were dead, as well as potential rivals within the Julii clan itself. Later they would prove to be invaluable to Octavian’s efforts by assassinating generals under Marc Antony, influencing parties in Cleopatra’s court, and securing several positions of power in foreign governments. The Black Hand of the Julii had a firm grasp on the Roman Empire by the time Octavian had become Emperor.

Shortly after his ascension, Caesar had the group commissioned under the Temple of Saturn as a subgroup of the Praetorian Guard. Officially they would be personal advisors to the Emperor as well as act as diplomats and dignitaries when needed. Unofficially, their role would remain as the balance keepers, eliminating any dissention that could interfere too much with the goals of Caesar. Autonomy remained. These were The Arcani, the Black Hand of Rome. Octavian Agustus would never reveal the true nature of The Arcani to his successor…he didn’t live past the thought.

For the next several hundred years the group would be completely insular to the world, except for completing their roles as diplomats. Self trained and taught, they had completely assimilated the idea of ‘country first at all costs.’ The world would see several Emperors killed by the Praetorians in that time. Though no clear evidence exists, there are some that would say that The Arcani gained control of the Praetorians in less than 5 years after being created. No one has ever found the Arcani Vaults to verify such claims.

What can be said is this – The Arcani of then and now are different, yet the goals remain the same. The Black Hand of Rome has expanded beyond the mere political borders of yesterday and now seek to bring balance to the world. We are everywhere and nowhere. We are phantoms of your world and imagination. We are very real.

-Silvanus Claudius Nox, Legate of the 27th Legion, Executioner of the Arcani, Prior to his exile.

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