From A History of Secret Societies by Arkon Daraul

(Citadel Press 1961/1989)

Deliberately modified by Nexus23 Authors :

The ruler of one the most terrifying organizations
the world has ever known
was without a lineal successor.
He had had both of his sons killed:
one for carrying out an unauthorized murder,
the other for drinking wine;
certainly a case of "do as I say, not as I do".
He called his two most trusted lieutenants
from the strongholds which they maintained on his behalf:

Kia Buzurg-Umid (Kia of Great Promise)
and Abu-Ali of Qaswin.
Kia was to inherit the spiritual and mystical aspect,
while Abu-Ali attended to the military and administrative affairs of the Order.

It is said that Hasan bin Sabah died
almost immediately afterwards, in 1124,
at ninety years of age;
having given the world a new word; assassin.
'Assasseen' in Arabic signifies 'guardians',
and some commentators have considered
this to be the true origin of the word:
'guardians of the secrets".      
                                                                                                                
The Organization of the Order, under Hasan,
called for Missionaries (Dayes), Friends (Rafiq) who were disciples,
and Fidavis, devotees.
The last group had been added by Hasan to the Ismaili original,
and these were the trained killers.
Fidavis wore white, with a girdle, cap or boots of red.
In addition to careful coaching in where
and when to place the dagger in the victim's bosom,
they were trained in such things as languages,
the dress and manners of monks,
merchants and soldiers,
any of whom they were ready to impersonate
in carrying out their missions.
The chief was known as Sayedna (Our Prince, Leader),
and popularly (because of the mountain stronghold of Alamut),
as the Sheikh of the Mountain.

This is the figure referred to in Crusaders
' writings as 'Sydney', or 'Senex de Monte',
the first word being a literal translation of the word 'Pir':
Persian for Ancient, or Sage.
There were three Great Missionaries,
who ruled three territories.
After the Friends and Fidavis came the Laziks,
aspirants who were being trained for membership of the society,
but were as yet uninitiated.