It can be said that Assassin's Creed Origins is one of the most important games within the franchise in terms of establishing lore that contextualizes how the assassins came to be. This primarily comes with the game's portrayal of the conception of the Hidden Ones, the precursor organization to the iconic Assassin Brotherhood.
The creation of the Hidden Ones within Assassin's Creed Origins can be directly attributed to two key figures, Bayek of Siwa and Aya of Alexandria. With Bayek being the main protagonist of the title, players directly experience the extent to which both he and Aya influenced the Hidden Ones and the ethos that it stood for.
Bayek's Influence on the Hidden Ones
Bayek of Siwa was absolutely instrumental in the formulation of the Hidden Ones. Already possessing the protective and selfless characteristics of a Medjay, Bayek sought to fight back against a sinister organization known as the Order of the Ancients after they murdered his and Aya's young son. It is worth noting that the Ancients would eventually transition into the Templar Order, giving credence to the level and stakes to which the organization was operating even in its earliest form. With his altruistic nature combined with a newfound desire for vengeance, Bayek dedicated his existence to exposing and hunting down the vast network that formed the Order of the Ancients. By destabilizing corrupt regimes and eliminating cruel and vindictive figures of power, Bayek inexorably drew people to his cause over time.
With the Hidden Ones eventually growing as the notoriety of Bayek's deeds grew, it was Bayek who formulated the franchise's eponymous Creed. Acting as the definitive text and framework for the Hidden Ones and eventually the Assassin Brotherhood, Bayek established the values of protecting the innocent and fighting corruption from the shadows that the organizations would become synonymous with.
Aya's Influence on the Hidden Ones
Of course, Aya shared Bayek's grief at the loss of their son and was similarly inspired in their collective efforts to fight corruption from the shadows. While it can be said that Bayek did more of the physical groundwork in breaking down the Order of the Ancients, the influence that Aya had over the Hidden Ones was of equal importance.
Once Aya and Bayek began their journey which led to the creation of the Hidden Ones, Aya adopted the moniker of Amunet which would become iconic amongst the wider assassin movement. Crucially, Aya dedicated herself to widening the presence and network of the Hidden Ones so that the organization had a larger reach and scope of influence. This was achieved by utilizing her contacts within the Roman Empire, allowing for the Hidden Ones to be covertly garrisoned across large swathes of the globe. Bayek may have laid the groundwork physically, but the heart, soul, and reach of the Hidden Ones was Aya's doing.
In addition to this, Aya would directly orchestrate the deaths of both Julius Caesar and Cleopatra due to their allegiances to the Order of Ancients, cementing herself within the annals of assassin history. Bayek would fade into obscurity, as all Assassins should, but Aya's legend is what inspired many throughout the years.
Although both Bayek and Aya were inherently influential to the Hidden Ones due to being the founders of the organization, the sustained efforts they both independently exerted to direct the faction were truly commendable. As conveyed in great detail within Assassin's Creed Origins, Bayek and Aya instilled and maintained the core values of the organization, while fostering an environment in which it could exist and flourish internationally among some of the most powerful factions on the planet.
Assassin's Creed Origins is available on PC, PlayStation 4, Stadia, and Xbox One.