Marino Sanuto relates that Henry, Count of Champagne, the titular King of Jerusalem, when on a visit to the Grand Master of the Syrian branch of the Assassins, was walking one day with his host in the grounds of the latter's castle. Pointing to some youths seated on the top of a high tower, the Grand Master remarked that he was sure that no Christians were as obedient to their princes as were his followers to himself. He thereupon made a sign to the youths, two of whom immediately leapt from the tower and were dashed to pieces at the foot. The Grand Master then offered to order the remaining youths similarly to immolate themselves, but the Count of Champagne said that he had had proof enough of their obedience, which was, he frankly admitted, greater than that of his own subjects.
(Laurence Lockhart, Ḥasan-i-Ṣabbāh and the Assassins)
(Laurence Lockhart, Ḥasan-i-Ṣabbāh and the Assassins)
The belief in a paradise that emerges triumphantly in another dimension beyond the physical world and beyond death is one of humanity's most enduring concepts, with countless variations across diverse religious beliefs. The profound significance of the idea of paradise could serve as the foundation for creating a virtually invincible army. Indeed, weaponizing the notion of transcendence was a remarkable and unprecedented achievement by Ḥasan-i-Ṣabbāh (c. 1050-1124), also known as Hasan I of Alamut, Sayyidna (Our Master), the Old Man of the Mountain, a polymath with extensive knowledge, the founder of the Order of Assassins, the friend of Omar Khayyan, the keyholder of the paradise. His revolutionary influence left a dark legacy that spread throughout Europe and continues to resonate today, particularly through the Assassin's Creed series of games.
In light of the dark legacy of the Old Man of the Mountain, Raphus Press presents its readers with a sweeping apocalyptic pictures as narratives, akin to a book version of Hieronymus Bosch's paintings. Titled The Grand Master of Assassins: Stories of the Old Man in the Mountain and His Acolytes, this collection features some of today's most innovative and thought-provoking authors, including Jonathan Wood, Rhys Hughes, Michael Uhall, and some others.
The Grand Master of Assassins: Stories of the Old Man in the Mountain and His Acolytes, a collection of stories about the Old Man in the Mountain and his Order of Assassins in Alamut. A book with 150 x 200 mm or 5.9 x 7,87 in., 60 pages, with a exclusive, painfully handcrafted Japanese binding with a "faux spine", designed at Raphus Press Immanent Headquarters and printed by Sol Negro. As usual, this new edition will be very scarce: only 45 copies, plus some (very few) private copies. Already available in pre-sales campaign (expected to be released in end of July, 2025). Regular price: USD 39.00. PRE-SALES PRICE: USD 34.00. All prices including mail shipment.
Available at Ziesings as well soon, probably in September, 2025.
In light of the dark legacy of the Old Man of the Mountain, Raphus Press presents its readers with a sweeping apocalyptic pictures as narratives, akin to a book version of Hieronymus Bosch's paintings. Titled The Grand Master of Assassins: Stories of the Old Man in the Mountain and His Acolytes, this collection features some of today's most innovative and thought-provoking authors, including Jonathan Wood, Rhys Hughes, Michael Uhall, and some others.
The Grand Master of Assassins: Stories of the Old Man in the Mountain and His Acolytes, a collection of stories about the Old Man in the Mountain and his Order of Assassins in Alamut. A book with 150 x 200 mm or 5.9 x 7,87 in., 60 pages, with a exclusive, painfully handcrafted Japanese binding with a "faux spine", designed at Raphus Press Immanent Headquarters and printed by Sol Negro. As usual, this new edition will be very scarce: only 45 copies, plus some (very few) private copies. Already available in pre-sales campaign (expected to be released in end of July, 2025). Regular price: USD 39.00. PRE-SALES PRICE: USD 34.00. All prices including mail shipment.
Available at Ziesings as well soon, probably in September, 2025.
|
The Grand Master of Assassins + International Mail Expenses = USD 34.00 (pre-sales special price)
|
|
The opinion of our readers
Golden Age of Clairvoyance
"Well I have received the books today and I had certain high expectations and I must say such high expectations were well exceeded. The selectivity of the authors as I may have mentioned before (both individually and in combination) and translations are impeccable. The book design is exquisite and enhances the holistic reading experience (by way of comparison, on first seeing the books I had the same sense of elation when I had received my first Sylph Edition Cahiers a few years ago)."
(Andrew Condous)
(Andrew Condous)
"The books look really nice - I'm especially liking the full-color images inside. Very good design."
(Damian Murphy)
(Damian Murphy)
"The chapbooks are beautiful. Well done! Equally engaging for the eye and mind."
(Rachel Kinbar)
(Rachel Kinbar)
"The initial print-run of all three is, of course, low, so any interested readers should make a quick decision; because I do hope Raphus continue on their path of intriguing little translations of the recovered uncanny and esoteric."
(Mark Andresen at Pan Review)
(Mark Andresen at Pan Review)
The great weird and fantastic connoisseur, Des Lewis, made an insightful review of Black Mirror, the second chapbook in the series, available in this link.
Spiritual Meaning of the Massacres
"Many thanks for sending me a copy of The Mendicant. It really looks rather good – a bit like one of the books you read about in short stories that start off ‘Beware if you read these words... too late!"
(Stephen Cashmore)
(Stephen Cashmore)
"It's a marvelous production, and it's great that you have resurrected the remarkable title piece. I also enjoyed the pamphlet (...). Long may Raphus Press reign!"
(Chris Mikul)
(Chris Mikul)
"I am absolutely delighted with them [The Mendicant of the Books and The Sacred Abysmal Perspective]! They are both true examples of true and original creative philosophical ingenuity, originality and also design. They are fantastickal chapbooks and it is an equal delight to have been able to contribute and to assist in other ways. Although I saw the proofed editions when you e-mailed them to me, now that they are in my hands, they veritably glow and crackle and weep with their malign embers.
I shall take myself off on a sacred journey this weekend, like the early priests going to Tibet, and will immerse myself in the deep folds and ravines these chapbooks open up."
(Jonathan Wood)
I shall take myself off on a sacred journey this weekend, like the early priests going to Tibet, and will immerse myself in the deep folds and ravines these chapbooks open up."
(Jonathan Wood)
