Illuminati

The Illuminati are a secret society of people whose goal is to control the world from "behind the scenes".

Background
The Illuminati is a secret society founded by Adam Weishaupt in 1776. According to a former member Stanton Dowd however, aspects of the Illuminati are claimed to have been in existence since at least the time of the Crusades. Dedicated to controlling or influencing the world from behind the scenes, the Illuminati is believed to have reached the peak of its power during the 20th century according to its former leader Lucius DeBeers. Heavily involved in political intrigue as well as scientific development, the Illuminati leadership at various times has consisted of major captains of industry, important scientists, and political leaders.

Sometime between 2027 and 2052, Lucius DeBeers stepped down from active leadership due to health problems and was put in stasis by his successor Morgan Everett. Everett's former protégé, Bob Page, became disillusioned with the Illuminati and broke away to form the splinter group Majestic-12, and the Illuminati's bankers and treasurers, the Knights Templar, were destroyed by Interpol with the help of Joseph Manderley.

20th Century
Not much is known about Illuminati activities during the 20th century, but according to Lucius DeBeers, John F. Kennedy is placed into power with the help of Illuminati conspirators. Kennedy is assasinated shortly after making a speech at Columbia University implying the existence of major conspiracy:

''The high office of the President has been used to foment a plot to destroy the American's freedom, and before I leave office, I must inform the citizens of this plight. --Quote attributed to John F. Kennedy (1963)''

2027
Utilizing the vast resources at their disposal, the Illuminati seek to impede progress made in mechanical augmentation research through clandestine military operations (Belltower Associates, Tyrants) and manipulation of the media (Picus TV).

2052
The Illuminati are at risk of being overthrown by Majestic-12, and attempt to recruit JC Denton to help them defeat the splinter group. They also fund and control both the NSF and the French resistance group Silhouette.

After the Collapse
Morgan Everett has either died or stepped down as leader, and Nicolette DuClare and Chad Dumier take over as new leaders. They form the capitalist WTO and its rival, the Order Church, a religious group, to disguise their true intentions of controlling the world. Paralleling this, they also own two rival coffee shops, Pequod's and Queequeg's. If Alex chooses to help them, they bring about a new era of control called the 'Age of Light', where they control the entire world from a space station.

Structure
The organizational structure of the Illuminati shares features with Freemasronry as well as more ancient religious mystery cults such as Mithraism. The hierarchy of the Illuminati is based around "degrees of illuminism" in which higher levels confer greater access to the secrets of the organization. This organizational secrecy is intended to inspire loyalty among new recruits, although the Illuminati are implied to directly recruit leaders of industry and scientists directly into the upper echelons of leadership. In order to progress to higher degrees of illuminism, members are obligated to practice Haratha Yoga exercises in the morning. According to Stanton Dowd, the Illuminati's only real secret is a technique of meditation - "a way of imaging your body dissolving into light." At the top of the Illuminati leadership is the "Supreme Enlightened" - a title which has been held by Lucius DeBeers for most of the 20th century.

During Bob Page's restructuring of former Illuminati elements into MJ-12, he replaced the pseudo-religious "degrees of illuminism" hierarchy with "secular" security clearances - each of which is named after angels. According to Stanton Dowd, Page never progressed beyond 'Master of Tyre' due to consistently sleeping during morning yoga execises. Curiously 'Master of Tyre' is also the name of one of the real world Allied Masonic Degrees.

Gallery
Illuminati