Later, they were refounded by the Abassid Caliph Harun al-Rashid and now headquartered at the "House of Wisdom" in Baghdad. The "clockmaker" moniker was first applied by Al-Jazari, a later leader of this organization and famous as the author of "The Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices". However, this second organization fell into obscurity and nearly disappeared after the "House of Wisdom" was destroyed when the Mongols sacked Baghdad in 1258. A remnant of the organization persisted in China, with Admiral Zheng He (who was born into a Chinese Muslim family) being the last prominent member. However, this remnant had little contact with the rest of the organization and disappeared after Zheng He's death, when his magnificent fleet was burned and the records of his maritime expeditions destroyed.
Fortunately, the "clockmakers" were reestablished once more in 15th century Florence with Leonardo Da Vinci at the helm. This third organization quickly spread throughout Europe and the world and a number of prominent figures in the "Scientific Revolution" and the "Age of Enlightenment" were supposedly members. The organization also played a role in the American Revolution, the French Revolution, the Mexican Revolution, and the Russian Revolution. They generally have left-wing libertarian political leanings, and they are "Christian Deists" who believe in a Newtonian "Clockwork Universe" and promote "science and reason".
I am planning on holding an induction ceremony for new members soon. Please let me know if any of you have a character from your nation who you would like to be a "clockmaker". Your character will have to recite this membership oath.
In the name of the Master Tinkerer, I (your name) do solemnly pledge to uphold the values and principles of the Knightly Brotherhood of the Clockmakers and to fully commit myself to their unending mission that transcends all nationalistic and temporal boundaries; to advance science and reason and fight ignorance and superstition, to protect and preserve the natural, inalienable, and sacred rights of everyone and resist all forms of oppression, and to promote individualism, egalitarianism, hard work, helping others, self-discipline and self-reliance, inventiveness and creativity, curiosity and eagerness to learn, skepticism and independent or free thought, and finding ones own purpose and meaning in life.
We do get involved in national/ international affairs and meddle in politics. These actions may be executed via existing power structures controlled by members or more covertly by "operatives" employed directly by the organization.
However, participating in any particular action is on a strictly voluntary basis for each member. A majority vote must be taken to approve an action, and those who vote "no" or "abstain" are not required to participate in it.
