Chess is a game that Ra’s has been playing for centuries.

The game originated in northern India in the 6th century CE and was spread to Persia. When the Arabs conquered Persia, it was taken in to Muslim communities, and later through the Moorish conquest of Spain, chess was spread to Europe and the rest of the western world.

The nomads he grew up around had a love for the game that almost outshined their dedication to him later in their lives.

Ra’s has won against masters of chess, against novices, against experts, against the ones who were descended from those who created the game themselves. Suffice to say, he’s had a very long time to learn all the best strategies to win— But he believes that this game of chess will be more entertaining than the rest of those experiences combined.

After all, he does love a good challenge, and with your friends in his clutches, you do just have so much to lose.

He sets the last intractely carved piece down on the board as his ninjas open the door to his game room. The room itself is done up and decorated in luxurious extremes, just as the rest of the rooms in this base, full of greens and golds and furniture that is centuries old and far more valuable than almost anything you’ve likely come in contact with before.

Ra’s notes how your expression falls flat when you see him. Perhaps you would have preferred Talia to act in his stead— you’ve never much liked dealing with him. You’re brought into the room with your wrists bound in front of you by bejeweled chains he picked out and set into the chair across from him.

“Let us play a game, Detective,” Ra’s proposes, a sharp glint in his green eyes, “If you win this match, I’ll be far more inclined to let your… teammates, leave here alive.”

He gestures to the chess set on the table, his green robes swishing with the movement. It’s not only for dramatic effect— his assassins are dismissed with that gesture as well.

“And if I win, well. How long do you believe it will take for those hero friends of yours to break?”