Masyaf

2011-06-29T23:14:54Z

189.32.159.234:

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{{Location Infobox
|name =
|image =Assassins-Creed-Revelations-Screenshots-400x400.jpg
|hidep =
|state =Independent city-state
|rulers =[[Assassins]] (c.1191)<br>[[Templars]] (c.1511)
|factions =
|hideh = yes
|founded =
|date =
|abandoned =
|hidea =
|landmark =The fortress
|flags =20 [[Assassins|Assassin]] flags
|targets =[[Al Mualim]]}}
'''Masyaf''' (Arabic: مصياف) is a mountain city located in [[Syria]], which served as the base of operations of the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]] during the [[Third Crusade]]. Here, Assassins underwent educational and physical training for the trials they were to endure in the land outside.

==Layout==
Masyaf was built onto a mountain nestled in the Orontes Valley, with a village at its base, and the Assassin fortress at the peak.
===The village===
The village was composed of several dozens of small cottages at the far end of the village and a build on a several slopes. While the village market at its lower end, and several resources for civilains: areas to store grain, basket weaver, etc. It appeared to also offer sanctuary to the citizens loyal to the Assassins' cause. Along with regular citizens, several Assassin scholars roamed the village, as well as patrolling Assassin guards.
===The Fortress===
[[File:5445488769_3a4b522de4_b.jpg|thumb|202px|The Assassin's fortress.]]At the peak of the mountain lay the Assassin fortress. Within the fortress there is a training ring in which the Assassins practiced combat. In addition to the training ring, the fortress housed [[Al Mualim]]'s personal library as well as a magnificent garden.
Inside the fortress library, one could witness the true scholarly habits of the Order, wherein instructors constantly maneuvered the shelves, seeking books to further their education on worldly politics, as well as the "[[The Creed|Assassin's Creed]]." Al Mualim as well, delved into these books on a daily basis, constantly seeking knowledge to properly guide and educate the fearsome political warriors that faithfully served under him.

The fortress also housed accomodations for all the Assassins that resided there, as well as the Master's private chamber from the top of the fortress temple. Addtionally, several watchtowers surrounded the walls, each with Assassin [[archers]] posted around them.

==History==
===Third Crusade===
Masyaf acted as the headquarters for the Syrian sect of the Assassin Order. In 1176, the fortress came under seige from [[Saladin]], who hoped to prevent the Assassins from making a third attempt on his life. On the second night of the seige, [[Umar Ibn-La'Ahad]] infiltrated the Arabic Warlord's tent, leaving a feather as warning; he was forced to kill a [[Saracen]] noblemen however, during his escape. Heeding the warning, Saladin left Masyaf, his only condition being the head of the one who had killed the nobleman. At first the Assassin's refused, though eventually relented.

During the [[Third Crusade]] the city was, for the most part, unscathed by the wars ravaging the Holy Land, as neither the [[Crusaders]] and Saracens were directly associated with the Order, although aware of their existence. In 1191, Al Mualim used the [[Sixth Apple|Apple of Eden]] to enslave the population of Masyaf, placing all the citizens in a trance like state. However, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad was able to thwart his master's plan and return the population back to their original state of mind.

Following the death of Al Mualim during the [[Retaking of Masyaf]], Altaïr gained the position of [[Grand Master of the Assassin Order]].

In 1257, the fortress was visited by[[Niccolò Polo| Niccolò and]] [[Maffeo Polo]] to interview and learn about the life of Altaïr. Eventually, Altaïr decided that Order should abandon the fortress to expand the Order throughout the world. Eventually the fortress was invaded by the Mongolians, wanting revenge for their part in Genghis Khan's murder. Though limited in numbers, the Assassins held the Mongols at bay long enough for the Polo brothers to escape. It was unknown what came of the Altaïr and the remaining Assassins after the Mongol siege.

===Renaissance===
[[File:Masyaf_Revelations.jpg|thumb|250px|Masyaf, 300 years after the time of Altaïr.]]During the early 16th century, over 300 years after the fortress was abandoned, the Mentor of the Assassin Order, [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio Auditore]], traveled to the mountain castle, to discover more about the Order's history. However, the village was crumbled and the castle was overrun with Templars. The Templars planned to gain an ancient artifact buried under the city, which could only be obtained using a set of [[Seals of Altaïr|five seals]].

==Trivia==
*The Assassin's Fortress in Masyaf is very similar to Alamut Castle in Iran. Alamut was the home city of the Hashshins, the persian assassin-like warriors. Besides, Alamut's history is quite similar to Masyaf's one, beeing even featured in a major role in Prince of Persia. Etmologicaly, the very word "assassin" comes from "hashshin", and "Alamut" means "Eagle's Nest", beeing "eagle" a very reincident name in Assassin's Creed franchise.
*Masyaf is the first location that is encountered during the game after [[Solomon's Temple]], and is also the smallest city outside the [[Kingdom]].
*There are no harassers of any sort in Masyaf (i.e. beggars, jar carriers, and guards blocking access).
*Outside of Masyaf, there is a small part of the Kingdom controlled by the Assassins, where one can use [[Eagle Vision]] to locate an [[Jamal|Assassin guard marked]] as an enemy.
*During the [[Siege of Masyaf|siege of Masyaf]], and during the mini cut-scene before the first [[Leap of Faith]], you can see Assassins keeping watch over the lake below.
*Although considered your allies (and indicated to be as such by [[Eagle Vision|eagle vision]]), guards in the city will fight you if provoked.
*Despite the Third Tenet stating that you must not, indirectly or otherwise, harm your fellow Assassins, you can kill Masyaf guards with no synchronization penalty, and no mention is made by anyone.
*The gardens behind the fortress (accessible after [[Tamir]]'s assassination) are a reference to the legend of the secret Paradise behind the real Assassins' headquarters. The garden Paradise was supposedly an illusion created by [[Hassan-i Sabbah]] - the real Assassins' founder - in order to make his followers believe in his divine mission, and execute any order given (usually assassination attempts) without fear of death.
*Masyaf guards sound exactly like the [[Saracens|Saracen]] [[guards]] of [[Jerusalem]] or [[Damascus]], even going so far as to use the same lines in combat such as ''"Infidel, die!" ''or ''"I'll have your head!"''. The same goes for the two novices fighting in the training arena.
*Even though you are not supposed to use weapons inside the fortress (except the training area), you may push guards off the tower and watch them die from the fall without suffering a loss of synchronization.
*Masyaf is the only Assassin headquarters in the Assassin's Creed series so far to have guards.
*The Assassins' main headquarters during the Crusades and until the strike of the Mongol Empire was the Alamut fortress in Iran, but there are references to another headquarter in Syria.

==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="left">
Ac-masyaf1.jpg|Concept art of Masyaf.
Ac-masyaf2.jpg|Concept art of the city walls.
Ac-masyaf3.jpg|Concept art of [[Assassins]] in Masyaf.
Ac-masyaf4.jpg|Concept art of the city walls.
Masyaf.png|Map of Masyaf.
Masyaf_by_murcuseo-d39htz6.jpg|Masyaf, Panoramic.
undefined|undefined|link=undefined
Masyafezio.JPG|Ezio Auditore at Masyaf.
Insignia.png|The courtyard [[Assassin insignia|Assassins' insignia]].
4498816948_27d080aeb7_z.jpg|Atair at Masyaf
489745-mysaf.jpg|Siege of Masyaf in Assassin's Creed
Panoramic view of Masyaf interior.jpg|Panoramic view of Masyaf interior
5446091136_e2d352bfb6_b.jpg|Panoramic view of lands around Masyaf
5446092580_b96694af6a_b.jpg|Masyaf village
Map-crusades.jpg|Map showing the location of Assassins state
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Alep]]
*[[Monteriggioni]]
*[[Tiber Island Hideout]]

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' <small>(mentioned only)</small>
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Lost Legacy]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''

{{AC}}
{{ACRevelations}}

[[es:Masyaf]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Locations]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Revelations Locations]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Lost Legacy Locations]]
[[Category:Assassin Order]]
[[Category:Assassin Order Headquarters]]
[[Category:Cities of Asia]]

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Masyaf