Assassin's Creed Wiki - User contributions [en-gb]

Maria Thorpe

2010-07-07T18:08:36Z

195.202.153.35:

{{Era|AC|ACB|AC2|Templars|Crusade|Good}}
{{WPtargets}}
{{revamp}}
{{spoilerhd}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Maria Thorpe O'Caoinlean
|image = Maria_templar.jpg
|faction = [[Templars]] (retired), [[Assassins]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines">''[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]]''</ref>
|appear = [[Assassin's Creed]],<br>[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]],<br>[[Assassin's Creed II]]
|period = Third Crusade (12th Century) <ref name="Assassin's Creed">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref>
|voice = [[Eleanor Noble]]
}}

'''Maria Thorpe''' was an English\Irish woman who impersonated one of [[Altaïr]]'s assassination targets – Grand Master of the [[Knights Templar]], [[Robert de Sable]] – during the Third Crusade. Not being in favor with De Sable's successor, Maria was abandoned by the Knights Templar, and forced to find asylum with her enemies, the [[Assassin]]s.

Following her and Altaïr's travels in Cyprus, the two settled down together and Maria bore him at least two sons; one of which would be a direct ancestor of the Assassins [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]], [[Desmond Miles]] and the mysterious [[Subject 16]].

==Biography==
===Early Life===
In her youth, Maria chose not to follow the norm for women of her age and instead she chose to act and dress as a male would. Because of this, she was often pestered as a child and punished by her parents. Before the start of the Third Crusade, her parents forced her to marry, however it ended a little more than a year after. This disgrace, combined with Maria's own dreams of honor and glory, convinced her to leave England behind, and join the [[Crusaders]] in the Holy Land. It was uncommon for women to be participate in combat during the time so Maria disguised herself as a man to partaking in the holy quest. Maria showed much promise amongst the Crusaders and attracted the attention of [[Robert De Sable]]. Despite learning her true gender, Robert supported her and even appointed Maria to be his personal steward. Although she did not share her Master's beliefs, Maria respected Robert enough to do anything for him, including dying if she had to. <ref name> Assassin's Creed: Official Game Guide </ref>

===Impersonation===
{{quote|I sense you expected someone else|Maria, after Altaïr defeats her.|Assassin's Creed}}
[[File:Maria-Templar-Robert-de-Sable-PROXY-00.JPG|thumb|200px|Maria (disguised as Robert) looking to the crowd.]]

Following the deaths of eight of the Nine in 1191, at the hands of [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]], Robert correctly reasoned that he was next on the Assassin's list. Not one to be defeated, Robert publicly announced his intention to attend the funeral of the late Regent of Jerusalem, [[Majd Addin]], as a show of mutual cooperation and respect between Muslim and Crusader. Privately, the Templar Grand Master knew this would be a chance too great for the assassin to pass up.<ref name="Assassin's Creed">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref>

Maria was left to take Robert's place at the funeral, a decoy for Altaïr. As expected, the assassin appeared during the funeral procession. Maria carefully examined the mass and managed to spot him. She signaled the funeral proctor of Altaïr's presence and great number of Templars were ordered to seize him. Altaïr overpowered the soldiers and in the end grasped Maria to remove her helm. Altaïr was greatly shocked that it was a woman he fought and questioned it as sorcery. Maria corrected him that it was not and she was in Robert's place as a distraction. She admitted that his brotherhood's success of taking the treasure and eradicating her comrades did not go unnoticed and told him that Robert was to propose a truce between the Saracen and Crusader armies to beseige Masyaf through the evidence of her and the other Templar's deaths. Altaïr corrected her by deciding to spare her life and warned her not follow him. Out of her confusion, Maria replied haughtly that she did not need to and it was futile of him to try stopping Robert before she fled the city. <ref name="Assassin's Creed" />

===In Cyprus===
{{quote|Well what a surprise, the man who spared my neck, but stole my life|Maria, when she confronted Altaïr in Acre|Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines}}
[[File:acb__maria01.jpg|thumb|200px|Maria overseeing the Templar fleet en route for Cyprus.]]

A month after Altaïr defeated [[Al Mualim]], Maria's Templar rank dropped considerably and was disallowed travel to Cyprus with the Templars. She confronted Altaïr after the assault on the [[Acre]] harbor where the two of them engaged in another sword fight. Altaïr bested her and, after interrogating her about the Templars' plans for [[Cyprus]]. Afterwards, Altaïr took Maria prisoner and brought her with him on the journey to Cyprus, hoping to use her as leverage to lure other Templars out into the open. <ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines" />
[[File:acb__maria000.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Altaïr describes Maria as Robert's "girl".]]

The two of them travelled to [[Limassol]], where they met up with the assassin contact, [[Alexander]]. Maria was escorted and kept at the resistance safe house, but escaped following an ambush by Templars, during which the building was set on fire. Maria hurried to warn The Grand Master of the Templars, [[Armand Bouchart]] of Altaïr's presence in Limassol, but Bouchart being suspicious of Maria's two "miraculous" escapes from the assassins and equal distrust of women, sentenced her to be locked away in prison. Maria was led away by two Templar guards only to be saved by Altaïr. After his recovery of her, she vowed to kill him, but Altaïr reasoned with her, noting that the best way to buy back into the Templar's favor was not by his head, but by her recovery of the Apple of Eden.
[[File:maria05.jpg|thumb|200px|Altaïr rescues Maria from her would-be Templar captors.]]

Altaïr took Maria along with him on the ship to [[Kyrenia]]. Whilst on the ship, Altaïr spoke to her about the philosophy of Empedocles - that "only a mind free of impediments is capable of grasping the chaotic beauty of the world." Although Maria resisted his ideology, she did take interest in it, asking curiously as to whether being able to see this "chaotic beauty" was truly something to be celebrated. In turn, Altaïr admitted to hardship imposed upon human beings as a result of freedom; but, he maintained that "the order and peace the Templar seek requires servility and imprisonment," a statement with which the captive Maria took some irony. <ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines" />

As the two prepared to disembark, Altaïr cut the rope binding Maria's wrists so that she might climb the ladder to the upper deck; at the same time, the two were recognized by the pirates who had ferried them there. Maria, hands free, used the opportunity to kick Altaïr down the ladder to face their attackers so that she might escape. However, she too was attacked by other members of the large crew, and was helped to safety by [[Markos]]. Because of his honesty and their common dislike of Templars, Altaïr entrusted him with Maria's care, and asked him to look after her. Altaïr learned during his investigations that "the bull" - his target - had posted large bounties, not only for him, but for Maria as well. Fearing for her safety, he rushed to the harbor, where he found she and Markos being attacked by Templars. After rescuing them, Altaïr brought them to the Kyrenia safehouse.

Maria, her wrists once again bound, mocked Altaïr's crude plan for killing "the bull" - whom she knew as [[Moloch]] - and inadvertently ended up giving away his position in [[Kantara Castle]]. By the time Altaïr returned from killing him, Maria had already been taken away by Templar agents, who raided the safe house in his absence. Maria was given by Moloch to his son [[Shalim]], and separated from the resistance members, and from Altaïr's attempts to rescue her. <ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines" />
[[File:Bellydancin.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Maria infiltrates Saint Hilarion dressed as a courtesan.]]

Maria escaped from Shalim, and headed to [[Saint Hilarion Castle]] disguised as a consort to sneak in via palanquin. On her arrival, she confronted [[Shahar]] in his private room and demanded to know about the Templars' plan for the Apple of Eden; Shahar stated that the Templars will achieve order at any means necessary, even if that "order" becomes synonymous with enslavement. Shahar grabbed her by her wrists, as if to subdue her, but was interrupted as Altaïr burst in upon them, looking for Shalim. Maria killed his two pursuers as if by impulse, but refused to fight beside or ally herself with him, and fled. <ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines" />
[[File:mariakillsmysterytemplar.jpg|thumb|200px|Maria kills the Mystery Templar.]]

How Maria traveled from Kyrenia back to Limassol is unknown. Altaïr traveled back alone, and carried on without her for a short time. But, following his use of the Apple of Eden to quiet the rioting townspeople, it was Maria who killed the [[Templar Agent|Mysterious Templar Agent]], who was intent to steal it back, by stabbing him through the back. Although she remained adamantly distrusting of the righteousness of his motives, she led him to [[Templar Archives]] hidden under Limassol Castle. <ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines" />

Maria engaged Armand Bouchart in combat. However, Bouchart was an extremely skilled fighter and hurled Maria back, knocking her unconscious. After Altaïr defeated Bouchart, the two of them managed to flee the archives. She then told him that she no longer wanted to be part of the Templars or wish to return to England, but decided to go somewhere in the East. In Altaïr's last journal entry, it is revealed that he decided to travel with her. <ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines" />

===Later life===
[[File:Zw-codex-25.png|thumb|300px|A hand drawn picture of Maria by [[Altaïr]].]]
{{quote|Whoa... Alright, wasn't expecting that...|[[Desmond Miles|Desmond]] after watching [[Altaïr]] kiss Maria.|Assassin's Creed II}}
Maria was involved with Altaïr after the events of Cyprus and justifies how Altaïr's line of descent supposedly assimilate from the Fertile Crescent to Europe. Sometime in her life Maria led Altaïr to chase after her where the two of them meet atop a high tower in [[Acre]]. She removed her hood to reveal her identity, and suggestively beckoned him to come. Altaïr complied as the two kissed and eventually made love. The encounter resulted with the conception of a son as well as the child being Desmond's next ancestor. In the [[The Codex|codex pages]], Altaïr reveals that he and Maria had at least two sons, one at some point in his life, attempted to assassinate Genghis Khan. <ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>

==Characteristics and personality==
At an early age, Maria was a bit of a dreamer, thinking about leaving England to find honor and glory in the Holy Land. During the time, she showed characteristics of stubbornness, refusing to become a lady as her wanderlust only became stronger to leave her homeland. <ref name> Assassin's Creed: Official Game Guide </ref>

She is a very determined person with a great passion to accomplish more within the Templar ranks. During their first encounter, Maria presented a straightforward, merciless style of command when confronted with [[Altaïr]] and acted out as arrogant and overconfident regarding Robert's cause. <ref name="Assassin's Creed" />

After the events in Cyprus, her harsh and stubborn attitude around Altaïr became open and civil, presumably sided with him and the Assassins afterwards. <ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines" />

In ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'', she presents a provocative side when she led Altaïr up the [[View Point|viewpoint tower]] where she beckoned him to kiss and eventually make love with her. <ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref> {{clear}}

===Equipment and skills===
Maria is highly trained in swordsmanship as she was able to counter and avoid the Altaïr's attacks when confronted against him.

In the second game, she demonstrated limited [[Free Running|free running]] skills during Desmond's bleeding effect dream.

=="Final Words" in ''Assassin's Creed''==
'''Altaïr:''' ''I would see your eyes before you die''.

(Altaïr rips off the helm, only to see Maria's face).

'''Maria:''' ''I sense you expected someone else.''

'''Altaïr:''' ''What sorcerey is this?!''

'''Maria:''' ''No sorcery, we knew you'd come. Robert needed to be sure he'd have time to get away''.

'''Altaïr:''' ''So he flees!?''

'''Maria:''' ''We cannot deny your success. You have laid waste to our plans: first, the [[Piece of Eden|treasure]], then our men. Control of the Holy Land slipped away, but then he saw an opportunity, to reclaim what has been stolen, to turn your victories to our advantage!''

'''Altaïr:''' ''[[Al Mualim]] still holds your treasure, and we've routed your army before! Whatever Robert plans, he'll fail again!''

'''Maria:''' ''Ah, but it's not just Templars you'll contend with now!''

'''Altaïr:''' ''Speak sense!''

'''Maria:''' ''Robert rides for [[Arsuf]] to plead his case, that [[Saracens|Saracen]] and [[Crusaders|Crusader]] unite... against the [[Assassins]]!''

'''Altaïr:''' ''That will never happen! They have no reason to!''

'''Maria:''' ''Had, perhaps. But now you've given them one: nine, in fact. The bodies you've left behind, victims on both sides. You've made the Assassins an enemy in common and ensured the annihilation of your entire order! Well done!''

'''Altaïr:''' ''Not nine, eight''.

'''Maria:''' (confused) ''What do you mean?''

'''Altaïr:''' ''You are not my target. I will not take your life. You're free to go, but do not follow me!''

'''Maria: '''''I don't need to. You're already too late!''

'''Altaïr:''' ''We'll see.''

==Gallery==

<center><gallery widths="120">
File:Maria altair.jpg|Altaïr confronting Maria about de Sable's whereabouts.
File:Altaïr_with_maria.JPG|Altaïr warning Maria not to follow him.
faito.jpg|Maria fight Bouchart.
aw.jpg|Altaïr helps Maria up.
awmoar.jpg|Altaïr helps Maria out of the Archive as it collapses.
codex.jpg|Maria stands beside Altaïr as he writes his Codex.
File:Mariawatchingtower.jpg|Maria looking over Acre.
File:Zw-maria-ac2-2.png|Maria in Assassin's Creed II.
File:Altaïr_and_Maria_Kiss.png|Altaïr and Maria kissing.
File:Zw-altairandmaria.png|Maria and Altaïr in Assassin's Creed II.
File:Mariaparting.jpg|Maria watching Altaïr depart.
</gallery></center>

==Video==
<center>
<div class="thumb" style="width:480px;">
<div class="thumbinner">
[[Video:Maria Thorpe - Jerusalem|480px|Killing Al Mualim]]

<div class="thumbcaption">
The Funeral of Majd Addin (Jerusalem). Maria explains Robert de Sable's plan
</div></div>
</div>
</center>

==Trivia==
* Her name is a Latin derivative of Mary. The origin name Mary is a reference in the Latin phrase "stella maris" meaning "star of the sea" or from the prefix Mar meaning "bitter". Other possible meanings are derived from Miryam meaning "wished for child, rebellious, or sea of bitterness." in Hebrew or Merry meaning "cherished or beloved" in Egyptian. <ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15464a.htm The Name of Mary]</ref>
** Her surname means "village" in Old Norse and is the name of various English villages. <ref>[http://surnames.behindthename.com/php/search.php?type=n&terms=Thorpe Behind the Name: Thorpe]</ref>
*If players connect the PS3 version of ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' with the PSP game ''Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines'' the weapons of the defeated bosses in Bloodlines will appear at the [[Auditore Family Villa]]. Maria's weapon is labelled as "Maria Thorpe's Longsword." This is the first mention of her surname.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />
*Maria is around her early 30s during [[Assassin's Creed]], making her around five years older than Altaïr. <ref name> Assassin's Creed: Official Game Guide </ref>
*Not only was Maria the first known female Templar to have appeared in the series, but the first Templar to be spared and assimilate main factions (from Templars to Assassins). <ref name="Assassin's Creed" /> <ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines" />

==Notes and reference==

{{Reflist}}

{{AC}}
{{ACB}}
{{ACII}}
[[Category:Characters|Thorpe, Maria]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Characters|Thorpe, Maria]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines Characters|Thorpe, Maria]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Characters|Thorpe, Maria]]
[[Category:Templars|Thorpe, Maria]]

Malik Al-Sayf

2010-07-07T18:04:56Z

195.202.153.35:

{{Era|AC|Assassins|Crusade|Featured}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Malik O'Caoinlean
|image = Malik.png
|faction = [[Assassins]]
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed]]''
|birth = 1165 AD<ref>Assassin's Creed: Official Game Guide</ref>
|death = 1245 AD
|period = Third Crusade
|voice = [[Haaz Sleiman]]
}}
{{quote|I know... in fact, the entire city knows!|About Altaïr's successful assassination|Assassin's Creed}}
'''Malik ,''' (born 1165) previously a high ranking assassin rivalling [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad|Altaïr]], is the [[Dai]] and the leader of the [[Jerusalem]] [[Assassin's Bureau]].

his name is translated to (the owner of the sword)(مالك السيف)

==Biography==
[[File:Malik2.png|thumb|left|175px|Malik back from Solomon's Temple with his arm heavily wounded.]]

===Solomon's Temple===
{{quote|You always do as you please! If were not by your arrogance, de Sable would be dead, and my brother would still be alive!|Malik to Altaïr following the battle at Solomon's Temple|Assassin's Creed}}
Malik, along with his brother [[Kadar]] and Altaïr, were charged with capturing the [[Templars|Templar's]] Treasure, later found to be the [[Piece of Eden]] by [[Al Mualim]]. He forewarns Altaïr of his blatant disregard of [[The Creed|the Creed]] when Altaïr murders an innocent old man beneath the [[Solomon's Temple|Temple]] to hide their presence and considers compromising the Brotherhood for the chance to kill [[Robert de Sable]]. Eventually, Altaïr's stubbornness, headstrong attitude, and arrogance leads to the tragic failure of the mission, costing Malik his left arm and his brother's life. Malik however successfully escaped with the Piece of Eden, and arrived at [[Masyaf]] with his arm still attached but bleeding badly, implying it was amputated later.<ref name="Assassin's Creed">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref>

===Jerusalem: 1st Visit===
{{dialogue|Altaïr|Safety and peace, Malik.|Malik|Your presence deprives me of both!|Malik and Altaïr in Jerusalem|Assassin's Creed}}

When first meeting up with Altaïr in Jerusalem, Malik makes no effort to disguise his new-found hatred of Altaïr. Pointing out even the most subtle of flaws and the small haughtiness of his attitude whenever possible, the two have an unpleasant meeting when discussing the assassination of [[Talal the Slave Trader|Talal]]. Even though the assassination was a success, he criticizes Altaïr for triggering the City Alarm and alerting the citizens of Jerusalem to Talal's demise.<ref name="Assassin's Creed" />

===Jerusalem: 2nd Visit===
{{dialogue|Altaïr|It seems everything I do troubles you|Malik|Reflect on that. But do so on your way to Masyaf.|Altaïr and Malik at the Bureau|Assassin's Creed}}
Though his cold attitude toward Altaïr has gone through little to no change, he expresses a small level of satisfaction when Altaïr asks for advice and begins to respect the Creed more. After the assassination, he notes that Altaïr had performed just as an assassin should -- no more, no less.<ref name="Assassin's Creed" />

===Jerusalem: 3rd Visit===
{{quote|We are one, as we share the glory of our victories so too we share the pain of defeat; in this way we grow closer, we grow stronger.|Malik before Altaïr assassinates "Robert"|Assassin's Creed}}
[[File:Malikbureau.png|thumb|300px|Malik and Altaïr in the Jerusalem Bureau.]]
When Altaïr visits Malik for the final time in Jerusalem, the easily angered and quick to criticize Malik has changed, speaking to Altaïr as a fellow assassin rather than the failure that had caused the tragedy in Solomon's Temple. After the skirmish at the funeral of [[Majd Addin]], Malik and Altaïr have a quick, heated argument over whether to chase [[Robert de Sable]] to [[Arsuf]] or return to [[Masyaf]] to seek the wisdom of Al Mualim. Altaïr argues that Malik uses the Creed as a shield, not seeing the entire truth but rather what Al Mualim wants him to see, and then suggests that Malik learns more of the Piece of Eden from the people of Jerusalem and Al Mualim while he hunts down Robert. Before their departure, Altaïr apologizes for his failure at Solomon's Temple, which Malik refuses because he feels that the Altaïr who stands before him at that moment is not the same one that had sparked their defeat at Solomon's Temple.<ref name="Assassin's Creed" />

===Masyaf===
{{dialogue|Altaïr|Safety and peace, Malik.|Malik|Your presence will deliver us both.|Altaïr and Malik parting ways during the invasion of Masyaf|Assassin's Creed}}
Malik makes his final appearance at Masyaf, aiding Altaïr in fending off the hypnotized assassins with loyal assassins still unaffected by the Piece of Eden. He then leads an assault at the back of the fortress, going on advice given from Altaïr as he personally deals with Al Mualim. His final appearance before the end of the Memory Block is in the last cut-scene, where he catches up to Altaïr in time to witness the Piece of Eden display its holographic map of the world.<ref name="Assassin's Creed" />

===After ''Assassin's Creed''===
{{quote|I have also worked with Malik to describe new methods of assassination: from on high, from ledges, and from hiding places. Basic movements, but critical nonetheless.|Altaïr's Codex, page 13|Assassin's Creed II}}
At some point after the events of ''Assassin's Creed'', Malik became the "right hand man" of Altaïr while he was the Leader of the Assassins. Altaïr mentions in the first [[Codex Pages|Codex Page]] that Malik suggested that he should forget about trying to understand the Piece of Eden and that he should simply lock it away. Altaïr seemingly ignored this advice as shown in later codex entries. Malik's fate afterwards is unknown. <ref>[[Assassin's Creed II]] - Codex Pages</ref>

==Characteristics and personality==
Malik is a harsh, yet wise Assassin who dislikes [[Altaïr]] due to his skill and rank in the guild, as well his arrogant attitude in the beginning of the game that costs Malik his left arm. At first, his devotion to the Creed and [[Al Mualim]] is unbreakable and undeniable, yet he slowly gains respect for Altaïr as he changes on his quest to redeem himself.<ref name="Assassin's Creed" />

==Trivia==
[[File:MalikAssassin.png|thumb|300px|Malik in his Assassin robe.]]
*Malik is the only Assassin seen wearing a similar outfit to Altaïr's in ''Assassin's Creed''. In this outfit, he is also equipped with a [[Hidden Blade]] though his ring finger was not cut, probably due to the inaccuracy of the character design. <ref name="Assassin's Creed" />
*'A-Sayf' means 'of Swords' in Arabic, "Malik" can mean 'Master', 'King' or 'Owner'.
*On your first trip to Jerusalem, if you stay in the bureau before going to your assassination target and lock on to Malik, he will comment on why you have not already left. He gives out a sarcastic comment to him: "Thinking of another great plan, Altaïr? Like the one back at Solomon's Temple?!" <ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>
*It is possible to throw Malik off the cliff right before he and his men run past you before the final boss fight. Doing this does not have any affects on the game, and he still reappears during the credits to look at the Piece of Eden.

== Video ==
[[Video:Solomon's Temple and Masyaf|thumb|480px|left|Solomon's Temple events and consequences]]
<br style="clear:left;" />

==Notes and references==
{{reflist}}

{{AC}}
[[Category:Characters|A-Sayf, Malik]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Characters|A-Sayf, Malik]]
[[Category:Assassins|A-Sayf, Malik]]