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La Volpe Addormentata

2011-03-30T00:28:29Z

68.195.134.144:

{{stub}}
{{Memory Infobox
|image = Theivesguild.jpg|300px
|description = The thieves' headquarters in Rome.
|appearance = ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''
|type =
|previous =
|next =
|ancestor =
|location = [[Antico district|Antico District]], [[Rome]], [[Italy]]
|date = }}

'''La Volpe Addormentata''' (''English: The Sleeping Fox'') was the name of the [[Thieves]] Guild of [[Rome]], led by [[La Volpe]]. Disguised as an inn to keep the guards' suspicions to a minimum, it served as a part of Rome's underground, and helped the [[Assassins|Assassin]], [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio Auditore]], during the [[Liberation of Rome|campaign against the Borgia]]. There Ezio can receive several [[Thief Missions]] by talking to La Volpe.

Aside from functioning as an inn and bar, gambling was a main attraction of La Volpe Addormentata. Some [[House of Borgia|Borgia]] guards took part in gambling with the thieves, but La Volpe ensured that the guards would always lose. The winnings from this gambling did much to increase the guild's income.

==Database Entry==
Popular among the Borgia guards for the free drinks served nightly, La Volpe Addormentata guaranteed a good time had by all. And the patrons must have always felt a little lighter leaving than they did coming in, judging from the abnormally high reports of stolen items.

==Trivia==
*It is a [[View Points|view point]] location.
*The La Volpe Addormentata is the location where Leonardo's assistant [[Salaì]] is first seen in ''Assassin's Creed Brotherhood''.
*The interior changes if the Da Vinci Disappearance is downloaded, a dice game will be added as well as more people and a woman dancing on a table.

==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="left">
Tguildinside.jpg|The interior of La Volpe Addormentata.
Ezio-LaVolpe.jpg|Ezio and Volpe at the steps of La Volpe Addormentata.
</gallery>
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Locations]]
[[Category:Landmarks]]
[[Category:Article stubs]]

La Volpe

2010-11-13T02:45:28Z

68.195.134.144: /* Helping Ezio Auditore */

{{stub}}
{{Era|AC2|Assassins|Ren}}
{{Character Infobox

|name = La Volpe
|image = Zw-lavolpe.png
|period = [[Italy|Italian]] [[Renaissance]]
|faction = [[Assassins]]<br>[[Thieves]]
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''<br>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''
|voice = [[Vito DeFilippo]]
}}
{{quote
|1 = They call me many things: Murderer. Tagliagole ''(Cutthroat)''. Thief. But you may call me La Volpe.
|2 = La Volpe, introducing himself.
}}
'''Gilberto'''<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Renaissance">''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]''</ref>, or '''La Volpe''' (''The Fox''), as he preferred to be known,<ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref> was the leader of the [[Florence|Florentine]] [[Thieves]] and a member of the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]]. Very little information is known about La Volpe, and any that is seems mythical.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

==Biography==
===Myths===
He was said to have robbed the Papal carriage without any guards noticing him, including the Pope who was obviously sitting inside. One night in Florence, during the year of 1467, he was seen on the rooftops of the [[Palazzo della Signoria]], the [[Palazzo Medici]], and [[Basilica di Santa Croce|the Basilica di Santa Croce]], all at the same time. It is also said that he was an immortal and could see through buildings.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

===Helping Ezio Auditore===
In 1477, he was informed that [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]], the son of the late Assassin [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze]], was coming to Florence to assassinate the [[Templars|Templar]] [[Francesco de' Pazzi]]. Ezio was told by his friend [[Leonardo da Vinci]] that La Volpe would be able to help him, so Ezio looked for La Volpe in the [[Mercato Vecchio]]. He stumbled upon a thief, who quickly stole his money. Ezio was able to catch up to him, though, and La Volpe appeared, saying he was willing to help him. La Volpe lead Ezio to the [[Santa Maria Novella]], where the [[Pazzi Conspiracy|Pazzi conspirators]] were to have a meeting. He waited for Ezio near the sewers where he would emerge from and Ezio told him that they were planning to kill the [[House of Medici|Medici]] during High Mass. La Volpe informed him that it would be disastrous if they would lose [[Lorenzo de' Medici]], but Ezio assured him that he would not die.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

===Acquisition of the Apple of Eden===
In 1488, La Volpe and some of the other Assassins met in [[Venice]] to acquire the [[First Apple|Apple of Eden]] from [[Rodrigo Borgia]], the [[Grand Master of the Templar Order]]. When they arrived at Rodrigo's location, they saw him fighting with Ezio Auditore. The Assassins quickly rushed to aid him. Eventually, Rodrigo fled and left the Apple behind. Afterwards, they inducted Ezio into the Order.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

===Bonfire of the Vanities===
In 1494, Florence was taken over by [[Girolamo Savonarola]], who was in possession of the Apple.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

In 1497, he and [[Paola]], another Assassin and the leader of the Florentine [[courtesans]], were contacted by [[Niccolò Machiavelli]] to help him liberate the citizens after Ezio would assassinate each of Girolamo Savonarola's lieutenants. After all the lieutenants were taken down, La Volpe, Paola, Machiavelli and Ezio gathered in front of the [[Palazzo Pitti]] to see the angry mob stand up to Savonarola. Savonarola, however, tried to control the crowd with the Apple, but it was quickly knocked out of his hand by a knife thrown by the Assassins.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

They again gathered to witness Savonarola's execution, but Ezio thought no one should suffer the pain of being burned alive. Ezio assassinated him before the flames could reach him and gave a speech, saying that he was guided to his own path by "a few strangers": the other Assassins.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

===Finding the Vault===
In 1499, La Volpe met with the same Assassins in the [[Villa Auditore]] in [[Monteriggioni]] to unveil the location of [[the Vault]]. They discovered the Vault was located in [[Rome]] and that this was the reason why Rodrigo Borgia had become Pope. They travelled to Rome, where they distracted the Borgia while Ezio infiltrated the [[Sistine Chapel]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

===Rome===

[[File:Vlcsnap-2010-11-12-17h54m41s96.jpg|thumb|278px|La Volpe with Bartolomeo d'Alviano and Claudia Auditore waiting for Ezio in Rome]]
After the Assassins returned from Rome, Monteriggioni was besieged by the [[House of Borgia|Borgia]]. As a result, the Assassin [[Mario Auditore]] was killed and the some members of the Assassin Order, including La Volpe, travelled to Rome to take of the Borgia once and for all and free Rome of the corruption and influence of the Borgia rule.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>

==Trivia==
*In the database files, it claims that La Volpe is only his pseudonym, as there is no record of his actual name. However, in the novel ''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]'', he called himself "Gilberto," but preferred to be known as "La Volpe." The reason for this was said to be because only a fox could match his cunning.
*His ability to see through buildings likely allowed him to discover the location of Francesco de' Pazzi, which he later relayed to Ezio.
*His eyes are violet.
*He is shown using a butcher's knife as his weapon.
*It should be noted that when Ezio travels with him to Santa Maria Novella, Ezio falls behind and runs out of breath, while La Volpe breathes normally. This seems to suggest that even though he is older, he has a lot more stamina.
*It should also be noted that La Volpe accomplished a feat that Ezio cannot in being seen atop Palazzo Medici (one of the few rooftops in the game that cannot be reached).
*La Volpe is the only other Assassin besides Ezio who has a hood in ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'', one of the most iconic features of the [[Assassins]]. The hood he wears, however, is not cut in the shape of an eagle's beak and is not white. Like all other supporting Assassins in the game, he does not wear the trademark [[Hidden Blade]].
*The "La" in La Volpe's name refers only to the fact that "volpe," the Italian word for fox, is a feminine noun. Contrary to popular belief, this does not mean "vixen."

==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="left">
Vlcsnap-2010-11-12-17h45m54s20.jpg|La Volpe along with other Assassins and Assassin Apprentices.
250px-La_Volpe.jpg|La Volpe as he appears in Assassin's Creed II.
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{ACII}}
{{ACBH}}
[[Category:Characters|Volpe]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Characters|Volpe]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Characters|Volpe]]
[[Category:Assassins|Volpe]]

Maria Thorpe

2010-06-28T04:57:09Z

68.195.134.144: /* "Final Words" in Assassin's Creed */

{{Era|AC|ACB|AC2|Templars|Crusade|Good}}
{{WPtargets}}
{{revamp}}
{{spoilerhd}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Maria Thorpe
|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 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 guard'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: boring '' 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]]

Al Mualim

2010-04-07T23:02:30Z

68.195.134.144: /* Trivia */

{{Era|AC|ACAC|Assassins|Templars|Crusade|Good}}
{{spoilerhd}}
{{FAimp}}
{{Character Infobox
|image=Almualimcloseup.png
|imgdesc= The leader of the [[Assassins]], Al Mualim.
|name= Al Mualim
|meaning= "Old Man of the Mountain"
|faction= [[Assassins]], [[Templars]] 
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed]]''
|period= Third Crusade
|voice=[[Peter Renaday]]
}}
{{Quote|The only difference between your master and I is that he did not want to share. |Robert de Sable to Altaïr}}
'''Al Mualim''' (المعلم ,Arabic for "The Teacher" or "The Master"), is [[Altaïr]]'s mentor and master of the Syrian wing of the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]].

==Biography==
===''[[Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles]]''===
[[File:Al_mualim.jpg|thumb|Al Mualim when he was younger.]]
In 1190 AD, Al Mualim tasks Altaïr to find the Chalice (revealed to be [[Adha]]) after he returns from another assignment. During this year, Al Mualim resides in Assassin's stronghold in [[Alep]].

===''[[Assassin's Creed]]''===
[[File:Almualim.png|thumb|left|Al Mualim, leader of the Assassin Order during the Third Crusade.]]
{{dialogue2|Al Mualim|I've found proof.|Altaïr|Proof of what?|That nothing is true and that everything is permitted!|Al Mualim confronting Altaïr at Masyaf}}
In 1191 AD, after Altaïr's failure to retrieve the Templar treasure at [[Solomon's Temple]], the death of a fellow assassin ([[Kadar]]), [[Malik]] to lose his left arm, and the [[Templars]] attack on [[Masyaf]], Al Mualim demotes him from [[Master Assassin]] to [[Novice]], removing most of his equipment and his authority at the order. Al Mualim decides to give Altaïr a chance to redeem himself, his rank, and authority in the brotherhood by sending him to kill nine men who are orchestrating events of the Third Crusade from both Christian and Muslim sides. Each time Altaïr returns after eliminating one of the nine, Al Mualim lectures Altaïr more on the targets actions, Assassins Creed philosophy, restores one rank, gives him an upgrade, and then sends him off to track down the next target on the list. After killing the last man of the nine, [[Robert de Sable]], the dying Templar states that Al Mualim was, in fact, a [[Knights Templar|Templar]] all along. Altaïr then returns hastily to Masyaf to find that the people in the city have been put under a hypnotic trance by Al Mualim, but he along with some fellow assassins are unaffected by the mind control and make way to the fortress. After reaching the castle, he discovers that Al Mualim was responsible for this by use of the [[Piece of Eden]] recovered at Solomon's Temple, and confronts his master. After fighting several illusions that consist of the nine men Altaïr killed throughout the game, and clones of Al Mualim himself, Altaïr finally manages to carve his [[hidden blade]] into Al Mualim, ending the cause of the hypnotic trance. As he dies, the leader of the Assassins says that he did it all to ensure absolute peace in the world, and claims that Altaïr, as him, will not be able to destroy the Piece of Eden. After his death Altaïr takes his rank as the Grand Master Assassin of Masyaf.

==Characteristics and Personality==
Al Mualim, though known for being a wise and soft-spoken leader, at times shows himself to be mysterious and unpredictable. He never talks about anything too personal or suspicious about himself, and always changes the subject or gives an unexpected answer when people start questioning him; Or as Altaïr says, "digging deeper". He shrouds not just his order, but himself in a great cover of secrecy; he reveals little about himself and almost nothing is known about his early life, let alone anything beyond his duty as the Master of the Assassins. [[Masyaf]], a discreet city in the mountain that acts as the fortress and headquarters of the Syrian sect of the Assassin Order, is where Al Mualim spends most of his time studying.

By his efforts, the Order has become a well-known, yet obscure faction, inspiring fear and uncertainty throughout the land and spreading rumors that increase the already legendary reputation of the brotherhood. This has been accomplished by the murdering of important, and sometimes "unreachable" public figures, in both public and silent assassinations, which made men of power aware of the constant danger.

Al Mualim does not just stress political assassination but education as well. He has a thorough understanding and knowledge ranging from philosophy to science. This wisdom he employs constantly for the people of the Holy Land and his order. In addition to preaching the [[The Creed|Creed]] as the only way to achieve the brotherhood's goal of peace in all things, he emphasizes that the Creed pushes for peace within as well, on one occasion advising [[Altaïr]] not to demonize his enemies: "Never harbor hate for your victims, for such things are poison...". The leader of the Assassins often employs his "children" as political warriors, directed to fight as the voice of the people throughout the Holy Land, suppressing those who use their power and influence to commit impious acts against society. He rewards success richly, but despises failure and doesn't abide traitors.

==Final Words==
[[File:Almuadet.jpg|thumb|230px|Al Mualim perishes]]

(Al Mualim collapses. The [[Piece of Eden]] falls from his hand and rolls away).<br />

'''Al Mualim:''' Impossible! The student does not defeat the teacher!<br />

[[File:Al mualim look altair masyaf.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The final showdown]]

'''Altaïr:''' (Arabic: ) La shaiq' waqee mutlak bl kollin mumkin. (English : ''Nothing is true, everything is permitted'').<br />

'''Al Mualim:''' So it seems. You have won, then. Go and claim your prize.<br />

'''Altaïr:''' You held fire in your hand, old man. It should have been destroyed!<br />

'''Al Mualim:''' Destroy the only thing capable of ending the Crusades and creating true peace?! Never!<br />

'''Altaïr:''' Then I will!<br />

'''Al Mualim:''' We'll see about that...

==Trivia==
* Al Mualim is likely based upon a real life figure named [[wikipedia:Rashid ad-Din Sinan|Rashid ad-Din Sinan]], a.k.a. ''The Old Man of the Mountain'', who led the Syrian Assassins and died within Assassin's Creed's time-line. However, this is unconfirmed.
* Despite being the Master of the Assassins, Al Mualim appears to have all ten fingers. The reason has not been given thus far, but possibly because he has no hidden blade.
* In ''Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles'', set one year before the events of the original game, Al Mualim appears to be a bit younger, as his beard is black.
<ref name> Assassin's Creed: Official Game Guide </ref>

==Reference==
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[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles Characters|Mualim]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Characters|Mualim]]
[[Category:Assassins|Mualim]]
[[Category:Templars|Mualim]]
[[Category:Historical Characters]]