Investigation

"Put obstacles between yourself and your quarry. Never be found by a backwards glance."

―Al Mualim to Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, 1191.

The Bureau, the starting point of every investigation in the 12th century

Investigations were intelligence-gathering protocols utilized by the Assassin Brotherhood to identify target vulnerabilities and secure tactical advantages preceding the assassination of a Templar. While primarily focused on observation and information retrieval, these procedures occasionally necessitated the elimination of minor threats or witnesses to ensure the success of the broader operation. In the 12th century, the gathered intelligence was relayed to a local bureau leader, who would then grant a feather as a formal marker of authority to proceed with the execution.

Description

Intelligence gathering was a foundational duty typically assigned to lower-ranking members of the Assassin Brotherhood, who documented a target's movements and associations. This data was then relayed to the bureau leader who would subsequently authorize a higher-ranked Assassin to carry out the execution. Following his failure at Solomon's Temple in 1191, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad was stripped of his rank and reduced to a novice once more. Consequently, he was tasked with personally tracking his targets—a duty previously performed for him by others. Investigation served to identify key tactical opportunities, as the Order maintained that rigorous preparation was essential to ensuring a decisive victory.

By the 15th century, the Assassins had decreased significantly in number, and as such, they would investigate their targets themselves. However, they also relied on their allies for valuable information, being the thieves, the courtesans, and the mercenaries.

Types of investigation

Pickpocketing

Main article: Pickpocketing

Altaïr about to pickpocket a target

Pickpocketing served as a primary method for securing physical intelligence from couriers or associates of a target. By tailing these individuals through urban crowds, Assassins could discreetly acquire documents without alerting the enemy. However, failed attempts carried the risk of exposure, often leading to immediate intervention by city guards.

By acquiring these materials, the Brotherhood gained vital tactical data, including maps detailing sentry positions, personal correspondence, and manifests. Such materials were crucial for identifying a target’s connections and predicting their future movements.

Eavesdropping

Main article: Eavesdropping

Altaïr eavesdropping on a target

Assassins frequently monitored public spaces to identify individuals discussing their targets. By discreetly blending into the environment—often by utilizing nearby benches—operatives could overhear sensitive information without alerting their quarry, or by tailing them as they moved.

Eavesdropping on a target’s associates or rivals provided the Brotherhood with critical intelligence, such as scheduled meetings, internal betrayals, and specific vulnerabilities in a target's routine.

Interrogation

Main article: Interrogation

Altaïr interrogating an orator

Interrogation was a method utilized to extract intelligence from individuals who possessed sensitive information but were unwilling to share it voluntarily. Typically targeting public orators or associates of a target, Assassins would shadow these individuals until they reached a secluded area, where physical force was used to compel cooperation.

During his Quest for the Chalice, Altaïr would find such individuals and torture them into speaking by pressing certain pressure points on their bodies, conversely, during his Hunt for the Nine, he utilized physical coercion against orators and associates, executing them with his Hidden Blade once the intelligence was secured to ensure the secrecy of his investigation.

The Assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze was also known to interrogate people by beating them up, but he spared their life after the interrogation was over.

Informers

Main article: Informer

Altaïr talking to an informer

Within the organizational structure of the Levantine Brotherhood, lower-ranking members were often stationed as field contacts to conduct preliminary reconnaissance. These informers maintained a network of surveillance, relaying critical data to the Assassin authorized to execute the final contract. During his hunt for the nine Templars, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad frequently cooperated with these contacts, who often required his assistance with local operational needs before they could safely disclose their findings.

These objectives included the elimination of strategic Templar sentries, the destruction of merchant stalls belonging to Templar informers, and the recovery of lost flags. Altaïr was also required to provide armed escort for compromised agents or run to a second informer who possessed additional information within strict time constraints.

During the Renaissance, lower ranking Assassins were not tasked to investigate for higher ranking ones. Instead, each Assassin investigated for themselves, or asked other Assassins and other allies for help.

Trivia

• In Assassin's Creed, while there were six investigation missions available for each target, Altaïr was only required to complete two for the first three targets, and three for the remaining six, before being granted permission by the Rafiq to carry out the assassination. Completing all available investigations increased the ease of the operation, as they uncovered specific escape routes, guard postings, and movements of the target.
• The PC version of Assassin's Creed features four exclusive types of Informer challenges: Archer Stealth Assassination, Escort, Merchant Stand Destruction, and Rooftop Race.