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In one of his conversations with Malik at the Assassin's Bureau in Jerusalem, Altair addresses Malik as "dai" (during the Majd Addin assignment.) The ''dais'' are the direct representatives of the Imam, who is the exalted spiritual leader of the people. This means that Malik was made a <i>dai</i> after he pulled off the task that Altair failed to accomplish in the beginning. In the beginning of the story in the cut-out scene under the Temple, Altair states that he is of a higher rank than Malik. Altair is a Master Assassin Instructor, which means that Malik is not yet a <i>dai</i>. While devising a plan on how to approach Al Mualim, Malik refers to Altair as dai (Al Mualim assassination) showing that he obtained the rank upon taking Roberts life.
{{Era|Assassins}}
{{Youmay|the Assassin rank|[[Rafik]], the bureau leader of [[Damascus]] in 1190}}
{{Quote|Be sure to visit the city's Assassin Bureau when you arrive. I'll dispatch a bird to inform the Rafiq of your arrival. Speak with him, you'll find he has much to offer.|Al Mualim to Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, 1191.|Assassin's Creed|Knowledge (Masun)}}
[[File:AC bureau concept.png|thumb|250px|The Bureau, a Rafiq's home]]
A '''Rafiq''', also known as a '''bureau leader''' or '''Keeper''',<ref name="ACAC">''[[Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles]]'' – {{Cite}}</ref> was a graduated [[scholar]] of the [[Assassins|Hidden Ones]] and their successive form, the Assassin Brotherhood. While the rank was first adopted by the organization's [[Levantine Brotherhood of Assassins|Levantine branch]] during the [[Middle Ages]] and is most commonly associated with it, bureau leaders have existed across many different time periods and geographical regions.


The Bureau leaders in Acre and Damascus are <i>rafiqs</i>. That is not their name but their rank. A <i>rafiq</i> is a first level instructor just beneath a <i>dai</i>. Initially they are teachers and field contacts that provided Altair with where and when to best strike. But after Altairs major failure, Al Mualim places him under the entire Asassins Order. This results in rafiqs obtaining authoritive power over Altair. Rafiqs are then authorized to grant or deny the carrying out of a assassination strike, if Altair does not posess what they feel is enough information on the target. Once Altair has properly learned where and when the target will be, he is granted permission to perform the strike. But only after receiving the assassination feather marker. Rafiqs are also responsible for documenting information about the assassinations success, but also the information that the informers stationed around the cities have obtained. The informers seem to be under the authority of the rafiqs and answer to them. This is noted in how rafiqs seem to always have knowledge of the targets occupation and the area most occupied by them. But because rafiqs can't leave the bureau, informers gather information in the field and report back. With this information rafiqs direct Altair in the directions of where best to begin his search.
A Rafiq was responsible for coordinating Assassin missions in their assigned city or district from an [[Assassin bureau]]. In this capacity, the Rafiq provided valuable information for agents in their field work, such as the locations where information could be obtained about [[assassination target]]s, and determined whether or not the assassination could be conducted.


Each of them has a particular skill or talent which he may teach in addition to teaching philosophy, the Quran, and the Creed. Malik is a cartographer, or map maker. One of the <i>rafiqs</i> is a potter (Damascus) and the other is a scholar/scribe (Acre). Their given names are never said. They are only called <i>rafiq</i> as a title of respect.
==Role==
The primary duties of a Rafiq were to serve as a teacher and field contact to the Assassin visitors of their city, in turn providing them with suggestions on where and how to gather information. A Rafiq also coordinated and gathered the information gathered by the Assassin [[informer]]s of the city, who also acted as contacts in specific city districts.<ref name="Knowledge Tamir">''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' – [[Knowledge (Tamir)]]</ref><ref>''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' – [[Informer Escort (Tamir)]]</ref>


The higher level teachers (Instructors) at Masyaf (Al Mualim's Library) are those who wear the white robes with a black <i>djellaba</i> and red decorative markings. They more than likely are the teachers who provide in depth education on philosophy and the politics of the world. Providing such knowledge educates and molds out to the assassin students how and why it is that a single assassination strike could change the land and affect history. Instructors probably help assassins better understand why our work is so important in maintaining peace. Al Mualim also wears this attire except his is all black. Distincting him as Master of the Asassins Order.
[[File:AC1 Damascus Rafiq.png|thumb|left|250px|Altaïr and the Rafiq of Damascus]]
[[Category: characters]]
Upon being assigned a target by the [[Mentor]], Assassins were required to report their findings about their target to the local Rafiq to obtain leave for the strike. Once the Rafiq validated the gathered intelligence—confirming the target's location, routine, and a viable plan of approach—they presented the agent with a white [[feather]] to be dipped in the target's blood.<ref name="Knowledge Garnier">''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' – [[Knowledge (Garnier de Naplouse)]]</ref> The bloodstained feather was later returned to the Rafiq as proof of the assassination.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' – [[Assassination (Garnier de Naplouse)]]</ref>
 
Aside from bureau responsibilities, each Rafiq held a particular skill or talent that they could teach, in addition to philosophy, religious doctrine, or adherence to the [[The Creed|Assassins' Creed]]. These personal talents were integrated into their civilian identities, allowing each Rafiq to establish a legitimate business that served as a clandestine front for the local bureau. For the Rafiq, this business was in itself legitimate, such that the store served not just to disguise Assassin operations, but also as a means to sustain their operations and provide financial support for the Brotherhood.<ref name="ACAC"/><ref name="Knowledge Tamir"/> For instance, the bureau leader of [[Jerusalem]] in 1191, [[Malik Al-Sayf]], operated as a cartographer;<ref name="Knowledge Talal">''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' – [[Knowledge (Talal)]]</ref> the Rafiq of [[Damascus]] in 1190, [[Rafik]], was a [[silk]] [[merchant]]<ref name="ACAC"/> and his [[Damascus bureau leader|successor]] in 1191, a potter;<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' – [[Knowledge (Abu'l Nuqoud)]]</ref> [[Hamid (Tyre)|Hamid]] of [[Tyre]] was a carpet merchant;<ref name="ACAC"/> and the Rafiq of [[Acre]], [[Jabal]], served as a scribe.<ref name="Knowledge Garnier"/>
 
==Dai==
The rank of Dai was a high-level position within the Levantine Brotherhood, typically held by those overseeing major bureaus in key cities, such as Jerusalem.<ref name="Knowledge Majd">''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' – [[Knowledge (Majd Addin)]]</ref>
 
[[File:Malik Bureau 1.png|thumb|250px|Altaïr with Malik, the Dai and leader of the Jerusalem bureau]]
In 1191, Malik Al-Sayf held this rank while serving as the leader of the Jerusalem bureau. Following the mission to [[Solomon's Temple]], Malik was appointed to this position of authority,<ref name="Knowledge Talal"/> which required the demoted [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] to report his findings and obtain Malik's permission before being granted leave for any assassination within the city. During these investigations, Altaïr consistently addressed Malik by this title as a sign of his standing.<ref name="Knowledge Majd"/>
 
During the [[retaking of Masyaf]], after the betrayal of [[Al Mualim]] had been revealed, Malik in turn referred to Altaïr as "Dai." This address served as an acknowledgment of Altaïr's redemption and his re-attained leadership within the Brotherhood's hierarchy.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' – [[Assassination (Al Mualim)]]</ref>
 
==Known bureau leaders==
<gallery captionalign="center" position="center" heights="180">
Tahira render.png|[[Tahira]]<ref name="THO">''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' – ''[[The Hidden Ones (DLC)|The Hidden Ones]]''</ref><br>[[Klysma Quarry|Klysma]], [[Sinai]]<br>(until 38 BCE)
ACMirage DB Fuladh.png|[[Fuladh Al Haami]]<ref name="ACMir">''[[Assassin's Creed: Mirage]]''</ref><br>[[Sharqiyah]], [[Baghdad]]<br>(860s)
ACMirage DB Tabid Al-Nubi.png|[[Tabid Al-Nubi]]<ref name="ACMir"/><br>[[Abbasiyah]], Baghdad<br>(860s)
ACMirage DB Rebekah.png|[[Rebekah]]<ref name="ACMir"/><br>[[Karkh]], Baghdad<br>(860s)
Wiki noimage.jpg|[[Mahaut]]<ref name="The Silk Road">''[[Assassin's Creed: The Silk Road]]''</ref><br>[[Chinon]]<br>(c. 870)
ACV Basim render.png|[[Basim ibn Ishaq]]<ref name="The Silk Road"/><br>[[Constantinople]]<br>(c. 870)
DTVA Hytham.png|[[Hytham]]<ref name="ACV">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]''</ref><br>[[Ravensthorpe]]<br>(873)|alt=HythamRavensthorpe(873 – ?)
Wiki noimage.jpg|[[Marcella]]<ref name="ACV:SotWH">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Sword of the White Horse]]''</ref><br>[[London|Lunden]]<br>(878)|alt=MarcellaLunden(878 – ?)
Rafik.jpg|[[Rafik]]<ref name="ACAC"/><br>[[Damascus]]<br>(c. 1190)
Hamid.jpg|[[Hamid (Tyre)|Hamid]]<ref name="ACAC"/><br>[[Tyre]]<br>(c. 1190)
Kadar-ACAC.png|[[Kadar]]<ref name="ACAC"/><br>[[Jerusalem]]<br>(c. 1190)
DBL V.png|[[Damascus bureau leader]]<ref name="Knowledge Tamir"/><br>Damascus<br>(c. 1191)
AC1 Jabal.png|[[Jabal]]<ref name="Knowledge Garnier"/><br>[[Acre]]<br>(c. 1191)
AC Malik render.png|[[Malik Al-Sayf]]<ref name="Knowledge Talal"/><br>Jerusalem<br>(c. 1191)
ACReb Diego de Alvarado.png|[[Diego de Alvarado]]<ref name="ACReb">''[[Assassin's Creed: Rebellion]]''</ref><br>[[Burgos]]<br>(until  c. 1492)
AC4 Opía Apito render.png|[[Opía Apito]]<ref name="AC4">''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]''</ref><br>[[Cayman Islands]]<br>(c. 1716)|alt=Opía ApitoCayman Islands(c. 1716 – ?)
AC4 Antó render.png|[[Antó]]<ref name="AC4"/><br>[[Kingston]]<br>(c. 1716)|alt=AntóKingston(c. 1716 – ?)
AC4 Rhona Dinsmore render.png|[[Rhona Dinsmore]]<ref name="AC4"/><br>[[Havana]]<br>(c. 1717)|alt=Rhona DinsmoreHavana(c. 1717 – ?)
AC4 Upton Travers render.png|[[Upton Travers]]<ref name="AC4"/><br>[[Nassau]]<br>(c. 1717)|alt=Upton TraversNassau(c. 1717 – ?)
AC4 Vance Travers render.png|[[Vance Travers]]<ref name="AC4"/><br>Nassau<br>(c. 1717)
ACS Henry Green Render.png|[[Jayadeep Mir]]<ref name="ACUnd">''[[Assassin's Creed: Underworld]]''</ref><ref name="ACS">''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]''</ref><br>London<br>(1865 – c. 1868)
</gallery>
 
==Trivia==
*Both Jabal and the leader of the Damascus bureau were addressed merely as "Rafiq", rather than by their name.
*Rafiqs did not appear in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]]'', but key members of the [[Cypriot Resistance]], such as [[Alexander of Limassol]] and [[Markos (Cypriot)|Markos]], acted in a similar manner to them and were situated in Resistance safe houses similar to Assassin bureaus.
*Rafiq, رفيق, is an Arabic word meaning 'friend'.
 
==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: The Fall]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Memories]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Underworld]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]''
**''[[The Hidden Ones (DLC)|The Hidden Ones]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Rebellion]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Sword of the White Horse]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: The Silk Road]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Mirage]]''
 
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Assassins nav}}
{{AC}}
{{ACAC}}
{{ACMir}}
[[Category:Assassin ranks]]

Latest revision as of 01:10, 25 May 2026

This article is about the Assassin rank. You may be looking for Rafik, the bureau leader of Damascus in 1190.
"Be sure to visit the city's Assassin Bureau when you arrive. I'll dispatch a bird to inform the Rafiq of your arrival. Speak with him, you'll find he has much to offer."
―Al Mualim to Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, 1191.[src]-[m]
The Bureau, a Rafiq's home

A Rafiq, also known as a bureau leader or Keeper,[1] was a graduated scholar of the Hidden Ones and their successive form, the Assassin Brotherhood. While the rank was first adopted by the organization's Levantine branch during the Middle Ages and is most commonly associated with it, bureau leaders have existed across many different time periods and geographical regions.

A Rafiq was responsible for coordinating Assassin missions in their assigned city or district from an Assassin bureau. In this capacity, the Rafiq provided valuable information for agents in their field work, such as the locations where information could be obtained about assassination targets, and determined whether or not the assassination could be conducted.

Role[edit | edit source]

The primary duties of a Rafiq were to serve as a teacher and field contact to the Assassin visitors of their city, in turn providing them with suggestions on where and how to gather information. A Rafiq also coordinated and gathered the information gathered by the Assassin informers of the city, who also acted as contacts in specific city districts.[2][3]

Altaïr and the Rafiq of Damascus

Upon being assigned a target by the Mentor, Assassins were required to report their findings about their target to the local Rafiq to obtain leave for the strike. Once the Rafiq validated the gathered intelligence—confirming the target's location, routine, and a viable plan of approach—they presented the agent with a white feather to be dipped in the target's blood.[4] The bloodstained feather was later returned to the Rafiq as proof of the assassination.[5]

Aside from bureau responsibilities, each Rafiq held a particular skill or talent that they could teach, in addition to philosophy, religious doctrine, or adherence to the Assassins' Creed. These personal talents were integrated into their civilian identities, allowing each Rafiq to establish a legitimate business that served as a clandestine front for the local bureau. For the Rafiq, this business was in itself legitimate, such that the store served not just to disguise Assassin operations, but also as a means to sustain their operations and provide financial support for the Brotherhood.[1][2] For instance, the bureau leader of Jerusalem in 1191, Malik Al-Sayf, operated as a cartographer;[6] the Rafiq of Damascus in 1190, Rafik, was a silk merchant[1] and his successor in 1191, a potter;[7] Hamid of Tyre was a carpet merchant;[1] and the Rafiq of Acre, Jabal, served as a scribe.[4]

Dai[edit | edit source]

The rank of Dai was a high-level position within the Levantine Brotherhood, typically held by those overseeing major bureaus in key cities, such as Jerusalem.[8]

Altaïr with Malik, the Dai and leader of the Jerusalem bureau

In 1191, Malik Al-Sayf held this rank while serving as the leader of the Jerusalem bureau. Following the mission to Solomon's Temple, Malik was appointed to this position of authority,[6] which required the demoted Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad to report his findings and obtain Malik's permission before being granted leave for any assassination within the city. During these investigations, Altaïr consistently addressed Malik by this title as a sign of his standing.[8]

During the retaking of Masyaf, after the betrayal of Al Mualim had been revealed, Malik in turn referred to Altaïr as "Dai." This address served as an acknowledgment of Altaïr's redemption and his re-attained leadership within the Brotherhood's hierarchy.[9]

Known bureau leaders[edit | edit source]

Trivia[edit | edit source]

  • Both Jabal and the leader of the Damascus bureau were addressed merely as "Rafiq", rather than by their name.
  • Rafiqs did not appear in Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines, but key members of the Cypriot Resistance, such as Alexander of Limassol and Markos, acted in a similar manner to them and were situated in Resistance safe houses similar to Assassin bureaus.
  • Rafiq, رفيق, is an Arabic word meaning 'friend'.

Appearances[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles – [citation needed]
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Assassin's Creed – Knowledge (Tamir)
  3. ↑ Assassin's Creed – Informer Escort (Tamir)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Assassin's Creed – Knowledge (Garnier de Naplouse)
  5. ↑ Assassin's Creed – Assassination (Garnier de Naplouse)
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Assassin's Creed – Knowledge (Talal)
  7. ↑ Assassin's Creed – Knowledge (Abu'l Nuqoud)
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Assassin's Creed – Knowledge (Majd Addin)
  9. ↑ Assassin's Creed – Assassination (Al Mualim)
  10. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Origins – The Hidden Ones
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Assassin's Creed: Mirage
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Assassin's Creed: The Silk Road
  13. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla
  14. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Sword of the White Horse
  15. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Rebellion
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
  17. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Underworld
  18. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Syndicate

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