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==Role==
==Role==
The primary duties of a Rafiq was 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="AC1">''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' – {{Cite}}</ref>
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>


[[File:AC1 Damascus Rafiq.png|thumb|left|250px|Altaïr and the Rafiq of Damascus]]
[[File:AC1 Damascus Rafiq.png|thumb|left|250px|Altaïr and the Rafiq of Damascus]]
Upon receiving a [[Assassination contracts|contract]] from the [[Mentor]], lower-ranked Assassins were required to report their findings about their target to the local Rafiq before being allowed to proceed with the assassination. If the Rafiq deemed that the Assassin possessed the proper information—including where, when, and how—to stage a successful assassination, he or she would present the agent with a [[feather]] marker to be stained with the target's blood. This would later be shown to the Rafiq as evidence of success, and as such simultaneously serves as a token of approval for the assassination.<ref name="AC1"/>
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]]. The skill would be translated into a profession, with the Rafiq establishing a business as a front for the Assassin 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 generate income for themself and the order.<ref name="ACAC" /><ref name="AC1" /> For instance, the bureau leader of [[Jerusalem]] in 1191, [[Malik Al-Sayf]], was a cartographer;<ref name="AC1 /> the Rafiq of [[Damascus]] in 1190, [[Rafik]], was a [[silk]] [[merchant]]<ref name="ACAC"/> and his [[Damascus bureau leader|successor]], a potter;<ref name="AC1"/> [[Hamid (Tyre)|Hamid]] of [[Tyre]] was a carpet merchant;<ref name="ACAC"/> and the Rafiq of [[Acre]], [[Jabal]], was a scribe.<ref name="AC1"/>
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==
==Dai==
The Dai was a rank only slightly higher than that of Rafiq and was the direct representatives of the Imam, the exalted spiritual leader of the people.{{Fact|June 2019}} Though superior to Rafiq, they possessed similar responsibilities and duties.<ref name="AC1"/>
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]]
[[File:Malik Bureau 1.png|thumb|250px|Altaïr with Malik, the Dai and leader of the Jerusalem bureau]]
Upon preparing for the assassination of [[Majd Addin]], Altaïr spoke to Malik, the bureau leader of Jerusalem, with the address of "Dai." This suggested that Malik had been elevated to the rank of Dai after he had successfully completed the mission to retrieve the [[Apple of Eden 2|Templar treasure]] from [[Solomon's Temple]], surpassing Altaïr's previously higher rank as [[Master Assassin]] and field instructor.<ref name="AC1"/>
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"/>


Some time before the [[retaking of Masyaf]], while devising a plan on how to approach Al Mualim, Malik in turn referred to Altaïr as Dai, suggesting either that Altaïr had held this rank before his earlier demotion and had just re-attained it, or that he had surpassed his rank as Master Assassin in that moment.<ref name="AC1"/>
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==
==Known bureau leaders==
<gallery captionalign="center" position="center" heights="180">
<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>(? – 38 BCE)
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 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 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)
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)
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)
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 – ?)
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 – ?)
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)
Rafik.jpg|[[Rafik]]<ref name="ACAC"/><br>[[Damascus]]<br>(c. 1190)
Hamid.jpg|[[Hamid (Tyre)|Hamid]]<ref name="ACAC"/><br>[[Tyre]]<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)
Kadar-ACAC.png|[[Kadar]]<ref name="ACAC"/><br>[[Jerusalem]]<br>(c. 1190)
DBL V.png|[[Damascus bureau leader]]<ref name="AC1"/><br>Damascus<br>(c. 1191)
DBL V.png|[[Damascus bureau leader]]<ref name="Knowledge Tamir"/><br>Damascus<br>(c. 1191)
AC1 Jabal.png|[[Jabal]]<ref name="AC1"/><br>[[Acre]]<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="AC1"/><br>Jerusalem<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>(? – c. 1492)
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 – ?)
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 – ?)
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 – ?)
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 – ?)
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)
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)
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)
Line 50: Line 50:
==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*Both Jabal and the leader of the Damascus bureau were addressed merely as "Rafiq", rather than by their name.
*Both Jabal and the leader of the Damascus bureau were addressed merely as "Rafiq", rather than by their name.
*Scholars, who were teachers of a higher rank than Rafiq, were based at the library in Masyaf and wore attire similar to a Rafiq though their ''djellaba'' were white with red decorative markings.
*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.
*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.
*During [[modern times]], "Rafiq" was used as a code-word which, coupled with a photograph of a [[feather]] as a receipt, granted access into Assassin safehouses.<ref name="ACTF">[[Assassin's Creed: The Fall (TPB)|''Assassin's Creed: The Fall'' (TPB)]]</ref>
*Rafiq, رفيق, is an Arabic word meaning 'friend'.
*Rafiq, رفيق, is an Arabic word meaning 'friend'.


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*''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: The Fall]]''  
*''[[Assassin's Creed: The Fall]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]''

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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