Shalim

"Have your fun, men. And round up some women for me when you're finished."

―Shalim to his bodyguards, as they visited a brothel.

Shalim (died 1192) was the twin brother of Shahar, the son of Moloch, and a member of the Templar Order.

Biography

During Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad's search for the Templar Archive on Cyprus, he spied on Shalim to find the location of Maria Thorpe. However, being no use to the Master Assassin, Shalim went to a brothel with some of his guards, harassing the citizens and merchants of Kyrenia beforehand to gather some money for their visit. There, Shalim took one of the courtesans and eventually returned to Saint Hilarion Castle, telling his guards to find more women for him when they were done.

Investigation

Later, one of the scholars Altaïr had conversed with, told him that the people suffered from Shalim's oppresion. When Altaïr asked about Shalim's attitude, the scholar replied that the opposition would mean death, and when he inquired about the Templar Archive, the answer was cut by a speech being given by Shalim's brother, Shahar.

Once Shahar had taken a place on an orator's stand and announced Armand Bouchart's intentions to the people of Kyrenia, Altaïr mistook him for Shalim, since he was unaware that the two were twins.

After his speech, Shahar returned to Saint Hilarion Castle. Altaïr infiltrated the fortress along with a group of courtesans, with Maria disguised among them, who were transported there by Shalim's guards.

Death

As Maria questioned Shahar about the Templars' intentions towards the use of Apple of Eden, Altaïr interrupted the meeting, and learned that Shalim and Shahar were twins, as he faced both of them in combat. Maria had fled, leaving Altaïr to fight alone against the two skilled duelists. Eventually, Shalim and Shahar were both defeated, and the Assassin escaped the castle.

Personality and traits

Shalim was known for his rude behavior, violent temper, lack of respect and wayward lifestyle, directly opposite of his brother Shahar, who was usually calm and mild-mannered, as well as religious. Despite his personality, he matched his twin's identical appearance and skills in swordplay.

Trivia

• Ironically, Shalim is an Arabic name derived from the word salima, سلم, meaning 'to be safe'.
• In the ancient Canaanite religion, Shalim and Shahar are twin deities, the gods of dusk and dawn respectively.
• Shalim's practice of dual-wielding a sword and a dagger was also utilized by his brother, as well as the 18th-century Templar Shay Cormac.

Gallery

• 
  Bouchart meeting with Shalim
• 
  Shalim speaking with one of his guards
• 
  Shalim and his men harassing a citizen
• 
  Shalim revealing himself to Altaïr
• 
  Altaïr fighting the brothers
• 
  Altaïr impaling Shalim

References

• Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines
• Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade