Al-Mutawakkil

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"Do you have any idea what they will do to me?"

―Al-Mutawakkil to Basim after he revealed the chest contents, 861.

Abū al-Faḍl Jaʿfar ibn Muḥammad al-Muʿtaṣim bi-ʾllāh (822 – 861), better known by his regnal name Al-Mutawakkil ʿalā Allāh, was the caliph of the Abbasid Caliphate from 847 to 861.

Biography

A puppet of the Order of the Ancients, Al-Mutawakkil was tasked to help them obtain a treasure chest containing a precious artifact, though he was forbidden from ever seeing the chest's contents. After collecting the cargo and storing it at the Winter Palace in Anbar, Al-Mutawakkil scheduled a meeting with the Order to present the artifact. At the night of the meeting, his son Abu 'Abdallah urged him to let him stay, fearing for his safety. Al-Mutawakkil refused and ordered the guards to take him away. Later on during the meeting, the caliph presented the chest with the Order's leader taking a closer look to confirm the item. Al-Mutawakkil assured the Order that he would keep the artifact safe in the palace, with the leader stating they would return once they were done carrying out their work.

Al-Mutawakkil murdered by Nehal

When Al-Mutawakkil asked to look at the artifact once, the Order's leader threatened him that he would see and say nothing about it before leaving with the rest of the masked men. Some time later, Al-Mutawakkil caught the thief Basim Ibn Ishaq opening the chest and taking out the content from it. As the caliph feared the repercussions from the Order if they find out, Al-Mutawakkil pinned Basim against a pillar, and attempted to strangle him. However, Basim's friend Nehal took a knife and stabbed the caliph by the neck, killing him. Al-Mutawakkil's murder was spotted by his son Abu 'Abdallah, who ordered guards to capture both Basim and Nehal. The two then fled the palace.

Basim and Nehal's murder of Al-Mutawakkil earned them the wrath of the Abbasid guards. The next morning, they located Basim's frequent place of gathering and executed the residents there, tying their bodies on wooden poles for display.

Behind the scenes

Al-Mutawakkil is a historical character in Assassin's Creed: Mirage. His regnal name (المتوكل على الله) in Arabic translates to "He who relies on God".

Historically, Al-Mutawakkil died on 11 December 861 after being assassinated by the Turkic guard with the support of his son Al-Muntasir. All of his sons, including Abu 'Abdallah, went on to reign as caliphs.

Gallery

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  Al-Mutawakkil preparing for the arrival of the Order
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  Al-Mutawakkil threatened by the Order
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  Al-Mutawakkil horrified that he saw the chest's contents
• 
  Al-Mutawakkil attempting to strangle Basim

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Mirage (first appearance)
• Echoes of History (mentioned only)