Al Mualim

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"I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing at the wind. For in much wisdom, is much grief, and he that increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow."

―Al Mualim.

Rashid ad-Din Sinan (unknown - 1191), also known as Al Mualim or The Mentor, and often nicknamed the Old Man of the Mountain, was the Mentor of the Levantine Assassins during the High Middle Ages until his death in 1191. He was also the tutor to his successor, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, and secretly a member of the Knights Templar.

In his desire to obtain the Apple of Eden, he began to work with the organization that was once his sworn enemy, though Rashid's teachings and work had a positive influence on the Assassins until his betrayal of the Order in 1191.

Biography

Siege of Masyaf

In 1176, Salah Al'din and his Saracen army laid siege to the fortress of Masyaf. Rashid, who was in charge of the Assassins at the time, had sent the Master Assassin Umar Ibn-La'Ahad to infiltrate the Saracen camp the following night.

While there, Umar was to leave a warning to Salah Al'din, using the information that was gathered by a spy who had infiltrated the camp. Umar was successful, and managed to leave a feather and dagger inside the warlord's tent. However, as he escaped, he was forced to kill a nobleman to prevent himself from being captured.

The following day, Salah Al'din left the camp, leaving his uncle and second-in-command, Shihab Al'din, in charge. Shihab came over to negotiate peace, claiming that they would leave once the killer of the nobleman had been executed. He revealed that he was aware of Umar because of the imprisonment of the spy, Ahmad Sofian. In response, Rashid was reluctant to allow Umar, who begged for permission to take the place of Ahmad, though he eventually relented. After the death of Umar, the Saracens left Masyaf.

Mentoring Altaïr and Abbas

"Altaïr, I have watched you grow from a boy to a man in so short a time, it fills me with as much sadness as pride."

―Rashid to Altaïr.

Rashid and Altaïr after Haras' death.

Out of grief for Umar's death, Ahmad killed himself in front of Umar's son, the young novice Altaïr. The shocked boy told Rashid of this, which resulted in him taking the body away to cover up the suicide, along with mentioning that Altaïr would be training as an Assassin alongside Abbas Sofian. Rashid also ordered Altaïr never to tell Abbas of his father's death, believing it to be best for Abbas. Following this, he mentored both Altaïr and Abbas in the ways of the Assassin Order.

In 1189, the Templars invaded Masyaf and managed to take Rashid prisoner. Haras, a Templar who had infiltrated the Assassin Order, ordered the execution of all Assassins that remained in the fortress. However, he was saved by Altaïr, who managed to kill Haras from above. Walking with Altaïr, Rashid told him of the pride he felt for his actions, and how much the Assassin resembled his father.

Quest for the Chalice

"We treaded carelessly, they were following a man who was one of us."

―Rashid to Altaïr during the village attack.

In 1190, Rashid ordered Altaïr to find a Piece of Eden known as the Chalice, shortly after he returned from an earlier assignment. During this year, he temporarily resided in the Assassin stronghold of Alep. His second-in-command at the time, Harash, sold out the Assassin Order to the Templars, but he was soon killed by Altaïr. Shortly after this event, Rashid relocated to Masyaf.

Defending Masyaf

"My men do not fear death, Robert, they welcome it and the rewards it brings!"

―Rashid shouting to Robert from the walls of Masyaf.

Rashid during the attack on Masyaf.

In 1191, Rashid sent Altaïr to retrieve a treasure beneath Solomon's Temple and bring it back to Masyaf, and sent two fellow Assassins on his journey, the brothers Malik and Kadar Al-Sayf, to accompany him. The mission, however, ended tragically, with Kadar losing his life, and Malik being brutally maimed due to Altaïr's disregard for the Creed.

When Altaïr reported his failure to Rashid, the Mentor was infuriated, though his anger was curbed somewhat when Malik returned, revealing that he had managed to bring back the artifact. However, Robert de Sable and his Templars had followed the Assassin and, intent on recovering their treasure, moved for an attack on Masyaf.

Rashid spoke to Robert from the safety of the fortress walls, showcasing the dedication of his Assassins by ordering three of his men – Altaïr among them – to leap from a tower, supposedly to their deaths. He continued to hold their attention while Altaïr released a trap, killing and scattering the Templar forces.

Al Mualim executing Masun.

Though Altaïr saved Masyaf, Rashid demoted him from Master Assassin to a novice, stripping him of most of his equipment and his authority in the Order. He then sent Altaïr to find the traitor who had opened the gates to let the Templars through.

After some investigation, Altaïr was successful and brought the traitor, Masun, before him. Rashid then offered Masun a chance to renounce the evil in his heart, but when he did not, he killed the traitor where he stood.

Hunt for the Nine

"Your work has just begun, I hold here a list. Nine names adorn it, nine men who need to die."

―Al Mualim's offer to Altaïr.

Rashid offered Altaïr a chance at redemption, and showed him a list of nine men who needed to be eliminated. He claimed them to be tyrants of their cities, and so Altaïr's job was to assassinate them. After each kill, Altaïr was to report back to Rashid, whereupon he would be promoted a rank, and given a piece of equipment or taught a skill. As Altaïr's first target was Tamir in Damascus, Rashid sent the Assassin on his way, and after Tamir had been killed, Altaïr rode back to Masyaf to speak with the Mentor.

Al Mualim holding the list of Templar names.

Altaïr returned with questions, saying that Tamir had told him that he knew Rashid well and claimed that the deed Altaïr had just performed was leading to bigger things. With this, Rashid responded that he was withholding the information from the Assassin, to make sure Altaïr did not repeat his past mistakes.

After it was settled, a piece of Altaïr's equipment was restored, and he rode towards the city of Acre to slay Garnier de Naplouse. Once Garnier's life had been taken, and Altaïr had spoken with the Bureau leader, he rode back to Masyaf to inform Rashid of his progress.

While he waited for Altaïr, and when he arrived, the Assassin told Rashid about how some of Garnier's "patients" had treated Garnier as a friend. In response, he claimed that a leader could find ways to make others obey them and that Altaïr should trust his own senses, not the words of his targets. When they were finished, Altaïr was promoted once more and given another piece of equipment. He then rode off to Jerusalem to take the life of Talal, returning only once he was successful.

As Altaïr approached Rashid, he told him that the task had been completed, and the Mentor replied by telling Altaïr that King Richard was emboldened by his victory in Acre, and planned to move south towards Jerusalem. He stated that Salah Al'din was surely aware of that, as he had gathered his men at the broken citadel of Arsuf.

While Altaïr offered to kill both Richard and Salah Al'din, Rashid told him that it would create too much bloodshed, along with the Crusader and Saracen troops lingering in the region. He went on to say that he should concern himself on the main task at hand, before promoting Altaïr again and returning another piece of equipment.

Altaïr then rode towards Damascus to kill Abu'l Nuqoud, the merchant king of the city. Once he had finished his task and reported to the Bureau leader, he rode for Masyaf to speak with Rashid once more.

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Altaïr talking to Al Mualim in the library.

Awaiting his arrival, Rashid waited in a small corner of his library for Altaïr, believing that his apprentice's actions would no doubt provoke the peace the Order desired. When he arrived, Rashid gave him gratitude, both on behalf of himself and of the realm.

Altaïr told the Mentor about how his targets always seemed so sure of their victory, and Rashid responded that, as an Assassin, it was their duty to notice and question. However, when Altaïr began to pose further questions, Rashid admonished him and simply told him to trust in his Master.

Altaïr was promoted yet again, and another weapon was returned to him. He then rode for Acre to slay William of Montferrat, and once the deed was done, Altaïr reported to the Bureau, before he made the trip back to Masyaf, pondering on the cryptic words presented to him by William.

Rashid waited for Altaïr in his study at Masyaf, where Altaïr reported as usual, though he noticed that there was something on Altaïr's mind. Asking the Assassin to speak about the troubles he had, Altaïr demanded direct answers from him, claiming that Al Mualim only gave him riddles in exchange.

Threatening to stop killing his targets if he did not receive answers, Altaïr went on to ask what bound the men he had been killing. Struck by his insolence, Rashid threatened Altaïr with a blade, but Altaïr called him out on his bluff, remarking that if any other Assassin could complete the task he had been given, he would have been dead already.

The Mentor finally conceded, and told Altaïr that the men he had been striking down were all Templars. After this, Rashid told Altaïr that his assignment had not changed, but merely the context had. With the matter settled, Altaïr was promoted and granted another weapon, with Rashid asking him how he had known he would not kill him. Altaïr admitted that he had not known, and had simply taken a "leap of faith."

Al Mualim and Altaïr discussing the Templars' agenda.

Altaïr then rode off to take the life of Majd Addin, the regent of Jerusalem, and after the assassination had been completed, he traveled towards Masyaf.

Rashid greeted Altaïr, and Altaïr told him that Majd Addin's blood had been spilled. With this, the Assassin tried to piece everything together, with the Mentor continuing to outline the situation for him, claiming that the Templars desired control, and the ultimate creation of a supposed "New World."

Rashid then gave Altaïr a glimpse of the Piece of Eden, claiming that it was what had started the Trojan War, and what had enabled Jesus Christ to turn water into wine. Although unknown to Altaïr at the time, Rashid tried to use the artifact's power on Altaïr, though it proved ineffective.

Altaïr gained another rank and another piece of equipment, then rode towards Damascus to assassinate Jubair al Hakim, the chief of the scholars. Once he had finished his mission and had exchanged words with the Bureau leader, Altaïr reported back to Rashid.

Welcoming Altaïr home, the Assassin pondered on why Jubair's and Sibrand's lives needed to be taken. Rashid responded, saying that their lives should have been, as they would have paved the way for change, in which problems were not given cause or reason to be intervened.

With this, the Mentor told Altaïr that the final man, Sibrand, was the last one left standing between Altaïr and Robert. Rashid promoted Altaïr and gave him a piece of equipment, after which Altaïr rode for Acre to kill Sibrand. Once the Assassin had completed the task and had spoken to the Bureau leader, he made haste back to Masyaf to speak with the Mentor.

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Al Mualim in his study in Masyaf.

Rashid waited for Altaïr's arrival, and they discussed the last name on his list, the Grand Master of the Knights Templar, Robert de Sable. He claimed that once Robert tasted the Piece of Eden's power, he saw not a weapon to be destroyed, but a tool to be used.

Rashid went on to say that Robert's life ambition of power would be completed if he got his hands on the treasure again, and he at last sent Altaïr to take Robert's life, giving the Assassin a sword similar to his own to help him on his journey.

When Robert was fatally stabbed by Altaïr's blade, the dying Grand Master revealed Rashid to be a Templar. He claimed that the only difference between him and Rashid, however, was that Assassin Order's Mentor refused to share the power that the Piece of Eden provided.

Death

Rashid: "I've found proof."

Altaïr: "Proof of what?"

Rashid: "That nothing is true and that everything is permitted!"

—Rashid confronting Altaïr at Masyaf.

Al Mualim wielding the Apple.

Altaïr hurried back to Masyaf, only to find that the people in the city had been put under a hypnotic trance by Rashid, with him and a few of his fellow Assassins remained unaffected by the Piece of Eden, Malik among them. After reaching the fortress gardens by dispatching several of Rashid's pawns, Altaïr confronted his Master, who used the power of the Piece of Eden to restrain his former student. From there, Rashid taunted Altaïr from the balcony above, to which the Assassin struggled and questioned him about his motives.

Rashid replied that he had found proof that "nothing is true and everything is permitted," and with this, he created illusions of the nine men Altaïr had killed, before sending them to battle him. Despite being outnumbered, Altaïr defeated these copies, though he was soon bound by the artifact again. Rashid repeated his trick, creating several replicas of himself that time around. However, the young Assassin managed to defeat all of them.

Binding Altaïr with the Piece of Eden's power once again, Rashid explained his motives; that he sought the same as Robert, but wanted the artifact for himself, hence using his apprentice to kill the Templars. Altaïr questioned Rashid why he had allowed him to retain his mind, but the Mentor admitted that he had tried, and failed, due to his student's strength of will.

Rashid explained that the artifact was behind all of the legends and religious mysteries in history. Concluding they were at an end, Rashid and Altaïr dueled for the last time, and though the Assassin attacked with skill, Rashid was able to counter many of Altaïr's attacks and use the Piece of Eden to teleport across the garden. Eventually however, Altaïr bested his Master, making use of his gift to pierce through the illusions that the Piece of Eden created.

Al Mualim's body burning.

As he died, Rashid claimed that he had done it all to ensure absolute peace in the world, and added that Altaïr would not be able to destroy the Piece of Eden.

After his death, Altaïr took his rank as the Mentor of the Levantine Assassins and burned the body of his former master on a pyre, in the precaution to determine whether or not his body was real, or a phantom of the Apple of Eden. However, many of his fellow Assassins refused to accept their Master's betrayal, and rioted in protest against Altaïr for some time.

Characteristics and personality

"Why not share what you have learned with everyone, like a proper Assassin? Why not share with your brothers the true extent of your ambition? Where is your sense of fraternity?"

―Haras' skeptical outlook on Rashid's persona.

Rashid talking to a restrained Altaïr.

Rashid, though known for being a wise and soft-spoken leader, at times showed himself to be mysterious and unpredictable. He never spoke of anything too personal or suspicious about himself, changing the subject or giving an unexpected answer when people started questioning him deeply.

He revealed little about himself, and so almost nothing was known about his early life, let alone anything beyond his duty as the Master of the Assassins. By his efforts, the Order became a well-known, yet obscure faction, inspiring fear and uncertainty throughout the land, and spreading rumors that only increased the already legendary reputation of the Brotherhood.

As an educated man, Rashid placed importance on education, spending much of his time in the Masyaf fortress, studying the books of the library. He had a thorough understanding of a variety of subjects, ranging from philosophy to science. In addition to preaching the Brotherhood's goal of peace in all things, he emphasized that the Creed pushed for peace within one's self as well; on one occasion he advised Altaïr not to demonize his enemies.

Final words

Rashid collapsed, and the Piece of Eden fell from his hand and rolled away.

• Rashid: Impossible! The student does not defeat the teacher!
• Altaïr: Laa shay'a waqi'un moutlaq bale kouloun moumkine. (Nothing is true, everything is permitted.)
• Rashid: So it seems. You have won, then. Go and claim your prize.
• Altaïr: You held fire in your hand, old man. It should have been destroyed!
• Rashid: Destroy the only thing capable of ending the Crusades and creating true peace?! Never!
• Altaïr: Then I will!
• Rashid: We'll see about that...

Altaïr approached the Piece of Eden, and Rashid's voice began to echo in his mind.

• Rashid: I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing at wind. For in much wisdom, is much grief, and he that increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow.
  Destroy it! Destroy it as you said you would!
• Altaïr: I... I can't!
• Rashid: Yes you can, Altaïr... but you won't.

Trivia

• Despite being Mentor of the Levantine Assassins, Rashid appeared to have all ten fingers. However, in Assassin's Creed: Revelations, this error had been rectified, as all Assassins in Masyaf had one of their ring fingers removed.
• In the Penny Arcade comic for Assassin's Creed, the target that Altaïr hunted implied that some Assassins, including Altaïr himself, saw Rashid as a father figure. This was shown when he told him, "For I think I see Al Mualim's face in yours."
• When Altaïr used Eagle Vision after conversing about the nine targets, Rashid was marked with blue, the color of an ally, despite being revealed to be a Templar in the end.
• If Altaïr countered Rashid with his sword and he disappeared, he could be prevented from disappearing again by hitting him with a throwing knife.
• In Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles, which was set in 1190, Rashid was shown with a short black beard and dressed in merchant-like robes. However, in Revelations, he was already shown with his iconic gray beard in 1189.
• For Revelations, Rashid had numerous changes to his appearance, with the addition of a reddish tinge and several patterns imprinted on his robes, which were closer to gray than black, as well as having an altered face with a shorter beard.

Gallery

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  Rashid confronting Altaïr after disobeying the creed.
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  Rashid wielding his knife.
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  The nine copies of Rashid against Altaïr.
• Rashid's final words.
  Rashid's final words.
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  Rashid's dead body being cremated by Altaïr.
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  Concept art of Rashid ad-Din Sinan.