Qabiha

"Our prodigal scion ... has arrived. Yet he knows not what he is. Have you not wondered at your future? You who see more, who know more..."

―Qabiha to Basim, 860s.

Qabiha (died c. 860s), also known as Al-Bahamut, was a concubine of the Abbasid caliph Al-Mutawakkil. She was the Ra's Al-Af'a (English: Head of the Snake) of the Order of the Ancients based in Baghdad, directing its members from the safety of the Caliphate court.

Originally a slave of Greek origin, Qabiha entered the Abbasid harem and became a concubine of Jaʽfar ibn Muhammad, who became caliph in 847 and reigned as Al-Mutawakkil. With him, they had a son named Abu'Abdallah. Unknown to her spouse and son, Qabiha operated as the leader of the Order of the Ancients and used her power to take control of the Abbasid court, effectively making the Abbasid caliphs, including Al-Mutawakkil, as their puppets.

Qabiha was also aware of both the Hidden Ones and their stronghold of Alamut in the western mountains, and sought to uncover the precusor temple and its contents. Aware of the Hidden One Basim Ibn Ishaq's struggle with his nightmares, Qabiha attempted to sway him to her side but was cut down by Master Assassin Roshan.

Biography

Born as a slave, Qabiha found herself rising in the ranks to become "Umm Walad," mother of the caliph's son. The most favored concubine of Al-Mutawakkil, she birthed him a son, Abu'Abdallah, and found herself leading the harem of the caliphate. Away from public's eyes, she also joined the Order of the Ancients and rose to the rank of Ra's Al-Af'a, also known as the Head of the Snake. Leading the Order, she and her fellow Order members sought to control all of Baghdad and discover all the ancient artifacts buried around the city.

Anarchy at Samarra

In 861, Qabiha, along with her Order leaders Mas'ood Al-Ya'qoob, Fazil Fahim al-Kemsa, Ning, and Wasif al-Turki, arrived at the Winter Palace in Anbar to confirm the existence and security of an artifact with caliph Al-Mutawakkil. While Wasif spoke briefly with the caliph, Qabiha kept quiet while she inspected the contents herself. Asserting that the caliph will keep the artifact safe, the Order member left and made the caliph wait for further instructions. However, it was all for naught as the caliph was murdered and the artifact was stolen by a young thief Basim Ibn Ishaq. However, after conferring with her son, she learned that the thief activated the artifact and concluded that the thief was "more than man" and the answer to their goals.

From the caliph's murder, Qabiha reassured her fellow brethern that this setback may reset their plans but this anarchy will provide a new slate for their endeavors. Meanwhile, her seat at the Harem was challenged as her rank began to falter especially due over worries of her son being a suitable caliph. Her only ally was her own stewardess Makira, who devoutly protected her mistress' honor through any means. Another strike against her happened when she learned of Mas'ood's death at the Caravanserai, which alerted her to the Hidden Ones' presence in Baghdad.

Qabiha buys an elephant statue at the Da'irat Al-mal

Despite losing Mas'ood, Qabiha continued to aid her other fellow Order members, especially by providing subjects for Fazil's Great Work Alruh and aiding Wasif in his fight against Ali ibn Muhammad's rebellion. Cautionary from Mas'ood's death, she wrote to Ning and implored her to not publicly bid at the Da'irat Al-mal, but her advice was ignored. Nevertheless, Qabiha arrived the auction, under the guise to speak with a perfume merchant regarding Ning's perfume Qina' being delayed in supply. While discussing matters more privately, Qabiha learned that harbor withheld supplies that impeded production as well as a lack of blood.

While the perfume trader left to discuss with the caliph about the matter, Qabiha received a guest, Alamut Hidden Ones Basim, who revealed that he eavesdropped on the conversation about the perfume. Within their conversation, Qabiha revealed Ning's identity as the Treasurer but found out Basim's name before leaving for the auction. Qabiha took her seat at the auction while keeping an eye on both Basim and later Ning. After bidding successfully on an elephant statue, she saw the hairpin being bid by Basim, Ning, and a third party. After the auction, Qabiha left but only to later find out about Ning's demise after the auction. After Ning's death, she retrieved the hairpin Ning sought and kept in her study at the Harem.

On the Run

Qabiha soon learned of Wasif's callous methods of butchering his prisoners, which led her to send a warning to him to consider his actions or it will invite eyes upon the Order and her. However, Wasif also died at the hands of the Hidden Ones. Soon, after Fazil's murder, her control over Baghdad soon began to crumble. Having learned of Alamut's temple from years of investigating and Basim's true nature, Qabiha soon made a deal with Governor Muhammad ibn Tahir under the guise of the Order. The governor agreed to disband the protection over Alamut in exchange for peace in Baghdad. At her study, she complied her items and a map of Baghdad and Alamut before retreating. to the Caliphal Palace. However, her study was infiltrated by Basim, who found her map, Ning's hairpin, and the scent of Qina' and discovered from Makira of her location.

Death

Qabiha is slain by Roshan

Alone, Qabiha hid herself in a secret room within the Palace, with Makira's help. However, Basim determined the code of unlocking the passage to her secret room and found Qabiha hiding. Shocked, Qabiha ran from Basim towards the palace's bath. In the mist, she disarmed Basim but not before being pushed back. Enticing him with unlocking the truth, she offered to unlock the temple's secrets alongside with him and stated how she will provide the way to set him free. Although Basim nearly considered it, Qabiha was quicklu slain by Roshan, who reprimanded Basim and later threatened him if he returned to Alamut to follow Qabiha's path.

Legacy and influence

Before she died, Qabiha mandated an assault on the Hidden Ones at Alamut. Despite many casualities and Mentor Rayhan being captured, the Hidden Ones were saved by Basim, who saved the Mentor and also came to unlock the temple himself. After receiving Rayhan's permission, Basim went to unlock the temple, only to be stopped by Roshan. Besting Roshan in combat, he entered the temple alongside his companion Nehal. After venturing through the temple, he soon unearthed his past life and realized Nehal was a hallucination all along. Nevertheless, he accepted his resurgent memories and became a new man.

After her death, her stewardess Makira followed in her footsteps and joined the Order of the Ancients, under the cryptoymn Al-Si'la.

Behind the scenes

Qabiha was a historical figure and character appearing in Assassin's Creed: Mirage where she was voiced by English-Greek actress Angela Christofilou.

Her name Qabiha (قبيحة) qabīḥa is the feminine singular of (قَبِيح‎) qabīḥ which literally means "ugly, vile, bad, or abominable."

Gallery

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  Model of Qabiha's outfit
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  Model of Qabiha's outfit
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  Qabiha in her Order outfit and mask
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  Qabiha meeting with Basim
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  Qabiha and Basim discussing Ning, The Treasurer
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  Qabiha holding Basim at knifepoint

Appearances

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