Rafiq

The Bureau, a rafiq's home.

A Rafiq (or alternatively, Rafik) was a graduated scholar of the Assassin Order, who could be found in the second tier of the caste system (with the Assassins in the highest caste).

Rafiq provided locations of information about assassination targets, and determined whether or not the assassination could be conducted. They were usually located in an Assassins' Bureau, though other Dai and Rafiq could be found in Masyaf.

They commonly wore white robes with a black djellaba, which was adorned with white decorative markings.

Rafiq in Damascus

The Rafiq in Damascus was a man who had a seemingly happy personality, who always look on the bright side of things and always tried to give the best of his advice to Altair.

When Altair comes to Damascus to assassinate Tamir, rafiq was unsure of Altair's intentions because of the terrible things the other Assassins would say about him and how he dishonnored the Creed. After Tamir's assassination, Rafiq informs Altair that he had re-gained respect and gratitude for him.

When Altair comes to Damascus to assassinate Abu'l Nuquod, rafiq tells Altair how he envies him for being assigned to kill the merchant king, however not tho about being beaten and stripped of his assassin rank. After Abu's assassination, he tries to explain what Abu's source of madness was all about, but advises him to see Al Mualim for a better explanation of the issue.

When Altair comes to Damascus to assassinate Jubair Al Hakim, his final target in Damascus, rafiq names Altair "The Hero of Damas" for his good deeds in the city and that he has changed for the better since his first trip to Damascus. After Jubair's assassination, rafiq tells Altair that he had no doubt that he would succeed in the assassination and that the Assassins are fighting to end the Crusades and wishes Altair well.

Rafiq is later seen assisting Malik and Altair at Maysaf, killing the guards brainwashed by Al Mualim. Him, Malik, and the rest of the assassins are ordered by Altair to go around the temple to draw the rest of the guards away from Altair, while he deals with Al Mualim. He is last seen joining Altair and Malik as they retrieve the Apple of Eden used by Al Mualim.

Rafiq in Acre

The Rafiq is Acre has a very stern attitude and was very critical, especially towards Altair after his careless actions and mockery toward the Creed.

When Altair comes to Acre to assassinate Garnier de Naplouse, rafiq looks down upon Altair and doubted if he was serious in his attempt to redeem himself. After Garnier's assassination, rafiq informs Altair that it is not for the assassins to ask but act upon men like Garnier and that it didn't matter what Garnier did but only that he is dead.

When Altair comes to Acre to assassinate William of Montferrat, rafiq starts to see that Altair is sincere about redeeming himself to the Creed and the things he does, he does well at. He also names Altair a "politican" because his deeds have been affecting the city. After William's assassination, rafiq informs Altair that he has done well to prevent William from claiming Acre and that men like William cannot be trusted even in death.

When Altair comes to Acre to assassinate Sibrand, his final target in Acre, he apologizes to Altair for doubting his dedication towards the Creed, but Altair rejects saying he was to blame for placing himself above the Creed. After Sibrand's assassination, Altair begins to doubt if the men he has killed should have been. Rafiq tries to help by telling him he isn't suppose to enjoy the task of killing them and says goodbye by telling him it was his pleasure to have served with Altair.

Rafiq in Jerusalem (Malik)

Malik served as the rafiq in Jerusalem and was an assassin himself. He was very envious of Altair and his rank in the Creed. Following the death of his brother, Kadar, and losing his left arm, he was very critical of Altair and always made a negative remark on every action he made.

When Altair comes to Jerusalem to assassinate Talal, Malik scolds at Altair on how his presense deprives him of safety and peace and that his every action affects him (implying he was the cause of the dismemberment of his arm). After Talal's assassination, Malik informs Altair that the style in which he chose to assassinate Talal broke the third tennant, which was to never compromise the brotherhood, and that he should go to Al Mualim and see with which he sides with,

When Altair comes to Jerusalem to assassinate Majd Addin, Malik calls Altair a novice because of he speaks too ready to assassinate Majd Addin, his assumption that the assassination will go perfectly as expected, and that he cannot possibly know anything, only suspect. After Majd Addin's assassination, Malik refrains from insulting Altair because he performed as an assassin should, no more no less, and that Altair's need for praise after completing his duty troubles him.

When Altair comes to Jerusalem to assassinate Robert de Sable, his final target in Jerusalem, Malik explains to Altair how things have changed between them since the murder of Kadar and dismemberment of his left arm, and that Altair isn't the same man he once knew. After the failed assassination of Robert de Sable, Malik tells Altair to return to Al Mualim for help, but he rejects and apologizes to Malik for everything that he caused them at Solomon's Temple, but Malik rejects because Altair has changed and that he has nothing to apologize for.

Responsiblities

The primary duties of a Rafiq were as teachers and field contacts to the Assassin visitors of their city, providing them with suggestions on where and how to gather information. Rafiq also likely coordinated and gathered the information learned by the Assassin Informants of the city, who also acted as contacts in specific city districts.

Upon receiving a contract from Al Mualim, lower-ranked Assassins (such as Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad after his demotion) were required to report their findings about their target to the Rafiq, before being allowed to proceed with the assassination.

After deeming that the Assassin knew where, when and how to strike his target, the Rafiq would present them with a feather marker to be stained with the target's blood. This would later be shown to the Rafiq as evidence of a success.

Aside from Bureau responsibilities, each Rafiq held a particular skill or talent that he could teach, in addition to philosophy, religious doctrine, or adherence to The Creed. For instance, the Bureau leader of Jerusalem, Malik Al-Sayf, was a cartographer, the Rafiq of Damascus was a potter, the one of Acre was a scribe.

Dai

Altaïr visits Malik, the Dai and leader of the Jerusalem Assassins' Bureau.

The Dai were a close rank above Rafiq, and were the direct representatives of the Imam, the exalted spiritual leader of the people. Though superior to Rafiq, they possessed similar responsibilities and roles.

Upon preparing for the assassination of Majd Addin, Altaïr spoke to Malik, the Bureau leader of Jerusalem, with the address "Dai." This suggests that Malik was elevated to the rank of Dai after he successfully completed the mission to retrieve the Templar treasure from Solomon's Temple, surpassing Altaïr's previously higher rank as Master Assassin and field instructor.

Some time before the Retaking of Masyaf, while devising a plan on how to approach Al Mualim, Malik in turn refers to Altaïr as Dai, indicating that he too had eventually obtained the rank.

Trivia

• Both Jabal, the Bureau leader of Acre, and the leader of Damascus are often merely addressed 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 the Rafiq; though their djellaba were white with red decorative markings.
• In Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles, Altaïr encounters a Rafiq during his visit to Damascus. He is a nasty old man who first challenges Altaïr in order to determine if he is trained well enough. In his adventures, Altaïr also meets other Rafiqs (like Hamid) as well.
• Rafiq do not appear in Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines, but key Resistance members such as Alexander and Markos act similarly to them, and are situated in Resistance Safe Houses similar to Assassins' Bureaus.

Gallery

• A Rafiq of Damascus.
  A Rafiq of Damascus.
• A Rafiq of Jerusalem.
  A Rafiq of Jerusalem.

Source

• Assassin's Creed