Rauf

"Altaïr, it seems that my students do not fully understand what it is to wield a blade. Perhaps you can show them what you know?"

―Rauf asking Altair to demonstrate his skills.

Rauf (Arabic: رؤوف) was a member of the Syrian sect of the Assassin Order during the 12^th century.

Biography

Rauf served the Assassin Order as a combat instructor, training new Assassin recruits in the Order's fighting techniques.

In 1191, he was the first to greet the Master Assassin Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad upon his safe return to Masyaf, after the failed mission at Solomon's Temple.

Almost immediately afterwards, Masyaf was attacked by the Templar Order, who were rampaging through Masyaf's village. He met with Altaïr again at the gates of the fortress, explaining that there were civilians still trapped in the village and that he should distract the enemy while Rauf and some others brought the villagers safely inside the fortress.

After all the villagers had been taken to safety, Rauf met with Altaïr again, saying that Al Mualim had devised a plan to route the Templars. Rauf, Altaïr and another Assassin simultanously performed a Leap of Faith, showing that they did not fear death but embraced it. While Altaïr and Rauf safely landed in bales of hay, the other Assassin broke his leg. Rauf stayed behind to tend to his injury, while Altaïr went on to execute the final step of the plan.

Subsequently to these events, Rauf would occassionally request Altaïr to demonstrate some of his skills to his students.

Trivia

• The name "Ra'uf" means "compassionate" or "sympathetic," which fits him perfectly, as he shows a warm relationship with Altaïr.
• Rauf has a hidden blade, but like all other Assassins at Masyaf aside from Altaïr, his left ring finger has not been amputated.
• Swami told Altaïr that Rauf died of fever while he went to assassinate Genghis Khan, however considering Abbas' treachery and the murder of Sef Ibn' La-Ahad and that of Malik Al-Sayf is enitrely possible that Rauf was murdered as well.

Source

• Assassin's Creed