Yusuf Tazim

Ezio: "Between the Templars and the Ottomans, you must stay busy."

Yusuf: "Ezio, I barely have time to polish my blade!"

—Yusuf, regarding his leadership of the Ottoman Assassins, 1511.

Yusuf Tazim (c. 1467 – 1512) was the leader of the Ottoman Brotherhood of Assassins, operating primarily in the Imperial capital of Constantinople. Born as the son of an Assassin, he was raised on the streets and joined the Order in his late teens after meeting the Mentor Ishak Pasha.

Yusuf was involved in the fight against the Byzantine Templars during the early 1510s, and aided Ezio Auditore da Firenze – the Mentor of the Italian Brotherhood – during his stay in Constantinople. In the process, Yusuf and Ezio managed to form good relations with the Ottoman Prince Suleiman I, and thwarted the Templars' plans to overthrow the Ottoman Empire.

During his lifetime, Yusuf would also father a child that would later become an ancestor of Emir, a Turkish Assassin held by the Templars in the Abstergo Foundation Rehabilitation Center in Madrid, Spain.

Biography

Early life

"I have seen you with Davud and the others. You explore, you climb, you run along rooftops. You give what you can to those you can. So did your father."

―Nalan to her son, 1480.

Born in the city of Bursa, Yusuf Tazim was the son of an Assassin and his wife, a pastry cook named Nalan. Yusuf's father died in the line of duty, but the young boy remained unaware of his fate or his Assassin affiliations for many years, being raised solely by his mother.

In 1475, when Yusuf was eight years old, the two fled Bursa in the middle of the night and went to Constantinople where they settled. There, Nalan worked for the vendor Bekir bin Salih, cooking pastries in the city's Baazar, while the young Yusuf was their delivery boy. As his mother struggled to make a decent living for the two of them, Yusuf used his agility to become a skilled pickpocket.

One day, after Yusuf stole the heavy purse of a woman wearing rich clothes, an older boy followed him and attacked him in a side street. After a quick brawl, during which he broke his adversary's nose, Yusuf was bested by the heavier and older boy. After telling Yusuf his name—Davud bin Hassan—he revealed that the money Yusuf had just stolen was everything Selime possessed after she fled her abusive husband with her children. After a shameful Yusuf accepted to give back the purse, Davud offered to train Yusuf so he could steal from the right people and defend the smallfolk of the Baazar with him.

In April 1480, Nalan decided that it was time to give Yusuf some answers about his father after witnessing Yusuf and his friends' activities. She gave her son his father's Hidden Blade that was returned to her by the Brotherhood after her husband's death, and revealed to Yusuf that his father had also fought against those seeking to dominate others and intended his son to follow in his footsteps when the right time came.

Two years later, Yusuf and Davud decided to break into the rich house of the Baazar's new owner, to steal as much as they could so they could help the merchants of the Baazar after their rents had been quadrupled, forcing many to leave. However, as the pair were discreetly looting the upper stairs of the house, the owner came back home with a guest, trapping the two friends in the house. As the foreign merchant went upstairs looking for alcohol to celebrate his increased wealth, Davud prompted Yusuf, the quicker of the two and the only one with a Hookblade, to flee with their loot while he stayed behind to stall the merchant. As the door opened, Davud jumped on the man but eventually the merchant slit his throat while a distraught Yusuf disappeared into the night thanks to his father's weapon.

Despite still not understanding what the merchant meant when he spoke of Templars and Assassins with his guest, Yusuf promised himself to watch for any individual wearing the mysterious red cross that he had seen on the man's ring.

Becoming an Assassin

By 1484, at the age of seventeen, Yusuf had become well known in Constantinople as a vigilante and petty thief, which later caught the attention of Vizier and Assassin Ishak Pasha. Taken in by the man's charisma, Yusuf joined the Order just before he turned twenty.

In 1495, Yusuf accompanied Ishak during his travels to Spain alongside a select group of Ottoman Assassins to assist the Spanish Brotherhood in an attempt to recover Niccolò Polo's journal during a trade deal between the Spanish Inquisition and the Byzantine Templars. However, the trade had already taken place, and the Assassins walked into a trap, barely escaping with their lives.

In 1502, Yusuf allied with a contingent of Venetian Assassins in Greece to bring an end to the Ottoman–Venetian War. Their efforts led to a halt in the battle, and a brief era of peace on their borders by 1503.

The Ottoman Assassins enjoyed this moment of peace until 1509, when the Templars banded together under the crest of the ancient Byzantine Empire. Yusuf led the Assassins in the struggle, and his efforts eventually allowed him to be appointed the leader of his guild by 1511.

Meeting Ezio Auditore

"Hoşgeldin, kardeşim! (Welcome, brother!) Unless the legend is a lie, you are the man I've longed to meet. Renowned Master and Mentor, Ezio Auditore de la la la!"

―Yusuf first meeting with Ezio Auditore da Firenze, 1511.

Yusuf meeting Ezio at the Golden Horn

In 1511, the Ottoman guild heard of Ezio Auditore's encounter with the Templars occupying the ancient Assassin fortress of Masyaf, and Yusuf himself went to meet the Mentor at the Golden Horn.

While he showed Ezio around the city, he explained the current conflict between the Assassins and Templars in Constantinople, as well as that between the Ottomans and Byzantines. He also spoke briefly of the Assassins' more dire situation decades prior, when they were hunted down and killed on sight by order of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine XI.

Upon acquainting Ezio with the local Assassin guild in the Galata District, Yusuf introduced him to the Hookblade, a common tool of the Ottoman Assassins, which Yusuf claimed to have grown up using. After a demonstration of its features, the two climbed the Galata Tower and viewed the city from above, before performing a Leap of Faith to the street.

Defending the Brotherhood

"When the Templars take control of a district, they flaunt their presence, hanging banners, extorting the merchants. It's a constant battle to keep them at bay, and they rub our noses in every victory."

―Yusuf, regarding the struggle against the Templars, 1511.

As they went to return to the guild, Yusuf and Ezio were met by an Ottoman Assassin, Kasim, who claimed that two of their dens were under attack. Knowing he could not be in two places at once, Yusuf sent Ezio to protect the Galata den, while he traveled to the Grand Bazaar.

Yusuf instructing the Ottoman Assassins

Though the Galata den was saved, Yusuf arrived too late, and the Bazaar became overrun by Templars. Ezio caught up with Yusuf in time to help him fend off several guards, and the two set off to retake the district.

Upon reclaiming the den and verifying that it had not been damaged, Yusuf taught Ezio how to craft bombs, and further recommended that he find Piri Reis should he wish to learn more. At this point, Ezio showed Yusuf the journal of Niccolò Polo and told him of the Masyaf Keys. Though Yusuf did not know anything about the keys or the journal, he suggested that Ezio ask Piri for the directions to Niccolò and Maffeo Polo's old trading post as well.

Some time afterward, Yusuf traveled to visit the Assassin allies of Constantinople; the mercenaries, thieves, and Romanies. However, as they were each located in different districts, Ezio offered his help in coordinating with the Romanies, which Yusuf gratefully accepted.

Rescuing Suleiman

Ezio: "The Byzantines found a key beneath Topkapı Palace, and I would like to know how."

Yusuf: "Ezio, we want to protect our Şehzade (Prince) not interrogate him."

—Yusuf and Ezio discussing the protection of Suleiman, 1511.

Yusuf complaining about his minstrel outfit

Later in 1511, Yusuf and his Assassins discovered a planned attempt on Prince Suleiman's life, soon after he had returned from a pilgrimage. In order to protect him, they prepared to infiltrate the prince's cultural exhibition at Topkapı Palace dressed as Italian entertainers.

Ezio met with them as they discussed their plan atop the Hippodrome, and offered his help. However, Yusuf insisted that this was an Ottoman affair and that he need not be involved.

As Ezio explained that he wanted to learn more about the Masyaf Key that had been found under Topkapı, Yusuf reminded him that their mission was to protect Suleiman, not question him. However, Yusuf finally consented to Ezio's request to trust him, and so the Ottoman Assassins, accompanied by Ezio, departed to secure disguises.

Yusuf pointing out the last remaining Byzantine

After knocking out and stealing the clothing of several minstrels, they managed to enter the party. As Ezio distracted the crowd and identified the concealed Byzantines with his gift, Yusuf and his men silently eliminated the targets and hid the bodies.

However, the Byzantines eventually realized the danger and killed one of the palace guards, triggering the alarm. As the Janissaries quickly told Suleiman to escape the area, the Templars desperately tried an open attempt on Suleiman's life. Yusuf broke his cover and killed several of the enemies with his blade, before Ezio intercepted the last hidden Templar and killed him with the snapped off neck of his lute.

Spying upon Palaiologos

Yusuf: "Feigning solidarity to push your own agenda. What a gentleman, no?"

Ezio: "It is not pretty, I know. But it will work."

—Yusuf and Ezio, regarding the infiltration of the Arsenal, 1511.

After one of his Assassins had discovered the delivery of several firearms to the Harbor of Theodosius, Yusuf left to investigate. Outside the harbor, he encountered Ezio, who had been tailing Tarik Barleti at Suleiman's request.

Ezio and Yusuf before the Arsenal gates

As Ezio thought of a means of entering the well-guarded area, the two witnessed a couple of Janissaries terrorizing a nearby merchant and stealing his goods. Yusuf remarked on this oppression, and so Ezio concluded that using nearby heralds to provoke a riot would give enough cover for him to enter.

Yusuf frowned upon this idea, saying that Ezio would manipulate the people for his own purposes. Seeing the necessity though, he merely insisted that Ezio at least protect the rioters from the attacking guards during the distraction. Upon doing so and successfully entering the port, Ezio soon discovered Manuel Palaiologos speaking with Shahkulu and Tarik, and overheard that the weapons would be bound for an unknown Templar base.

Death

Ezio: "Yusuf, wait. Un favore. (A favor.) There is a woman running a bookshop at the old Polo trading post... Sofia. Look out for her. She is a remarkable lady."

Yusuf: "You have my word."

—Yusuf and Ezio's final exchange, 1511.

Yusuf walking with Ezio

In late 1511, when Ezio decided to set sail for the Templar province of Cappadocia to pursue Manuel, Yusuf came to inform him that the Great Chain had been raised to block any ships from leaving. He then gave the Mentor a powerful explosive to destroy the structure, and aided him in attacking the ships that were stationed to intercept his escape.

Before departing, Ezio requested Yusuf to protect his love interest, Sofia Sartor, from harm. Yusuf agreed, and he and the other Assassins guarded Sofia's residence at the former Polo trading post.

Sofia's shop was soon raided by Byzantine Templars, who had secretly been working for Prince Ahmet. Yusuf faced off against the Templars inside the store and managed to eliminate many of them, but was eventually dealt a fatal blow to the back, and Sofia was taken captive by the remaining attackers.

Ezio giving Yusuf his final rites

Upon Ezio's return from Cappadocia, he discovered Yusuf's body on a bench in Sofia's shop, with the dagger still pierced into him. He removed the blade and closed Yusuf's eyes, offering him his final rites and saying quietly that he had earned his rest.

Enraged by both Yusuf's death and the endangerment of Sofia's life, Ezio led a large-scale assault on Ahmet's forces in the Arsenal. Though the Assassins managed to kill many of the soldiers, Ezio was forced to allow Ahmet to escape, as he still held Sofia hostage.

Soon after Yusuf had been buried in a small cemetery near Galata Tower, Ezio spoke with the Ottoman Assassins who had gathered in his memory and appointed one of them, Dogan, as the new leader of the guild.

Legacy

At some point during his life, Yusuf fathered at least one child. By 2016, one of his descendants, Emir, was kidnapped by the Templars, who hoped to discover more about Yusuf's interactions with the legendary Ezio Auditore while exploring Emir's genetic memories in the Animus.

Personality and traits

Yusuf: "Ah ah ah! Don't touch that! One wrong move and BANG! The building comes down!"

Ezio: "Are you serious?"

Yusuf: "The look on your face! Here, I'll show you."

—Yusuf teaching Ezio to craft bombs, 1511.

Ezio speaking with Yusuf before departing for Cappadocia

Yusuf was a light-hearted and cheerful man, whom Ezio once described as an affable fighter. Even when engaged in battle or facing several enemies, he would often joke about the situation.

Nevertheless, Yusuf was a skilled warrior and a respected leader, showing open attachment to his fellow Assassins and receiving their obedience in return. When Yusuf was murdered by Byzantines on the orders of Prince Ahmet, the Ottoman Assassins were enraged and deeply saddened. Though fighting for the Order's interests, he also acknowledged Constantinople as a whole; putting importance in the protection of their Prince, regardless of whether or not he aided the Assassins.

Yusuf wore tan Assassin robes and a headband, both with teal sashes, an attire matching that of other Ottoman Master Assassins. He wielded a personal kilij, a Hidden Blade, a Hookblade, and throwing knives.

Trivia

• In the memory "The Prince's Banquet", Yusuf made use of a parachute. Previously, Ezio was the only person seen using them.
• Yusuf jokingly referred to himself as "Yusuf Tazim da Istanbul" during his first time meeting Ezio, when told that "da Firenze" indicated the city where Ezio was born. However, Yusuf's database entry claims that he was born in Bursa.
• Yusuf and Suleiman were the names of two central characters in Slovenian author Vladimir Bartol's 1938 novel Alamut, on which the 2007 video game Assassin's Creed is partially based. In Alamut, Yusuf and Suleiman are two Assassins who performed "leaps of faith" and died in the belief that they would enter Paradise as their Master had promised. The memory "Glory" loosely adapts this scene, changing it to have three Assassins perform Leaps of Faith and swapping out their names for Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad and Rauf, with an unnamed Assassin completing the trio.
• The Revelations novelization claims that Yusuf was 15 years younger than Ezio. However, Yusuf's database entry states that he was born around 1467, making the age gap between the two only 8 years.
• "Yusuf" is a Turkish and Arabic variant of the Hebrew name יוֹסֵף (Yosef), meaning "the Lord increases". "Tazim" is an Arabic name derived from the word تعظيم (tazim), meaning "honoring, glorification, reverencing".

Gallery

• 
  Concept images for Yusuf Tazim
• 
  Ezio and Yusuf facing Byzantine soldiers
• 
  Yusuf about to use a bomb
• 
  Ezio showing Yusuf one of the Masyaf keys
• 
  Yusuf as he appears in Rebellion
• 
  Yusuf's avatar in Rebellion's character menu

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Revelations (first appearance)
• Assassin's Creed: Revelations novel
• Assassin's Creed: Recollection
• Assassin's Creed: The Official Movie Novelization
• Assassin's Creed: Rebellion

References

de:Yusuf Tazim es:Yusuf Tazim fr:Yusuf Tazim hu:Yusuf Tazim it:Yusuf Tazim pl:Yusuf Tazim pt-br:Yusuf Tazim ru:Юсуф Тазим zh:优素福·塔齐姆