Cypriot Resistance

Several resistance members, with Altaïr and Maria.

The Cypriot Resistance was a group of rebels against the government of the island of Cyprus. Mostly composed of men, the group played a key role when the Mentor of the Levantine Assassins, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, migrated to the island in order to eliminate the Templar presence.

History

During the fall of 1191, the Assassin Jabal contacted the leader of the Limassol chapter of the Resistance, Alexander, informing him of Altaïr's arrival to the island, and that he required assistance. After making contact with Altaïr, Alexander informed him about some of the key Templar figures and locations in the district. After naming Frederick the Red his target, Altaïr was told by Alexander to contact the spy Osman for assistance in getting in the district castle.

The Resistance Safehouse in Limassol, set on fire.

After the successful assassination of Frederick, the Templars had the Resistance safehouse in Limassol set on fire, and had several of the members murdered. Afterwards, in the church area of the district, Osman was killed by Armand Bouchart in the midst of his public announcement regarding Frederick's death. Despite the casualties, several members lived, among them was Alexander. Alexander then gave his final assistance to Altaïr before making attempts to reform the Resistance, having the Assassin contact the pirate Pasha to gain transport to Kyrenia. Alexander told Altaïr to look for the Resistance's district leader, Barnabas, for further assistance. Afterwards, Alexander takes his leave with his men.

Arriving at Kyrenia, Altaïr encounters the resistance member Markos along with his men, who apprehended Maria Thorpe when she attempted to escape. Altaïr suggested that she stay with them while he searched for the safehouse. Afterwards, Altaïr meets with Barnabas. There, Barnabas asked Altaïr to assassinate the Cypriot Jonas in exchange for assistance. After doing so, Altaïr unknowingly sparked a riot, that put Maria and Markos in danger. Altaïr returned to Kyrenia's harbor and rescued the group, and left immediately to quell the riots as Markos make their way to the safehouse.

Altaïr rescues several Resistance members in Kyrenia's harbor.

Returning to the safehouse, Altaïr found Markos and Maria, though there was no sign of Barnabas. Markos then informed him of Moloch, whose fanatics were the cause of the riots. Altaïr would then task himself with eliminating Moloch. After doing so, the Resistance safehouse was ransacked, with most of the members and Maria taken away. During that time, Markos reveals that Barnabas was murdered before Altaïr's arrival. Altaïr was then tasked with rescuing the Resistance, though he only rescued a portion of it from an execution. After stealing the key in a Templar stronghold, Altaïr frees the remaining members, though Maria was not among the prisoners.

Markos would then assume leadership of the Resistance in Kyrenia, and would later assist Altaïr in eliminating the remaining Templar presence, particularly the Dark Oracle and the twins Shalim and Shahar. After the deaths of Shalim and Shahar, the remaining Templars fled from the district, finally liberated from the Templars. With Markos assuring that Kyrenia is finally safe, Altaïr follows the Templars back to Limassol.

Alexander's body at the castle courtyard.

Meeting again with Alexander, the man accuses him of betrayal, due to head of Barnabas being brought to him. Altaïr clarifies that he met a different Barnabas, and informs him of the events in Kyrenia. Afterwards, Alexander and Altaïr would work together in sorting out the mess in Limassol. In the near end however, Alexander was murdered and brought to the courtyard of Limassol Castle, where Altaïr met again with the impostor of Barnabas. The impostor would later be murdered by Maria.

After the events on Cyprus, Altaïr leaves the island to resume his work in the Assassin Order. Their current status is unknown.

Organizational information

The organization mostly functioned in secrecy, keeping a close eye on the city while maintaining their vigil on the government's actions. They mostly hide in inconspicuous safehouses in the city districts, where they keep most of their books, supplies, weapons, and occasional prisoners. Much like guilds, the Resistance have a specific leader assigned to each chapter, who often coordinates their efforts and negotiates with several contacts.

Much of the members are well-informed, and know several locations and shortcuts around the city. Many members take these hidden shortcuts when their situation require subtlety. Like the Assassins, they worked in secrecy in their stand against the government, keeping their strongholds obscure and their men protected.

Equipment and Implementation

Usual members of the resistance wear dark brown clothes, and have swords by their sides. However, in public they act as normal civillians, blending with the crowd similiarly to the Assassins. They seem to preffer defending the citizens directly, rather than confronting the Templars head-on, probably because of inferior numbers.

Known members

• Alexander of Limassol
• Markos
• Barnabas
• Osman

Contacts

• Jabal
• Pasha
• Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad

Trivia

• Most of the members wore long black robes, similar to the vigilantes.
• The Resistance safehouses are similar to the Assassin's Bureau. Their entrance is through the roof, and have resting areas for their members.
• A refill station for throwing knives is present in the safehouses.
• Despite being followers of Altair, members will usually insult him should he collide with them.

Source

• Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines