Masyaf

Masyaf (Arabic مصياف) is a mountain city in current-day Syria. In Assassin's Creed, it serves as the base of operations of the Assassins' Order (Syrian wing). From here, the smallest city in the game outside the Kingdom, Assassins undergo educational and physical training for the trials they are to endure in the outside land.

Masyaf is built on a mountain nestled in the Orontes Valley, the castle being at the peak. The village appears to offer sanctuary to the citizens loyal to the Assassins' cause. A bustling market lies at the lower end of the city. At the mountain peak, one may find the Assassins' Fortress, and within, the master's personal library and sanctuary. Inside the fortress library, one can witness the true scholarly habits of the Order. Instructors constantly manoeuvre around seeking books to further their education on worldly politics as well as the "Assassin's Creed". Al Mualim delves into these books on a daily basis constantly seeking knowledge and wisdom in order to properly guide and educate the fearsome political warriors that faithfully serve under him. This city is, for the most part, unscathed by the wars ravaging the Holy Land, because the Assassins protect their city very fiercely.

Trivia

• Masyaf is the first location after Solomon's temple that is encountered during the game.
• Although considered your allies (and indicated to be as such by Eagle Vision), guards in the city will fight you if provoked.
• There are no harassers of any sort in Masyaf (i.e. beggars, jar carriers, and guards blocking access).
• Outside of Masyaf, there is a small part of the Kingdom controlled by the Assassins. Using eagle vision it is possible to see a guard highlighted in red instead of blue, indicating he is an enemy. He may be killed without any sync penalties (though the guards will fight you if caught), although this might just be a glitch in the programming.
• During the Templar siege on Masyaf and during the mini cutscene before the first leap of faith you can see Assassins still keeping watch over the lake below.
• Despite the Third Tenet stating that you must not, indirectly or otherwise, harm your fellow Assassins, you can kill Masyaf guards with no synchronization penalty and no mention is made by anyone.
• The gardens behind the fortress (accessible after Tamir's assassination) are a reference to the legend of the secret Paradise in the backyards of the real Assassin's headquarters, wich was an illusion created by the Old Man of the Mountain in order to make his followers believe in his divine mission and execute any order given (usually assassination attempts) without fear of death.

Map

http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/assassinscreed/images/thumb/e/e2/Masyaf.png/436px-Masyaf.png