Ning

Ning (died c. 860s), also known as Al-Pairika (English: The Enchantress), was a Chinese merchant and collector based in Baghdad, where she was part of the Order of the Ancients. Using her power in the Order, she controlled the trade industry of the city from her seat of power in The Bazaar in Karkh, where she was known as The Treasurer.

Biography

Early life

Ning was born in the Tang dynasty and was sold by her parents to repay her family's debt. Growing up alone, these memories taught her to trust no one, and relied on her own skills to survive. Joining The Ivory Coin as a merchant, she relied on her calculating and cunning techniques to rise up the ranks and became the head of the organization, where she was known as the Treasurer.

Life as the Treasurer

After moving to Baghdad in the Abbasid Caliphate, Ning joined the Order of the Ancients which further increased her sphere of influence and power. In 861, she joined her fellow Order leaders Mas'ood Al-Ya'qoob, Fazil Fahim al-Kemsa, and Wasif al-Turki and the Ra's Al-Af'a, Qabiha at the Winter Palace in Anbar, when they arrived to meet the Caliph Al-Mutawakkil and the ancient artifact. After they verified the artifact, they ordered the caliph to safeguard it before transporting it to them. However, it was all for naught as it was taken by a young thief Basim Ibn Ishaq, who killed the caliph in self-defense as well.

After the death of the caliph, Ning ordered her subordinates Javed, known as Al-Kulullû, and Suhail, known as Al-Anqa, to seize foreign goods in the Karkh district and to obtain raised taxes from foreign merchants, respectively. However, Ning grew infuriated at them due to their failures and even threatened their lives for their errors. Ning was especially distraught at the fact she was unable to acquire a Chinese hairpin, which was put up at the grand auction, the Da'irat Al-mal. Despite Al-Bahamut's warning, Ning planned to make a public appearance at The Bazaar's auction.

Death

At the auction, Ning appeared when the call for the hairpin came and presented herself as the Treasurer. Unknown to her, she was being tracked by Alamut Hidden One Basim, who assassinated her lackeys Javed and Suhail. At the auction, she lost out on the hairpin to another buyer. Later, she reclused herself in her office, surrounded by her guards. She later received a guest, Basim, who brought the hairpin and gained entry as a member of the Ivory Coin. Alone with him, Ning talked with him about her life and the lessons she learned, already suspecting he was an enemy. However, Ning was assassinated by Basim, who escaped her guards.

Gallery

• 
  Ning in her Order mask and costume
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  Ning in her Order outfit in her office
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  Ning placing a bid on the hairpin
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  Ning's final moments

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Mirage