A New Beginning

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A New Beginning was a virtual representation of one of Basim Ibn Ishaq's genetic memories relived through the Animus.

Description

Basim began his training in Alamut to become a Hidden One.

Dialogue

While training holding his breath underwater, Basim looked below his position and saw a vision of the djinn that tormented him emerging from the depths of the lagoon. He hurriedly resurfaced to get back his breath, swimming to land afterwards.

• Basim: A new day. Another test. I should get back.

He made his way back to the training grounds, stopping to gaze upon the ongoing construction site of Alamut's fortress further up in the mountains.

• Basim: Alamut Fortress takes my breath away... as if it leaped out of the hikayat (stories) I heard when I was a child.

Basim pressed onward and saw Roshan speaking to a recruit.

• Roshan: If you do not have faith in yourself, then who will?

Basim approached her as the recruit left.

• Roshan: There you are. Are you ready?
• Basim: I... I think so.
• Roshan: Put yesterday out of your mind. It has no bearing on today.

Basim put his hands behind his back and nodded.

• Roshan: Get dressed and we can begin.

He looked over the cliff before him and then put on his recruit robes.

• Roshan: Go on, Basim. Like we practiced.
• Basim: Yes, master.

Basim began climbing up the small cliff by using the handholds placed along the way, reaching a platform.

• Novice 1: You look strong today, Basim! Keep training!

He approached a pole, from where he was to attempt a Leap of Faith.

• Basim: Steady, Basim. Steady.
• Roshan: Leap! Now!
• Basim: Yes, master!

Basim lept from the pole and failed to perform the signature leap, instead falling on his back into the haystack below.

• Roshan: I've seen enough. We will try again tomorrow.

He got out of the haystack and followed Roshan.

• Basim: I felt fine.

Roshan brought him to watch another recruit perform the Leap of Faith from a nearby cliff successfully.

• Roshan: I can see it in your body. You lose focus too easy. The Leap of Faith is a crucial step on your path to initiation. It is one of the Brotherhood's first and most sacred rites. To perform it successfully, you must first center your mind, body and spirit. Embrace the fear. Quiet it. Find the stillness. And let go.
• Basim: Yes, Master.
• Roshan: Let's return to the camp.

Basim followed Roshan back to the camp through the ravines, inquiring some questions to her along the way.

• Basim: May I ask you something?
• Roshan: You may.
• Basim: Back in Anbar, at the palace, I witnessed a meeting between the Caliph and five masked men. Order members. The Caliph was meant to protect the object they discovered, but he knew nothing of their plans for it. He did not even know them by name. How does the most powerful man in Baghdad bend such a fearful knee to the faceless?
• Roshan: The Order has held dominion over such men and their empires for centuries. By convincing them of their truth, that they are the natural arbiters of the world. The Caliph was but their puppet, and the same will be true of whomever succeeds him. The entire Caliphate is under their influence.

They reached the Hidden Ones camp, passing through its gates.

• Roshan: Basim, speak with Fuladh and see if he needs help. We will continue your training later.
• Basim: Yes, master.

Roshan proceeded to speak to a member nearby.

• Roshan: Have you seen Mentor Rayhan in camp?
• Hidden One 1: He is preparing to receive the Tahirid emissary, master.
• Roshan: Thank you.

Basim spoke to Tabid Al-Nubi, one of the more experienced Hidden Ones.

• Basim: Good day, Tabid!
• Tabid: Hello, Basim.
• Basim: What troubles you?
• Tabid: Truthfully, I am frustrated. The Order has only grown stronger in Baghdad since the death of the Caliph. And we are stuck on this mountain.
• Basim: Mentor Rayhan surely knows what he is doing...
• Tabid: Maybe I should trust more.

I am looking for Fuladh.Goodbye.

• Basim: Have you seen Fuladh?
• Tabid: Probably at his office, as usual? Anyways, I must get back to work.
• Basim: Araka Lahiqan (See you later)!

Basim then spoke to Nur, one of his peers and close friend in the brotherhood.

• Basim: How is Nur, the brave eagle?
• Nur: Will he fall or will he soar?
• Basim: You will soar, ya sadeeqi (my friend)! Insha' Allah! (If God wills it!)
• Nur: Thank you. We have a similar spirit, you know?
• Basim: What gave you that idea?
• Nur: One of the Banu Musa was angry at you and you were unfased. Remember?
• Basim: I did not touch his hammer.
• Nur: You refused to apologize for something you did not do. I respect that. Stubborn like me!
• Basim: I have been called worse.

Have you seen Fuladh?Goodbye.

• Basim: Have you seen Fuladh in camp?
• Nur: I have seen him speaking to Ahmad near his office.
• Basim: Araka Lahiqan (See you later)!

Basim then read a note placed on a wooden stool beside another Hidden One.

A Moment of Reflection

I looked out upon the mountain at dusk, thinking of how far I've come. I am humble and grateful to be among these people.

Initiation fast approaches, and I am more eager than ever to do my part. But it is not lost on me that I am fillinf the shoes of our dead. It is a the risk we take, and a worthwhile one in this fight for freedom. I only pray that I can honor them.

The recruit talked to the Hidden One who served as the caretaker of the horses in the stable near the gates.

• Basim: How are these fine animals, ya khaiyal (horse-keeper)?
• Horseman: Hale and healthy!
• Basim: Are they native to this area?
• Horseman: They came with us ten years ago, when we set up our camp. Zul-Janah was born here.
• Basim: She is a beautiful horse. Thank you for introducing us.
• Horseman: Take care, ya sadeeqi (my friend)!

Basim made his way to the camp's repository, where he saw Roshan examining a scroll.

• Roshan: (missing dialogue)

He read a note beside the bookshelf his master was browsing.

A Gift of Gratitude

O Shadows of Alamut,

I was desperate, scrabbling under the foot of one so powerful that I'd despaired of help. And then, like a miracle, the weight was lifted, and I could breathe, for my enemy had been struck from the shadows. I pray that this token of my gratitude finds you. I have faith that it will. It was you that restored my faith, after all.

–A grateful stranger

Basim entered the cave tunnel nearby that had been repurposed as an office and sleeping quarters for Rayhan and saw a letter pinned to another bookshelf.

Letter from Ali

Rayhan,

When my men at the harbor learned of a certain cargo delivery to the Caliph, we shared the information with you freely. Yet we have heard nothing of it since.

Keep secrets if you must, but I need assurance that there is nothing amiss that might interfere with the rebel cause.

Allah has brought me as a light unto your path of shadows.

Remember that.

–Ali, Lion of the Zanj

The recruit then read a note on the office desk.

A Warning from Baghdad

Our friend in Baghdad reports that the chaos has abated somewhat. Yet new perils announce themselves daily. Al-Mutawakkil's son, passed over in the succession, threatens to press his claim. Our friend frets that he cannot fight a war on two fronts. On either field he expects our cooperation. I urge you to reconsider your alliance with the rebels, Rayhan.

–T

He read a final note in the upper level of the office.

A New Home for the Hidden Ones

Brother,

I hear rumor that Jerusalem may be host to an artifact of great power, one of those sought so fiercely by our enemies. The Hidden Ones lack a firm foothold nearby. We have found it to our benefit to anchor ourselves beyond the city while spreading our Bureaus within its gates. Perhaps we could establish a stronghold to the north. Your thoughts?

–Mentor Rayhan

Basim left the office through the upper exit and approached Fuladh's office, where he found him speaking to Ahmad ibn Musa, one of the Banu Musa brothers.

• Fuladh: I may get back to you on this.
• Ahmad: Of course!

The pair analysed a schematic of Ahmad's authorship.

• Fuladh: Ah, what is this in the corner ... here? A small design?
• Ahmad: It is my signature. So you know that I created this and not Al-Hasan or worse, Abu Jafar!

Fuladh looked to him perplexedly.

• Ahmad: I jest, you understand? Wada'an! (Farewell!)

Ahmad took his leave and nodded to Basim who had waved at him.

• Fuladh: Ah, Basim. How are you?

The eagle behind Fuladh cried out.

• Fuladh: Yes, Enkidu! Food is coming! He is intelligent. And intelligence is supposed to rhyme with patience!

The man looked to the recruit.

• Fuladh: Reminds me of someone...
• Basim: Have you been speaking to Master Roshan?
• Fuladh: Have patience... Be kind to your progress.
• Basim: I will take this to heart. Roshan asked me to come see you?

Fuladh pointed him to the other side of the ravine.

• Fuladh: Ah, yes! Rebekah needs leather strips. Can you fetch those from the store-room?
• Basim: I shall, Fuladh.
• Fuladh: Araka Lahiqan! (See you later!)

Before leaving, Basim read a note from Roshan on the table behind Fuladh.

Training Report - Basim Ibn Is'haq

He is arrogant, but that is not the source of his trouble. There is something extraordinary within him, yet he guards it as closely as he guards his heart. A Hidden One must cleave to the shadows but Basim dreads what the darkness may yield. He fears the plunge... HE does not trust that we will catch him. I would tell him that our arms are open, but I cannot find the words.

He then read a letter from a desk close to Enkidu's perch.

Tidings from the West

The siege of Constantinople is lifted! The attack of the Rus came like a thunderbolt from heaven, the Patriarch put it. The northerners raided the villages just beyond the city and left great damage in their wake. Our aerie will soon need to sent more eagles to the city of Byzas; new perils dawn, and I doubt that the Norsemen are done with us yet.

–Your brother in shadow

Basim went down the stairs to reach the Banu Musa's workshop, where he spoke to Ahmad.

• Basim: As-salamu 'alaikum. (Peace be upon you.) What is this thing you work on?
• Ahmad: Huh? Oh, um... it is a type of grab-dredge.
• Basim: How does it work, Abu Jafar?
• Ahmad: Ahmad.
• Basim: Ahmad. Of course.
• Ahmad: Hmm, maybe I am thinking about this backwards and I can... hmm...
• Basim: I will let you continue your work.
• Ahmad: Yes, yes. Fine.

Basim reminded himself of the task he had at hand.

• Basim: Rebekah needs leather strips from the camp's store-house. I must find those for her.

Basim made his way to the storeroom, passing by a group of three novices resting around a campfire.

• Novice 2: As-salamu 'alaikum (Peace be upon you), Basim!

He joined the Hidden Ones at the campfire, sitting on one of the benches and listening to their conversations.

• Novice 2: (missing dialogue)

Basim then resumed his path, entering the nearby storehouse and spotting an object on a table full of bandages on top.

• Basim: That is not it.

He looked at another object on the floor, near some clay jars.

• Basim: It is hard to find anything in here.

He read a note on another table with spice containers.

Don't forget the feathers

Fuladh,

Be sure to remind the Bureaus in Baghdad to return every bloodied feather and mission report to Alamut. Each feather is a victory; they must be collected and chronicled, not consigned to the heap of history. This is not mere ceremony. Future generations of Hidden Ones will look to our records for guidance. Our past must instruct out future, it cannot be erased.

- Mentor Rayhan

Basim then looked at another object lying on the floor close to some animal skin.

• Basim: No, that is not a strip of leather.

Basim looked to another table near some piles of silk fabrics and found what he needed, the leather strips Rebekah wanted. He heard a conversation coming from outside the storehouse.

• Tahirid emissary: These forces within the Caliphate are beginning to pur pressure on us.
• Rayhan: Forces? You mean the Order, Aban.
• Tahirid emissary: I... can only speak of what I know, ya sadeeqi (my friend).

Rayhan and his guest went down the stairs of a building nearby and stopped near Basim's position.

• Tahirid emissary: The Caliph wishes to nullify the rebels and if you persist in giving them support... we cannot assure you protection from any... Caliphate response.
• Rayhan: The rebels supply us with information in Baghdad. Without them, we are blind.
• Tahirid emissary: Be that as it may, Governor Muhammad is very commited to showing that he can end this rebellion swiftly.
• Rayhan: Huh, I do not doubt that.
• Tahirid emissary: I came to warn you. Things are moving fast in Baghdad. You may have to act sooner than expected.
• Rayhan: I hear you, Aban.

Rayhan and the emissary took their leave.

• Basim: So the Tahirids who govern these lands are the only thing standing between Alamut and a full scale attack. A fragile peace. How long will it last?

Basim returned to the repository and spoke to Rayhan, who examined a scroll.

• Basim: (missing dialogue)

Basim headed deeper in the valley and spoke to a worker nearby, who was cutting a piece of wood.

• Basim: How does construction go?
• Worker 1: Ah, it is taking longer than we expected, ya sayyidi (sir).
• Basim. That must be frustrating.
• Worker 1: Uh, Mentor Rayhan is a wise man but he speaks of this mountain as if it was destined that we build here. We have patience and follow his guidance.
• Basim: Master Roshan tells me I must not be in a hurry to rush back to Madinat as-Salam (The City of Peace).
• Worker 1: I would not hurry at all. Baghdad is... different now. It is very dangerous.

He read a note in a table full of books near the man's working station, close to a hut which appeared to be Roshan's.

Let Me Go

Azadeh,

They tell me you are still searching. Still chasing rumor and calling my name. The woman you pursue is dead and that name is buried with her. I am Roshan. Daughter of none. Sister of many. I drown my pain in brotherhood. You can have no part in this fellowship, for the cause is cruel to our kin and I will not see you hurt.

Turn back, old friend. Seek me no more.

Basim read another note close to the hut's closed entrance.

The First Blade

Dear Roshan,

I have enclosed with my letter a rare find: an ancient sketch of a Hidden Blade, the very first. You see it's title: Xerxes's Bane. This was the weapon of Darius. I know not if our famous ancestor ever returned to his beloved Persia after his betrayal, but I thought I would return this etching of his blade to his native shores, and to you.

- Itamos of Greece

Basim used the zipline nearby to reach the workshop near the waterfall and spoke to Rebekah, who smithed a short sword.

• Basim: Rebekah?
• Rebekah: Basim, Basim... are you just wandering the camp aimlessly now?

He playfully dismissed her tease and handed the leather strips to her.

• Basim: No, I have this leather for you. Will it do?

Rebekah approached her working table and wrapped it around a dagger.

• Rebekah: Apparently, you've moved past the wooden swords. I protested, but Roshan insisted.

She handed the dagger to Basim.

• Rebekah: Here is your dagger.

Basim admired the blade and put it on his back.

• Rebekah: And your sword. I am proud to have worked on them.

Rebekah handed the sword to Basim, who took a few swings to test its power.

• Basim: This blade has character!

He attached the sword to his waist.

• Rebekah: Why would I make anything less than unique?
• Basim: I am in your debt. I was not expecting new weapons today!
• Rebekah: Repay me by using them on the Order. Make them feel the sharpness of its character!

As Basim prepared to leave, Rebekah had more words for him.

• Rebekah: Roshan said you had further training today? Show her that new sword of yours!
• Basim: I look forward to it!

He read a note on a desk close to the forge behind her.

Weapons Inventory

Here is the current inventory of the armory along with what is owed to the rebels.

Swords – 33 (12 outgoing)

Arrows – 247 (50 outgoing)

Throwing knives – 58 (20 outgoing)

Smoke bombs – 22
Note: rope needed for wicks.

Blowdarts – 51
Note: wild herbs needed for sleep concoction (ask any Banu Musa for the recipe)

Basim approached a training ground close to the waterfall where he spoke to a Hidden One.

• Novice 3: Blessings upon you, Basim.
• Basim: How does training go, ya sadeeqi (my friend)?
• Novice 3: Nur showed me a new way to grip my knife and it has improved my accuracy greatly! If you throw it just so, it sails through the air swift and true!

Basim collected three throwing knifes from the handrail.

• Basim: Shall I remind you how to use a knife?

As requested, he threw the knifes at the test targets by the waterfall.

• Novice 3: Ya ilahi! (My God!) Well done!

Basim then took his leave.

• Novice 3: You have inspired me to train harder!
• Basim: This is the way, ya sadeeqi (my friend)!

He then approached the entrance to the initiation cave behind a rock wall in the cliff but was barred by two Hidden Ones.

• Hidden One 2: You cannot enter. It is forbidden.

Basim climbed the cliffs to reach the training grounds closer to the fortress, using a lift to reach the start of the path to the camp, where more workers laboured. He spoke to one who was counting a group of marble blocks.

• Basim: As-salamu 'alaikum, ya sadeeqi. (Peace be upon you, my friend.)
• Worker 2: 'Wa 'alaikum as-salam! (And peace be upon you!) Did Fuladh send you?
• Basim: No, he did not.
• Worker 2: Then you're not here to help move these rocks?
• Basim: I am quite sure that was not me.
• Worker 2: I do not mean to be rude but I have no time to talk. I must figure this out.
• Basim: I will leave you to it, then.

He spoke to another worker who mused over the fortress' plans.

• Basim: As-salamu 'alaikum, ya sayyidi. (Peace be upon you, sir.)
• Worker 2: Wa 'alaikum as-salam! (And peace be upon you!)
• Basim: I was out in the mountains earlier and the sight of Fortress Alamut filled me with awe.
• Worker 2: Mentor Rayhan told us to take inspiration from nests the eagles construct in the Alamut peaks.
• Basim: I can see the influence. Wada'an. (Farewell.)
• Worker 2: Rafaqaka Allah! (May God accompany you!)

Basim continued onwards, freerunning through the platforms and obstacles to reach the top, which was an open ground. He found Roshan sparring with the trainees.

• Roshan: Good work. Until tomorrow.

The trainee took his leave and Basim approached his master.

• Roshan: Basim. Time for combat training.
• Basim: I was surprised when Rebekah handed me this. Is a sword not a coarse weapon for a Hidden One?
• Roshan: As Hidden Ones, we must become proficient with a number of weapons. You never know how a fight will escalate. Anyone can wield a sword. But how will you use it?
• Basim: I am here to learn that, master.
• Roshan: Are you truly here?

Roshan circled around him.

• Basim: Well... yes. I believe so.
• Roshan: You are here in body but are you here in mind and soul?
• Basim: Is this... a riddle?
• Roshan: No. It is the difference between life and death.

She returned to her initial position.

Outcome

Basim furthered his training while bonding with his fellow Hidden Ones, including Nur. After discovering mercenaries from Baghdad attempting to infiltrate the Alamut camp, Basim and Nur killed them and report their findings to the Mentors. Nur departed to Baghdad to investigate while Basim remained to further his training

References

• Assassin's Creed: Mirage