Talal

"Beggars, whores, addicts, lepers: do they strike you as proper slaves? Unfit for even the most menial tasks. No... I took them, not to sell, but to save, and yet you'd kill us all..."

―Talal

Talal was a slaver and secretly, a member of the Templars and was one of nine men that the Assassin Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad was ordered to assassinate by Al Mualim, the Grand Master of the Assassin Order during the Third Crusade. He was located in the rich district of Jerusalem within his Slave complex.

Biography

The Slaver of Jerusalem

"He traffics human lives, kidnapping Jerusalem citizens and selling them to slavery."

―Altaïr about Talal.

Talal worked hard to earn his place as one of Jerusalem's most feared criminals. He operated a large slave ring, which was oddly ignored by the normally vigilant Jerusalem Guard. He was quick-witted, agile, and an expert marksman. There were tales of him fleeing a battle, only to be seen at higher ground, where his bow rained down arrows with exceptional accuracy.

Able to outrun most men with ease, Talal was proud of his acrobatic prowess and had no qualms about singing his own praises to anyone who would listen. He found humor in everything – and was especially fond of toying with his enemies before killing them. He was also known to have a very loyal band of henchmen that followed his every word, even if that meant laying down their own lives. Ending up joining up with the Templars, Talal learned the Templars' secrets and acquired knowledge of the Pieces of Eden.

Death

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Talal insults Altaïr, as his men close on him.

"It seems I cannot help you, for you do not wish to help yourself. And I cannot allow my work to be threatened.You leave me no choice. You must die."

―Talal speaking to Altaïr.

Altaïr tracked Talal's movements within the rich district before discovering him within his slave warehouse. He situated his men to surround Altaïr, taunting the intruder and boasting that he had led the Assassin there, absent the burden of fighting with his men. The Templar then ordered his henchmen to kill the distressed man and they followed the orders without question. Talal then watched the fight, looking on in anticipation for the guards to defeat Altaïr, however the Assassin was skillful enough to end to lives of all the guards.

Altaïr assassinates Talal

Talal, seeing this, ran out of his slave complex through a trapdoor in the ceiling. Altaïr immediately gave chase to his fleeing target. Altaïr pursued him in a long and agile chase across rooftops, the streets of Jerusalem and among the people of the city. As Talal prepared an arrow for his bow, Altaïr quickly closed the gap between them, stabbing him with his Hidden Blade. With his dying words, Talal remarked that the people he was selling were the most unfortunate people in Jerusalem, and that, where they were being sent, they would be better off. He also remarked that he no longer believed in anything after death and that the people he had "rescued" had abandoned their beliefs as long as he had, being too weak to speak anymore, Talal died and all that was left was for Altaïr to escape.

Personality and characteristics

Talal was a cruel man, locking up men and women who he claimed to have been beggars, whores, addicts and lepers. Though these actions were cruel, he believed himself to be doing it for the right cause but he always knew that his death would not get in the way of his Templar brothers' goals. He had lost faith over time, claiming that not only the people have abandoned him, but the people he took into his care, trying to save them but he believed Altaïr would kill them all just because he was asked. He was somewhat cocky aswell, believing that Altaïr would fail to defeat his men and even taunting Altaïr beforehand.

Talal usually had a bow tied up against his back, along with arrows. He also had a sword in it's scabbard but he was proven to be more experienced with a bow and arrow. He wore a darkening gray tunic which had yellow stripes. Talal wore two vambraces on each wrist and had a large belt around him. He had plain white leggings which descend into another layer of leggings which can be tightened. Talal had a goatee and usually had his hair pulled back, he was of normal height and stature.

Final Words

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Talal's last breath.

Altaïr: You've nowhere to run now. Share your secrets with me.

Talal: My part is played. The Brotherhood is not so weak that my death will stop its work.

Altaïr: What Brotherhood?

Talal: Al Mualim is not the only one with designs upon the Holy Land. And that's all you'll have from me!

Altaïr: Then we are finished. Beg forgiveness from your god!

Talal: He's long abandoned us. Long abandoned the men and women I took into my arms.

Altaïr: What do you mean?

Talal: Beggars, whores, addicts, lepers: do they strike you as proper slaves? Unfit for even the most menial tasks? No... I took them, not to sell, but to save, and yet you'd kill us all... for no other reason than it was asked of you.

Altaïr: No! You profit from the war, from lives lost and broken.

Talal: Yes, you would think that, ignorant as you are. Wall off your mind: they say it's what your kind do best. Do you see the irony in all this? No, not yet, it seems, but you will...

Trivia

• Talal was also featured in the E3 2007 gameplay trailer, where Altaïr infiltrated the slave trader's den, before chasing and killing Talal.
• If he runs onto the streets, unlike most other assassinations targets, the vigilantes will stop him. The same applies for Sibrand and Jubair. This can help you to make the achievement "Blade In The Crowd"
• After this memory block, you will still see his guards around Jerusalem.

Gallery

• 
  Talal in his slave head quarters.
• Altaïr chasing Talal through the streets of Jerusalem.
  Altaïr chasing Talal through the streets of Jerusalem.
• Altaïr kills Talal.
  Altaïr kills Talal.

Video

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