Assault on Masyaf

He who increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow. This article contains spoilers, meaning it has information and facts concerning recent or upcoming releases from the Assassin's Creed series. If you do not want to know about these events, it is recommended to read on with caution, or not at all. This template should be removed from the article three months after release.

I will lead mankind into a new world! This article is currently being reworked by Falco Luce del Sud-Est in order to achieve a better status. We ask that edits to this article are only minor or grammatical in nature until this warning is removed, in order to not disrupt the major revamp. Should you wish to participate in the revamp, please contact the editor at work.

"Altaïr! We have been betrayed. The enemy has overrun the castle!"

―Abbas Sofian to Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad regarding the attack on Masyaf.

The assault on Masyaf was an event during the High Middle Ages in the year 1189 in which the Templar Order attacked Masyaf, the headquarters of the Assassin Order located in Syria.

As the battle ensued, the Templars attacked the village of Masyaf were able to capture the Assassin fortress, and swiftly took prisoners inside, Assassin and civilian alike, including the eminent Mentor of the Levantine Assassins, Al Mualim. The Assassins were able to fend off their attackers and save the civilians as well as their master.

Attack and takeover

Circa 1189, a man named Haras joined the Syrian branch of Assassins. During his tenure within the Order, Haras became fed up with his lack of promotions and ranks, eventually covertly allying himself with the Templars. After his allegiance, Haras acted as a double-agent as he resumed his life with the Assassins.

Then, in 1189, Haras, seen by the Assassins only as the Templar agent as his identy was not known, led the Templar forces into Masyaf. The Templars attacked the village, killed and civilians and livestock and fought the Assassins. From there, Haras quickly made his way to the fortress, where he, along with several of his fellow Templars, took up hostages. They led the prisoners to the main courtyard of the fortress where two men guarded the prisoners while Haras interrogated them. The village below the fortress then came under siege as the Assassins held their ground to retake Masyaf from the Templars.

The battle and reclaimation

Altaïr's arrival

Altaïr: "When I close the castle gate, flank the Crusaders in the village and drive them into the canyon."

Abbas: "You don't stand a chance!"

Altaïr: "Abbas! No mistakes."

—Altaïr to Abbas on his plan.

W

Altaïr arrives at Masyaf.

ith the castle taken, the battle still continued, as the Templars and Assassins were fighting in the village below the castle. Eventually, the Assassin Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad arrived at the village, finding it in chaos. Noticing one of his fellow Assassins outnumbered by two Templars, Altaïr charged from behind on horseback. Slashing one Templar with his sword, Altaïr dismounted and dispatched the other solider with a throwing knife before he could kill. Altaïr helped the Assassin, who was injured in battle, over to a bench.

Asking who he was, Altaïr merely replied he was the son of Umar. As he helped the Assassin onto the bench, Abbas Sofian arrived and told Altaïr that the castle was overwhelmed. Altaïr asked of Al Mualim, and Abbas explained that he was inside when the Templars took over the castle. As Altaïr starred at the fight from afar, Abbas insisted that their forces fall back, believing they could do nothing to save Al Mualim.

However, Altaïr, confident he could save Al Mualim and retake the castle alone, instructed Abbas to have the Assassins flank the Templars once the castle gates were closed and drive them into the canyon. Abbas shouted that Altaïr could not stand against the Templars in the village and save Al Mualim, however, Altaïr simply told Abbas to make no mistakes with the task he given him. Altaïr made his way towards the fortress and aided his fellow Assassins by killing many Templar attackers.

Saving Al Mualim

"Tell me what you know of the artefact! Tell me where you are searching for it. It is a small price to pay to preserve what you have built here, no?"

―Haras to Al Mualim regarding an "artefact".

N

Al Mualim held hostage by the Templars.

earing the castle gates, Altaïr was stopped by the Templar agent, finally revealed as Haras and the traitor of the Order, claiming that he and his soldiers would kill Al Mualim, if he came any further towards the castle. Altaïr warned the traitor he would not leave the castle alive. Haras merely said he was no traitor, for he could not betray the Assassins, whom he had "never truly loved". Altaïr snarled that Haras was twice as vile, as he had been living a lie. As the gate closed preventing Altaïr entering, he took an alternative route up the walls of the castle. As Altaïr assassinated sentries atop the walls, Haras began demanding that Al Mualim give him information regarding an "artefact", he proceeded to kill off the Assassin hostages on by one as Al Mualim refused to give in.

However, Altaïr was able to get close to the men from above, and in the dire situation, he assassinated Haras from the ledge. Haras's soldiers were stunned, and Al Mualim took the oppurtunity to break free and eliminate them. As Haras died, he claimed the Templars knew that humans were weak and petty. Though Altaïr countered that the Creed was evidence to the contrary. Haras then died claiming he was "too wise" to believe such things. With the castle retaken and Al Mualim saved, Altaïr walked down the courtyard with his mentor. Al Mualim asked why Altaïr offered the Templar a chance at salvation.

Altaïr claimed no person should die without being shown kindness. Al Mualim admitted to Altaïr that watching him grow from a boy to a man gave him much sadness and pride. Al Mualim claimed Altaïr fit the role of his father perfectly. After saying his father was an Assassin above all else, Al Mualim asked Altaïr if he regretted the Assassin life he had since a child. Altaïr asked how he could regret the only life he has ever known. Al Mualim finally told Altaïr that the battle for Masyaf was not over.

Aftermath

Altaïr: "How can I regret the only life I've ever known?"

Al Mualim: "You may find a way, in time. And it will be up to you to choose the path you prefer. Come, my boy... and ready your blade. This battle is not yet won."

—Al Mualim to Altaïr after the assault on Masyaf.

The Assassins retook their fortress and fought the Templars out of Masyaf and Altaïr was promoted to rank of Master Assassin.

Source

• Assassin's Creed: Revelations