Al Mualim
Arabic: المعلم) title meaning "The Teacher" sometimes used as "The Master"
Altaïr's master and leader of the Syrian sect of Assassins. He established the Assassins Order within the fortress of Masyaf as a kind of sanctuary for ordinary people as well as Assassins, although he is both loved and feared by the people who live under his protection. He is widely respected and feared for employing Assassins who without hesitation carry out political public city figure assassinations. They also possess a solid reputation for succeding. But what is well known is that once your actions have his attention in a negative way, your death is drastically sped up in its already slow approach.
Al Mualim is extremely wise and at times a just leader, however at times he can be unpredictable and mysterious in conversation. He reveals little about himself - only what he wishes others to see. It's obvious that he's hiding things, but then that's to be expected from the leader of the Assassins. Al Mualim can't abide traitors and despises failure, however, he rewards success richly and takes a personal interest in Altaïr's growth, both as a master assassin and a man, due to Altaïr's failure at the begining and then complete success from their onwards, as he re-gains his title and honor.
Then Robert De Sable reveals just before he dies that Al Mualim is in fact a Templar. Altaïr returns to Masyaf and finds out that all the people are under control by the Piece of Eden along with the men he assassinated that have . When Altaïr gets far enough in to Masyaf Al Mualim send out many assassins to kill Altaïr but it fails. Al Mualim attempts to use the Piece of Eden to defeat Altaïr but his attempts are unsuccessful and after a lengthy battle Al Mualim dies at the hands of Altaïr. Interestingly enough, the battle can be ended quickly and easily by using the hidden blade during the battle and countering Al Mualim's attack, which will result in an instant kill if performed correctly.
Trivia
- His real name was Rashid ad-Din Sinan, and he was nicknamed The Old Man of the Mountain.