Damascus

Damascus is the capital and largest city of Syria, and also the first city Altaïr visits in order to carry out an assassination. Damascus is home to three of the his assassination targets. The city is under the control of Salah al-Din's Saracen army at the time of Assassin's Creed. During the Second Crusade around about 1148 the city repelled attacks, finally being acquired by Salah al-Din in the late 1150s. Salah al-Din granted scholars from far and wide the chance to study in one of the many Madrasahs scattered throughout the city's neighbourhoods. Almost unaffected entirely by the war, the city remains an extremely gorgeous site to the eyes. Altair visited the city in 1190 and 1191. During 1190, Altair wasn't exploring the city districts properly, as he had a straight forward task. He first had a mission in the local Souk, where he interrogated a merchant Misbah and killed a man named Tamir (Altaïr's Chronicles). He later made his way to the local circus where he gained more information on his current task of gaining an entrance to the Temple of the Sand. He also assassinated the local Tamplars member, Alaat.

In 1191, the city is split into three major districts. North-east within the Poor District area is considered to be a very busy section packed with citizens. This can be explained by the presence of the very impressive and sprawling Souk Al-Silaah. Unexpected security is rather light given the heavy traffic that was constant in the area. The Souk is a major trading spot within the city and dominates the area as a major landmark, with its impressive ceremonial courtyard situated in the centre, the site of where this District's Assassination Target conducted his daily business, guards were positioned in the narrow corridors attentively watching the crowd. The south-central area features the Pasha Mosque and Formal Gardens, and features larger east-west thoroughfares connecting the different areas. Tamir the Black Market Merchant held power and influence within the district. The southeastern section of Damascus featured many places of learning until Jubair Al Hakim arrived and began a city quest to destroy all written text. The central feature is Jubair's Madraasah where knowledge was quashed. Destroying knowledge and blinding the people to outside information of the world is aimed at preventing them from repeating past mistakes of their ancestors. Due to the Assassins continued success security in the district is at an all time high once access to it is granted. The district's east side is tight, somewhat slightly difficult to navigate but has a large Mosque and Hospital in the far southeastern corner. Almost half the city in terms of size, it is the Rich District that possesses many of the structural landmarks that attract outsiders to the city. The partially rebuilt Citadel of Salah al-Din is a key fortification that demands planning for a successful infiltration. The most impressive feature of the district and probably the city is the Omayyad Mosque of the Merchant King's Palace. Believe it or not the interior of The Palace is lightly secured, unless one of the Merchant King's lavish parties is in full swing. Traffic around palace grounds is rather light given the location. Slightly north is the Sarouja Souk Market Quarter, where traffic is moderate and so is security. Sarouja Souk holds the reputation of being the largest market in the Holy Land. It is split into two separate large structures that run from east to west. The Omayyad Mosque and Grand Courtyard dominate the district, the Grand Courtyard north of the Mosque is an interesting place. Here within the impressive district Abu'l Nuquoud held immense power over the people.

Assassination Target in Damascus

In Damascus, Altaïr is ordered to assassinate the following people.

1190

• Tamir, a fat, greedy merchant.
• Alaat, a Templar knight.

1191

• Tamir (different person from 1190 target), an arms dealer and a merchant who runs the largest black market in Damascus.
• Abu'l Nuqoud, the Merchant King who resides in his palace in Rich District.
• Jubair al Hakim, The Chief Scholar in Damascus. Despite being a scholar, he is a ruthless and rude man.

Map

Rich District	Middle District	Poor District