Al Mualim
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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. |
- "The only difference between your master and I is that he did not want to share. "
- ―Robert de Sable to Altair
Rashid ad-Din Sinan, known in the game as "Al Mualim" (المعلم ,Arabic for "The Teacher" or "The Master"), is Altaïr's mentor and master of the Syrian wing of the Assassin Order.
Biography
Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles
In 1190, Al Mualim tasks Altaïr to find the Chalice (revealed to be Adha) after he returns from another assignment. During this year, Al Mualim resides in Assassin's stronghold in Alep.
Assassin's Creed
- Al Mualim: "I've found proof."
- Altaïr: "Proof of what?"
- Al Mualim: "That nothing is true and that everything is permitted."
- —Al Mualim confronting Altaïr at Masyaf
In 1191, after Altaïr's failure at Solomon's Temple that caused the incapacitation and death of one fellow assassin, caused Malik to lose his left arm, and caused an attack by the Templars to Masyaf, Al Mualim demotes him from Master Assassin to Novice, removing much of his equipment and his authority at the order. Altair then goes to earn his status back by killing nine men who support the Crusade from both Catholic and Muslim sides. After killing the ninth man, Robert de Sable, the dying target states that Al Mualim was, in fact, a Templar. Altaïr then returns to Masyaf and finds out that people in the city have been put in a hypnotic trance, but he along with some fellow assassins are unaffected by the mind control and make way to the fortress. Reaching the castle, he discovers that Al Mualim was responsible for this by use of the Piece of Eden recovered at Solomon's Temple, and confronts his master. After fighting illusions, Altaïr manages to carve his hidden blade into Al Mualim, ending the cause of the hypnotic trance. As he dies, the leader of the Assassins says that he did it all to ensure absolute peace in the world, and claims that Altaïr, as him, will not be able to destroy the Piece of Eden.
Characteristics and personality
Al Mualim is an extremely wise and just leader, however rather unpredictable and mysterious at times. In Masyaf, a discreet city in the mountains, is located the fortress and headquarters of the Syrian sect of Assassins, where Al Mualim spends most of his time studying.
By his efforts, the Order has become a well-known and feared but rather obscure faction, inspiring fear and uncertainty throughout the land and spreading rumors that increased the already legendary reputation of the brotherhood. That has been accomplished by the murdering of important and sometimes "unreachable" public figures, in both public and silent assassinations, which made men of power aware of the constant danger.
Al Mualim does not just stress political assassination but education as well. He has a thorough understanding and knowledge pertaining from philosophy to science. This wisdom was employed constantly for the people of the Holy Land and his order. In addition to preaching the creed as the only way to achieve the brotherhood's goal of peace in all things, he emphasizes that this refers to peace within as well. He constantly reminds the assassins, "Never harbor hate for your victims, for such things are poison...", which aided emotional detachment and ensured the dispatching of a target. The leader of the assassins often employed his "children" as political warriors, directed to fight as the voice of the people throughout the Holy Land, suppressing those who use their power and influence to commit impious acts against society. He rewards success richly, but despises failure and doesn't abide traitors.
Al Mualim shrouds not just his order, but himself in a great cover of secrecy. He reveals little about himself, almost nothing is known about his early life, let alone any life at all beyond his duty as the Master of the Assassins.
Final Words
(Al Mualim collapses, dying. The Piece of Eden falls from his hand and rolls away).
Al Mualim: Impossible! The student does not defeat the teacher!
Altaïr: La shaiq' waqee mutlak bl kollin mumkin. (Arabic: Nothing is true, everything is permitted).
Al Mualim: So it seems. You have won, then. Go and claim your prize.
Altaïr: You held fire in your hand, old man. It should have been destroyed!
Al Mualim: Destroy the only thing capable of ending the Crusades and bringing true peace!? Never!
Altaïr: Then I will!
Al Mualim: We'll see about that...
Trivia
- He is based on a real person, Rashid ad-Din Sinan, a.k.a. The Old Man of the Mountain.
- It is speculated that he, Rodrigo Borgia and Warren Vidic may be related: all three are the main antagonists of the series and all three having seemingly the same facial features (see theory).
- Despite being the Master of the Assassins, Al Mualim appears to have all ten fingers. The reason has not been given thus far.
- In Assassin's Creed: Altair's Chronicles, year before the events of the original game, Al Mualim appears to be a bit younger, as his beard is black.