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 Altaïr
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 AD, 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 AD, after Altaïr's failure to retrieve the Templar treasure at Solomon's Temple, the death of a fellow assassin (Kadar), Malik to lose his left arm, and the Templars attack on Masyaf, Al Mualim demotes him from Master Assassin to Novice, removing most of his equipment and his authority at the order. Al Mualim decides to give Altaïr a chance to redeem himself, his rank, and authority in the brotherhood by sending him to kill nine men who are orchestrating events of the Third Crusade from both Christian and Muslim sides. Each time Altaïr returns after eliminating one of the nine, Al Mualim lectures Altaïr more on the targets actions, Assassins Creed philosophy, restores one rank, gives him an upgrade, and then sends him off to track down the next target on the list. After killing the last man of the nine, Robert de Sable, the dying Templar states that Al Mualim was, in fact, a Templar all along. Altaïr then returns hastily to Masyaf to find that the people in the city have been put under a hypnotic trance by Al Mualim, but he along with some fellow assassins are unaffected by the mind control and make way to the fortress. After 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 several illusions that consist of the nine men Altaïr killed throughout the game, and clones of Al Mualim himself, Altaïr finally 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. After his death Altaïr takes his rank as the Grand Master Assassin of Masyaf.
Characteristics and Personality
Al Mualim, though known for being a wise and soft-spoken leader, at times shows himself to be mysterious and unpredictable. He never talks about anything too personal or suspicious about himself, and always changes the subject or gives an unexpected answer when people start questioning him; Or as Altaïr says, "digging deeper". He shrouds not just his order, but himself in a great cover of secrecy; he reveals little about himself and almost nothing is known about his early life, let alone anything beyond his duty as the Master of the Assassins. Masyaf, a discreet city in the mountain that acts as the fortress and headquarters of the Syrian sect of the Assassin Order, is where Al Mualim spends most of his time studying.
By his efforts, the Order has become a well-known, yet obscure faction, inspiring fear and uncertainty throughout the land and spreading rumors that increase the already legendary reputation of the brotherhood. This 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 ranging from philosophy to science. This wisdom he employs 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 the Creed pushes for peace within as well, on one occasion advising Altaïr not to demonize his enemies: "Never harbor hate for your victims, for such things are poison...". The leader of the Assassins often employs 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.
Final Words
(Al Mualim collapses. The Piece of Eden falls from his hand and rolls away).
Al Mualim: Impossible! The student does not defeat the teacher!
Altaïr: (Arabic: ) La shaiq' waqee mutlak bl kollin mumkin. (English : 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 creating true peace?! Never!
Altaïr: Then I will!
Al Mualim: We'll see about that...
Trivia
- Al Mualim is likely based upon a real life figure named Rashid ad-Din Sinan, a.k.a. The Old Man of the Mountain, who led the Syrian Assassins and died within Assassin's Creed's time-line. However, this is unconfirmed.
- Despite being the Master of the Assassins, Al Mualim appears to have all ten fingers. The reason has not been given thus far, but possibly because he has no hidden blade.
- In Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles, set one year before the events of the original game, Al Mualim appears to be a bit younger, as his beard is black.
- He is around his 50s during the events of the first game. [1]
Reference
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Official Game Guide
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