Maryam

He who increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow. This article contains spoilers, meaning it has information and facts concerning Assassin's Creed: Mirage – Daughter of No One. 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 21 February 2024.

"I walk toward my fate."

―Maryam's parting words to Roshan, 823.

Maryam was a brothel madam from Damascus, who operated a mobile brothel along the Silk Road in the early 9th century.

Biography

Having been a prostitute, Maryam decided to strike out on her own after learning of the limited options she and her peers had once they aged out of the work. She saved up her money, built connections with clients that could help her and took out some loans to establish her mobile brothel around 810. She paid all of the loans back, except one from Xex, who she kept as a silent partner for the political passage he granted her and her employees, guaranteeing a certain level of protection for them and a consistent payout for him. Though that particular loan had an astronomical interest and Maryam had no way out of it.

In 822, Maryam and her mobile brothel stationed themselves in the city of Thatta for a while, having the way to their brothel marked by maryam flowers drawn in chalk on walls. There, she sought out the inventor Bakhit, procuring an item that would prevent pregnancy, requesting that he test an old wives' tale, which involved copper bound with silkworm guts. Before leaving the inventor's house, she told him she would be back in seven days and paused at the doorway before talking with Roshan, leaning that the young woman could read, write and calculate. Maryam then introduced herself and gave Roshan a small piece of green fabric with a drawn white maryam flower, telling her that if she ever needed a change of career, she should seek her out.

A short time later, with Bakhit losing the favor of the prince of Thatta, Maryam was visited by a ragged Roshan, who had come to warn her that she too, was in danger and she should leave the city immediately. They left Thatta that night, kicking out men from the caravans mid coitus, her employees springing into action quickly, while Maryam's four burly lovers helped out. Roshan joined Maryam in her carriage and the older woman comforted her before saying they were heading for China, putting as much distance between them and the prince as possible, though noting that he wouldn't pursue them past the Indian border at the latest.

The following day Maryam offered Roshan a job as their bookkeeper in exchange for board, meals and a fee, though commented that the fee would fluctuate due to their earning depending on the climate. Roshan agreed to join and would also work as an off-and-on bodyguard for the brothel, being quite proficient at combat.

While at Chang'an, Maryam and her employees, including Roshan, attended a festival where thousands of homemade lanterns were set free to float into the sky. There, she taught them to dance the rhythms of her people, accompannied by an oud, a ney and a darbouka.

In 823, Maryam and her caravan were travelling towards Armenia but made a stop in Tabriz, where their wares were greatly appreciated. While there, Maryam met with Dervis, a regular that would sell her information as well as convert payments into items like precious stones. During their meeting, Roshan approached and asked Dervis for some information, which he agreed to locate before trying to poach Roshan, leading to Maryam playfully whacking him and warning him not to.

Some time later, Roshan discovered that Xex would attempt a hostile takeover of the brothel, wanting to run the caravan themselves, with Maryam either ending up without a job or once again a prostitute. Roshan warned the other women while Maryam was out with her lovers at a spa, with some women staying and others preparing to leave. As Maryam left the spa to find Roshan there, she asked if the younger woman was leaving, which she replied with a yes, as well as an admission that she had told the others. Maryam stepped forward, cupped Roshan's face and quickly stroked the skin under her eyes in a tender gesture before leaving for the market with her lovers in tow, telling Roshan she would walk towards her fate and waving.

Personality and traits

Maryam was described as a striking woman, despite the age she showed on her face. She would dress herself in the finest silks with the most suble shades, hiding her wealth to all but those who knew what to look for. Roshan considered her cunning, street smart and compassionate, multifaceted human and savvy businesswoman who was "objectively terrible when it came to records documenting the business".

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Mirage – Daughter of No One