Masyaf
In the Assassin's Creed world, the fortress of Masyaf ((Arabic مصياف)) is the base of operations of the Assassins Order, and home of Altaïr and Al Mualim. Masyaf has mountains located all around, that can been seen from the castle and the surrounding village. Masyaf is actually the smallest settlement outside of the kingdom. It is very quiet compared to the other cities (Acre, Damascus & Jerusalem) and has fewer people in terms of population.
Masyaf is built on a mountain nestled in the Orontes Valley, the castle being at the peak. The village appears to be more or less the same throughout the journey from top to bottom unaffected from the war ravaging the rest of the Holy Land, and occasionally you will encounter guards in groups of two talking to each other. They will become hostile in the same way as other guards despite them being subservient to Al Mualim.
The thugs in Masyaf can be pick pocketed in the same way as other thugs but will not attack you if you provoke them. It is unknown why they do not but one theory is that they are aware of the existence of the Assassins in their settlement and fear them.
There are (more or less) the same frequency of haystacks and other hiding places as in the cities in Masyaf.
There are no harassers of any sort in Masyaf for some reason. The absence of beggars, jar carriers, and guards blocking your access to places make Masyaf a more idyllic location. Improvisational role playing is more peaceful but less exciting than in the other cities.
Trivia
- Masyaf is the first location after Solomon's temple that is encountered during the game.